What do you Cheap Out on?

[mackguyver]

I'm not posting much as my air conditioning has been out for 5 days and it was 100F here in Florida today. Only 92F in the house at least

On to the thread: All of us cheap out on some of our gear - whether it's memory cards, camera bodies, or other stuff.

What do you cheap out on?

I'll start:

1, Tripod legs - my carbon fiber dreams have been shattered (2x) so I stick with my scratched & dented Manfrotto 055XPROB aluminum legs

2. Intervalometer - I had the Canon release (only) and it sucks, so I bought the Vello intervalometer and it works perfectly for $30

3. Travel tripod - I don't travel a ton, so I bought the aluminum MeFoto Roadtrip Travel Kit and love the little thing.

4. ND Filters - I bought the Tiffen 82mm ND set and so far, so good

Of course I'll follow this up with a what do splurge on thread...

 

[sagittariansrock]

1. Bought the MeFoto tripod.
2. Some eBay strobe gel cases for $ 2 apiece.
3. Rosco gel set for $ 8 (thanks, PBD).
4. DIY-ing a light box for product photography with foamcore boards and a fluorescent light tube.
5. Using my floor lamp stands for flash stands (without any modifiers) for now.
6. Used a modified Optech USA strap instead of Blackrapid, just recently upgraded.
- I realized most of my cheaping out involves my light modifiers... :

 

[brad-man]

Somebody make some popcorn...batteries. I have 4 genuine Canon LP-E6s and 4 or 5 generics. With the exception of one clone prematurely wearing out, I am unable to see a difference in performance that would in any way justify the price difference.

 

[Vivid Color]

2. Intervalometer - I had the Canon release (only) and it sucks, so I bought the Vello intervalometer and it works perfectly for $30

Dear Mackguyver, I've been thinking about getting an intervalometer and I also don't want to spend a lot on it. Would you mind posting the model number?

Thanks!

Vivid

 

[RLPhoto]

1. TriggerTrap App + Dongle
2. Flash bracket
3. I own a D30.

 

[mackguyver]

2. Intervalometer - I had the Canon release (only) and it sucks, so I bought the Vello intervalometer and it works perfectly for $30

Dear Mackguyver, I've been thinking about getting an intervalometer and I also don't want to spend a lot on it. Would you mind posting the model number?

Thanks!

Vivid

Sure, it's the Vello Shutterboss Version II Timer Remote Switch for Canon with 3-Pin Connection. I paid $37.50 for it - just a bit better than the $169 Canon price Make sure you get version II.

 

[scottkinfw]

I didn't know this vice, er... hobby had a "cheap". ???

 

[Vivid Color]

2. Intervalometer - I had the Canon release (only) and it sucks, so I bought the Vello intervalometer and it works perfectly for $30

Dear Mackguyver, I've been thinking about getting an intervalometer and I also don't want to spend a lot on it. Would you mind posting the model number?

Thanks!

Vivid

Sure, it's the Vello Shutterboss Version II Timer Remote Switch for Canon with 3-Pin Connection. I paid $37.50 for it - just a bit better than the $169 Canon price Make sure you get version II.

Thank you, Mackguyver!

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

I once bought a Chinese radio controlled wireless shutter release for my 5D MK II. That was junk. Then, I bought two Benro heavy duty CF tripods at $400 ea and two Benro heads. The heads were junk, the tripods were fine, but last winter I went to get some replacement parts from the US distributor, and found that they could not supply them or get them, and that parts had never been available. I also had four Sigma EOS compatible lenses, but, when I went to use them on my Canon DSLR, they would not work. It turns out that Sigma had reverse engineered the lenses poorly. Only one of the four could be rechipped, and they charged me $100.

It generally costs less in the long run to get good quality. That does not always mean buying the most expensive, but it does mean paying attention. I no longer buy Sigma or Benro, I've been burned to too many Hundreds of dollars.

I did buy some 3rd party batteries one time for my original Canon Digital Rebel. They lasted two or three months.

 

[drjlo]

Long ago, I used a Salt container, Pringles container, and a milk jug. I now have more expensive versions but less fun.

Cheap DIY Light Modifiers by drjlo1, on Flickr

 

[CarlMillerPhoto]

You cheap out on food and anniversary gifts to ensure have enough for all the camera stuff you want.

 

[Dylan777]

I'm not posting much as my air conditioning has been out for 5 days and it was 100F here in Florida today. Only 92F in the house at least

On to the thread: All of us cheap out on some of our gear - whether it's memory cards, camera bodies, or other stuff.

What do you cheap out on?

I'll start:

1, Tripod legs - my carbon fiber dreams have been shattered (2x) so I stick with my scratched & dented Manfrotto 055XPROB aluminum legs

2. Intervalometer - I had the Canon release (only) and it sucks, so I bought the Vello intervalometer and it works perfectly for $30

3. Travel tripod - I don't travel a ton, so I bought the aluminum MeFoto Roadtrip Travel Kit and love the little thing.

4. ND Filters - I bought the Tiffen 82mm ND set and so far, so good

Of course I'll follow this up with a what do splurge on thread...

Did you cheap out on your AC central?

Our house is about 2500sq ft. Last May, we replaced our 20yrs old noisy AC unit with Trane XV20i. We removed all old ducting and replaced with new ones, much more efficient. From 80F down to 74F in less than 10mins. I highly recommend Trane XV20i if you looking for new AC unit.

 

[Kathode-Ray]

Bummer on the AC...

I went cheapo on:

- batteries, bought some chipped chinese clones and they work perfectly
- battery grip, I don't need the weather sealing, got the Meike grip. Works great!
- IR remote
- center-pinch lens caps
- lens hoods

Main reason for getting the cheapo stuff: I think Canon accessories are way overpriced.

 

[Bennymiata]

I use a 5D3 and bought a cheap ($89) Chinese grip for it and it works perfectly.
Cheap Chinese centre pinch lens caps for my older lenses, and they have worked perfectly for some years.
I have an EX580II flash, but needed another one, so I bought the Yonganu copy, and I can't tell the difference between them as far as the photos look, but the Yonganu has some useful extra features, but it can only be used either by itself, or as a slave. It won't work as a master, so for that I put the Canon on the camera and use the Yongy as the slave. No problem. I also have a small Nissin flash which has served me very well too.

I needed some new studio lights a few months ago, and I was looking at getting the new Profoto lights with the built-in batteries in the heads, as I use them outdoors mostly, rather than in a studio. They were around $5K a pair here in Oz but suited my needs perfectly.
Then I was trolling around the net, and saw these Jindbai flashes which were very similar, but 600Ws instead of the Profotos 500Ws. They looked good in the photos and at $1K for the pair including a radio Tx, I thought they would be worth the risk.
They are amazing lights! Powerful, perfect colour. I was a bit suspicious of how many flashes they would do on one charge, so I tested them. At full power, I got sick of testing at 600 flashes and they were still cycling within 4 seconds.
I used them at a large event recently, and because they flash so fast (1/25,000th of a second!!), 90% of the people didn't even realise the flash even went off!
Best bargain I ever bought.

 

[Viggo]

I cheap out on a lot ! I hardly ever buy a new lens, always used and I haggle like a pro. I have always bought the cheapest soft boxes and modifiers for my flashes, absolutely done with that, because they're useless.

I used to buy the cheapest of all accessories like triggers and filters (not protectors) but found it only ends up costing much more than I planned due to them not meeting my requirements.

First thing I cheaped out on was buying the first Tamron 18-200 DiII for mye first dslr, the 350D. I used it for a while but the IQ was so much worse than my Sony Compact. I then bought the 17-85 instead, where I also cheaped out, because the seller was right, a few more bucks and I could get the 17-40 ;D

 

[Valvebounce]

Hi folks.
Cheap out on hmmm.....
Batteries, Cheap Chinese including chipped for 7D, that reminds me ought to use the original occasionally! Work well so far!
Filter set, ND's colour grad and CPL by Cokin. Not the cheapest but not the best! Do what I want!
Long lens, Sigma 150-500mm, going to be a long time before I can afford that length in Canon. Better now AFMA'd!
Remotes, wireless and intervalometer both by Phottix. No real reason to call that a cheap out, they work well!
Tripod and heads, Manfrotto, not carbon fibre, not the best but does what I want so cheap out?
Ring flash, got me one of those prism things, works but not great and is pretty much too much hassle to carry and use! But I can't justify the cost of a real one for what I want it for.
Straps, still using Canon straps but going to get BR sling and Optech shoulder with quick disconnects.
Grip for 7D, Meike, had one little issue but remove and refit seems to have sorted it!
Centre pinch lens caps for older lenses, is that cheaping out as they really shouldn't be any more expensive just because canon sold them (after stamping their name on them?).

Cheers Graham.

 

[9VIII]

Rather than spending $600 on stands and soft boxes, I bought two of these (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/887751-REG/impact_ff_sa4_4_socket_fluorescent_fixture.html), one of these (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/386544-REG/Impact_DLS_L_Digital_Light_Shed.html), two trouble lights from the hardware store that I just tape to random things, and Cheetos bags for reflectors, so far I just stick them to the side of my light shed with tape or magnets.
I think my budget ended up at about $150, though I still need to get some tubing for a proper frame to house the lights and reflectors in one unit.

 

[TrabimanUK]

Batteries, battery grips and remotes.

So far no problems!

 

[lintoni]

2. Intervalometer - I had the Canon release (only) and it sucks, so I bought the Vello intervalometer and it works perfectly for $30

Dear Mackguyver, I've been thinking about getting an intervalometer and I also don't want to spend a lot on it. Would you mind posting the model number?

Thanks!

Vivid

Sure, it's the Vello Shutterboss Version II Timer Remote Switch for Canon with 3-Pin Connection. I paid $37.50 for it - just a bit better than the $169 Canon price Make sure you get version II.

Thank you, Mackguyver!

If your body is compatible, Magic Lantern includes an excellent intervalometer and is cheaper than any external option

 

[Synkka]

Ahh enjoy my multiple daikin's heating the house at the moment, a house designed purely around cooling gets pretty cold in our winters. And I should say this is Australia cold ie it got down to 20 degrees today (68F) 10 degree evenings (50F)

Anyway, I have a cheap travel tripod I see no point spending a lot of money on something that gets beaten around so much.
I use cheap reflectors, they seem to always be on sale at the photo shops and work just fine.

Outside of that I am much more about buying something that will last