Coming to Grips with Vertical Grips « Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

Coming to Grips with Vertical Grips

What’s Up?

I headed out for a short session on Tuesday morning. I photographed the usual ILE suspects: Cattle Egret, Turkey Vulture, and Sandhill Crane. I am pretty sure that I got one very nice crane image. With no laptop, I will not know for sure for at least a while. I spoke to the data recovery spokes late on Tuesday but there was not much news. There is a chance of recovering photos from the laptop. I gave them permission to expedite the process. I should learn more tomorrow. If you need to get in touch with me before I get my laptop back, please shoot an e-mail to staffbaa@att.net with the “ATTN: artie” as the Subject Line. Or try me on my cell at 863-221-2372.

Today is Wednesday 2 February 2022. The forecast for this morning is for mostly sunny with an east wind. I will likely be heading to Stick Marsh early for a look around. Wherever you are, and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day. This blog post took about two hours to prepare and makes 82 days in a row with a new one.

If you use a vertical (battery) grip on your camera, you are invited to leave a comment letting us know which camera body and sharing your thoughts on the good and the bad. If not, leave a comment and let us know why not.

Image courtesy of and copyright 2022: Dieter J. Schaefer

artie using the vertical grip at La Jolla, CA

The Vertical Grip in Action

For the most part, I used the vertical grip when I am using the big lens on a tripod as seen above. When hand holding, I use my second a1, the one without the vertical grip.

Note that you cannot see the Sony 70-200 f/2.8 II lens with the 1.4X TC and an a1 hanging on my right shoulder via a Black Rapid Curve Breathe Camera Strap. Note also the advanced sharpness technique that I am using by checking out the position of my left forearm and the positioning of the fingers on my left hand.

This image was created on 8 OCT 2020 at Sebastian Inlet, FL. I used the Induro GIT 404L/Levered Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens, the Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter, and the blazingly fast Sony Alpha a9 II Mirrorless Digital camera body) that features incredibly accurate AF. ISO: 500. Exposure determined by Zebras with exposure compensation on the rear wheel: 1/800 sec. at f/9 in Manual mode. AWB at 8:36am on a clear sunny morning.

Upper Center Zone Continuous AF was active at the moment of exposure and nailed focus on the eye.

Image #1: Wood Stork head and neck portrait

Click on the image to see a larger, sharper version.

Coming to Grips with Vertical Grips

Most Canon and Nikon pro bodies have built in vertical grips that often accommodate powerful batteries that are larger in size than those used with the prosumer model camera bodies. Examples of those would be the Canon 5D Mark IV and the Nikon D-850. Most mirrorless camera bodies do not have vertical grips. Those would include all of the high end Sony and Canon bodies. The exception would be the new Nikon Z9 that has a built-in vertical grip.

This image was created on 3 June 2021 at a rookery in North Tampa. I used the no-longer available Induro GIT304L Grand Series 3 Stealth Carbon Fiber Tripod/ Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted-Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ISO 640. Exposure determined via Zebras with ISO on the Thumb Wheel: 1/800 sec. at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 5:26pm on a mostly cloudy afternoon.

Wide AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly.

Image #2: Little Blue Heron, fresh juvenile on rock

The Two Main Advantages of Vertical Grips

1- Vertical grips allow users to rotate the camera to vertical either when hand holding or on a tripod without having to twist their wrists by offering the same set of controls they would enjoy when shooting horizontally. Good ones offer a perfect duplicate of the button and dials on the top right of the camera body (that match the controls that you have at hand — or at finger — when the camera is held horizontally). Poorly designed vertical grips often leave folks frustrated when the configuration and/or the size of the buttons do not quite match up with the horizontal controls …

Without a vertical grip, users most often will twist their wrists 90 degrees counter-clockwise; their right index finger never leaves the shutter button. Some folks choose to rotate their wrists clockwise while still keeping their trigger finger on the shutter button. That always seemed quite awkward to me when hand holding. On a tripod, it is a reasonable alternative. If you are shooting with, slightly behind, and in close proximity to another photographer who is shooting vertically, their elbow often be in your shot. If they are on a tripod, you might request that they rotate their lens in a clockwise rather than in a counter-clockwise direction. No more elbow. Having done this on several occasions, I am always surprised when the other photographer invariably responds. “I never thought of doing it that way.”

2- Most vertical grips allow for the use of two batteries, or for the use of a single, larger, more powerful battery. I am pretty sure that the performance of the camera body does not improve with more or larger batteries. The big advantage on the battery side of things with a vertical grip is that you do not have to carry an extra battery or stop to change batteries while the action is hot.

This image was created on 15 January 2022, my first morning in La Jolla. Standing at full height on the sidewalk, I used the no-longer-available Induro GIT 304L/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). IS 640. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/320 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 8:45:17am on a mostly sunny morning.

Tracking: Spot S AF-C performed very well. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a higher-res version.

Image #2: Brown Pelican shaking off rain

The Disadvantage of All Vertical Grips

The biggest disadvantage that comes with using a battery grip is that they make your camera heavier. When I was using two 5D Mark IV bodies or two Nikon D850 bodies, I’d always have a grip on one body but not the other. Nearly all the time I would go with the gripped body when using a big lens on a tripod, and the body without the grip when hand holding an intermediate telephoto lens or a telephoto zoom lens for the obvious reason: keeping my hand held rig as light as possible.

When I was using the Sony a7R iii, the a7R iv, the a9, or the a9 II, I never used the battery grip. With my Sony Alpha 1 bodies, I purchased one Sony VG-C4EM Vertical Grip and use the gripped body almost exclusively when I am using the big lens (the 600mm f/4 GM) on the tripod.

This image was created on 19 January 2022. Standing at full height, I used the no-longer-available Induro GIT 304L/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). IS 400. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/2500 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 8:52:04am on a mostly sunny morning.

Tracking: upper center Zone AF-C performed very well. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a higher-res version.

Image #1: Brown Pelican vertical front-end flight take-off

The Disadvantages of the Sony VG-C4EM Vertical Grip

While looking for images to illustrate this blog post, I was shocked at how difficult it was for me to find vertical photographs; it seemed as if 98% of my images were horizontals. Anyhoo, I have two problems with the Sony VG-C4EM Vertical Grip:

#1: The positioning and sizes of the buttons and dials on the vertical grip are slightly different than those on the camera body when it is held horizontally. Thus, I need to look at the controls when I need to make changes. Working with the camera in horizontal format, I never need to look at the back of the camera. My biggest problem with the grip for the a1, however, is that it is somewhere between very difficult and almost impossible to reach the Thumb Wheel (AKA the Control Dial) on the back of the camera.

#2: This next issue is unique to those using the 600mm f/4 GM lens (and probably the 400mm f/2.8 GM lens as well). The grip increases the torque on the lens when you are working vertically. The big Sony GM lenses rotate so smoothly in the tripod collars that when you rotate the camera and the lens counter-clockwise to get to vertical, the lens will tend to rotate clockwise as the torque from the weight of the grip is greater than the force of the friction. It is necessary to tighten the tripod collar a bit to keep the lens from turning CW. If you level the rig with the electronic level and let go, the lens will spin a bit. When you tighten the tripod collar to keep the lens square to the world, it is more difficult to get back to horizontal format in a hurry when you need to.

SONY and artie

Switching to SONY, first with the a9 and the a9 II, and then to the remarkable a1, has enabled me (and others, like Mike De Rosa as seen a while ago in the blog post here), to create images of birds in flight and in action that I could never even dreamed of when using Canon for 33 years, and then Nikon for more than two. Most of the time I am using one of two AF methods that together, cover about 99% of the commonly-encountered bird photography situations. At present, I am experimenting beyond those … Learn more by joining the group! (I’ve recently switched to two other AF Methods!)

From long-time group member Craig Elson who has helped me often and immensely by answering some tough a1 questions, via e-mail

Artie, Thanks so much for consolidating and re-organizing all of the threads. I can only imagine how helpful this will be to someone opening the box on their new a1, not to mention your CAMSETA2.DAT file. And I think that was the first, and likely the last, time, that I will be referred to as “the estimable!”

Larry Master via e-mail:

I bought an a1 and associated lenses a year ago. I love it, esp. with the 200-600 w/1.4X TC, as my standard set-up. I use all of Artie Morris’ settings, causing almost all images, esp. flight shots, to be razor sharp on the eye. And exposure is easily nailed using the control wheel to dial the ISO. I have never had such a great bird photography camera!

From Long-ago IPT veteran Keith Kennedy via e-mail

Absolutely great information. I am calling Jim in a few minutes to order a couple of Delkin 128GB UHS-II cards. Your timely email has saved me a ton of money! Many thanks

In the same vein, via e-mail from John LeClair

Well, e-mail #21 alone was worth the price of admission!

From Pamela Viale, after receiving artie’s a1 settings along with detailed instructions on how to copy them to her SONY a1 via e-mail

This e-mail group has been an incredible boon to me! Thank you so much!

From Joe Barranco via e-Mail

Thanks for your great ideas on the A1 set up. I have been getting MANY more keepers doing things your way!

From Barbara White via e-Mail

Wow, I just gotta say – I learn so much from the SONY Alpha a1 Set-up and Info group! My camera is on my desk, and I’m always picking it up and changing something that I’ve read about in the e-mails.

Thanks, Barbara

From Janet Horton via e-Mail

Hi Artie, Mystery solved. Yes, I was able to replicate what you did. I forgot that you have to set self-timer using the upper dial. I am used to that being a MENU selection.

Thanks much, Janet

SONY Alpha a1 Set-up and Info Group

The SONY Alpha a1 Set-up and Info Group is going great guns as more and more folks chime in with thoughtful questions and experience-based answers. As the a1 is becoming more readily available, more and more folks are getting their hands on this amazing body. Last week, two folks in the group ordered a third a1! I am envious. The group is now up to an astounding 104 lucky and blessed folks. Early on, we discussed the myriad AF options. I gave my opinion as to the best one for flight and general bird photography. The best news is that all who wish, can request an e-mail that includes a .DAT file with my a1 settings on it, and explicit directions on how to load my settings onto your a1; talk about convenience! I am now offering a .DAT file compatible with firmware update 1.20. I finally finished the consolidated Sony a1 CAMSETA2 INFO & GUIDE and distributed it yesterday. New a1 folks will now receive three e-mails instead of the previous 28! It is a lot easier on me and is an incredible resource for folks new to the a1.

All who purchased their Alpha a1 bodies via a BAA affiliate link will receive a free subscription to the Sony Alpha a1 Set-Up and Info Updates group after shooting me their receipts via e-mail. (Note: it may take me several days to confirm B&H orders.) This same service may be purchased by anyone with an a1 body via a $150.00 PayPal sent to birdsasart@verizon.net indicating payment for Alpha a1 Info & Updates. Alternatively, folks can call Jim weekdays at 1-863-692-0906 to pay via credit card. New members will receive composite e-mails that summarize all previous discussions.

Typos

With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.

19 comments to Coming to Grips with Vertical Grips

  • avatar John Johnson

    Artie, Your comment of going to Stick Marsh reminded me to tell you that Morris and I both had Stick Marsh images in the Rookery Bay/United Arts Council show. I hope construction doesn’t ‘t screw the whole thing up.

  • I’ve had grips on all my cameras, and I never take them off I used the R6 without a grip for the first few of weeks and I was just longing for it to arrive. As soon as I put it on it felt way better. Just the improved ergonomics for verticals, which I seem to do lots of, is worth it to me.

  • avatar Brian E Small

    Hey Artie,

    I asked this question a few weeks ago but I don’t think you ever answered so I thought I’d give it another try. If you did answer my apologies for missing it. I’m curious why you don’t use a protective/camo-type cover on your 600 f/4?

  • avatar David Policansky

    Artie: When did you shave your head? It’s a good look.

    • avatar Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

      Where have you been David. That was mentioned in a blog post several years ago. Thanks. I grew to hate that ponytail!

      with love, artie

      ps: see my response to your question at yesterday’s post s’il vous plait.

      • avatar David Policansky

        Thanks, Artie. Yes, it’s been too long since I have seen you. And thanks re the clarifying response on yesterday’s blog post.

  • avatar David Pugsley

    I use the grip nearly all of the time on my a1. I’ve always found a grip to be more secure and comfortable and, coming from DSLRs, I still enjoy a significant weight reduction. That said, your Sony complaints are spot-on. While I appreciate the option of going sans grip I’d love an a1, or it’s successor, with a built-in grip. Surely it’s coming.

  • avatar Mukesh Patel

    Artie, I do the same, one with grip and other without Grip, helps to manage the weight balance on tripod, and allows you to continue shooting for all day without worrying about battery, i.e when I am at Conowingo dam and not moving around, with camera/lens on tripod. I also has another A1 with short grip extension in bottom, for free hand shooting and getting lower to the ground. However, when I travel, I don’t take my grip with me, reduce weight and easy to pack.

  • avatar Alan

    Didn’t have vertical option till last fall. My only problem with the vertical grip on my 1DXmkII is that the operator keeps forgetting that he has one now!

  • avatar Joel Eade

    I think the Canon R3 comes with built in vertical grip as well. You never revealed what bugged you about that vertical shot of the Pelican in flight:-)

    • avatar Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

      Hi Doc,

      I though that that might be the case …

      I will answer your question in tomorrow’s “catching up” blog post.

      with love, artie

    • Hi Brian. Your question has been in the back of my mind. I guess the number one reason is that I’ve been lazy. The number two reason is that the company that makes the LensCoat stuff, Has instituted policies and practices that are not at all friendly to their smaller dealers. I’m thinking that the 600 will be my last big lens before they put me in a box, whenever that is.

  • I have a love hate relationship with vertical grips. When working on frogs and insects I find they do not allow getting low enough to the ground or water surface. I did pick up a Vello grip for my D500 that worked great for about 2-3 years, but now whenever I attach it to the camera the camera goes into an error mode. As soon as I remove the grip all is well again 🙂

    • avatar Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

      Hi Andrew,

      I understand completely. You make an excellent point — folks often have electrical contact problems when using grips, that usually because the grip has become loose. Sometimes simply tightening the screw solves those.

      with love, artie

      ps: has the protest convoy visited your town yet?

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