Review: Canon BG-E7 – Battery Grip for Canon EOS 7D

One of the accessories for my Canon EOS 7D that I have been looking at ever since I first got the camera has been the battery grip, the BG-E7. Lately it seems local camera stores have been running some pretty crazy pricing with this particular Canon camera accessory and I could not pass up the opportunity to purchase it while saving over $200! Before, I just didn’t see the value in the battery grip with it’s retail price being over $300, it doesn’t even include the second battery either.

When we got back from our little getaway on Galiano Island, I was checking out the local camera shops’ websites. Low and behold, the Canon BG-E7 had a crazy sale price and I quickly called in to try and get my hands on one. The first store I called did not have any in stock and they were not expecting any until at least the last day of the sale. I called another camera shop (which I typically end up buying most of my stuff from) and they had it in stock and they were willing to sell it to me at the crazy price. I hopped into my car and picked it up.

Canon BG-E7

When it comes to the land of digital SLR cameras, or the world of professional camera gear, there are always various addons, accessories and other gadgets you can buy for them. In this particular instance, the battery grip allows for some additional efficiencies when shooting photos. In the case of the lower level digital SLRs in the Canon and Nikon models, the addition of a battery grip allows you more battery time since you can use two batteries at the same time, it allows you to easily take photos in portrait mode because of the orientation of the additional shutter button and controls and in some cases, it might help make the fit better for you as well in terms of how large your hands are. The high-end models, such as the Canon EOS 1 Series or the Nikon D3 Series, have these battery grips already built into them.

The Grip Itself

The BG-E7 is specifically for the Canon 7D and is made of the same magnesium alloy construction that the camera is made of. Even though you attach the battery grip up into the battery compartment of the Canon 7D itself and screw it into the existing tripod mount, it still does retain the environmental seal protecting the batteries from the outside elements. You also do not loose your tripod mount as the battery grip has one.

As you can see from the photo of the back of the BG-E7 you have the similar controls when you shoot in portrait orientation as you would with the regular controls on the camera. They function the same, even if you have reprogrammed the buttons, just make sure you have the power switch to the on position as it is shipped in the off position.

The battery compartment of the BG-E7 is a bit different than the battery grip I have for my Canon XSi (BG-E5). The batteries for the BG-E7 slide into the grip parallel to each other.

Yes, if you only have one battery you can still shoot with just the one, you do not need to have two of them in order for the camera to operate. With the battery grip attached to the camera, you can still check on the individual battery info via the camera’s menu, such as serial number, the charge, shots taken and life expectancy.

The battery magazine (BGM-E6) allows you to use 6 AA batteries instead of the  two lithium (LP-E6) ones. Though, you would really only ever use the battery magazine as a last minute option if you have no other alternative. Since AA batteries do not have any sort of circuitry built-in, the camera is unable to display any information about them like the LP-E6 batteries can.

Installed (though I would say Attached)

When you install (attach) the BG-E7 to the Canon 7D, the size increases of course as does the weight. It is noticeably heavier with the battery grip than without, but it does fit nicer in my hands. With the battery grip attached it becomes closer to the size of the Canon EOS 1 Series as I would image the weight might also be closer to them as well.

The battery grip’s buttons that allow you to easily shoot in portrait orientation are placed relatively in the same position as the normal camera ones so your fingers can easily find them. The grip’s handle isn’t as contoured as the camera body’s is, which I find to be a bit odd. I would only have to assume it is because of the battery compartment size wouldn’t allow for a direct match in contour.

I also found that the shutter button on the BG-E7 was a bit more sensitive and I accidentally fired off a few shots when I meant only to fire off one shot. I guess it also doesn’t help that I typically have the camera set to High-Speed Continuous either, but that’s beside the point. I do like that the power switch for the battery grip is recessed a bit as well as a little out of the way so I cannot accidentally turn it off or on.

Final Thoughts

Overall I believe the use and addition of a battery grip is a great accessory for those who are more serious about their photo taking practices. Not only does it make shooting in portrait orientation easier, but it does help extend your shooting time with the use of the additional (optional) battery. More time out and about taking photos the better, right? I do like the fact that I can shoot with only one battery, as I have not yet picked up additional batteries, something next on my list to get.

I personally also like how it fits in my hand better, feels a bit more balanced when I am using my larger lens. The camera looks more heavy-duty and professional too with the battery grip attached. I am sure more people will inquire as to what I am shooting with when they see this beast of a camera in my hands. Did I mention that I am also happy that it retains the environmental seal? I would hate the camera to loose that feature.

The only downside that I see with the BG-E7 is the added weight and perhaps the possibility of it not fitting into smaller camera bags. It might just squeak into my Lowepro Top Loader Zoom AW, or at least I hope it will as that bag is my primary walk-around bag.

Pros:

• Might fit nicer in one’s hand
• Ability to easily shoot in portrait orientation
• Ability to add additional battery (LP-E6)

Cons:

• Added weight and bulk