Which battery grip is best for Canon EOS 5D Mark IV?

Question

I have this huge wedding shoot coming up next Saturday and I realized my 5D IV is gonna die halfway through the day if I dont get a grip. I was looking at the Canon BG-E20 because obviously its the official one but man its like 250 or 300 bucks which is insane right now because I just dropped way too much money on a new 24-70mm and my budget is basically zero. So I was thinking maybe I should just get the Neewer or the Vello one since they are like a fraction of the cost. I read online that the Vello is actually decent but then I saw a couple reviews saying the buttons feel mushy and the weather sealing isnt actually there. Thats what has me stuck because Im shooting in Seattle and its definitely gonna rain next week so if the third party grip leaks and fries my camera Im totally screwed. My logic was that I could save 200 bucks but then I started panicking about the joystick not working right for focus points or the shutter button lagging. Is the build quality on the knockoffs really that bad compared to the OEM? I need to order this by tonight to get it here in time for the rehearsal...

PrismShift · Accepted Answer

@Reply #1 - good point! I actually shot a whole wedding marathon in the rain once without a grip because I was worried about the seals failing on me. Honestly, if money is tight, just grab two extra Canon LP-E6N Lithium-Ion Battery packs instead. Its a bit more work to swap them mid-day, but way safer than a cheap knockoff leaking and frying your 5D. You can find them used and save a ton.

jason.henderson · Answer

Look, honestly... I have had some pretty bad luck with the off-brand stuff. Unfortunately, when you are shooting a wedding in the rain, those cheap grips are just asking for trouble. The price tag on official gear hurts. It really does. But your 5D IV is a tank and you dont want to compromise that. Heres how they usually stack up:

Canon BG-E20 Battery Grip for 5D Mark IV: Only one with actual weather sealing. The joystick is perfect and it wont drain batteries overnight.

Vello BG-C14 Battery Grip for Canon 5D Mark IV: Not as good as expected. The buttons feel like toys and the weather sealing is basically just thin foam.

Neewer NW-5D Mark IV Battery Grip: Total gamble. Connections can be flickery. Tbh, try to find a used Canon one. Its better than frying your main body. Let me know if you need help finding a seller before your deadline tonight.