> I’ve been looking at third-party alternatives like Vello or Neewer, but I’m worried about the shutter button feel and whether they maintain the weather sealing. yo, just catching up on this! I totally get ur hesitation. For pro portraits, ur shooting vertical like 90% of the time, so comfort is key. TBH, most budget brands like the Neewer Vertical Battery Grip for Canon 6D Mark II are okay for hobbyists, but they definitely lack real weather sealing. If ur shooting outdoors and it starts drizzling, water can seep into that seam... super risky. In my experience, the shutter button feel is where most 3rd party grips fail. They often feel 'mushy' and lose that distinct half-press click. But, I would suggest looking at the Vello BG-C14-2 Battery Grip for Canon EOS 6D Mark II. Vello is highkey the gold standard for alternatives. The build quality is way more solid than the dirt-cheap stuff, and the controls actually feel close to the native body. One technical thing to watch for: phantom power drain. I've had issues where a cheap grip would literally drain my Canon LP-E6N Lithium-Ion Battery packs overnight while the camera was totally off. It’s a communication error in the chip. If you go 3rd party, the Vello BG-C14-2 Battery Grip for Canon EOS 6D Mark II is usually safer on that front. But yeah, if you have a big budget gig, nothing beats the peace of mind of the Canon BG-E21 Battery Grip for EOS 6D Mark II if you can find a deal on a used one. gl!!

Coming back to this... Respectfully, I'd consider another option because you really dont need to drop $200 right away! I've been doing this for years, and while the official grip is nice, there are amazing ways to save money!! Yeah, the Canon is safe, but the price is high. Have you looked at used ones yet? Option A: Canon BG-E21 Battery Grip for EOS 6D Mark II
Pros: Weather sealing is top-tier.
Cons: Honestly sooo expensive at nearly $200. Option B: Vello BG-C16 Battery Grip for Canon EOS 6D Mark II
Pros: This is my favorite! The shutter button feel is fantastic and very clicky, and it usually costs around $80. Cons: Weather sealing is decent but maybe not for a hurricane. Option C: Vivitar Battery Grip for Canon EOS 6D Mark II
Pros: Super budget-friendly, basically $45.
Cons: Feels kinda plasticky compared to others. Ngl, the Vello is the sweet spot. It feels way more professional than the Neewer mentioned before and you save a ton of cash! (at least thats what worked for me) Hope this helps!! 👍

Sooo, in my experience, I would suggest sticking with the Canon BG-E21 Battery Grip for EOS 6D Mark II if you can swing it. I know it's a bit of an investment, but since you're doing professional portraits, you *really* dont want to risk a connection failure or a weird shutter lag mid-shoot. I've heard some folks have luck with the Vello BG-C16 Battery Grip for Canon EOS 6D Mark II, but honestly, be careful because third-party grips usually lack the legit weather sealing that Canon provides. I mean, if you're shooting outside and it starts drizzling, a cheap grip might literally short out your camera's electronics... and thats just too *risky* for me! If you do go third-party, just make sure to test it a ton before a big gig. But yeah, the OEM one is the safest bet for pro work i think. gl!

Can vouch for this

Yep, this is the way

@Reply #5 - good point! Been thinking about this for hours and it is just wild. We are all basically stuck between a rock and a hard place with the overpriced Canon gear and the sketchy third-party stuff mentioned in the thread.

• The price of official grips is a total scam! It makes me so mad that they charge nearly $200 for a plastic shell and some pins. It is pure greed.
• Quality across the board is just going downhill. The cheap brands feel like toys and the big brands are just coasting now. They dont care about photographers anymore!
• It is so frustrating that I feel like I have to resort to DIY hacks or scouring for used gear just to avoid getting ripped off. It is just ridiculous! Honestly it is such a headache and I am so over these companies treating us like we are made of money! It is exhausting!

I completely understand the frustration shared here regarding the pricing of official accessories. It is honestly so disheartening to see such a massive markup on a basic ergonomic tool, and I spent a long time worrying about the potential risks to my camera electronics before deciding. I have been using the Meike MK-6DII Professional Battery Grip for about 14 months now and I am very satisfied with how it has held up. The unit is well-constructed and the button response is consistently tactile during vertical shooting. Another methodical choice is the Pixel Vertax E21 Battery Grip for Canon 6D Mark II which is generally known for having more reliable internal wiring than the cheaper generic units. It is annoying that we have to sacrifice the official weather sealing to save money, but these have been safe and effective alternatives for my long portrait sessions.