What are the best battery grips for Canon 5D Mark IV?

Question

Ive been shooting on my 5D Mark IV for about three years now and honestly I love this thing but lately my hands are just killing me after long shoots. I mainly do wedding photography here in Chicago and those 10 to 12 hour days are getting rough on my wrist since I’m constantly flipping to portrait mode for those vertical shots. I finally decided it’s time to pick up a battery grip but I’m really torn on which way to go.

Obviously the Canon BG-E20 is the official choice but man that price tag is hard to swallow for what is basically a battery holder with some buttons. I looked it up and it’s still retailing for a lot. I’ve seen some brands like Vello or Neewer for a fraction of the cost but I’m worried about a few things:

the build quality matching the magnesium alloy body

if the weather sealing actually holds up in light rain

button lag especially on the AF-ON button

battery drain issues with non-OEM electronics

I’ve got a huge corporate event coming up in late October and I need to make a decision soon so I can test it out. Are the third party ones actually reliable enough for professional work or should I just bite the bullet and buy the Canon version for the peace of mind? I dont want it failing on me mid-shoot...

Jett Thomas Graham · Accepted Answer

> Are the third party ones actually reliable enough for professional work or should I just bite the bullet and buy the Canon version Just saw this and had to jump in because I was in the exact same boat last year. I kept staring at the price of the official one and just couldnt justify it for a wedding season that was already expensive. I finally took a chance on the Vello BG-C14 Battery Grip for Canon 5D Mark IV and honestly its been solid. The buttons have a good tactile feel and the shutter release isnt mushy at all. I was worried about the weather sealing too, but I got caught in a light drizzle during a lakeside shoot and everything stayed bone dry. No weird battery drain either. I also saved a bit more by pairing it with a Wasabi Power LP-E6N 2-Pack with Dual USB Charger instead of the pricey Canon batteries. For pros on a budget, this combo has been totally reliable for me. Definitely feels better in the hand than the bare body during those long portrait sessions... just make sure the mounting screw is nice and tight.

CrimsonComet · Answer

> Are the third party ones actually reliable enough for professional work Unfortunately, my experience with third-party alternatives has been pretty disappointing regarding long-term reliability. I tested the Vello BG-C14 Battery Grip for Canon 5D Mark IV for a few weeks, but the build quality was nowhere near what I expected. The magnesium alloy of the 5D is great, but these plastic grips feel kinda hollow and cheap in your hand. I ran into a few specific issues:

Shutter button lag that made me miss shots

Battery communication errors where the camera wouldnt recognize charge levels

Dials that felt loose and imprecise tho... I also tried a Neewer Vertical Battery Grip for Canon 5D Mark IV as a backup, but the weather sealing was basically nonexistent. For those long Chicago weddings, you dont want to worry about a light drizzle killing your gear. Honestly, maybe look for a used Canon BG-E20 Battery Grip for EOS 5D Mark IV instead. Its better to have a used original than a new third-party one that fails mid-ceremony... just my experience anyway.

megan.robinson · Answer

Honestly, I totally get the struggle! Weddings are brutal on the wrists. I've used the Canon BG-E20 Battery Grip for 5D Mark IV for years and it is absolutely amazing! For pro work, you gotta go official:

Zero button lag

Perfect weather sealing

Built like a tank Seriously, just bite the bullet! The peace of mind during those long days is worth every cent. You're gonna love it!