BG-ED3 - battery handgrip

[stan_g]

I see you have received many-many responses in a few hours. For long lenses or long shoots (many pics) it's very useful. Better balance, longer batt life, vertical buttons, etc. It uses the same batt and has a special crevice for storing the removable door while on the camera. For a small lenses, ie. 50mm, 24-85, even the 17-35 "L", I like the D30 without the grip better. Throw it in you bag with 1 full batt installed then xfer the batt in Camera to the grip when you want it on the camera. Great accessory.

Sorry for this simple question in this wonderful forum...
But is the handgrip (BG-ED3) for the D30 worth buying?
--
Reto

 

[Martyn38590]

I'd agree with Mike, in addition:

If you have large hands, the grip makes the ergonomics far better

The extra weight of the two batteries further from the lens provides significant image stabilisation. I can shoot a stop or two longer exposure with the grip!

Downside is finding a bag to fit the camera in easily with the grip - a minor grip gripe ;o)

hope this helps

Martyn

If you have the money to spare, then YES!

Provides P orientation shooting.
Holds two batteries, double the fun.
Very easy to quick to change batteries with it's design.
You can also run on a single battery if needed.
Provides better balance with the giant lenses you may be purchasing
later!
Has a large tripod mounting plate.
A little extra protection to the base of the camera.

 

[jcwphoto]

I second Danny's opinions.

1) I find the camera to be much easier to handle without the added weight of the grip.

2) I found myself never really using the camera in portrait mode. If I do shoot vertical, I just rotate my wrist and hold the camera vertically, with my hand at the top. Besides, I had a quick release plate on at all times, and it made the grip a little uncomfortable to use.

3) The camera was HUGE with the grip installed. Much easier to stash away in bags without the grip.

4) I also carry a spare battery. Though inconvenient at times (first battery running out at inopportune times), I didn't think it justified the $150US.

But hey, in the end, you just gotta try it for yourself. Just because everyone except for Danny and me like the grip doesn't mean you'll like it.

Jason

Lastly, the grip for the Rebel 2000 cost all of $20 bucks. The
cost of the vertical grip for the D30 to be ridiculous. There is
no reason the grip should be more expensive just because the camera
is.

Danny

Sorry for this simple question in this wonderful forum...
But is the handgrip (BG-ED3) for the D30 worth buying?
--
Reto

 

[Bryan29453]

I'd agree with that.

I agree that the D30 grip is overpriced. However, it is probably
more substantial than the Rebel's grip. Does the Rebel's grip
duplicate all the controls that the D30's does?

I bought the grip to make the camera easier to hold both in
landsape and portrait modes. In portrait mode, the duplicate
controls are very useful. When I am traveling light, I remove the
grip and put my 28/2.8 lens on the camera. I find the camera more
awkward to use but very easy to carry.

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1019&message=702735&query=battery+charge+grip

Another issue, I recall, was interference between the grip and some
flash brackets...possibly regarding Stroboframes.

Danny

I thought that the D30 actually did use one battery fully then
switched over to the other, like oposite to the charger which will
charge one before charging the other. Or have other posts on this
subject, plus Canon, all been wrong?

I did emphasise "personal choice" I always have the extra bit on
the bottom as I find it more readily assists me in holding the
camera. Only balance problem bit is, as you say, for a bit of
weight on the front you lose a large wedge out the wallet! too
large - agreed 100%.

Bryan

Lastly, the grip for the Rebel 2000 cost all of $20 bucks. The
cost of the vertical grip for the D30 to be ridiculous. There is
no reason the grip should be more expensive just because the camera
is.

Danny

Sorry for this simple question in this wonderful forum...
But is the handgrip (BG-ED3) for the D30 worth buying?
--
Reto

 

[Bryan29453]

True Oh wise one.

Canon also say that.

WRONG oh wise one. The D30's battery usage goes as follows. It will
use the battery installed on the right hand side (where when you
open the flap to put the batteries in it indicates the icon for ONE
battery) until it reaches it's warning stage and then Switch over
to the second battery installed on the left side which has the icon
for 2 batteries in front of it. It NEVER even touches the juice of
the second battery until the first is exhausted PERIOD. This was
also confirmed by the pro dealer I purchased this camera from, and
they not only sell a ton of D30's but rent a bunch as well, so have
to know this info. Not to worry. Also, with LiIon batteries it
makes NO difference if or when you top them up as far as their life
span. NmHi is quite another story.

 

[Bryan29453]

Yes,

but I was afraid to argue with Daniel

Bryan

I seem to remember reading this on Canons US site!

Anybody else read this?

I dont have one, but I want one cos the hand is getting tired
quickly in the portait position!

Best regards

Jonathan

Daniel Lauring wrote:
Instead of draining one, than the

other...it drains them in parallel, meaning you have to put them
both through a life shortening battery charge cycle everytime.

Danny

 

[Bryan29453]

Sorry for this simple question in this wonderful forum...
But is the handgrip (BG-ED3) for the D30 worth buying?
--
Reto

 

[Daniel Lauring]

Jeesh, you too.

Its been so long since I posted here I figured everyone would just think I was some kook that dropped by and ignore me.

It sounds like the grip works exactly like you would like it to to maximise battery life so that negative is gone.

I still think the camera is a bit too heavy to begin with and the added weight of the battery grip makes it moreso. The whole reason I bought the Rebel 2K was it's low weight compared to the IIe. The Rebel really needed the grip, however, because it's grip is sized about right for a 6 year old.

I find the neck strap can really get annoying after a few hours. A real killer is a day out nature shooting with the 100-400IS lens.

Danny

but I was afraid to argue with Daniel

Bryan

I seem to remember reading this on Canons US site!

Anybody else read this?

I dont have one, but I want one cos the hand is getting tired
quickly in the portait position!

Best regards

Jonathan

Daniel Lauring wrote:
Instead of draining one, than the

other...it drains them in parallel, meaning you have to put them
both through a life shortening battery charge cycle everytime.

Danny

 

[Daniel Lauring]

2) I found myself never really using the camera in portrait mode.
If I do shoot vertical, I just rotate my wrist and hold the camera
vertically, with my hand at the top. Besides, I had a quick
release plate on at all times, and it made the grip a little
uncomfortable to use.

Another good point. I run into this with my other vertical gripped cameras. The vertical grip position is very uncomfortable when a sharp edged QR plate is pressing into the palm of your hand.

Danny

 

[Bryan29453]

Hi Danny,

Anything for a smile - that's me!

I think, like anything in this life, it comes down to what you are comfortable with. Yes I agree 100% with you about weight. I thought my EOS3 with kit was heavy so moved totally to CP990. This of course was before the D30 arrived so I re-stocked and YES it is even heavier than the EOS3 kit. However with results as good as this I'll suffer

I am off the the Lake District for 2 plus weeks mid July. Last time I was there I used about 30 x 35mm neg films with subsequent process costs. I think the majority are in a cupboard somewhere!!!

Got of track a bit there however I wish I was complaining about the weight of a 100-400mmIS lens. The best I can complain about is the 75-300mmIS at present.

And talking about lenses I am sure that the new 28-135mmIS and 75-300mmIS lens are performing better than the very early editions that I got rid of with the EOS3.

Serial numbers of both lenses start at 5100* . The 75-300 is definately sharper and IS performs quieter and quicker. I suppose things get improved without the need to rename or shout about it.

Its been so long since I posted here I figured everyone would just
think I was some kook that dropped by and ignore me.

It sounds like the grip works exactly like you would like it to to
maximise battery life so that negative is gone.

I still think the camera is a bit too heavy to begin with and the
added weight of the battery grip makes it moreso. The whole reason
I bought the Rebel 2K was it's low weight compared to the IIe. The
Rebel really needed the grip, however, because it's grip is sized
about right for a 6 year old.

I find the neck strap can really get annoying after a few hours. A
real killer is a day out nature shooting with the 100-400IS lens.

Danny

but I was afraid to argue with Daniel

Bryan

I seem to remember reading this on Canons US site!

Anybody else read this?

I dont have one, but I want one cos the hand is getting tired
quickly in the portait position!

Best regards

Jonathan

Daniel Lauring wrote:
Instead of draining one, than the

other...it drains them in parallel, meaning you have to put them
both through a life shortening battery charge cycle everytime.

Danny

 

[Al Goldis]

The manual for the BG-ED3 is a bit vague, saying only "Electricity is supplied firstly from the battery pack with the highest voltage." It doesn't elaborate on what happens after that.

However, Chuck Westfall of Canon has said the following:

You're correct that the D30 draws power initially from the battery with the
highest voltage when two batteries are used in the BG-ED3 grip. Once the
voltages are equalized, the camera draws power from both batteries
simultaneously.

Best Regards,

Chuck Westfall
Manager/Technical Information Dept.
Camera Division/Canon U.S.A., Inc.

I believe Chuck because when I get the low battery indicator and pull the batteries for charging they both show the same amount of charge.

Also, top-off charges won't hurt a Lithium Ion battery, but all rechargeable batteries have a limited lifetime in terms of a finite number of charge/discharge cycles they will tolerate before needing to be replaced. Frequent top-offs do shorten their lifetime.

WRONG oh wise one. The D30's battery usage goes as follows. It will
use the battery installed on the right hand side (where when you
open the flap to put the batteries in it indicates the icon for ONE
battery) until it reaches it's warning stage and then Switch over
to the second battery installed on the left side which has the icon
for 2 batteries in front of it. It NEVER even touches the juice of
the second battery until the first is exhausted PERIOD. This was
also confirmed by the pro dealer I purchased this camera from, and
they not only sell a ton of D30's but rent a bunch as well, so have
to know this info. Not to worry. Also, with LiIon batteries it
makes NO difference if or when you top them up as far as their life
span. NmHi is quite another story.

 

[Daniel Lauring]

Ahhh, Thank you for coming to my rescue, Al. I would definitely agree with you that Chuck Westfall is the most reliable source of D30 info...as close to the "horse's mouth" as we're going to get. I have learned so much from his postings over at Rob Galbraith's forums.

Danny

However, Chuck Westfall of Canon has said the following:

You're correct that the D30 draws power initially from the battery
with the
highest voltage when two batteries are used in the BG-ED3 grip.
Once the
voltages are equalized, the camera draws power from both batteries
simultaneously.

Best Regards,

Chuck Westfall
Manager/Technical Information Dept.
Camera Division/Canon U.S.A., Inc.

I believe Chuck because when I get the low battery indicator and
pull the batteries for charging they both show the same amount of
charge.

Also, top-off charges won't hurt a Lithium Ion battery, but all
rechargeable batteries have a limited lifetime in terms of a finite
number of charge/discharge cycles they will tolerate before needing
to be replaced. Frequent top-offs do shorten their lifetime.

WRONG oh wise one. The D30's battery usage goes as follows. It will
use the battery installed on the right hand side (where when you
open the flap to put the batteries in it indicates the icon for ONE
battery) until it reaches it's warning stage and then Switch over
to the second battery installed on the left side which has the icon
for 2 batteries in front of it. It NEVER even touches the juice of
the second battery until the first is exhausted PERIOD. This was
also confirmed by the pro dealer I purchased this camera from, and
they not only sell a ton of D30's but rent a bunch as well, so have
to know this info. Not to worry. Also, with LiIon batteries it
makes NO difference if or when you top them up as far as their life
span. NmHi is quite another story.

 

[Daniel Lauring]

I found this posting regarding the Palm Vx's LiIon battery

http://www.palmstation.com/view_article.asp?article=333

This reminded me of other articles I've seen posted regarding chargers that refuse to charge a battery if it is very close to full to avoid incurring life shortening charge cycles. This kind of logic would be much more important to build into a laptop or PDA battery charger because of the way they are so often plugged into mains.

Personally, I plug my Vx into the charger only once a week. For the D30 I run batteries flat.

Danny

Danny

However, Chuck Westfall of Canon has said the following:

You're correct that the D30 draws power initially from the battery
with the
highest voltage when two batteries are used in the BG-ED3 grip.
Once the
voltages are equalized, the camera draws power from both batteries
simultaneously.

Best Regards,

Chuck Westfall
Manager/Technical Information Dept.
Camera Division/Canon U.S.A., Inc.

I believe Chuck because when I get the low battery indicator and
pull the batteries for charging they both show the same amount of
charge.

Also, top-off charges won't hurt a Lithium Ion battery, but all
rechargeable batteries have a limited lifetime in terms of a finite
number of charge/discharge cycles they will tolerate before needing
to be replaced. Frequent top-offs do shorten their lifetime.

WRONG oh wise one. The D30's battery usage goes as follows. It will
use the battery installed on the right hand side (where when you
open the flap to put the batteries in it indicates the icon for ONE
battery) until it reaches it's warning stage and then Switch over
to the second battery installed on the left side which has the icon
for 2 batteries in front of it. It NEVER even touches the juice of
the second battery until the first is exhausted PERIOD. This was
also confirmed by the pro dealer I purchased this camera from, and
they not only sell a ton of D30's but rent a bunch as well, so have
to know this info. Not to worry. Also, with LiIon batteries it
makes NO difference if or when you top them up as far as their life
span. NmHi is quite another story.

 

[DavidP #28649]

Well, at least I wouldn't.

After having the PB-E2 on my old EOS-3, I just can't imagine every going back to an SLR without a vertical grip.

Having to use the normal buttons/dials in portrait mode has never felt natural to me.

I like having both batteries in the camera, without having to worry about switching should one run low.

On the larger lenses (which is, to me, every one I own except the 50/1.4) I find it easier to hold the camera with the vertical grip installed.

BUT, this is all personal preference. I could certainly learn to live without it if I had to.

 

[Mike Flaherty]

Hi, Daniel. I think you're mistaken regarding the "draining both batteries in parallel." The documentation says it drains just one at a time.

Mike Flaherty

Lastly, the grip for the Rebel 2000 cost all of $20 bucks. The
cost of the vertical grip for the D30 to be ridiculous. There is
no reason the grip should be more expensive just because the camera
is.

Danny

Sorry for this simple question in this wonderful forum...
But is the handgrip (BG-ED3) for the D30 worth buying?
--
Reto

 

[Duane Burleson]

Mike,

Actually the documentation says, "Electricity is supplied firstly from the battery pack with the highest voltage." The manual is quite vague as to what happens then.

With 2 batteries installed, the battery with the higher charge is used first until both batteries are equal, and then both batteries are used until depleted. That was my interpretation of the manual and it was confirmed by Chuck Westfall
Manager/Technical Information Dept.
Camera Division/Canon U.S.A., Inc. at

The thread is here:
http://www.robgalbraith.com/ ... ...ebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=8&t=000027

duane

Mike Flaherty

Lastly, the grip for the Rebel 2000 cost all of $20 bucks. The
cost of the vertical grip for the D30 to be ridiculous. There is
no reason the grip should be more expensive just because the camera
is.

Danny

Sorry for this simple question in this wonderful forum...
But is the handgrip (BG-ED3) for the D30 worth buying?
--
Reto

 

[hockeyshooter]

Sorry for this simple question in this wonderful forum...
But is the handgrip (BG-ED3) for the D30 worth buying?

As I shoot nearly all my stuff vertical, I wouldn't do with out it, but there must be some kind of design flaw since it conks out on me pretty much every game - I have to switch off or otherwise fiddle to get the camera going again. Was driven similarly up the wall but the grip on my 700si Minolta which used a daft contact design.

Chris.
--
http://www.hockeyphoto.com/

 

[Martyn38590]

From an electronic engineer's point of view it's pretty obvious what's going on.

In the grip, there will be the two batter bays, each one will have a diode in series with the battery, after which thew supply will be commoned, this way, you get pretty much the same operational voltage as a single battery, double the life, without having to switch packs once the first runs down. The number of charge cycles available won't have been a major factor in the design, it just has to be safe, convenient, simple and cheap, in that order.

So yes, it'll run them down in parallel, once the batteries are of equal voltages, that's just simple electronics. If you don't use the camera for twice as long before recharging the batteries then you will be getting less juice out of them per charge, and hence wear will be effectively quicker. That's up to the user basically.

The quoted battery charge cycle lifetimes are pessimistic, to cover the manufacturer, and they don't just stop working suddenly. But if the thought of having to buy a 30 quid ($50) battery every year or so really worries you, don't get the BG-ED3

If you don't have big hands which find the regular body too small to get a good grip on, don't get the BG-ED3

I have big hands and don't mind buying a new battery every couple of years

Enjoy
Martyn

Great Camera eh?

Mike,

Actually the documentation says, "Electricity is supplied firstly
from the battery pack with the highest voltage." The manual is
quite vague as to what happens then.

With 2 batteries installed, the battery with the higher charge is
used first until both batteries are equal, and then both batteries
are used until depleted. That was my interpretation of the manual
and it was confirmed by Chuck Westfall
Manager/Technical Information Dept.
Camera Division/Canon U.S.A., Inc. at

 

[hockeyshooter]

But if
the thought of having to buy a 30 quid ($50) battery every year or
so really worries you, don't get the BG-ED3

Know anywhere where I could get a spare battery for 30 quid? I've not seen it for less than 45.

Chris.
--
http://www.hockeyphotos.com/

 

[Mike Flaherty]

Hi, Martyn. Thanks very much for your enlightening information. I stand corrected (and a little more knowledgeable). Also, I agree that the battery replacement concern is almost ridiculous. Anybody that can afford a D30 and just a couple of decent lenses and accessories can't be concerned about an occasional $50 outlay for a battery. Good luck to you.

Mike Flaherty

In the grip, there will be the two batter bays, each one will have
a diode in series with the battery, after which thew supply will be
commoned, this way, you get pretty much the same operational
voltage as a single battery, double the life, without having to
switch packs once the first runs down. The number of charge cycles
available won't have been a major factor in the design, it just has
to be safe, convenient, simple and cheap, in that order.

So yes, it'll run them down in parallel, once the batteries are of
equal voltages, that's just simple electronics. If you don't use
the camera for twice as long before recharging the batteries then
you will be getting less juice out of them per charge, and hence
wear will be effectively quicker. That's up to the user basically.

The quoted battery charge cycle lifetimes are pessimistic, to cover
the manufacturer, and they don't just stop working suddenly. But if
the thought of having to buy a 30 quid ($50) battery every year or
so really worries you, don't get the BG-ED3

If you don't have big hands which find the regular body too small
to get a good grip on, don't get the BG-ED3

I have big hands and don't mind buying a new battery every couple
of years

Enjoy
Martyn

Great Camera eh?

Mike,

Actually the documentation says, "Electricity is supplied firstly
from the battery pack with the highest voltage." The manual is
quite vague as to what happens then.

With 2 batteries installed, the battery with the higher charge is
used first until both batteries are equal, and then both batteries
are used until depleted. That was my interpretation of the manual
and it was confirmed by Chuck Westfall
Manager/Technical Information Dept.
Camera Division/Canon U.S.A., Inc. at