Share your inexpensive accessories that made your gear productive or look cool

[Rienzphotoz]

Thought of starting this thread to talk about inexpensive non-electronic replacement accessories (as opposed to the expensive OEM accessories e.g. tripod collars, lens hoods, lens caps etc etc etc) that make our camera gear a bit more productive or just look cool. I thought of this as I just received 2 new White lens hoods for my EF 70-200 f/2.8 L IS II & EF 10--400 L IS lenses ... here are a few pics ... I already have the original black lens hoods that came with the lenses, but I kinda prefer the white hoods, that are found on the higher end Canon L lenses ... this is my "poor man's attempt" of trying to make my 70-200 & 100-400 lenses look like "limited/special edition" ones ;D
I paid US$ 29 for both of them ... while the original Canon versions cost around US$ 93 ... me thinks the cheaper white ones look cooler.

EDIT: I removed the non-electronic part as several members have already posted some good electronic alternatives, so I thought why limit this thread only to non-electronic accessories ... post whatever caught your fancy.

 

[candyman]

Re: Share your inexpensive accessories that make your gear productive or look cool

Thought of starting this thread to talk about inexpensive non-electronic replacement accessories (as opposed to the expensive OEM accessories e.g. tripod collars, lens hoods, lens caps etc etc etc) that make our camera gear a bit more productive or just look cool. I thought of this as I just received 2 new White lens hoods for my EF 70-200 f/2.8 L IS II & EF 10--400 L IS lenses ... here are a few pics ... I already have the original black lens hoods that came with the lenses, but I kinda prefer the white hoods, that are found on the higher end Canon L lenses ... this is my "poor man's attempt" of trying to make my 70-200 & 100-400 lenses look like "limited/special edition" ones ;D

Yes, it looks like a special edition ;D
But is it limited? Where did you buy them?


I only replaced the lenscaps with the new canon lenscaps. I bought 5 costing 60 euros

 

[Rienzphotoz]

Re: Share your inexpensive accessories that make your gear productive or look cool

Thought of starting this thread to talk about inexpensive non-electronic replacement accessories (as opposed to the expensive OEM accessories e.g. tripod collars, lens hoods, lens caps etc etc etc) that make our camera gear a bit more productive or just look cool. I thought of this as I just received 2 new White lens hoods for my EF 70-200 f/2.8 L IS II & EF 10--400 L IS lenses ... here are a few pics ... I already have the original black lens hoods that came with the lenses, but I kinda prefer the white hoods, that are found on the higher end Canon L lenses ... this is my "poor man's attempt" of trying to make my 70-200 & 100-400 lenses look like "limited/special edition" ones ;D

Yes, it looks like a special edition ;D
But is it limited? Where did you buy them?


I only replaced the lenscaps with the new canon lenscaps. I bought 5 costing 60 euros

I ordered them on Amazon ... here are the links:
http://www.amazon.com/RainbowImaging-Canon-70-200mm-f2-8L-replaces/dp/B00EJ0GLU0/ref=cm_cmu_up_thanks_hdr
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00C8VKE64/ref=cm_cr_rev_prod_title

 

[Rienzphotoz]

Re: Share your inexpensive accessories that make your gear productive or look cool

This is a Vello Tripod Collar (Ring D) for Canon EF 100 mm f/2.8 L IS lens ... I bought this 2 years, for US$49, ago when it was first released ... at that time the original Canon version was around US$185, even now the original version costs US$172.
The Vello version is identical to the original canon version ... it is made of quality material, very sturdy and works perfectly.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/822983-REG/Vello_TC_DB_Tripod_Collar_D_Black.html

 

[unfocused]

This poor thread doesn't seem to be getting the love it deserves.

Not a camera accessory, but one of the best bargains I've found is a big bag of plastic spring clamps from Lowes (building supply store) that goes for something under $15 for maybe a couple dozen in different sizes. Or, you can order the exact same clamp individually for about $4 each from a photo store. Great for holding backdrops, etc.

 

[Harv]

A piece of foam pipe insulation split lengthwise down one side that I slide over the edge of my vehicle window. It makes a great rest for long lenses when shooting from the vehicle.

 

[stephan]

not so inexpensive, but I didn't purchase it for the camera: Superclamp & Magic Arm.

Gaffer's tape

the end-strips of the canon neckstrap cut of and sewn to a small loop (d=30mm) through the left strap-attachemnt of the camera. Very secure (much more than a blackrapid) and used to attach my camera to the backpack's front strap with a climbing carabiner. I don't even need to take it off to take a photo.

 

[Vivid Color]

I bought a Fotodiox tripod collar for around $39 last year. It's made extremely well and works perfectly.

 

[mackguyver]

Paging Surapon....this call goes out to Surapon...master of ingenious and cool accessories...

 

[Vivid Color]

Re: Share your inexpensive accessories that make your gear productive or look cool

I ordered them on Amazon ... here are the links:
http://www.amazon.com/RainbowImaging-Canon-70-200mm-f2-8L-replaces/dp/B00EJ0GLU0/ref=cm_cmu_up_thanks_hdr
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00C8VKE64/ref=cm_cr_rev_prod_title

Thank you for sharing the links to the white lens hoods. I agree that they look much better than the black ones for the white lenses and I would think that they would stay cooler in hot weather. If the black one for my 70-300L breaks, I'll definitely get a white one to replace it.

 

[funkboy]

awesome idea for a long-lasting thread.

• All my white L lenses have gaffer tape around them, cut to measure to fit all the flat surfaces. Impervious to nicks & scratches & much less conspicuous then the naked white L lens bbl.
• I always keep a pack of cigarette rolling papers in my bag for use as an impromptu flash diffuser. Costs basically nothing, nicely frosted translucent paper, and already has sticky stuff on the edge so you just lick it & stick it a built-in flash or even over the flash on a compact. Just throw it away when done.
• Also have a white index card in there for bounce flash, same idea.
• I run a cheap-*ss grip strap instead of a battery grip, along with a quick-detach neck strap. The grip strap is great when you know you're going to be shooting a lot, & the neck strap when you're not but you want the camera handy (I carry it around my neck, sometimes in a fitted neoprene case to protect it while still keeping it handy).
• On my 40mm pancake lens, I use a $5 52-62mm step-up ring instead of the expensive Canon "lens hood" as they're pretty much the same thing.
• Belt pouches for monopods are great for walk-around low-light work if you have a nice small light monopod on which you can adjust the height easily, & not so great if you don't.
• extra memory cards & batteries!

 

[Rockets95]

I use 1 1/8" I.D. Pipe Insulation around the legs of my Manfrotto tripod for cushioning while carrying on my shoulder.

 

[ajfotofilmagem]

A set of three macro extension tube (with electric contacts) works very well, and makes the 100mm F2 + lens hood look more cool. : Inflatable flash diffuser does a good job in the open, and people ask me if it's a float for the camera float in water.

 

[bvukich]

I "upgraded" my handstraps http://www.canonrumors.com/forum/index.php?topic=19696.msg371049 with this http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003HNTL6Q/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=2I11YFOGFI76L&coliid=IIRPZAFCP6CIV almost perfectly matches the "L" red.

 

[Northstar]

A piece of foam pipe insulation split lengthwise down one side that I slide over the edge of my vehicle window. It makes a great rest for long lenses when shooting from the vehicle.

Awesome...thanks!

 

[Northstar]

Paging Surapon....this call goes out to Surapon...master of ingenious and cool accessories...

So true! Surapon where are you??

 

[scottkinfw]

cheaper than lens coat

A piece of foam pipe insulation split lengthwise down one side that I slide over the edge of my vehicle window. It makes a great rest for long lenses when shooting from the vehicle.

Awesome...thanks!

 

[Ontario55]

I've had the foam pipe wrap insulation on my tri pod for years. After reading this thread I realize I can also use a piece on the window edge to rest my long lens on. Good thread.

 

[moocowe]

Apart from lens caps, lens hoods, and tripod collars, these make my gear more productive for less than £3 each:
Cheap shutter release cable
AA battery cases
Obligatory Lenspen & dust blower
USB host cable for DSLR Controller Android app

I also leave these in my camera bag so it doesn't matter what type of USB cable I have for charging phones or transferring files:
Mini female to micro male adapter
Micro female to mini male adapter

 

[alexanderferdinand]

Not specifically electronic- rather electric: the dozens of my eneloop cells.
Since 2008, not one died till now, reliable; energy for flash, camera, cellphone etc.