Canon BGE1 Battery Grip for use with the Digital Rebel Camera

Holds 2 CANON BP-511 Battery Packs to allow double-length shooting time
Customer Review: Portrait Photographers - this is your ticket
Purchased over 18 months ago - the BGE-1 Battery grip has become a permanent fixture on my Digital Rebel. The ability to power the Digital Rebel with a second battery gives me the insurance I need to NEVER look at the power bar at any event I shoot. Things I like about the Battery Grip: 1. Second battery means never having to worry about power. 2. Portrait photography - which I do much of -- becomes less of a chore with secondary shutter controls available in the "portrait" position. 3. Great balance - using the 420EX Speedlight and a series of telephoto lenses - the grip brings better balance and lessens hand fatigue by bringing a lower center of gravity to a long lens shooting assignment. 4. Shooting portraits- using an aluminum "L/U" bracket to put the speedlight higher than just using the "hotshoe" mount - the battery access is blocked when screwing the bracket to the camera tripod mount. The Battery grip enables access to both camera batteries in all situations. 5. "The look for public access": When tricked out with an "L" series telephoto, a battery grip and a BG-15 eyepiece extender - one rarely needs to show credientals while covering all but the most secure public or private events. You are "in the business". Things I'd like to see improved: 1. Plastic battery door feels flimsy. 2. Extra weight and size is not needed for the casual photographer. 3. Use of battery extender grip disallows use of a standard Canon camera case. 4. Would like similar features to its Rebel XT battery grip counterpart- ability to use AA batteries in lieu of a second Canon battery would be great! Four AA Ni-Mh's are cheaper than even the Canon knockoff recharagables.
Customer Review: Great accesory
This grip is fantastic. It gives your digi reb all the bulk that it was missing out of the box. The vertical shutter release are quite useful, in fact, I wish i would have bought my camera with the grip because it is difficult to retrain yourself to use the second set of shutter controls. Also, the camera quickly converts back to gripless in about 15 seconds, because the original battery door has a secure little spot inside of the grip. Also, it makes your camera feel and look a lot more "pro".


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