Packing:
The Vertax Grip arrived at a very good package and complete. A plastic odor I could perceive very little (if I smelled right on the handle - but who does that ...). Otherwise, everything was absolutely fine. So the extra battery holder for AA batteries was wrapped in a cloth bag extra, under control these "moisture bag" and the contacts found himself were protected by an ordinary plastic cover.
When CANON handle it was basically the same except that the extra battery pack holder was wrapped only in plastic and an envelope was missing - but was also no plastic odor (but that was the Vertax also only minimally).
Processing:
The Vertax handle is very well made. The rubber coating has a good grip, the snaps work accurately, the position control of the focal points was very accurate and precise. The handle can be screwed without any problems and will not budge and very precisely on Body. Stow a small compartment to the battery cover is just falling present.
A change in behavior between the camera button and BG Button I can not determine. Both foreign as well as original batteries are easily recognized and reported in the menu. The handle is made entirely of plastic and has a metal base plate (there where the tripod mount is located) riveted. If you press vigorously, then the handle is deformed a little bit and the gaps are changing minimal. How he behaves when there 3-4 kg Camera ... hang, I do not know, but I did not feel that he could break apart during normal handling (normal zoom ...).
But now the shortcomings:
The handle is not sealed and the gaps do not fit one hundred percent. I have taken out the battery holder and held the handle up to the light and behold, at the upper end of the handle (where the shutter button sits) were in two places rather large light spots (holes) can be seen. Since water could penetrate if you stand in the shower - and the page shows indeed now times up. Another problem is the closure at the bottom, which is not the one sealed and the other not is properly secured. When the handle is equipped with 2 batteries, then is the closure of about 1 -1.5 mm after and there is an opening in the rain ... running it in here, especially if the camera is covered with water spray and to landscape is rotated - I would have been so my worries. I thought first of all, they may additionally be sealed at the top spot, came to me with the closure but doubt how I could manage that.
The CANON handle is in the processing at first sight !!! not much quality. Gumming, ergonomics, and assembly of the response buttons are nearly identical. The differences are the material and the seal:
1. It consists of magnesium and not plastic, although always written, he would be just like the replicas (which is simply wrong, because the are all made of plastic). A deformation is not possible (except with a hammer .....).
2. The handle is sealed. Gem. Canon also at the pressure points, such as trigger and the other buttons.
When you hold the handle up to the light and pure looks from the inside, then no light can be seen (by metal can not stop watching ...). The lock on the battery compartment has an extra seal (visible) and it also includes fully sealed. Even with 2 batteries are the closure after no little.
Conclusion:
Which grip for whom ???
The Vertax is a very good grip, if you is not with him in the rain. If you have no fear "weather problem," since you do not is shooting in the rain or just working in the studio, then the grip is very good, there for me, no differences can be seen in the pure Funtionalität.
But I have decided to go for the Canon-handle, because it is sealed and also made of metal.
Is it worth paying extra ???
YES, if these criteria are important !!!
Since I do a lot of sports and action photos and I can not always completely protect against rain, I have to assume that the camera sometimes would collect the occasional downpour. That they should have to endure (the Vertax I'm not sure)
Furthermore, they must sometimes endure the occasional shock and because metal is quite reassuring.
Ultimately, for me, the stability important because I use sling-straps (Sun-Sniper, Black-Rabit), which are screwed into the base plate, the whole camera weight does not only depend on the belt, but actually the battery grip. When the thus breaks apart, then drops the camera with a large telephoto zoom.
Top of Vertax holds, I do not know the Canon creates.
As I said, who does not pay attention to the specific criteria, is well advised with the Vertax - 4 stars there, because you could also better seal the handle so that it could also be used outside without restriction.