25/03/2026 12:40 am
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So I finally upgraded to the 5D Mark IV last month and honestly the battery life isnt as great as my old 5D Mark III was or maybe Im just shooting more video now anyway I need a battery grip because Ive got a three day wedding gig coming up in early October and my hands are honestly too big for the standard body it just feels cramped after a few hours of shooting.
Ive been looking at the official Canon BG-E20 but its like 300 bucks which feels like a total rip off for some plastic and buttons but then I see the Neewer or the Vello ones for like 60 to 90 dollars and Im torn. My logic was that I should just go with the Canon one because the 5D IV has that weather sealing and Im shooting in Seattle so theres gonna be rain for sure and I dont want the grip to fry my internals if it gets wet but then I read some forum posts saying the Vello grip is basically the same thing and feels just as sturdy.
Is the weather sealing on the cheap ones actually non-existent? Im trying to save money where I can because I just spent a fortune on glass but Im terrified of the grip failing mid-ceremony. Does anyone have experience with the third party ones in actual rain or should I just bite the bullet and buy the overpriced Canon one to be safe...
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25/03/2026 1:05 am
Unfortunately, third-party weather sealing is basically fake. My cheap one failed during a drizzle. Get the Canon BG-E20 Battery Grip for EOS 5D Mark IV. Its overpriced but wont ruin your gear.
10
25/03/2026 12:40 am
> Is the weather sealing on the cheap ones actually non-existent? Ive been happy with the Vello BG-C14 Battery Grip for Canon 5D Mark IV for years. It survived misty PNW shoots and works great. Tip: always keep a spare tray handy.
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06/04/2026 1:30 am
Adding my two cents here. That price tag on the official one is a tough pill to swallow. I went through a couple off-brand grips before finally caving. The Meike MK-5D4 Pro Battery Grip with Remote Control was my first try. It functioned fine for basic shots but honestly felt like hollow plastic. When I took it out in light drizzle, the shutter button on the grip started acting up and kept firing on its own. Kinda scary when youve got expensive gear on the line. If youre dead set on saving cash but need that peace of mind for a wedding, maybe look for a used Canon BG-E20 Battery Grip on a site like MPB or KEH. I managed to snag one for about half the retail price and the difference in the weather gaskets is night and day compared to the third-party stuff. The buttons actually click properly too. If youre doing a three day wedding gig, you really dont want to be fiddling with a glitchy dial when things get hectic... especially in Seattle rain. The Pixel E20 Battery Grip for Canon 5D Mark IV is another budget choice, but the sealing still isnt quite there.
