T3I Aftermarket Battery Grip - Anybody Have Experience?

K

Kenneth Fisher

Active member
I have found some aftermarket battery grips for the T3i online. They are very well reviewed, and are much less expensive than the Canon battery grip.

One is from B&H, costs $60 and is branded as a Vello Battery Grip: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/722104-REG/Vello_BG_C5_BG_C5_Battery_Grip_for.html.

I found a bunch more on Amazon for around $30, they seem to be made by Meike: http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Rebel-Replacement-Power-BG-E8/dp/B004GN8NJ2/

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I think the Vello grip might be made by the same manufacturer, Meike. They appear virtually identical in the photos. Does anyone know? If it is, I would by the cheaper one from Amazon.

Also, does anyone have experience with these aftermarket battery grips? Problems? Recommendations? There is one with a built in time-lapse and intervalometer too.

Thanks!
 
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Hello Kenneth,
You ll be just fine with the cheap one, I have one like that and using it more than a year already without problems...
I would skip the one with the built in intervalometer...too much complicated I think...buy a stand alone intervalometer instead...I bought one for around 15$ and its very good.
 
I have the Meike; it's great. Not a pitch-perfect match for the T3i's stock grip, but then, neither is the Canon. It's comfortable & durable, the controls work flawlessly, and it comes with an extra AA-battery tray as a backup in case you run out of the BP-E8s. Oh, and it has a nice little compartment where you can slip the standard battery cover so you don't risk losing it. I have heard some people claim they ordered from Amazon and didn't get the Meike, but got a crappier one instead. I can't speak to the veracity of those claims as I ordered it from there recently and DID get the Meike, but there you have it.
 
I've got the Mieke too, I'm using it with the 550D though (the same grip fits the t3i as well). It feels very solid considering the price. One of my favorite things about it is I no longer have to take the tripod plate off to change batteries. The form factor is a lot more comfortable when shooting portraits, and gives a slight impovement for handholding with video as well. Definitely well worth the $30 I paid.
 
when the cam is on a rig or tripod do you guys notice the camera flexing forward from the weight of the lens? i've seen some pics where it seems to be leaning a a bit and was wondering if this happens with the aftermarket grips or with the Canon one too.
 
I have the Mieke one listed in the OP and love it.

I've been using it for over 6 months now and it has served me very very well.

It's also like half the price I paid for it.

Great value, It holds up!

Grab one
 
The only complaint I've seen regularly from after market grips is that things like battery clips can break. I use one on my D7000 and I just try to handle it gently when changing batteries.

As for balance - ack. A DSLR is already a crap form-factor for video shooting. I shoot a lot of client footage with my Canon and have never had the slightest desire to add a grip. I cut a notch in my base plate with an angle grinder so the battery door can swing open, making it easy to swap batteries on the rig. Plus, with a loupe and matte box, I like that the "DSLR-ness" is masked and I don't get dumb questions from clients (like, "When do we stop shooting stills and do the video?") The grip would mess with that vibe (and how do you get a matte box that high anyway??) Just my .02.
 
I like the weight and surface area the grip adds.

The t2i is realllly small on it's own. It makes me feel like I have giant hands, which I don't. The grip not only adds function in the buttons on it, but also doubles the battery life while taking the heat of batteries away from the center of the body.

I don't use a matte box though, although I do use a loupe.

I have no Idea how you'd get it that high.... I'll throw all seriousness aside and say legos and duct tape
 
Hi Guys,

Thanks for all the advice. I purchased it, actually my wife purchased it for me for Christmas, along with a bunch of other toys. In this case it is more for stills while I teach myself, I may or may not use the battery grip for video once I feel comfortable bringing it on projects.

This is the one I got: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003QZ6SIY/

$29.71, can't beat it! If it ends up being a POS, then it goes in the POS gear bin.

Ken
 
I highly doubt you'll be disappointed. I've got one of the aftermarket battery grips as well, and it isn't a Meike. It's one of those $35 grips from Amazon. I think mine is from Neewer. I've gotten several things from them and I've always been very pleased.
 
abe in space said:
I have the Meike; it's great. Not a pitch-perfect match for the T3i's stock grip, but then, neither is the Canon. It's comfortable & durable, the controls work flawlessly, and it comes with an extra AA-battery tray as a backup in case you run out of the BP-E8s. Oh, and it has a nice little compartment where you can slip the standard battery cover so you don't risk losing it.
Click to expand...

I have the Meike and I don't see this compartment anywhere... unless I am missing something? :huh:
 
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