Why buy a grip? ... However, after using the cameras with bigger glass, the grip helps.
I used to use my Nikon FM and FE2 with the MD-12 motors about half of the time, but never liked the added weight and bulk.
When I bought the Canon 10D, I also bought the BG-ED2 battery/ portrait grip on the same notion as the above comment, since I was buying the 300/4L IS, 70-200/4L and 24-80/2.8L lenses. I found I hated the added weight and bulk so much that I sold the grip soon after; I never got used to the portrait shutter release either.
After that, I used the 70-200 on a tripod most of the time, sold the 24-70 for a 28/1.8 and 50/1.4 instead. Much nicer. I kept the 300 for quite a lot of photography and never found any problems hand holding it without the grip (very feasible to hand hold this lens because of the IS feature).
I'm delighted that the *ist DS is so compact and light, and the lenses are so much more compact than the Canon lenses. Anything longer than 135mm or so and I'm usually fishing for the tripod anyway.
Godfrey
