Battery Grip Canon BG-E5 for Canon EOS 1000D, EOS 500D, EOS 450D, Rebel XS, Rebel XSi
Highlights: The Canon BG-E5 Battery Grip has been launched alongside the Canon EOS 450D/Rebel XSi, 500D, 1000D/Rebel XS DSLR Camera. Slotting into the battery bay, it is able to take 6 AA batteries or two of the 450D's new LP-E5 batteries. It provides a shutter button and control dial along with AE/FE Lock, exposure compensation and AF point selection buttons in a vertical orientation . The Canon BG-E5 offers creative flexibility by providing a stable grip for vertical as well as horizontal positions.
Having the vertical grip allows me to shoot from a much more comfortable and much more stable position - and gives me more control over larger lenses. The BG-E5 makes the grip on these small compatible cameras nicer to use - especially for long sessions in vertical orientation. The BG-E5 accepts two Canon LP-E5 Battery Packs or six AA batteries in the included holder. Two LP-E5s yield twice the number of shots as one before a charging is needed. A second battery is not required - The BG-E5 works fine with a single LP-E5. The BG-E5 installs into the DSLR's battery compartment. The original battery door is easily removable and the BG-E5 plugs in. The attachment is completed by screwing the BG-E5 into the camera's tripod adaptor threads. The BG-E5 provides its own tripod adapter threads - this functionality is not lost. The battery grip provides controls and shutter release identical to the camera's grip. The only Canon BG-E5 Battery Grip downside I can think of (other than having to purchase it) is the extra size and weight it adds to the camera body. The BG-E5 measures 0.5 x 3.8 x 2.8" (128 x 96.4 x 70.7mm). It adds 1.63" (41mm) to the height of the camera when attached. It weighs 8.1 oz (230g) without batteries. One of the benefits of the BG-E5-compatible DSLRs is that they are small.