Canon BG-E2N or Opteka 50D Grip

[ThunderRobot]

Looking for some buying advice to help me chose between the Canon BG-2EN grip or the Opteka battery grip.

First and most important question. I'm aware that these grips don't have an Autofocus on/off button but do they autofocus on a half-press of the shutter release button on the grip?

Does either of them have a main dial to replicate the functionality on the grip?

Is the Canon version significantly different to justify the higher price?

The grip will be used on a Canon 50D if that makes a difference.

Thanks.

 

[Phrasikleia]

I know the case with the BG-E5 is that the Canon version has some controls that are missing on the cheaper model by Opteka (the Canon one duplicates all of the buttons and the wheel that would be accessible around the main shutter button). Yes, autofocus and metering via a half-press work the same way with either shutter button.

 

[ThunderRobot]

I know the case with the BG-E5 is that the Canon version has some controls that are missing on the cheaper model by Opteka (the Canon one duplicates all of the buttons and the wheel that would be accessible around the main shutter button). Yes, autofocus and metering via a half-press work the same way with either shutter button.

Thank you. That's reassuring.

If possible, can anyone give more details on what is missing on the Opteka model please?