To add to the point above: the lack of a native grip really is a head-scratcher from Canon, especially for birding guys who need that extra balance. I ended up picking up the DSTE Pro Battery Grip for Canon EOS R7 about six months ago and honestly, I have been pretty satisfied with it. It feels sturdy enough for my larger telephotos and it hasn't given me any electronic errors or anything scary like that. The biggest thing to keep in mind is the cable setup. Since the R7 does not have internal contact points, you have to run that little wire from the grip to the side of the camera. It is not the most elegant solution but it gets the job done for vertical shots. One thing I noticed is that you have to be a bit more careful with moisture since that port door stays open. If you want something slightly more premium feeling, Mcoplus BG-R7 Vertical Battery Grip is another one I have seen people in my local group use with success. Both should keep you well under that $100 mark.

> Do they even make them for this camera or am I just looking for the wrong thing? Canon actually omitted the internal communication pins in the R7 battery well, so an official version doesnt exist. You have to use third-party grips that bridge the gap with a 2.5mm remote cable for the shutter to function. Its a bit clunky but works for ergonomics and big hands.

• Neewer Vertical Battery Grip for Canon EOS R7

This is probably the most reliable option for your budget. It adds significant vertical height which helps a lot when you are tracking fast-moving birds. Pros: Dual LP-E6NH capacity, better weight distribution for long lenses.
Cons: External sync cable required, build is mostly high-grade plastic.

• Viltrox Battery Grip for Canon EOS R7

Similar specs, usually features a slightly different rubber texture that matches the body okay. Pros: Firm mounting screw, gold-plated contacts.
Cons: Shutter lag can be slightly higher over the cable interface compared to native pins. I personally use the Neewer one to balance out heavy glass. It wont fry the board, just stick to original Canon LP-E6NH Lithium-Ion Battery packs to avoid any weird voltage drops. Let me know if you need help with the cable setup!

Unfortunately, I have to agree with everyone here... Canon really dropped the ball on the R7. It is super frustrating for birders who actually need that vertical shutter for stability and balance. I have had issues with cheap clones in the past where the dials just stop working after a week or the fitment is super loose. Not as good as I expected from this camera series at all. If you are looking for something that wont fry your electronics, my advice is:

• Just get any grip from Meike and you should be fine
• Always use a reliable power source like the Canon LP-E6NH Lithium-Ion Battery
• Avoid the bottom-barrel brands on auction sites Honestly, I would trust a Meike unit over those weird random brands any day. Just be careful with that bridge cable though. It is pretty flimsy and tends to snag on stuff when you are trekking through the brush. Such a bummer we have to deal with this workaround for a modern camera.