Home > Consumer Reviews > Opteka Battery Pack Grip / Vertical Shutter Release for Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi & Rebel XT with 2 NB-2LH Batteries (3600 mAh Total)

I bought the Opteka Battery Pack Grip for my Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi, and was a bit leary about the considerably lower price than the Canon brand battery pack grip. I am pleased to report that the Opteka grip has met my expectations.

PROS

The grip fits extremely well on the Rebel XTi. It even comes with a convenient place to store the battery compartment lid (which must be removed to insert the grip into the camera. Removing the lid is an easy procedure).

Attaching the grip is quick and easy, with a large, serrated wheel to tighten the grip against the camera bottom.

The finish on the grip is different than that on the Canon-brand grip. The Opteka has a thin, rubbery, texturized non-slip insert layer over the front, bottom and back. The Canon grip's rubbery insert is smooth and looks more "finished." My only concern about the Opteka insert is that it shows signs that it may not stay perfectly attached to the grip, and will likely need a touch of cement in the future. Not a big deal, though.

The vertical shooting buttons on the grip (exposure bracket, A-E lock, Auto Focus point selection, selector wheel and shutter release) are, as far as I can tell, identically placed like those on the Canon grip. All work like they are supposed to.

The grip comes with an "On-Off" slide so you can turn off the vertical shooting buttons when they are not needed. This prevents accidentally activating one of the buttons or taking a picture if they are inadvertently pressed while shooting horizontal.

The battery compartment in the grip is very easy to remove and insert batteries. Although I haven't used it yet, the optional AA battery insert looks easy to use, and is good to have in emergencies.

The two NB-2LH batteries that came with the grip seem to be OK, and charged up just fine. With the battery that came with the camera, I now have 3 batteries to use. More than enough for the number of pictures I take during a typical shoot.

The grip certainly improves the handling and feel of the XTi, which comes with a too-small grip for many hands. Personally, I like the additional heft and mass the Opteka grip gives the camera, although some may object to the additional weight.

CONS

This is a very minor point, but worth pointing out. The shutter release button on the Opteka grip is a bit "mushy." What I mean is that it is not always easy to tell when you have pressed the shutter releae halfway down to activate auto focus or metering. There is a noticable tactile difference between pressing the shutter release down on the camera, and the shutter release on the grip. It's as if the spring underneath the camera's shutter release button is a bit stiffer than the one for the grip. However, if you use the viewfinder to determine whether you have achieved focus or not, then the little bit of mush in the grip shutter release won't make no never mind.

BOTTOM LINE

Would I recommend this grip to a friend? Yes.

Would I buy another one if the need arises? Yes.

I have both the Canon version of the grip and this version. They are identical. I have two Rebel XTs and they work great. I like them for the feel it gives holding the camera. The camera was small in my hands and this makes it perfect. If you are thinking of buying accessories for the Rebel XT, this should be one of them. The grip holds two batteries, which gives you way more shooting time. I highly recommend this!

This is my first Amazon review. I cannot recommend this product enough. I have tried it in professional settings (the XTi is my backup camera) and it has NEVER let me down. Don't waste your money on the original CANON grip. Save your $$$. Remember, just as with the original grip you can store the XTi's battery door inside the grip so you will never lose it. I got the version that came with two batteries. The supplied batteries are excellent and never seem to run out. You will not be sorry you got this. I hated the feel of the XTi till I added the grip. I dare those who say the materials are cheap quality to submit to a blind (folded?) test. If you are one of those people who likes to buy a brand for the sake of it, don't get this grip. But if you own an XT/XTi and actually use it then don't think twice.

Like one of the previous reviewers, I am also experiencing intermittent contact issues with the battery grip resulting in loss of power. Specifically, when using the lithium battery magazine, there isn't a snug fit even when the lock knob is engaged. That is, there is clearly some movement possible between the battery magazine and the grip. After inspecting the contacts inside the grip, this appears to be sufficient to break the connection resulting in the power loss. When holding the camera with the grip (that is, rotated 90 degrees), this essentially guarantees that the camera will not power up.

Inspecting the unit further, I think it was a combination of a misaligned latch for the lock knob allowing the movement between the grip and battery magazine, and a poorly positioned brush contact inside the grip.

In addition, when testing the AA battery magazine, one of the contacts fell out.

Overall, this seems to speak to variability in quality that buyers should be aware of. This was my first experience with Opteka and likely to be my last. The price of the Canon grip may be higher but I would not underestimate the value of a better manufacturer.

I am mad that I used my Canon xt for over 8 months without the grip addon. It was really easy to attach. Once on, it looked and felt like it always should have been there. It feels and the color looks just like the camera body. An added bonus was that it has a vertical shutter bottom. Also the Opteka grip is over $50 cheaper then the Canon model.

Please note that I bought the Opteka grip alone on another Amazon item so I can not comment on the battery that this kit includes.