Canon BG-E8 Battery Grip for Canon EOS Rebel T4i, T3i, T2i Review

• Review

by Bryan Carnathan
Last Updated: 2010-02-12
Manufacturer ID: 4516B001

The Canon BG-E8 Battery Grip is the proper battery grip for the Canon EOS Rebel T2i / 550D, Rebel T3i / 600D, Rebel T4i / 650D and Rebel T5i / 700D.

Generally, Canon's Battery Grips are similar to each other and the BG-E8 is no exception. This review will sound similar to the other Canon Battery Grip Reviews on this site.

The nice thing about Canon DSLRs without a built-in portrait/vertical grip (all non-1-Series bodies at this time) is that they are small and light. The big downside is that it is not comfortable to shoot in portrait/vertical orientation - especially for long periods of time. And the EOS Rebel bodies are especially small - making it harder to control larger lenses. Thus, Canon makes Battery Grips for all of their non-1-Series bodies.

To install the Canon BG-E8 Battery Grip, the LP-E8 Battery is removed from the DSLR and the battery door detaches. The BG-E8 slides up into the battery compartment and locks into place via the tripod socket screw on the BG-E8. The BG-E8 provides its own tripod adapter threads - this functionality is not lost.

The BG-E8 holds two Canon LP-E8 Batteries that deliver double the number of shots or video time from the T2i/550D and T3i/600D. Alternatively, use 6 readily available AA batteries in the included Canon BGM-E8 Battery Magazine. The BG-E8 still functions fine with only one LP-E8 battery.

The BG-E8 is nicely built - it integrates to the T2i/550D and T3i/600D bodies very nicely with very little flex.

The BG-E8 controls available can be seen in the photos above.

In use, the BG-E8 makes portrait/vertical shooting much easier and more comfortable. I can feel the difference in my arms and shoulder after even a moderately long shoot. And I can hold the camera in vertical orientation a little steadier in this position.

Overall, I think the Canon BG-E8 Battery Grip is very useful - a nice-to-have accessory.

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