2. Battery grips provide a number of operational advantages. Its vertical shutter release makes it easier to photograph portraits and your camera feels less of a burden towards the end of your shooting schedule. Your camera is less likely to fall or roll when placed on a tabletop because a grip enhances the camera’s stability. A grip can also serve as a mini-stand when shooting products or food, for example. Position it on a level surface and the lens could be elevated to a good shooting angle.
3. Using a battery grip often means you don’t have to spend valuable time changing batteries because you have double the power available.
4. For some photographers, a battery grip is a bit of a status symbol, indicating that they are more serious about photography or brand them as professionals.
5. You must also keep in mind that once you attach a separate battery grip to a camera you’ve increased the size and weight of the combined unit. The combination may not fit in your current camera bag, so do some measuring, so you know you can carry the grip and camera together. It would be a hassle to dissemble the two every time you must pack and unpack them.
6. With an effectively larger camera body in your hand or around your neck, it’s more difficult to be discrete in some shooting environments. The camera/grip combo could be a distraction or make it an easier target for theft. It’s probably better to keep the grip at home if you want to shoot street photography or events with large crowds.
7. If you decide a battery grip would be beneficial for your type of photography, then your choices are the manufacturer’s grip made for your camera or a grip from an independent, third-party company.
8. Not all camera companies make battery grips for all their camera models, which is why a third-party grip may be your only choice.
9. In most cases, a third-party grip will cost less than the OEM’s, or manufacturer, product. Cost can’t be your only criterion, however. Spending more money for the highest quality, most durable grip may be a better investment if you will be using it most of the time.
10. Another option is to buy a used battery grip that is made for your camera, but, again, be wary of the source and inspect and test it thoroughly before agreeing to the purchase.
11. Many photographers advise that you purchase any third-party grip from a retailer with an excellent reputation and liberal return policy and guarantee, such as B&H Photo Video. Visit the store’s Web site for more information about battery grips at http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=camera+battery+grips&N=0&InitialSearch=yes.
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