Sony VG-B50AM Vertical Grip for Sony Alpha A500, A550 & A580

Comments about VG-B50AM Vertical Grip for Sony Alpha A500, A550 & A580:

There is no doubt the grip is good quality; no worries about it coming lose, I can take about 2000+ shots with the two batteries, and it auto-switches when one is exhausted... however... it's expensive. I'm glad retailers don't charge Sony's MSRP, but this grip was 26% the cost of my camera... there are generics but half the stories associated with them are not good. Eh... 4 stars for quality, -1 star for price.

Comments about VG-B50AM Vertical Grip for Sony Alpha A500, A550 & A580:

An absolute must accessory for wedding & portrait photography event assignments.
Key reasons to add to your accessory bag of tricks:
1.) Stability,
2.) Convenience,
3.) Ergonomic grip & solid Sony Alpha design features,
4.) Ease of shooting vertically as well as offering the photographer a stable natural horizontal handling position, and
5.) Great low-battery switching feature.
6.) B & H's competitive marketplace pricing and consumer value.

Comments about VG-B50AM Vertical Grip for Sony Alpha A500, A550 & A580:

Good for vertical pictures, but price is kind of high for what little features it does replicate. Compared to other grips that I had from Minolta they had more features such as they had where you can use other battery sizes/types and more functional buttons.

Comments about VG-B50AM Vertical Grip for Sony Alpha A500, A550 & A580:

Love the new vertical grip for my Sony a500. Very comfortable to use. now I have 2 charged batteries at the same time and don't need to worry about running out of a charge..in the middle of a shoot.

Comments about VG-B50AM Vertical Grip for Sony Alpha A500, A550 & A580:

I would rank this 4 stars, but it gets slightly downgraded vs the 900 model (which won't work for a 5xx camera) because you actually have to remove the battery door. It has a spot to keep it, but why didn't they do it just like the 900 version, where the door still attached, just slides down in... makes it difficult to switch so you are likely not going to use it or are stuck with it as if you are in the middle of disney world towing 2 kids you are going to mess switching. It works great, perfect for long travel stints (hikes, parks, etc) or if you are using your built-in flash a lot. It is bulkier so a lot of camera bags won't accomodate. The vertical shoot option is great to have, but I almost always forget it's there in the 'heat of getting a shot'. If you are doing lots of tweeking with the dial for Apeture/Shutter/etc I could see it get used more, especially with weddings, etc... but again this isn't for a Pro camera like the 850/900. Overall I'm happy I got it and would recommend that you spend the extra for this model over the cheep jobies you see on e bay, but unless you have a specific need, just keep extra batteries with you... swapping them isn't that hard.

Comments about VG-B50AM Vertical Grip for Sony Alpha A500, A550 & A580:

Is heavy with two batteries but helps offset the heavy Sigma, Tamron, and Tokina lens I now use. Total package is heavy but I get more shots than my cards can hold.

Comments about VG-B50AM Vertical Grip for Sony Alpha A500, A550 & A580:

This is a must have accessory for the a580 double battery power avtually feels better than the grip on the camera.

Comments about VG-B50AM Vertical Grip for Sony Alpha A500, A550 & A580:

Read some online revies. The grip fits my A580 flawlessly. Only difference in this grip and my Minolta Maxxum 7D is that the battery compartment door most be removed. This is very simple and there is a storage slot on the grip insert to put the door. Wish they would do that for the flash hot shoe protective cover. Battery release door icon, to me is a bit confusing, but once you do it......it comes naturally.

Comments about VG-B50AM Vertical Grip for Sony Alpha A500, A550 & A580:

I rarely give out 5 stars. I enjoy this grip, and I didn't have any problems installing it to my 580. It's an attachment designed to fit what...4 models...so aesthetically isn't as pleasing as some of the Canikons that fit a single model.

Comments about VG-B50AM Vertical Grip for Sony Alpha A500, A550 & A580:

GREAT COMPANION TO MY SONY A560 - LITERATURE DOES NOT MENTION THIS AS BEING FOR THE A560 OR A580; HOWEVER IT IS. BOX READ SONY A500 & A550.

WORKS JUST GREAT FOR VERTICAL PICTURES AND PROVIDING HAND GRASP.

Comments about VG-B50AM Vertical Grip for Sony Alpha A500, A550 & A580:

Great product for the Sony A500 series. Add twice the battery capacity and a more comfortable hand position vertically. East to install and includes a recessed area to mount your original battery cover from the camera body.[...]

Comments about VG-B50AM Vertical Grip for Sony Alpha A500, A550 & A580:

Taking vertical shots just got much easier with this grip. It enables you to securely hold the camera comfortably. The looks are plain but the functionality exceeds expectations. Would definitely recommend getting another battery to enable you to carry two at a time.

Comments about VG-B50AM Vertical Grip for Sony Alpha A500, A550 & A580:

Adding a grip makes the camera heavier. I still prefer using a grip, for several reasons:
* Two batteries, double number of exposures
* Additional shutter button for portrait mode
* Actually being bigger and heavier makes it easier to hold
* Gives my little finger a place to rest, and better to hold

Comments about VG-B50AM Vertical Grip for Sony Alpha A500, A550 & A580:

I have this mounted on my a500 and it is very comfortable in my hands when using the camera in a vertical mode. It does make the camera a bit heavier but it's still balanced. I like the fact that the battery cover has a storage spot in the grip also. All in all...a good useful piece of equipment.

Comments about VG-B50AM Vertical Grip for Sony Alpha A500, A550 & A580:

Great addition for your Sony A580 camera
gives more room for you too grip since the A580 is a small DSLR, and you can double your run time with 2 batteries installed.
Highly recommended!

Comments about VG-B50AM Vertical Grip for Sony Alpha A500, A550 & A580:

The Sony DSLR-A5x0 cameras already have good ergonomics and the VG-B50AM improves it even more. It makes the camera even easier to hold and is more natural in vertical position. The added size and weight makes the camera easier to keep steady. The second battery means that you'll probably run out of memory cards before you run out of power during a shoot.

Don't be fooled by the cheaper, off-brand, grips. Those do not handle the two batteries properly. They either have a clunky manual switch or even worse, just wire the two batteries in parallel. That can potentially ruin batteries or even the camera. Only with the VG-B50AM will your camera see both batteries and automatically switch between them. You actually see two battery meters on the screen. It's worth spending the money for the real-deal.

Comments about VG-B50AM Vertical Grip for Sony Alpha A500, A550 & A580:

I use it for a larger grip on the camera
Gives me extra battery life

Comments about VG-B50AM Vertical Grip for Sony Alpha A500, A550 & A580:

Why wouldn't you want twice the battery life? Has helped steady my hands, and made vertical photos even better. Adds a little weight, but the increase in stability more than makes up for it. A must-have.

Comments about VG-B50AM Vertical Grip for Sony Alpha A500, A550 & A580:

I bought this grip to make my vertical shooting simpler! I am an Amature Sports photographer and felt that a Vertical grip was an important addition to my gear! I have not been disappointed! It was easy to mount, easy to use, and it felt good in my hand. Not to small and not too big. I had a chance to use it on Saturday (July 24, 2010) and it worked great! While it added some weight to my Sony a550, it is not too heavy. If you are a Sony a500 or a550 owner, this grip comes highly recommended!

Comments about VG-B50AM Vertical Grip for Sony Alpha A500, A550 & A580:

This grip helps keep the photo on axis, makes for easier vertical shots and
puts the shutter release right where it should be. The second battery extends
endurance beyond imagination!