23/03/2026 9:40 am
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I finally saved up enough to get my hands on a Canon 5D Mark IV and I am honestly so stoked to start taking pictures!! I spent basically all my savings on the body and a 24-70 lens so I'm a total beginner with all this gear. Last night I was trying to take some portrait shots of my sister and my wrist started hurting so bad from turning the camera sideways the whole time. I saw someone on YouTube using this extra handle thing on the bottom that lets you hold it vertically and I think it's called a battery grip? I'm super confused though because I looked them up and the official Canon one is like crazy expensive and then there are these other brands I've never heard of that are way cheaper. Is there a big difference between them? I really dont want to mess up my camera since it cost me so much but I only have about $120 left in my budget for accessories right now. I have a wedding I'm supposed to help shoot in a few weeks in Seattle so I need to figure this out fast. Are the cheap ones on Amazon actually safe to use or should I just keep saving for the real one? I have no clue what I'm doing sorry...
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23/03/2026 10:05 am
Regarding what #2 said about the build quality, it basically explains why the official grip is so pricey. We've talked about the high-end Canon and mid-range Vello, but I've been super satisfied with my Pixel Vertax E20 Battery Grip for Canon 5D Mark IV. It works well and fits your budget perfectly for that Seattle trip. No complaints here, it feels solid and gets the job done!
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23/03/2026 9:40 am
Unfortunately cheap ones like Neewer Battery Grip for Canon 5D Mark IV feel flimsy. Id grab the Vello BG-C14 Battery Grip for Canon 5D Mark IV instead since its actually reliable and fits your budget.
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23/03/2026 10:05 am
Regarding what #1 said about "Unfortunately cheap ones like Neewer Battery Grip for..." - it basically comes down to build materials and tolerances. The official Canon BG-E20 Battery Grip for 5D Mark IV is made of magnesium alloy and has the same environmental gaskets as the body, which is why it's so pricey. If you only have $120, check out the Vivitar VIV-PG-5D4 Professional Battery Grip. It feels way more solid than the $40 options and the vertical shutter button actually has a distinct half-press point. Just a heads up for that Seattle wedding... since it's not fully weather-sealed like the Canon one, dont let it get soaked. The 5D IV is a beast but a cheap grip can be a weak point for moisture getting into the battery compartment. Itll definitely save your wrist tho.
