Battery/Vertical Grip for Sony A550

dave66 · 24-06-2010 10:54AM #1

Hi all,

My birthday is coming up and wife wants to know what to buy me, so I reckon I'll get a Vertical Grip for my A550.

Now the question is, do I go for the Genuine Sony VG-B50AM or a third party model.

I have found the genuine VG-B50AM on simplyelectronics for €160 (Delivered)(http://tinyurl.com/36sj76f)

But have found a few other options:

Phottix BP-A550 for €111 (http://tinyurl.com/386joz6)
Phottix BP-A550 for €90 on Ebay (http://tinyurl.com/37o6se2)

Meike MK-a500/a550 for €96.80 from Germany (http://tinyurl.com/3ynruck)
Meike MK-a500/a550 for €61.50 from Poland (http://tinyurl.com/38wjp7m)

Unbranded BP-500 (includes two batteries) for €67 from UK (http://tinyurl.com/3yoadu3)

** All the prices I quoted are delivered to Ireland, just so that I am comparing like for like.

Just wondering if anyone has experience with Phottix/Meike or the Unbranded BP-500 from the UK? There's a big cost difference between the 3rd party and the genuine sony, ranging from €49 to €93.

What do people think, is the genuine Sony really worth the extra money?

Any guidance would be welcome,

dakar · 24-06-2010 12:27PM

Not directly Sony related, but I had a cheap third party grip for my Nikon D50 and hated it. It just felt wrong, too light and plasticky. I swore I'd never go the third party route when I upgraded the camera.

I went with the Nikon grip with my D300, but ended up with a phottix battery pack for it, and have a couple of other phottix bits and pieces. I've been very happy with them thus far. the quality of their gear is good. You pays your money etc.

If I were you, and the money's not a prohibitive factor, I'd be inclined to go with the Sony, I'm guessing it'll feel a better match to the body.

Tallon · 24-06-2010 12:33PM

I got the battery grip from a hong kong seller on ebay for €45 delivered and have never had an issue with it. I love it

It can take 2 batteries, has all the functioning buttons, and has a little slot for the battery cover to be stored while the grip is in

here's one for €40

dave66 · 24-06-2010 01:04PM

Thanks for input, I'm inclined to try keep the business in Europe (not sure why) and also look for a fairly fast delivery, I'm an impatient fecker but also have a few things coming up soon and would like to have grip for them.

Tallon · 24-06-2010 01:12PM

dave66 wrote: »

Thanks for input, I'm inclined to try keep the business in Europe (not sure why) and also look for a fairly fast delivery, I'm an impatient fecker but also have a few things coming up soon and would like to have grip for them.

Me too, worst 2 weeks of my life

Battery/Vertical Grip for Sony A550

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