T3i/T2i Grips & Battery Options... After-market vs Genuine?

[HD-tography]

Well, the T3i came out today so I am ordering one (naturally)...

I am considering a nice battery grip and I am buying a time lapse remote for it from as well... I am going with the EF-S 18-55mm kit lens for now (and cannot afford any more for a while) but I understand some (if not all) of the grips simply hold the Canon LP-E8 Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery Packs, 2 at a time... as the T3i uses the same batteries and grips as the T2i which tons of people here own, I would like to know what people are using and their experiences with such...

I am thinking maybe I'll pick up a 2nd LP-E8 battery and a grip that holds 2 of them... I guess I would like to know if this is an area that I can/should save a few bucks on?

Is there a (huge) difference between Canon's genuine grips/batteries and the after market ones?

This video/review from Cheesycam suggests the aftermarket batteries and grips are well worth the savings:



At $43 per Canon Battery, $140 for the grip, and $50 for the charger... perhaps the cheaper after market products are more attractive... but which ones?



Grips:

Canon BG-E8 Battery Grip ($138.48 from B&H)









Bower Grip ($82.95 from B&H)









Vivitar Grip ($84.95 from B&H)









Vello Grip ($69.95 from B&H)









Chargers:

Canon LC-E8 Battery Charger ($49.99 from B&H)





LP-E8 Decoded Battery Charger for Canon Rebel 550D T2i ($7.99 from eBay)





Batteries:

Canon LP-E8 Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery Pack 7.2V, 1120mAh ($42.95 from B&H)





Pearstone LP-E8 Lithium-Ion Battery Pack 7.4 VDC, 1100 mAh ($24.95 from B&H)





Two (2) Phottix LP-E8 Rechargeable Batteries As Reviewed on Cheesycam.com 7.2V, 1400mAh ($20.88 for the pair from eBay)





Can the after-market chargers charge the genuine batteries? Can the genuine chargers charge the after-market batteries? Is the correct info displayed by the camera? Has there been problems with run times or overheating with the after market batteries in particular?

I would love to hear the feedback from your experiences and your opinions if this is an area that some money can be saved?

[paperkut12]

I'd be interested in knowing more about those aftermarket batteries too. The price has me considering, but like you, feedback on 'em would be nice.

[Veteran]

I'd be interested in knowing more about those aftermarket batteries too. The price has me considering, but like you, feedback on 'em would be nice.

The batteries are great!

I have 3 of them and have had no issues at all...smart chipped 3rd party batt's are the way to go!

Bought them from Taky as well....saved me spending $100 a battery locally!

Also they last just as long as OEM.

[Janke]

I'd be interested in knowing more about those aftermarket batteries too.

There is always a risk with Li-ion batteries. Even the best manufacturers have problems (Dell, Sony, even Apple*).

The cheaper the battery, the less you can trust manufacture & quality control. There was a post here recently about an overheating, melting battery. If you buy third party, you should always be present during charging, and react immediately to battery overheating in-camera.

Problems are very unlikely if the third-party stuff is of good quality, but you can never be too careful.

* The original Apple battery for my MacBook had a defect, causing it to swell and burst. (Apple "admitted" the defect by giving me a new battery, free of charge, 1.5 years after the warranty had expired...)

Caveat Emptor!

[KingDucky]

If it isn't a card ,I buy everything after market. Nothings failed me yet!

[vadis]

Battery grips can be lemons... I bought one which looks and feels great, but regularly shuts down the camera after varying operation times...

[askclifford]

Caveat Emptor!

I love latin!

[HD-tography]

There was a post here recently about an overheating, melting battery.

(Hangs Head) Actually that was me Janke, the Original Poster of this thread... guess I never learn my lesson.... I am however cautious and ever present during charging.

I ended up buying an after-market battery grip that comes with 2 generic LP-E8 Batteries (black ones), 2 extra Phottix LP-E8 Batteries (as these were the ones received at cheesycam.com and reportedly worked fine), and finally 2 after-market decoded chargers (before I realized the T3i kit came with an OEM charger, which is a nice surprise, considering I had to buy it separately for my Canon VIXIA HF Series Camera that uses BP-8XX batteries, oh well they were only $8.00 each from a US seller so I can charge all 5 batteries at the same time now)

I will report back my experiences here and welcome ongoing feedback from the rest of you guys!

[paperkut12]

I will report back my experiences here and welcome ongoing feedback from the rest of you guys!

Please do! I've had some batteries I bought for my hv20 from ebay that worked fine, but knowing how much my t2i was, It's scary putting anything cheaper in/around it. I suppose there's always bad ones though, as Janke stated.

[drapeama]

I've bought a generic one on ebay from a canadian seller located in ontario for 51$ CND and everything seems to work pretty fine so far. Came with both Canon batteries and AA batteries holders. I'm very pleased with it.

[homestar_kevin]

I bought this one from amazon, http://www.amazon.com/Battery-Digita...0153014&sr=8-3

and love it. Have been using it for 6 months or so, and it's one of the best things I've bought for my rig. complete necessity for me.

The batteries and everyhting has been great, zero issues at all.

There's something about the mAh to watch for, just get the highest you can find on those cheap batteries.

[drapeama]

I bought this one from amazon...

Definitively the same seller from whom I bought on ebay. I only bought the grip without batteries (prepaid Visa balance restriction)
Recommended.

[homestar_kevin]

Just clicked your link Drapes. Definitely the same grip.

It's great! if you need more batteries, don't hesitate to order the cheap ones from those guys. I have 3 of theres in addition to my canon one, all perform very well.

[drapeama]

Just clicked your link Drapes. Definitely the same grip.
[..] don't hesitate to order the cheap ones from those guys. I have 3 of theres in addition to my canon one, all perform very well.

Cool, thanks for the infos!
I'm glad to have bought it from him as it doesn't cost me any fees for shipping and it arrived quite fast even with the post strike.

[Lunchbox]

I am using Canon battery grip. I don't have experience with after market grips. I like them as it doubles the run time. I don't like the battery meter display. Once it shows half the battery is gone, it's almost gone.

I am also using the LP-E8 battery and LC-E8 charger.
http://lacoloronline.com/product/?LP...Li-Ion-Battery
http://lacoloronline.com/product/?LC...-LP-E8-Battery

[drapeama]

I don't like the battery meter display. Once it shows half the battery is gone, it's almost gone.
I am also using the LP-E8 battery and LC-E8 charger

1) I don't know, I've used the 2 batteries in the grip since I've received it and the meter didn't changed since. I've done some video and a lot of pictures with it though. I'll see when it'll run out of juice...
2) Great product placement!

[Lunchbox]

The meter display didn't change because it is showing full gauge even the battery is drained over half. The next notch on the display is half off. But once it is showing half, the batteries are almost done.

[drapeama]

But once it is showing half, the batteries are almost done.

Good to know. Anyway I ordered the powerpack to plug in 120v instead of always relying on the batteries, when indoor.
Otherwise, twice the time with the 2 batteries seems to be quite good for me. Did you tried using AA rechargeable batteries with it? I wonder it it's good or not, lasting time I mean, compared to the compatible battery back.

[homestar_kevin]

the 120v plug seems like a good idea.

I've never tried it off the AA tray.

I have 2 sets of batteries and they last a LONGGGGGG time with the grip before I need to change anything

Plus the grip helps the camera to stay cool as the battery isn't in the middle of the freakin body

[Janke]

Did you tried using AA rechargeable batteries with it? I wonder it it's good or not, lasting time I mean, compared to the compatible battery back.

6 AA cells provide 7.2 volts and max 2800 mA - only slightly more than two LP-E8 Li-ion batteries, and they may in fact run out faster due to a more sloping voltage curve.

[drapeama]

Good to know. At least it can be used while you charge the battery packs.