15/03/2026 4:40 am
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I just got my R5 Mark II and its amazing but it feels way too small when I throw the 28-70 f2 on there. I have a three-day desert shoot in Arizona coming up and I'm stressed about battery life and heat. I'm looking at the standard BG-R20 versus that BG-R20EP with the cooling fan.
Is the fan grip actually necessary for long days in the sun or is it just a gimmick for heavy video users? I'm also tempted to just find a cheap used BG-R10 since I heard they're compatible but I'm worried about losing the new high-speed data features. Budget is super tight now so I can't really afford to get it wrong...
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15/03/2026 5:15 am
Honestly, if your budget is tight, I'd suggest you skip the older Canon BG-R10 Battery Grip. While it physically fits the body, it basically handicaps the R5 Mark II because it lacks the technical throughput for the new processing engine.
- Get the standard Canon BG-R20 Battery Grip instead of the fan version if you are mostly shooting stills.
- Only use the new Canon LP-E6P Lithium-Ion Battery Pack batteries to ensure you keep the high-speed data rates and pre-burst features.
- Keep the articulating screen flipped out during the shoot to help heat dissipate from the sensor.
- Use a white cooling cloth over the body between sets to manage the direct Arizona sunlight. Be careful with that Canon RF 28-70mm f2L USM Lens because it is heavy enough to cause mount flex without the extra support of a grip. The Canon BG-R20EP Battery Grip with Cooling Fan is great, but unless you're doing 8K video for long stretches, the active cooling is likely overkill. Stick to the standard R20 and use the extra money for more of the new P-series batteries since the R5 II is quite power-hungry... especially in the heat. Just make sure the contacts are clean before you head out into the dust.
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15/03/2026 5:25 am
Re: "Honestly, if your budget is tight, I'd suggest..." - grabbing the SmallRig L-Shape Mount Plate for Canon EOS R5 Mark II instead of a full grip! It adds that much-needed height for your hand when using the heavy 28-70 f2, which is amazing. For desert power, just pick up an Anker 737 Power Bank 24K to charge via USB-C. Its way cheaper and works fantastic for long days!
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15/03/2026 4:40 am
Ngl, you gotta grab the Canon BG-R20EP Battery Grip with Ethernet and Cooling Fan for that Arizona sun! I ran it during a brutal 110-degree desert rally and the active cooling was amazing for keeping the sensor temp stable.
- Skip the Canon BG-R10 Battery Grip... it fits but handicaps those new high-speed data features.
- That fan actually helps during high-fps stills, not just video!
