Review of Phottix Battery Grip & Canon 70-200 f2.8L

[edog1960]

Thanks to you i decided to get a Canon 40D with battery grip. I managed to find one at a photo store in Columbus, Ohio, and i love it compared to the 20D that i traded for my current camera. I'm going to make a lot of money with it.

[empot789]

Hello there sir.. how's your BG right now? still working/?? just want to ask a recommendation cause i might get 2 of this for my 7D's

[blacksun888959]

i have got 70-200mm F4 L IS which is really gr8 lens. I could get f2.8 without IS but it is very hard to shoot in low light without tripod by this lens. So, i have decided to buy f4 with IS, very light and excellent image quality. If you don't have IS you really gonna miss it.

[k6martini]

I havnt found much info on the Phottix grip, but does it allow you to use AA batteries like the Canon grip? And does it have comparable weather sealing to the Canon grip? Because $200 for a battery grip just isnt going to happen anytime soon for me.

[STEPPHAN7]

Excuse the typos, but you folks know what I mean ;-)

[STEPPHAN7]

Great stuff .I also heard that Sigma 70-200 2.8 is a great alternative.. I'm saving for it right now. As men we work our tas off and make ends meet. If spending $800 isn't going to kill ya , it sure as he'll will thrill ya. This life is too short not to treat your self good sometimes..

[sumprats]

He doesn't think about it.....duh.

[PriTheHoneydark]

I love photography and all, but this guy is very easy on the eyes ;O) .....lol!

[edog1960]

Why is it when a Black man can't afford what he wants. He gots to be unemployed. that's stupid. I work and, i can't afford that lens and i need one for sports photography. Come on now! Let's not hate on the man.

[Scrooop]

How about putting in two different batteries? I mean, with different characteristics, for example one with 1390mAh, other with 1600mAh. Will it work properly? Thanks

[edog1960]

I think i got a Phottix battery grip too. Nice review!

[bmark12]

how much it cost for everything bro? im from canada.

[rafibad]

dont u have a job man?? 1400$ for that lens is really not that much what so ever!!!

and i am not a rich man .

honestly ,here in australia,a very average will pay you around 2600-3000 dollars a month,so what is 1400 for a lens if u live by ur self and have no kids to feed ?!

u can save almost half of it every month and after 3-4 months u can by almost any L lens u want .

[finallytherock]

@rafibad Come on man... people save for retirement, vacation, a new car, ect... putting two weeks pay (pre-tax) is a lot on a camera lens if you are not a professional.

[dralexkoh]

nice review. thanks you have convinced me! save me money too pal!

[dralexkoh]

nice review.

[vomazing]

Thanks man. I came here searching for a review on the battery grip. Didn't want to get jipped. Have you heard anything about the generic brand batteries though? Here in Canada, the original Canon batteries go for about $120 while I see people on Amazon.com complaining about it for $60 USD. The prices are ridiculous here.

Really hope you get that lens one day. You seem like a good guy--making me want to buy it for you.

[zreau]

Nice review man, I liked it, thanks for that. Hope you'll get that L-lens some day man.

[jjdaven]

@zreau Thank you. I am still having to rent it. Matter of fact I have one on the way as we speak.

[anaurafire]

@jjdaven

I hope you saved up for the IS II version. It is 98% on par optics wise as the 135 L series prime!

[Rients96]

you make nice reviews. You show just the right things and you have a good voice for reviews (watched some other reviews and they sucked with video and sound)

[thomazinjo]

Thanks for a nice review. You earned Phottix another batterygrip-sale for 50D :)

[jjdaven]

I am glad the review helped. Thanks for watching and tell a friend.

[dumeify]

Thanks so much for your vid! I bought a phottix grip too (because of this video) and I'm more than just happy with it!

But one question: do you have some kinda best practices for shooting with it. I noticed that it's not so easy to put your hand on the zoom ring with the grip on the cam when you want to shoot horizontal (the normal way). with the 70-200 its not that difiicult 'cause the zoom ring is not near the front of the cam but if you take a lens like the 24-70 its kinda uncomfortable.

[jjdaven]

I have to admit I shoot about 95% of the time in auto focus. So I dont really have that problem. But the few times I have used the focus ring it still hasn't been a problem for me.

[dumeify]

I also have no problem with the focus ring. I spoke about the zoom ring. On a non-tele lens the zoom ring is pretty close to the camera and with the grip on the cam, my wrist rubs on the grip when I shoot horizontal pics.

[jjdaven]

Oh I am sorry I misunderstood. I still don't have that issue at all. The only issue I have had used to be the weight, but now I don't even think about that. I love the grip and it has really helped me out a ton.

[2040dv]

hey dude .. is there any timer on it.. for the interval shooting....

[jjdaven]

Not on the grip.

[SuperUbob]

ur great man keep up the good work.

[jjdaven]

Thank you very much my friend.

[eael05]

wow! great vid! this is what i've been looking for! will surely order now the phottix 40D battery grip from ebay! thanks!

[jjdaven]

I am always glad to help. Thanks for watching.

[jjdaven]

I will have to keep that lens in mind. Thanks for watching and I am very glad I could help.

[jjdaven]

Yes it sure can. That is where mine is right now. Thanks for watching and I hope you enjoy the grip. It is really nice.

[baltymora2]

i got the sigma, its ok but quite hit and miss at times.

i just wish i had got the f4L 70-200

[jjdaven]

You are not the only person to tell me that about the Sigma.

[baltymora2]

@jjdaven

i just got a 7d body and its the same on that too, though my 50mm 1.4 is loads better on the 7 than my old 20, and my 17-85 is probly gonna stay on the 20

[jjdaven]

Wow congrats on the 7D my friend. Have fun playing with that. I would love to play with the video on that. Happy Shooting!!

[bentcoin1]

@baltymora2 sigma gone down hill lately really the only lens they have that compare in my opinion to canons is the 50mm f1.4 and 15mm f2.8

[AndreasFehrm]

Great video, great sound quality and you talk clear and nice. Keep it up :)

[jjdaven]

Thank you for the feedback.

[welch9999]

tamron 70 200mm is sharper than sigma but the AF is crappy slow

[jjdaven]

I have heard that also. Thank you so much for watching.

[CBG0829]

@welch9999 WHAT?! no, no, the Sigma has a wayyyy better picture quality

[parnama]

joined the 2.8 Club today :D AWESOME LENS ! Worth the price !

[jjdaven]

I am so jealous!! One of these days I will join as well. Thank you so much for watching.

[Beatbot]

bam bam bam *turn* bam bam bam

[jjdaven]

Thank you so much for watching.

[Cameo5150]

Great Vid, I've just joined "The 2.8 Club" "LOL"

[jjdaven]

I am so jealous. One of these days I will own this lens. Thanks for watching.

[Miyabiii]

thanks for showing that grip

[jjdaven]

Not a problem at all. I noticed when I posted the video that there wasn't one one YouTube for this grip and it is great.

[DavidBirch1987]

Great stuff man, i own a 450d and i want to get a battery grip for it.

[jjdaven]

They have grips for most cameras. I am still happy with mine.

[mvubu1234]

Thanks, review is great!

L glass is the business!!

(vest is a little nasty though, but all photographers have one of those!)

[jjdaven]

Thanks for watching and tell a friend.

[fatpaws]

Great review... good info, laid-back attitude. 5 stars. = )

[jjdaven]

Thank you very much. Glad you enjoyed the review.

[janqSeven]

cool movie

[jjdaven]

Thanks for watching and tell a friend.

[SteU4IA]

BAAM BAMM!

[jjdaven]

Thanks for watching and tell a friend.

[glennmchua]

Hey jjdaven, thanks for all the reviews specially this one coz I've been looking around for a decent yet inexpensive battery grip for my 50D. The Phottix battery grip is really an awesome buy. One more thing, if you're getting that Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 lens, please do make a review about it coz again, I'm also considering getting that. Good job man! Thanks!

[jjdaven]

Thank you so much. I am glad this review helped you. I have loved my grip and not regreted the purchase one bit. Someone pointed out to me that the Sigma lens didn't have IS. And that has sort of slowed my decision on that lens.

[cscthebest]

jjdaven ! i finally got my very own 70-200mm F2.8 IS !!!! it really shines !!!

[jjdaven]

I am so jealous my friend. Enjoy your new lens and one of these days I will have one too. Thanks for watching and tell a friend.

[creamyllama]

Hey, nice review, totally put my mind at ease, thought of buying a BG E5 canon original, but seems these are a pretty safe bet as well huh?

Cheers man

[jjdaven]

If you really want the name brand then go ahead. I you just want a good solid grip and save some money then buy this grip. Mine is still to this day working very well!! Thanks for watching and tell a friend.

[yenzlife]

nice lens! just got my own NEW 70-200 2.8 IS off ebay for $1400 shipped, will do a vid soon as well.

cheers

[jjdaven]

You are lucky! I am so jealous! One of these days I will have one of my own. Thanks for watching and tell a friend.

[germandude1982]

omg! thats a 40d? you hands even swallow it AND the BG :D i thought i have big hands:D

[jjdaven]

Don't be mistaken though it is a big camera and after shooting all day you feel it. Thanks for watching and tell a friend.

[kjchillz]

i would like to apologize for asking what service you were in.. its none of my business! anyways i look forward to more of your beer reviews!  cheers

[jjdaven]

I was in the Army and it is not that personal to me I love serving my country and am very proud of it and don't mind telling people. Thanks for watching and tell a friend.

[norm86peterson]

yes the phottix bg are nice!

more camera stuff videos pls.

mfg

[jjdaven]

I haven't got any new equipment in a while. But I have my eye's on a few things.

[norm86peterson]

what exactly?

[jjdaven]

Well a Sigma 70-200 f2.8

[norm86peterson]

if you did make a video please.

thx

have a nice day!

[ApostolicFire]

Good review. Your review was the deciding factor in me purchasing one.

[jjdaven]

Thank you very much. I hope you enjoy yours as much as I love mine. Happy shooting.

[devjamx]

"you know what im saying? i just shooting. ammm, bang bang bang you know what im saying bang bang bang! and then i switch, bang bang bang!"

[jjdaven]

Thanks for watching.

[JLangevin]

Hey, i thought that part was great... same shooting style I use. HAHA, dont hate.

[Savellano25]

Nice review man, is it true it has a shutter with half press function?

[jjdaven]

Yep it sure does. It is great I love it. Thanks for watching.

[KorlaPlankton]

I've been saving my change for the past 8 months with the specific intent of buying THAT lens... I just hope that my 40D doesn't stop working by the time I have enough money to pay for it.

Thanks for the review on the Phottix... I was considering buying it as opposed to the more expensive Canon battery grip... I probably will now.

One word of caution though... I read a lot of reviews on gray market batteries... sometimes they leak or worse yet, explode... just something to keep in mind.

Thanks

[jjdaven]

I read those reviews too before I made this purchase on this grip. I was really worried about a bunch of stuff till I got it. I use this grip and the batteries like crazy and never had a problem. The only problem I have is finding new things to shoot. :)

I loved having this lens while I rented it. But after meeting a few people and reading some reviews I would seriously consider the Sigma 70-200 2.8. The reviews I have seen say it is just as sharp and half the money.

[BenjaminTay94]

Where do I get this battery grip? Is it available in singapore?

[jjdaven]

I bought it through ebay. Saved a lot of money and it works great!! Thanks for watching.

[eyeso9001]

nice review man i really enjoyed it.keep the good work up.i ordered it this fab lens and i'm waiting to testing it.i got a 450D and hope this lens get my expectations.tnx for sharing.grettings from greece.

[jjdaven]

Hey Brother I hope you enjoy the new lens. Happy shooting!!

[travers114]

Nice review.

Not that formal, but informative none the less!

[jjdaven]

I am not a very formal person at all. So my reviews are just like me. But I hope there was something useful in there for you anyway. Thanks for watching.

[travers114]

I do like your reviews by the way, and I like the informality, most reviews are dry and done by people that have never used the product for more than a few hours. Keep them up! Unlike most reviewers, you actually use these products regularly, and oddly enough, the fact that you can't afford the top quality gear makes you more relatable to the average user, because myself and others can't afford the top quality stuff either!

[travers114]

contd... Thanks to your review I am now seriously considering the Phottix grip, it seems perfectly fine, contradicting most peoples reviews, but they don't actually own one either. Please keep em coming!

[jjdaven]

That is very very kind! Thank you.

[atvpolice]

nice hair

[jjdaven]

haha. Thanks. Check out some of my other video's. And tell a friend.

[S1Gequinox]

how sturdy is that grip? and can you easily feel when the shutter release is halfway down/all the way down? i heard it was a bit sloppy.

thank you!

-Nick (sorry if this comment comes up twice)

[S1Gequinox]

nice review.

i've heard that the shutter release on the grip is sloppy.. is that true? or can you feel both stages of it? (halfway and all the way is clear like it is on the body)

thank you!!

[jjdaven]

This grip works PERFECTLY!! I have had not one single problem with this grip at all!! Very glad I bought it. It works no differently than the one on the camera. Thanks for watching.

[biznisdude]

Love your reviews, keep up the great work. I'm impressed.

[jjdaven]

The grip and the lens are great!! Wish I could have kept the lens, but it is just too expensive. The grip to this day is working like a charm. Thanks for watching.

[cscthebest]

jjdaven ! what is your email ?

[stevechesney]

Thanks JoeD, very informative. I want that lens SO BAD. I learned about Lens Pro to Go from your unboxing video, Now im ready to try them out. My local camera store has that lens used for 900.00 , im not sure if thats a good idea or not. Thanks again

[jjdaven]

Thanks glad I could help. They are great I love them. No problems with the service what so ever. But if you can find it for $900 and you have the money get it. That is not a bad deal at all. You will love that lens!! Thanks for watching. Checkout some of my other video's and tell a friend!

[echo036]

I was on the fence about purchasing this product on e-bay for my 40d. But you convinced me. They should pay you for this video haha.

[jjdaven]

Haha I don't think they even gave that a thought!! But it's ok I just wanted to post a video so people could actually see some one actually bought one and loves it. And I still do it hasn't given me any problems at ALL!! Let me know how it goes for you. Thanks for watching and tell a friend.

[ngthx1]

nice review dude...i have the phottix as well for my 40d..so impessed with it was i , i went out and got another one for the new 50d i just purchesed as well...i also have the 70-200 2.8 ,broke the bank getting it ,but worth it....as for the grip , your right , its perfect ..just as good if not better than the canon ...well done ..cheer's...

[jjdaven]

Show off! haha Nice job getting the 50D! I would love to own that lens but I had to send it back cuz it was just a rental. But I do plan to purchase the Sigma 70-200 soon. Thanks for the comment.

[Blid182]

Nice reviews man. I just managed to bag the f/4.0. I would love the 2.8.. one day ;)

[jjdaven]

Well I had to send that lens back. As you seen in the other reviews it was a rental, but I loved it. Shooting with L glass is sure nice and making me save my pennies for one down the road! Thanks for the kind word and happy shooting!