27/02/2026 10:30 pm
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EF Mount Camera & Lens Forum
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So I just finally upgraded from my old phone and a tiny point and shoot to a real professional camera! I found a used Canon 5D Mark IV on marketplace and I am literally so excited to start taking photos of my kids and also my sisters wedding next month. It feels so heavy and cool lol but I noticed the battery doesnt last as long as I thought it would when I was playing with the settings all day yesterday. I was watching some youtube videos and this guy had a huge block attached to the bottom of his camera and he called it a battery grip. He said it holds two batteries and makes it easier to hold for vertical shots which sounds amazing because I always feel like Im gonna drop it when I turn it sideways.
The problem is I looked up the official Canon one and it is so expensive... like almost 300 dollars?? I already spent all my savings on the camera body and a 50mm lens so I really cant afford that right now. My budget is more like 50 or 60 bucks if thats even possible. I saw some brands on Amazon like Neewer and Vivitar and Vello but I have no idea if they are safe to use?? Like will they fry my camera or stop working in the middle of the wedding? Im so nervous about getting something cheap that breaks but I really need that extra battery life and the better handle.
Im based in Chicago so I need to order something soon so it gets here before the big day on the 24th. Are there any specific brands that you guys trust for the 5D series? Is there a best cheap one or are they all basically the same thing just with different names on them? Sorry if this is a really basic question I just dont want to ruin my new camera but I really want that grip so it looks more professional too...
5 Answers
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27/02/2026 11:05 pm
I have used quite a few grips over the years, and honestly, the quality varies a lot even when they look the same. Quick question tho—are you using genuine Canon batteries or did you pick up some third-party ones? Some of these grips get really glitchy if the batteries dont have the right chips in them. In my experience, these are the two most reliable alternatives for a 5D Mark IV:
- Vello BG-C14 Battery Grip for Canon 5D Mark IV: This is usually the gold standard for third-party stuff. The build quality is solid and the buttons feel responsive. It sits very flush with the camera body which helps with that professional look you want.
- Meike MK-5D4 Pro Battery Grip for Canon 5D Mark IV: A decent budget alternative if the Vello is too pricey. Its often cheaper and the texture matches the Canon body fairly well. It feels a bit more plastic-y than the Vello, but it gets the job done for a long wedding day. Let me know about those batteries and I can tell you if either of these might give you sync errors.
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27/02/2026 11:35 pm
Totally agree with #2, cheap electronics can be sketchy. The Vello BG-C14 Battery Grip for Canon 5D Mark IV has better build quality which prevents the signal errors that usually cause those random lockups.
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25/03/2026 10:41 pm
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27/02/2026 10:31 pm
Honestly ive been through a few of these and unfortunately they never quite feel like the real deal. I bought a cheap generic one years ago for my 5D and it actually locked up my shutter button right in the middle of a portrait session. Talk about a nightmare... it was so frustrating. If youre on a strict budget tho, the Vello BG-C14 Battery Grip for Canon 5D Mark IV is probably your safest bet even if it feels a bit plasticky. I had issues with the dials on the Neewer Vertical Battery Grip for Canon EOS 5D Mark IV where they would just skip settings, which is not as good as expected when youre rushing at a wedding. Quick tip: always keep your original battery door in your camera bag. If the electronics glitch out, youll need that door to go back to a single battery setup immediately or youre totally stuck.
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14/03/2026 7:41 pm
Basically had the same dilemma when I got my 5D IV. I was super nervous about third party gear too, but I have been using the Meike MK-5DR Battery Grip for Canon EOS 5D Mark IV for about three years now and honestly it has been a tank. I remember shooting this outdoor family session last spring in a total drizzle and I was terrified the electronics would fry, but it held up perfectly. Im really happy with how it feels in the hand, almost matches the camera texture. ^ This. Also, make sure you really crank down the attachment wheel so it stays snug, otherwise you might get a weird battery error if it wiggles. Also, ngl, just check the contact pins for dust before you slide it on for the first time. Works well for me and saved me a ton of cash compared to the Canon one.
