OK, so I finally got the covetd BG-E11 grin for my 5D3 (thank you good people of Tallyn!)

#1: It does look very nice, has the same build quality as the 5D3 (feels less plasticy, more solid) and does indeed have a mini-joystic - yay!



#2: However, battery load/unload procedure changed completely. As you could see on the previous image, there is no more latch. Instead, there is a a totally new loading system on the left hand side:



#3: Unlock, turn, pull...



#4: ... and out comes an entire (also brand new) tray onto which you place the batteries:



#5: The battery door got a new home on the grip, too - no more shoving it down some cranny anymore, now it's same type of hinge as there is on the body:



#6: ... on which it turns and locks securely with its own latch:



The multi-directional tool is a bit cumbersome to operate, but I guess it's a matter of getting used to it, and it's better than having none.

The new loading system definitely looks more weatherproof/secure and I can't imagine opening it by accident (not that I ever had those types of accidents before).

However, what I really DON't like is that it's now completely impossible to replace the batteries in the grip if there is also an L-plate attached to it. Unless the Kirk/RRS comes with a totally new L-plate design (that would be somehow out of the tray's un/loading path), there is no way to change them without detaching the plate first, which requires an allen wrench.
Not the end of the life, but it doesn't help. Before I was able to replace the batteries in a matter of seconds, even while keeping the camera on a tripod.
Now: take the camera off the tripod, undo all cables if any, get the hex tool, detach the plate, extract the tray, replace the batteries, put the tray back in, attach the plate, reinsert the cables, mount on the tripod... Man, I got tired just typing this stuff out, imagine if you're on a shoot and the timing is critical (fashion shows, sports, eclipse - choose your poison).

Not a smart design, Canon, sorry. You managed to make things way more complicated than needed - for a marginal improvement of a weatherproofing...

This post was made with the assistance of Star*Explorer, Apple iPad3 and Smugmug Camera Awesome

Thanks Nik - that bracket issue is a show-stopper for me. I think i'll stick to a gripless 5D3.

Originally Posted by chrisdg Thanks Nik - that bracket issue is a show-stopper for me. I think i'll stick to a gripless 5D3.

If Kirk/RRS don't come out with some ingenious design to overcome this issue, I'll probably order an L-plate for the body only. We'll see.

Originally Posted by Nikolai #2: However, battery load/unload procedure changed completely. As you could see on the previous image, there is no more latch. Instead, there is a a totally new loading system on the left hand side: ... #3: Unlock, turn, pull... ... However, what I really DON't like is that it's now completely impossible to replace the batteries in the grip if there is also an L-plate attached to it. Unless the Kirk/RRS comes with a totally new L-plate design (that would be somehow out of the tray's un/loading path), there is no way to change them without detaching the plate first, which requires an allen wrench.

The turn pull might be a new design for the mkIII, but not for the 1d series.

1. same pull turn


2. RSS L-Plate: no problem


I don't like tethering with the L-Plate on. RRS suggested that I offset the L-plate or use a bent mini-usb, but I find it easier to take it off.

Originally Posted by aktse The turn pull might be a new design for the mkIII, but not for the 1d series. I don't like tethering with the L-Plate on. RRS suggested that I offset the L-plate or use a bent mini-usb, but I find it easier to take it off.

Good to know, hopefully they will come with a new plate for 5D3+ grip!
Thanks for sharing!