Opteka Battery Pack Grip / Vertical Shutter Release for Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi & Rebel XT with 2 NB-2LH Batteries
by Opteka
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List Price: Category: Digital Camera See more product details |
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Opteka Battery Pack Grip / Vertical Shutter Release for Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi & Rebel XT with 2 NB-2LH Batteries
Customer Review: Best Investment For My Digital Rebel XT
Summary: 5 Stars
I was debating upon myself of getting the Opteka Battery Pack Grip or the Canon Battery Grip. Due to the cost of this product, which includes the Grip and 2 extra batteries, I chose to buy the Opteka brand.
This is one of the greatest investment I have made for my Digital Rebel XT. The capability of using 2 batteries in my camera is indeed a welcome addition, especially when I'm using my Speedlite 430EX or body flash. It also functions if there is 1 battery in the compartment as well. Also included is a 6 AA battery compartment, which I haven't used yet. Perhaps it is useful someday as I've never needed it since I now have 4 camera batteries.
The Grip is very handy if you carry a heavy lens because it makes holding the camera body so much easier. When I attach my heavy EF-S 17-85mm IS USM lens and my Speedlite 430EX, it gives my hand some relief when I'm shooting with the camera. Also, the rubberized grip texture feels so nice, similar to my 30D.
Another pro for this Grip is that there is a shutter release button on the lower right side so that if I decide to shoot vertical I don't have to have my elbows up in the air. That is a neat feature.
I don't really have much to complain about except that the Grip gets a bit dusty. Also, I think the battery release knob feels cheap. One of my favorite thing about this Grip is that once attached to my camera, it makes my Digital Rebel XT look like the 1D MK camera. That is very sweet and makes me look like a professional.
I would definitely recommend this to my friends. I'm planning to buy a Battery Grip for my 30D soon.
Customer Review: Solidly made
Summary: 4 Stars
Update: After running through a few recharges with the batteries (as well as the original Canon battery included with the camera), I have to say they seem to hold up. So really this deal is better thanks to reliable batteries included. I honestly could not imagine shooting without a grip attached, the camera is pretty tiny. This opens it up a bit and it gives you a bit of a "pro" look even if it is just the same Rebel like everyone else!
Original review:
Ok, i just got mine today- Amazon retailer was reliably prompt in order processing and delivery- and this sucker is already worth it. The construction of the grip feels solid- I would assume its near the same weight as the Canon grip (after trying that one out in a store). The actual grip portion's texture is pleasing and I notice no peeling or anything like that.
The shutter button as well as exposure dial feel good, not identical though to the camera's button and wheel. The shutter button has a little more "travel" so clicking it halfway means you press a little more (minutely more, but noticable). I find the main shutter is very 'short' and have wound up taking a picture when I just wanted to press halfway- the grip's buttons are an improvement IMO. And i like the exposure wheel too as the main one is a little stiff.
Also worth noting (if it hasn't been recently) is that you can disable the grip's buttons if so desired and it has the AE lock and AF selection buttons replicated on the comparable portion of the grip. Even if the batteries aren't good (which i haven't even tested yet) this is a great deal on a good grip.
Customer Review: No punches pulled on this Review
Summary: 4 Stars
First let me say I've read every review on this product before I bought it. The first thing I learned is you can't please everyone and some people just nit-picked this product apart. Since I could'nt afford a genuine Canon grip and then buy 2 batteries to go with it this seemed like a great deal. Other reviewers said the buttons seemed mushy. They are but not so much that I did'nt get used to it rather quickly and it does'nt bother me in the least bit now. They said the dial does'nt click for each position, mine does, not as much as the one on the camera but it does'nt bother me either. Some said the batteries did'nt last long. I shoot something every day and on weekends I shoot quite a bit. Did not have to recharge the batteries for the first month. Just don't leave the grip turned on all the time and shut your camera off when your done shooting. I have never had a problem with it losing power when in the vertical position as some have said they have. Most everyone complained about the grip material coming off, they made it sound like it was peeling off completely as soon as it came out of the box. Yes it was coming up on the very edge on the back side, NOT falling off. I took a little brush and some super glue and solved the problem in less than 5 minutes. The Opteka Battery Pack Grip fit my xti perfectly. I have'nt taken it off yet and do not plan to. Would I reccomend it? YES. Would I buy another one if I bought a backup camera? YES. Am I satisfied with the price and performance of this product? YES YES YES. Best accessory other than lenses I have bought for my Rebel xti. I highly recommend the Opteka Battery Pack Grip.Customer Review: Opteka Battery Pack Grip for Canon w/2 NB-2LH Batt (900mAh x 2)
Summary: 5 Stars
A no brainer! Sorry it took me so long to submit a review (and such a long one at that), but I've been buying everything imaginable for my "Precious", aka Canon Digital XTi.
If this battery pack grip w/batteries is even still available, and you own a Canon Digital XTi, you MUST buy it. When I got my camera, it came with a 700mAh battery, and I got an additional 1000mAh. This grip package alone comes with the grip & 2 900mAh batteries! And contrary to what manufacturers, those trying to make extra money off of you, and amateur photographers who leave their cameras on, and view each & every photo they take say, the batteries that come with the grip LAST!
The grip itself is definitely one of the best purchases I've made for my "Precious"-(anyone who has a Dig.SLR knows why I'm calling her that, or even calling my camera her or him:)
Though I haven't had a Canon grip to compare, I don't need one. This grip not only allows you to take those longer, portrait shots without breaking your wrist, it also makes the camera feel, and look more professional.
The buttons on the grip feel more than "suitably similar" to the buttons on the camera, so there's no drop off there. Unless you think the camera by itself is too heavy, you will probably embrace the extra weight, rather than deem it too heavy, + the added options, and battery life will out weigh the weight.
I've had it now for over 3 months, and have had no problems, just praise.
If I were the seller, I would buy this from you if you didn't "agree".
OK, we've all got shooting to do (the good kind:)
Customer Review: Good value, works well. Effectively increases shooting flexibility
Summary: 4 Stars
I purchased this to go with my XTi. The primary reason I purchased it was to give me an additional shutter release, control wheel, and the function buttons to more effectively allow vertical shooting (which is what I prefer to shoot). Adjusting the settings manually, w/o moving the camera around is very, very nice. The increased battery life is a plus, but still a secondary feature for me.
Cosmetically, the fit, and finish of the product was acceptable, but the one thing that it lacked was similarity to the style of the camera. The plastic body was of a different finish than the camera (more of a matte), and the textured grip was also different than the smooth rubberized grip of the camera.
Functionally, the grip works quite well, it feels secured to the camera, and part of it, everything works as described, and the battery sled (for NB-2LHs) secures properly yet is not fussy about operating for an on the fly battery change. The shutter button definitely has a different feel than the camera's... not as positive, but it certainly didn't inhibit the operation.
If I could ask for anything more, I would ask that it matches the rounded bottom edges of the camera more, and that the finish matched that of the camera, all to make it seem more seamless. But then If I was that picky, I would have sprung an extra fifty bucks for the genuine Canon grip.
Overall, good value. This camera definitely carries the extra heft well, and I wish I'd made this purchase sooner. Most of my work is vertical, and I find that added flexibility priceless.