The real OEM BG-E11 battery grip for the Canon 5D Mark III will run about $300 dollars. You can find that on the product page (click here). I'm sure the OEM is the best of the best, but i've managed to purchase several aftermarket grips for my T2i, 60D, 5D Mark II, and Canon 7D.
When I found the price dropping on the aftermarket BG-E11 grips, I decided to get one for the Mark III for around $50 dollars. You can find the grips via eBay (Click Here).
Aftermarket BG-E11 Canon 5D Mark III Battery Grip
Mike Sansone
I had my t2i for a few yrs and from the very start I had an aftermarket battery grip. Meike was the brand I believe.
Never had any issues with it. I also purchased 3 extra batteries for under $10 and they seemed to work just as well as the original.
I just upgraded my camera to a mk2..and got an after market grip too. Still no issues. I'm completely happy with my purchases.
Jamie MacLeod
Anyone know if the Meike aftermarket battery grip is compatible with the Zacuto 3.2" Z-finder frame for the 5Dmk3? Zacuto says that the frame for 3.2" screen cameras with battery grip is not tested with third party battery grips, but wondering if anyone actually knows?
Cheers!
JNJ
Hi, I'm searching for this product by clicking the link. Is that $50.99 the correct unit as like in your video?
Emm
Post author@Sean - The battery grip does not read the batteries, the camera will. If you have aftermarket batteries that have the correct 'info chip', then the camera will read this. The 3rd party batteries work great, but nothing beats the run time of a true lithium battery (OEM).
Sean
Thanks! I think I'm going to take my chances with one. $275 for the official one is seems like highway robbery. Does the one you got read the 3rd party batteries and remaining charge correctly?
Emm
Post author@Sean - I haven't noticed a battery drain, and I'm using one that was branded under 'Pixel'.
Sean
Still enjoying the grip? Any battery drain issues with it? And just curious as to which grip this is exactly. There are a lot of different ones on the ebay link.
Thanks Emm
Emm
Post author@Johnson - I have the side door version. Works great so far.
Johnson
Emm, I see Meike has the rear door battery grip similar to 7d and mk2 over the side magazine door type.
Curious if you got the rear door slot for it? About to make a purchase. Thanks
Richard
which ebay buyer did you get this one from? is there a specific one to know which is which? I know there are probably good ones and bad ones
Emm
Post author@Matthewb - I have just received this item, so I couldn't say at this time. I would have to leave my camera setup overnight to see if there is any changes.
Matthewb
The issue with the first 3rd party grip by "pixel" was that it would Drain the battery when the camera was off - Of course the OEM grip doesn't do this.
They said a fix was on the way but there is no clear timestamp or version number to know which ones have been fixed.
Does this grip drain the batteries when the camera is off?
jcareyphoto
after getting my first grip for my 10D, it is very hard for me to use a DSLR without one (for stills at least). I've found if you only put one battery in it (i mainly use the grip for the portrait-orientation controls), it gives you a handy little pocket to store an emergency extra CF card in the second battery location. you can let it rattle or put a little bit of foam in there to hold it in place.
Emm
Post author@Brian - I don't see how that is possible. The grip itself is just a few wires with no other electronics. Possibly they could be referring to 'aftermarket batteries' that sometimes come with these grips. Those aftermarket batteries may not have the same capacity as OEM batteries, so they won't last as long.
Brian
I have read a lot of reviews that say that these after market grips eat up battery time so much faster than the OEM grips. Have you been able to do a battery life test yet? If not, that could make a great addition to the post.
Emm
Post author@Jason - Thanks forgot to point that out, like the older grips out there.
Jason
Just a tip. I have one if these battery grips for my t3i and it has a hiding ace for your original battery door. It's on the back side of the part that inserts into the camera. It took me a few days to find it. Hope that helps you keep from losing it.