Best budget battery grip for Canon RF mount mirrorless cameras?

Question

So I finally pulled the trigger on a Canon R8 because I wanted to get into photography for my sisters wedding next month in Bend but honestly I feel like a total idiot because the thing is so small in my hands. I was so excited to get a real camera instead of just using my phone but every time I pick it up my pinky finger just hangs off the bottom and it feels like I'm gonna drop it if I'm not super careful. It's actually kind of stressing me out because I want the photos to look good and I cant even hold the thing steady for more than a minute. Someone at the local park mentioned I should look into getting a battery grip to make it bigger and easier to hold but I had no idea what that even was until yesterday.

I went online to look at the official Canon ones and my jaw literally dropped because they want like two or three hundred dollars just for a piece of plastic and some extra battery space. I already spent my whole budget on the camera body and that 50mm lens everyone says to get so I'm pretty much broke now. I saw some brands on Amazon like Neewer and some others I cant even pronounce that are way cheaper like maybe 50 or 60 bucks but I'm really scared to buy one. Like is it possible for a cheap battery grip to actually break the camera or fry the circuit board? I'm a complete newbie at this and the thought of breaking my new toy because I was being cheap makes me feel sick but I also really need that extra grip space for my big hands.

Also I'm super confused about how they even work. Do I need to buy special batteries for the grip or does it use the ones that came with the camera? And I saw some people saying you need a little cable to make the shutter button work on the grip which sounds really messy and annoying if I'm trying to move around fast during the ceremony. Does anyone know a specific budget brand that fits the RF mount cameras well and doesnt feel like it's gonna fall apart? I just want something solid that helps me hold the camera vertically without my wrist cramping up. Sorry if this is a dumb question I just have no idea where to start with all these accessories...

isabella.wells · Accepted Answer

I would suggest the Neewer Vertical Battery Grip for Canon R8. Just be careful, you'll definitely need that messy cable for the shutter button to actually work on the grip.

Rose · Answer

Jumping in because I had the same freakout when I first held an R8. It really is tiny. The weird thing about the R8 is that Canon didnt actually design it to work with a powered battery grip, which is why all these third-party ones need that ugly cable to make the shutter button work. If you're mostly worried about your pinky hanging off and the camera feeling unstable, you might not even need a full battery grip. You could look into an extension plate instead.

JJC HG-RP Extension Grip for Canon EOS R8 is a lifesaver if you just want more height. It doesnt hold extra batteries, but it makes the camera feel way more secure for like thirty bucks.

If you definitely need the extra juice for the wedding, the Vello BG-C18 Battery Grip for Canon EOS RP and R8 is a solid choice. It's basically a clone of the more expensive ones but feels fairly sturdy in the hand. About the electronics... it's super unlikely to fry your camera. These grips are mostly just plastic shells with some basic wiring to connect the batteries. You'll just use the same Canon LP-E17 Lithium-Ion Battery packs you already have. Just be aware that if you dont want to deal with the cable, the shutter button on the grip wont work. You can still hold the grip for the extra size and just reach up to the main shutter button tho... honestly, that's what a lot of people end up doing anyway.

matthew.garcia · Answer

Regarding what #3 said about "Honestly, I felt the exact same way when..."

I had that same panic when I first unboxed my R8. It really does feel like it might slip right out of your hand because its so light and thin. Quick clarification tho... are you looking for the extra battery life specifically to get through the wedding day, or is this purely about the ergonomics and having a place for your pinky to rest? If you want a power grip that is reliable, I have been very satisfied with the Vello BG-C18 Battery Grip for Canon EOS RP and R8. Its around sixty dollars and Vello is a much more established brand than those random ones on Amazon. It uses the same batteries that came with your camera, so you dont need anything special. Just keep in mind you'll still need that small cable for the shutter button to work because of how the R8 is designed. If you dont actually need the extra batteries, the SmallRig L-Bracket for Canon EOS R8 4211 is a great alternative. It adds about half an inch to the bottom which is perfect for big hands, and its way more solid than a plastic grip. TL;DR: Get the Vello grip if you need the extra juice, but a SmallRig L-bracket is better if you just want a more secure hold.