Vivitar Battery Grip for Canon EOS 5D Mark II
The Vivitar Battery Grip provides the power you need for the Canon EOS 5D Mark II SLR digital camera. It adds to the power by using 2 LP-E6 rechargeable, high-capacity batteries, or use 6 AA batteries. In addition, the battery pack provides a vertical shutter release, that makes holding the camera in the vertical orientation as easy and secure as in the horizontal position.
The versatility of using the Battery Grip is three fold. Two LP-E6 rechargeable batteries will allow you many hours of uninterrupted shooting. In an emergency rechargeable or alkaline AA batteries can be used. Plus the vertical shutter release will make vertical shooting as comfortable as the horizontal format.REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 50 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
94%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Good value (27)
- Reliable (25)
- Easy to install (21)
- Lightweight (21)
- Easy to use (17)
Cons
Best Uses
- Professional cameras (20)
- Travel (15)
- Everyday (14)
- Portraits (10)
- Primary battery (10)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Professional (14), Pro photographer (13), Semi-pro photographer (10), Photo enthusiast (6), Semi-professional (4)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (28)
Most Liked Positive Review
Excellent Value, and well built.
I was very surprised when I opened the packaging to find just how well-made this battery grip is, and what excellent value for money at around one-third the price of the Canon equivalent.
I was very surprised when I opened the packaging to find just how well-made this battery grip is, and what excellent value for money at around one-third the price of the Canon equivalent.
I only use a battery grip infrequently -- usually when I trvel to remote places and have no access to mains electricity (so I use AA batteries), and when I need longer battery life when shooting video on the EOS-5D II.
I held this battery grip side-by-side with my other, Canon-branded grip (for EOS-20/40D), and noticed the following:
-- Overall build qulity was very, very similar. Good solid materials, and nice fit and finish.
-- The buttons felt almost exactly the same as the Canon ones, with the exception of the speed-dial, which had a slightly less "solid" clicking to it.
-- The leather-look covering has a slightly smaller texture to it, but still matches up very well to the camera.
-- The "on-off" dial switch is not quite as nicely sculpted as the Canon version, but still works well.
-- The only area where the Vivitar shows noticeably lower quality is in the internal AA battery holder, which is made of a lighter-gauge of plastic, and doesn't click into place quite as easily as the Canon.
Overall I would have no hesitation in recommending this over the Canon version.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Works most of the time
I've had this grip for about 2 months now and it sometimes locks up the shutter speed dial on top of the camera. I'm not exactly sure what is going on, but the camera ...Read complete review
I've had this grip for about 2 months now and it sometimes locks up the shutter speed dial on top of the camera. I'm not exactly sure what is going on, but the camera was brand new and the grip was brand new. The only way to correct the problem is to turn the grip to "off" and then control of the on camera shutter wheel comes back. It's a intermittent problem and then I just use the camera mounted controls even when shooting portrait. Eventually, it can be turned back on and works fine for a while. I gave it 3 stars because the price is so much lower than the Canon grip and it does provide you with 100% more battery power.
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 50 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-20
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Pros
- Easy To Install
- Good Value
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Vivitar Battery Grip for Canon EOS 5D Mark II:
Not weather sealed but very well made. It makes shooting in portrait mode a breeze. I am amazed at what you get for the money.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Good Value
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Vivitar Battery Grip for Canon EOS 5D Mark II:
Works well. Not as robust as the Canon original, but an excellent value. It does have the advantage of being a bit lighter.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Install
- Good Value
- Lightweight
- Long-Lasting
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Back-Up
- Primary Battery
- Professional Cameras
- Travel
Comments about Vivitar Battery Grip for Canon EOS 5D Mark II:
Why would you buy the Canon version when this one works perfectly? It is great to have. The ultimate backup power system.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Install
- Good Value
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Professional Cameras
Comments about Vivitar Battery Grip for Canon EOS 5D Mark II:
Well, this vertical grip does the job at 1/3 of the price of the Canon. Having used both, the Canon is definitely built to a higher standard. Whether that's worth another $150 is up to you. I wouldn't want it to get rained on.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Install
- Good Value
Cons
Best Uses
- Back-Up
- Travel
Comments about Vivitar Battery Grip for Canon EOS 5D Mark II:
I purchased it two weeks ago and it works very well. It is relatively well made but from what I hear not as good as original Canon. I can agree that I would preffer it to be sturdier. However considering the price.. no complaints. I am really interested how AA batteries will perform, I did not have the time to test it yet. If it would be item that I would use all the time I would spend money on Canon. For my intended use it is perfect option. Very happy with it.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Install
- Good Value
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Vivitar Battery Grip for Canon EOS 5D Mark II:
Works just like Canon BG-E6 except it does not have the grippy material on the battery door, only on the front. I've only had a battery error once so far with this, havn't had problem since. AF-ON button on grip seems raised higher than my pervious non-oem BG-E6 that this replaced, kind of annoying. All in all, this thing is inexpensive and doesn't cost $240, if I drop this I won't cry, cheap to replace.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Install
- Good Value
- Long-Lasting
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Professional Cameras
Comments about Vivitar Battery Grip for Canon EOS 5D Mark II:
Vivitar produced a winner with this grip.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Install
- Good Value
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Vivitar Battery Grip for Canon EOS 5D Mark II:
Save $ by purchasing this Vivitar product instead of the Canon version. It fit well and works, so I'm thrilled with it.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Install
- Easy to use
- Good Value
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Primary Battery
- Professional Cameras
Comments about Vivitar Battery Grip for Canon EOS 5D Mark II:
I bought this two weeks ago - in that time I have shot 2- 10 hour weddings, and multiple shorter length jobs. I must say that my wrist is thanking me profusely! Not only does this grip make shooting verticals MUCH more comfortable, not having to switch out batteries mid wedding was amazing! Being that it bulks the camera up some I thought it might be significantly heavier, but the grip is actually not a significant change in weight... The only thing I noticed that is a little more difficult is the distance to the back camera wheel (for changing aperture in manual mode) when shooting vertical w the grip...but I have small hands and won't ding the grip for the operators small hands ;) all in all I highly recommend this grip! For the price you really can't beat it! Make sure you read how to remove your battery cover when installing, it's super easy - but not obvious.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Long-Lasting
Cons
Best Uses
- Back-Up
- Primary Battery
- Professional Cameras
Comments about Vivitar Battery Grip for Canon EOS 5D Mark II:
I bought this grip so I would not have to change my batteries at crucial moments at weddings, and I bought a 70-200 lens to help compensate for the weight of the heavy lens, I love this grip.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Install
- Good Value
Cons
- Lock wheel feels loose
Best Uses
- Professional Cameras
- Travel
Comments about Vivitar Battery Grip for Canon EOS 5D Mark II:
It felt much better than I thought when I opened the box. I have been using it for more than two weeks and didn't find any problem with it. Batteries are registered correctively; Main Dial turns well and Shutter Button works OK. For this price I took away one star is because sometimes I get two shots if I don't release the shutter quickly when I am in the continuous shooting mode.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
- Too Bulky
Best Uses
- Professional Cameras
Comments about Vivitar Battery Grip for Canon EOS 5D Mark II:
You need the take off the battery cover, which is not a easy thing to do and you may edn up loss the part.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Install
- Good Value
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
- Auto-focus intermittently
Best Uses
- Professional Cameras
Comments about Vivitar Battery Grip for Canon EOS 5D Mark II:
With each DSLR I've owned, I've also owned a battery grip along with it and can't go without it. Easy to use and very easy to transition from a landscape to a portrait shot still having controls handy. For days when I'm out shooting all day long, the extra battery life is a huge plus because I don't have to stop and switch batteries out.
The only issue I've seen intermittently with this particular grip is that the auto-focus doesn't consistently work 100% of the time when orientation is changed to on-grip use. Besides that, I can't complain about anything else, as it does what I need it to do.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Vivitar Battery Grip for Canon EOS 5D Mark II:
This product is worth the money and I do recommend the purchase if you're on a budget. That said, the grip actually flexs from the weight of the camera at the mounting point. It didnt give me the immediate feeling of confidence that I would like while holding 3 grand in my hands.
Pros: Obviously the price point is huge here. It functions as it should. Very lightweight.
Cons: Build quality is certainly lacking a bit. The color is a little different than the camera. It kind of feels like it just may break any second (Dont think it will)
Conclusion: Not a bad purchase, but you are getting what you're paying for.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Good Value
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Professional Cameras
Comments about Vivitar Battery Grip for Canon EOS 5D Mark II:
Works as promised. Not as well built as the Canon handgrip but for a third the price it performs very well.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Comfortable
- Convenient
- Good Value
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Back-Up
- Convenience
- Professional Cameras
- Travel
- Versatility
Comments about Vivitar Battery Grip for Canon EOS 5D Mark II:
After my 50D's Canon Battery Grip began to have problems, I thought it would be worthwhile to assess one of the cheaper brand options this time around. I have not been let down.
This does everything that the Canon one would. It's a smooth comfortable effective battery/vertical grip and I would highly recommend it.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Good Value
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Primary Battery
- Professional Cameras
Comments about Vivitar Battery Grip for Canon EOS 5D Mark II:
I don't know why Canon must charge so much for the battery grip for the Canon Mark II, but I read many reviews and compared the grips of the non Canon brand. I read the best reviews with the Vivitar, plus it was 4 to 5 times cheaper. I've been using it and have found no problems with it all. It was a very wise investment. Certain things you may not want to go off brand on, but others are okay.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Install
- Good Value
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Primary Battery
- Professional Cameras
Comments about Vivitar Battery Grip for Canon EOS 5D Mark II:
I didn't feel like dishing out all of the money on the Canon grip for my camera. Also, I had good luck with a Flashpoint grip for my 7d so I thought I'd give this one a try. For me, Vivitar definitely seems like a more known and trusted brand than Flashpoint. Honestly, I was concerned about there being a logo/label on this grip, giving away that I didn't spend more for the Canon and not looking "pro". No such indications at all on the grip. It looks ans works fine and nobody knows it's not a Canon grip. Not much else to write. All functions work perfectly.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Install
- Form factor
- Good Value
Cons
- Construction quality
Best Uses
- Primary Battery
Comments about Vivitar Battery Grip for Canon EOS 5D Mark II:
I own Canon vertical battery grips for various DSLR's including 5D (original), two 7Ds as well as an old D60. The Vivitar feels decidedly less robust and not as solid as the Canon but it appears to work well and is the same form factor as Canon's. (Form factor is important if you add a Swiss-Arca tripod L-bracket.)
I gave this product 4 stars for construction quality compared to Canon but for 1/3 the money it seems like an exceptionally good buy. So far, I'm very happy with this purchase.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Install
- Good Value
- Reliable
Cons
- Loses Charge Over Time
Best Uses
- Back-Up
- Professional Cameras
Comments about Vivitar Battery Grip for Canon EOS 5D Mark II:
A good choice for my 5D markII. It seems very solid, and a good battery grip to handle.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Displaying reviews 1-20
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Batteries & Power
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- Original: $34.95
- Save: $3.49
- Price: $31.46
Straps
- Price: $26.95
What's in the Box
- AA Battery Adapter Plate
- 1-Year Warranty
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