17/03/2026 12:40 pm
Topic starter
Notifications
Clear all
EF Mount Camera & Lens Forum
3
Posts
4
Users
0
Reactions
52
Views
0
Is the official Canon BG-E20 worth the insane price tag or can I get away with the Neewer or Vello versions without my camera failing mid-ceremony?
I have this massive wedding coming up in Lake Tahoe in about three weeks and its gonna be a marathon day like 12 hours of shooting minimum. My hands get so cramped shooting portrait orientation all day without a grip and honestly I am terrified of my battery dying right during the first kiss or something stupid like that because I didnt have the dual battery setup. I just dropped a ton of cash on some new L-series glass so my budget is super thin right now, maybe $250 max for accessories.
The Canon one is like $230-250 depending where you look which feels like a total rip off for a piece of plastic but then I see the Neewer one for like 60 bucks and my gut says its too good to be true. I read some horror stories online about third party grips shorting out the electronics or the shutter button feeling mushy and unresponsive which is my literal nightmare. But then other people say theyve used Vello for years with no issues?
Im just spiraling a bit because I really need that extra battery life and the better ergonomics for vertical shots but I dont want to waste money on something that feels cheap or breaks when it gets a little misty near the lake. The weather sealing on the 5D Mark IV is so good and I worry a cheap grip might ruin that seal and let moisture into the battery compartment. Has anyone here actually compared them side by side in the field? I need to make a decision by Friday so it gets here in time for me to test it out before the big day...
3 Answers
11
17/03/2026 12:40 pm
Listen, I totally get the budget stress after buying glass, but for a 12-hour Tahoe marathon, you really want the peace of mind. I have been using the Canon BG-E20 Battery Grip for 5D Mark IV for three years now and honestly, I am so satisfied with how it handles the elements. I remember shooting this one coastal ceremony where the salt spray was just hitting us all afternoon. Most of the gear was soaked, but that grip is built like a tank and didnt flinch because of the internal gaskets. Heres how they actually stack up in the field:
- Canon BG-E20 Battery Grip for 5D Mark IV: It is made of magnesium alloy, not just cheap plastic. The weather sealing matches the 5D IV perfectly. The shutter button has that exact same tactile, dual-stage click as the main body which is huge for muscle memory.
- Vello BG-C14 Battery Grip for Canon 5D Mark IV: It works well enough for indoor stuff, but the plastic feels hollow and the command dial started skipping frames for me after a few months. It is basically a gamble on the electronics.
- Neewer Vertical Battery Grip for Canon 5D Mark IV: This one is super budget friendly, but there is zero weather sealing. If it gets misty near the lake like you mentioned, moisture can get right into the battery tray. I really think the official one is worth it for a pro gig. If a third-party grip shorts out, it could technically fry your main board, and then you are really out of luck. The ergonomics on the Canon are just superior... no complaints at all after using it for long days.
10
17/03/2026 1:25 pm
Quick thought before you pull the trigger... are you planning to use official Canon batteries or third party ones in this grip? I ask because some of those cheaper grips get really glitchy with anything other than OEM cells, especially during high speed bursts. In my experience over the years, if you cant swing the full price for the Canon one right now, look at the Vello BG-C14 Battery Grip for Canon 5D Mark IV. I have tried many alternatives and Vello is usually the sweet spot for reliability.
- Vello has better seals than Neewer, though still not as tight as the official Canon version.
- The buttons actually click instead of feeling like total sponges.
- Check the used market for an Canon BG-E20 Battery Grip for 5D Mark IV. You can often find them for under $150 in great condition. Seriously, dont risk the $60 knockoffs for a wedding. If it gets misty at the lake, you will really regret the cheap plastic.
3
17/03/2026 1:15 pm
I literally had a total disaster with a generic grip last summer! It felt so amazing for an hour but then it drained my batteries while the camera was off. I was so mad! Definitely watch for:
- Loose connection pins
- Zero weather sealing
- Mushy shutter buttons Maybe try renting or finding used? In Tahoe, a cheap grip will let moisture in and fry your 5D. Dont risk it!
