Post Six

To me, along with many others, battery grips are the most important accessory that isn't necessary to operate a dSLR, i.e. lenses, etc.

Battery grips offer a number of advantages. They make your camera look more professional by adding some extra size. Professionals often use dSLRs, such as Nikon's D4, that have built in battery grips. Battery grips also have a shutter release button, so when one is shooting a vertically, one doesn't have to contort their wrist/arm to shoot. Battery grips also offer extended shooting time. Not only can battery grips hold more batteries than a dSLR would normally, but battery grips usually have options to use AA batteries as well, incase the rechargeable batteries die.

I had a battery grip for my D3100, but then I got a D70, and never got a battery grip for it because I wasn't sure how long I was actually going to use it. The five months I didn't have a battery grip were probably the worst five months of my shooting career. When I got my D7000, I took my D70 to my local camera store a few days later and sold it, so I could get a battery grip. So, if you've ever considered a battery grip, but didn't think it was worth it, let me assure you, it is. I don't even shoot vertically that much, and I still think battery grips are necessary for any dSLR owner.