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Recommendations for the best battery grip for Canon EOS 90D wildlife photography?

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I am honestly so fed up with my 90D dying at the worst possible times. I was out tracking a great grey owl yesterday and the battery hit zero right as it took flight and I missed the entire sequence. Its beyond frustrating.

I have a trip to Glacier National Park coming up next Friday and I cannot deal with this anymore. I need a battery grip that actually holds up in the field. Is the official BG-E14 really worth the price or is there a third party one that wont fall apart? I have about 140 bucks left in my gear budget for this month. What are you guys using for long days in the woods that doesnt feel like a cheap toy...


6 Answers
12

Regarding what #2 said about "Totally get the pain of a dead battery..."

  • I've been there. In my experience, third-party grips like the Vello BG-C9 Battery Grip are okay for casual use, but they lack the sealing you'll want for Glacier. Better to grab a genuine Canon LP-E6NH Lithium-Ion Battery 2130mAh first. The higher discharge rate and lower internal resistance keep the 90D snappy during long sequences, which is way more critical than just having extra capacity in a flimsy tray.


10

Totally get the pain of a dead battery right at the money shot. It literally makes you want to chuck the camera in a lake. Since you have 140 bucks, you are actually in a decent spot for a few different setups. The Canon BG-E14 Battery Grip for EOS 70D 80D 90D is basically the tank of grips. It has actual weather sealing which is huge for Glacier... tho it might eat your whole budget if you buy it brand new. Here is what I usually look at for technical specs:

  • Vello BG-C10 Battery Grip for Canon 70D 80D 90D is a solid runner up. Its half the price and the buttons feel pretty tactile, not mushy.
  • Build materials: Canon uses a magnesium alloy and polycarbonate mix while third parties are mostly plastic.
  • Power delivery: Make sure you use Canon LP-E6NH Lithium-Ion Battery or the older N version for the best discharge rates. If you are worried about it feeling like a cheap toy, skip the super generic 30 dollar ones on Amazon. They creak when you grip them tight and the battery door latches are sketchy as hell. Finding a used OEM grip from a gear shop might be the way to go so you have cash left for extra cells.


3

Bookmarked, thanks!


3

Man, I have been there and it honestly sucks. I had the exact same thing happen during a trip to Yellowstone last year. I was tracking a wolf pack for hours and right when they finally started howling, my 90D just went black. Its the worst feeling in the world. Unfortunately, my attempt at saving money with the Neewer Vertical Battery Grip for Canon 70D 80D 90D was just a massive disappointment. The build quality was so flimsy and it felt like it was gonna snap off when I had my long lens mounted. It handled the morning mist terribly and the connection kept flickering. I ended up having to pull the whole thing off and just swap batteries manually in the mud. Quick tips for Glacier:

  • Keep spare batteries in your pocket close to your body heat so they dont drain as fast.
  • Clean the contact pins with a microfiber cloth every morning before heading out.


2

> I missed the entire sequence. Its beyond frustrating. I totally get that! Same thing happened to me with an eagle. The one I finally got is amazing and really saved my sanity!


2

This ^


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