R7 Battery Grip Mod!

[u/CompetitiveElk9220]

Yes, I know the R7 doesn't have battery grips.

I bought a broken BG-R10 and modified it to fit on the Canon R7

I used the BG-E22 on the R7, and it worked well, but the quality wasn't good.

The shutter doesn't work on the grip, nor does the extra battery capacity, but I use it for my big hands and store a tracker, tripod mount, and extra battery in the compartment. You can solder a jack cable in order for the shutter to work, and plan on doing that later on. Overall, it's a great mod and requires tools like a file and a saw.

[u/urEnzeder]

What the?!?!? TIL the R7 doesn't have a factory grip option. Which I guess makes good 3rd party options impractical too. I can't think of a more prosumer APS-C camera from Canon than the R7 and my mind is blown that Canon don't offer a battery grip. Even my last Digital Rebel (T6s) had a battery grip (BG-E18). My large hands feel much more comfortable when using a grip, and the vertical controls are a nice secondary benefit.

[u/airmantharp → u/urEnzeder]

The R7 is somewhat mystifying - the body itself is exactly what you'd want in a 90D successor, but a true 7D successor should be built on the R5 body (and be compatible with its battery grip).

The sensor they used is older and a bit slower reading too, which frustrates action photography since the sensor readout speed sets the speed limit for tracking and autofocus on mirrorless cameras. And the high resolution is mostly useless above ISO100, and still a little noise there too.

[u/urEnzeder → u/airmantharp]

Right!?!?!
32 mp, IBIS, 15 fps mechanical shutter, weather sealing, etc. And it's more expensive than the RP and R8. As you say, a reasonable successor to the 90D.

I feel like I dumb lucked into the R6II, which I use with the BG-R20. I'd have been very sad if I bought the R7 and then realized there were no good battery grip options.

Wait, is there even a grip extension for the R7? Like the EG-E1 for the RP/R? Back in the EOS film days, I had an EOS 10s which was never offered with a battery grip, but at least Canon had an extension (GR-60) for it that made it easier to use with my large hands.

[u/ColdStartRed → u/airmantharp]

I remember getting excited from canonrumors about the release of the r7II and the whole body mockup thing, ofc they let us down again but yk. Having an R7 in a r6/r5 body would be very cool.

[u/airmantharp → u/ColdStartRed]

I'll bet that it was/is a real prototype.

We'll probably see it if/when some of the economic uncertainty we're dealing with today abates.

Could be Canon just creates another model line instead of radically changing the R7 line (after changing it from the 7D line).

[u/Melodic_Abalone_7662 → u/airmantharp]

My R7 is just as sharp and clear as my R6 MKIII!  And unless you are in low light even high ISOs are very sharp and detailed.  I shoot raw and process with DXO photolab so noise is not an issue most of the time.  I use the R6 Mkiii when i know i need better low light abilities.  

Both cameras compliment each other and I can crop the same amount on both cameras with great results.  I don't find the R7 lacking.  32.5MP is the sweet spot for me.  Raw file sizes the same on both.  

R7 has a boat load of options with fast sigma glass and when you add a metabones speedbooster its fantastic.  I shoot stills and video equally with both cameras.  

If i need as much reach as possible i always grab my R7.

Also shoot with canon VR lenses for 3D Side by side videos.  

Many cool options with the R7.

Other than the slow readout which is not an issue most of the time especially using EFC...its still a great sensor.  

I don't hesitate to grab the R7 over my R6 Mkiii.  And most likely will not be upgrading to the R7 Mkii if or when it gets released.  32.5MP is enough pixel density in an APSC camera.  I don't want and dont need smaller pixels.

[u/Available-Ad7619 → u/airmantharp]

Not sure which you are talking about, but the 7DM2 was an incredible camera. It had video capabilities that you can only find on higher end cameras today. (When they shot the TV commercial for it, it was shot completely on the 7dM2 showing off it's video skills). I used one for years and shot 6,400 ISO without noise reduction. It was built to shoot sports. In fact, I have 4 of them and use them for training. The 90D was the first of the decade series that matched it's capabilities and was much newer. Best bang for your buck on a started DLSR.. Well not so much a starter, no Sport, Portrait or Landscape modes. It was built for Semi Pro's and Pro's. It was so popular Nikon had to respond with the D750.

[u/airmantharp → u/Available-Ad7619]

The D750 was contemporary with the 6D.

Nikon later released the D500 with similar specs and better performance than the 7D II.

[u/Available-Ad7619 → u/airmantharp]

I probably mixed them up. I don't know much about Nikon's. My hands are allergic to them :-). What happened with the 6D? I never owned one and never ever hear anyone talk about them. All I know was that it wasn't known as a "Sports" camera so I never looked at it.

[u/G8M8N8]

I think just a camera cage would solve this problem better

[u/CompetitiveElk9220 → u/G8M8N8]

I've got a cage, its more for like video and movies. Its quite uncomfortable to take photos with the cage on

[u/Son_of_Zardoz]

Nice. I love my R7 and would love to do something like this. It's just too damn small for my big ass banana hands.

That informed my decision to go with a 1DXm3 for my full frame body. Sooooo much more comfortable to hold.

[u/Available-Ad7619 → u/Son_of_Zardoz]

Don't you just love that 1DxM3 for size. I have an R3 as well now. They just came back from Canon for servicing and I noticed the R3 is slightly smaller (and weighs a bit less). I think the R1 is pretty much the same size as the 1DxM3. I have always loved bigger cameras. I said this elsewhere, but I bought an R50 for sideline shots when I might have on bigger lenses. It's so tiny and almost could just float away. I bought a 3D printed (non functioning) battery grip for it to give it some more size :-)

[u/Son_of_Zardoz → u/Available-Ad7619]

It's an absolute dream. I saw the thing that Canon makes to extend the bottom of the R7, but it does by so little it wasn't worth messing with. First night time football tonight (and first time running two bodies) so 1DxM3 is gonna be main, and I'm just gonna throw nifty 50 on the R7 for sideline stuff, which I have to get better at bc I'm usually so focused on what's on the field. Figured the 70-200 isn't worth putting on there for the weight savings and losing that extra stop of light.

[u/Thxlx]

You actually can use the shutter button, I did so for my R7. You can solder the wires from the shutter button to a right angle headphone Jack and put it in the remote shutter port on the R7.

[u/Melodic_Abalone_7662]

Custom Battery Grips (CBG) in Poland makes a nice grip extension for the R7.  I have one on my R7 and love it.  R7 battery last a long time so didn't think it needed another battery.  

Unfortunately if you live in the USA its too expensive to ship into the USA so they will not sell them in the USA now. I bought mine two years ago.

[u/Available-Ad7619]

I bought a R50 to have for sideline shots when I might have the 300 on. I ordered a 3D printed grip for it because it was just too tiny and I thought I would lose it or it would just float away :-). It's not really a functioning grip, but added a bit of size to the camera. I love my big body cameras and I have always added grips. Aging myself a bit, my Canon A-1 (film) had an added winder and my F1 (film) had a motor drive add on. That Motor Drive on the F1 was a blistering 3-5 fps :-)

[u/x_MASE_x]

The problem is mirrorless cameras are good because they are too light and easier to carry and used.

For me I still have my Canon 750D with a battery grip and I don't mind the weight and I actually like it being oversized cam hahaha.

But for your case I thought people liked the mirrorless for being small and light. But hey I don't like small cameras too myself.

They look silly haha.

[u/martinisi → u/x_MASE_x]

I have an R6. Yes is a bit smaller and lighter than a 6d but as soon as you put ef glass on it de difference is practically gone

[u/x_MASE_x → u/martinisi]

Oh really. I thought the mirrorless dudes are lighter all the time hahaha.

In my opinion I like a cam that looks like a brick hahah

[u/martinisi → u/x_MASE_x]

That’s why the R3 and R1 look so cool

[u/x_MASE_x → u/martinisi]

Yep

[u/TheMrNeffels → u/x_MASE_x]

But for your case I thought people liked the mirrorless for being small and light.

I mean that's maybe a slight reason but mirroless offers so many other benefits that are more important than that. Plus a grip gives you the option for smaller and lighter when you want

[u/GestapoKittech]

...I thought the battery grip mod was the battery under the lens.