Canon BP200 Battery Pack for Canon EOS Rebel 2000

An additional power supply for the Canon EOS Rebel 2000, the BP-200 also serves as a vertical grip. Integrated into the BP-200 are a shutter release button and an on/off switch. The BP-200 uses 4 AA batteries or a 2CR5 lithium battery.
Customer Review: A MUST HAVE
I have owned this adapter for as long as I've owned my Rebel--since January of 2002. I have NEVER used CR2 batteries in the body. The battery pack has ALWAYS been loaded with name brand batteries--ALWAYS. The battery pack has never been without batteries; the camera is always ready to shoot and this accessory has never failed--I shoot a fair amount of film in this camera. I have even left my camera "on" for days many a time without incident. That being said, I have never heard of such a thing as the contacts melting, etc. I'm sure this can occur with anything electronic so I don't dispute another's account. Let's be fair, however. This thing is all lightweight plastic. As far as durability goes, I couldn't say. My setup has been pretty pampered as it should be; I have a $500 28-300 mm lens on the end of it. For shooting vertical shots, the focus/shutter release button on the side means you don't have to follow the camera's shutter button with an awkward hand twist. You can turn this setting on/off so you don't accidentally hit this second shutter release and shoot unwanted frames. The battery pack also aids in giving the camera more room for a firm grip. Since this thing uses readily available AA batteries, you can find fresh power even in the most remote backwoods trading posts. How sure are you to find CR2's in a pinch? Overall, I am forced into giving this product a flawless 5 stars based on my extensive experience with it.
Customer Review: Just OK
The BP-200 adds functionality to my Rebel 2000, but admittedly I'm a bit disappointed. It definately has a cheap feel to it. It does help with the balance on the camera and is egonomically better than the standard grip. I just wish it felt more substantial.

Spring skiing is becoming more and more popular for a variety of reasons. Here are the basics of spring skiing:

What is Spring skiing?

Spring is generally considered to start on March 1st for meteorologists, but on most calendars, it starts on March 21st in the northern hemisphere. Spring starts on September 1st or September 21st for people in the southern hemisphere, such as South America, Australia and Africa. So skiing anytime after March 1st can technically be considered "Spring Skiing".

How is it different?

When you ski in spring, the weather is likely the main difference. You will get more sun, higher temperatures, less rain and snow and can ski in more comfort.

Why ski in spring?

Less people ski late in the ski season, so you'll have access to less crowded slopes at lower prices. Great package deals are not uncommon during this time, even for the most popular and expensive resorts and ski areas. It's also nice to be able to ski without having so much gear on. Due to the temperatures being higher, you won't have to weigh yourself down with as many layers as during the middle of Winter. It's possible to ski in t-shirts, vests and even shorts. In addition, there will be less weather disruptions, therefore better access to the slopes. Spring blizzards are relatively rare and much less likely to ruin your trip and travel plans. It's also easier to get around when the weather is better, so you'll more easily be able to visit surrounding ski areas and tourist areas should you desire.

Best places to ski in Spring?

Some of the most popular spring skiing destinations include Mt. Bachelor in Oregon, Mammoth Mountain in California, Kirkwood in the Lake Tahoe area, Breckenridge in Colorado, Jackson Hole in Wyoming, Snowbird in Utah and Whistler in British Columbia. The Pacific Northwest ski areas in the Cascade Mountains are very popular for spring skiing, since the Cascades usually get a great amount of snow and it can stick around longer than other ski areas and there also tends to be less slushy snow.

Spring Skiing Tips

While skiing in spring can be wonderful, there are a few pitfalls. You definitely need to wear sunscreen as there tends to be much more sun during the spring and your chances of a bad sunburn greatly increase. Next, goggles are essential as the spring sun will give off a strong glare. You also need to wear the right kind of clothing. Consider the temperature outside before choosing what you'll wear. A heavy ski jacket may make you overheat very easily, so it's a good idea to have several clothing options for different weather situations and temperatures. Lastly, don't forget to keep drinking water. It's easy to dehydrate on the slopes, especially if it's warm.

Lydia Quinn writes for PhatSportShades, offering ski goggles, snowboarding goggles and sunglasses for everyday. Visit us at: http://www.phatsportshades.com

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