 One of the best accessories for your Canon Rebel XSi (450D) |
| Review Date: February 23, 2009 |
| Reviewer: S. Ong, Queens, New York |
Many will tell you that the best accessory you can buy for your camera is a flash while some would say a remote. When it comes to battery grips, questions such as "would I really need the comfort to shoot in portrait for macro photography?" would come to mind. Often times, it's what deters us from buying a grip... the uncertainty of whether we will need it or not. Not sure which specific field in photography I'm getting myself into, I was hesitant. But after going to Hawaii for my honeymoon, it turns out that shooting comfortably in portrait for any type of photography was very important.
In this package, having two battery packs is just a bonus. Having an option to hold your camera in portrait position without getting a CTS (carpal tunnel) is the very reason why I bought one.
And so, my research for the ideal (or as close to perfect as possible) battery grip began. Everywhere I looked, reviews pointed to the Canon and the Opteka grips. The quality for both grips seemed to be unrivaled. Then there are others with LCD displays along with other fancy schmancy features. All their reviews seemed to conclude that crappy, thin plastic with plastic (non-rubber) grips couldn't compensate for the price or the features. The annoying play on the shutter button and scroll wheel was where many drew the line. So for me, it was Canon vs. Opteka.
Naturally, the next criteria was the price. After all, who doesn't want the cheapest of the best grips. While Canon's is well over the $100 mark, the Opteka which is said to be the closest to Canon-quality is only $65! As an added bonus, it includes two batteries for only $80 ! Not only are the two batteries included for only an additional $15, they are 1,800mAh as opposed to the 1,080mAh OEM battery. The next step didn't take much thought --I ordered one.
Upon receiving the item, I can tell you that the build is indeed very "OEM-like". Though I have never owned the Canon grip, it doesn't take a genius to compare the materials used on the grip to that of the camera body. It's no wonder people say it's no different from the Canon one. The grips are virtually cut from the same sheet of rubber. The thickness of the plastic also seems very much like the camera body. Aside from the Canon/model branding, there is probably no other difference. And to my surprise, the package also came with an extra battery pack for AA's! Let me say that no matter how professional of a photographer you are, two 1,800mAh batteries will last. Think how long your current OEM 1,080mAh battery lasts (provided that it was broken in properly). Now imagine how long two (not one, but TWO) 1,800mAh would last. But if for some reason you went on a vacation, you forgot to charge, forgot the wall charger, but happen to bring the AA battery pack, just buy six AA's and you're back in business. It's an unlikely situation but that extra option given to you just makes you feel that much more special when buying this product.
But back to the grip... the width is very wide compared to the XSi grip. Opteka's grip feels like a 50D as opposed to a 5D/1D, but it still makes your camera feel like a professional, full frame camera. The shutter button is placed perfectly and has zero play. The scroll wheel is a little shallow and tricky to turn but once again has no play whatsoever. Overall, the grip feels solid and well built. I have no regrets. I even keep the switch on the bottom grip on "ON" all the time so that I can shoot in portrait on the fly.
You won't regret this purchase. |
Great Addition to The XSi
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| Review Date: October 26, 2008 |
| Reviewer: David K, San Antonio, TX |
Having been a long time owner of the Opteka Rebel XT grip, I figured I'd give this a shot to accompany my new EOS XSi. The grip has the same shape, feel, and functions as the Canon brand (at a fraction of the price), and I am pleased to report that the Opteka XSi grip has exceeded my expectations.
The grip offers primarily power management advantages along with improved camera handling options at the cost of some weight and bulk. With two of the standard rechargeable batteries in the grip, recycle times for the flash are noticeably quicker. It also adds the option of accepting AA batteries in a pinch.
The two LP-E5 batteries included with the grip are high-capacity and of good quality.
I would recommend this grip to a friend.
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Excellent alternative to the original Canon grip
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| Review Date: February 7, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Valentyn Siniak, Texas, USA |
I was hesitant for quite awhile, whether to get Canon original grip or Opteka's. Decided to give Opteka grip a shot. I literally loved it as soon as I mounted it on my XSi. Very good build quality, all the buttons and the wheel work great (actually I like the feel of Opteka wheel better than camera's). On the tripod it is absolutely solid. Long story short- every single aspect of it is screaming: Save money without quality compromise!
If you considering canon vs. opteka grip (as I did), think no longer! You've found it! |
Why Buy Canon?
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| Review Date: November 10, 2008 |
| Reviewer: K. Tindall, Oklahoma City, OK |
The Opteka battery grip for the Canon 450D is a very good investment. Considering you are getting 2 decent batteries, it is almost like the grip is free. The grip is made from the same mold as the Canon but much, much cheaper. The installation is quick and easy. All the buttons are there and it makes the XSI DSLR "feel" much more substantial. Even the rubber-like texture really makes it like the real deal.
Get it, you won't regret it!
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Canon Clone has Quality and Value
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| Review Date: January 14, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Michael L. Steinmetz, Keller, TX |
| The Opteka Battery Grip is nearly identical to the Canon Grip sans the Canon logo. In fact, I believe Opteka may manufacture this grip for Canon as an OEM? Whatever the relationship between Opteka and Canon, this Opteka battery grip is a wonderful value. For little more than the price of a Canon LP-E5 battery, you receive a high quality Opteka battery grip and two excellent 3600 mAh batteries. Now if I could just find a lens manufacturer that provided Canon "L" quality lens clones at a similar value. |
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