What do you Cheap Out on?

[mackguyver]

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.

Like you, our A/C was about 20-something years old and went out. They charged it up, but then it went out. We're getting a new unit this morning, which was the soonest we could get one. It's a Trane, not sure which model, and I don't really care - as long as it works! It's cooled down to 86F in the house this morning at least...

 

[curtisnull]

Nothing...this is my job.

 

[AcutancePhotography]

Originally, I cheaped out on a lot of stuff. I did not have much of a choice back then.

Now that I am rebuilding my whole kit, I am not cheaping out on anything. I don't naturally gravitate to the most expensive stuff. I have learned that there is really little coorelation between price and quality when it comes to photographic equipment. My current philosphophy is that if I can't afford good quality equipment I will wait and do without until I can afford good quality equipment.

I don't have much, but what I got is good. ;D

 

[slclick]

Wasabi batteries.

That's about it. I used to cheap out quite a bit but have seriously pared down my gear and it's left me with only top shelf hooch. I'm good.

 

[Roo]

I've cheaped out on a few things, with some good and some not so good, but I was happy with the light tent and lighting kit I got. For the amount I'll use it the price was right and the results from it are good.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/135W-Photography-Soft-Box-Light-Boom-Arm-Softbox-Lighting-Cube-Tent-Stand-Kit-/131233109624

 

[JonAustin]

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.

You can get the same intervalometer from Amazon for under $20:

http://www.amazon.com/Neewer%C2%AE-Shutter-Release-Control-Hasselblad/dp/B003Q9RERY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1406642577&sr=8-1&keywords=intervalometer+canon

As you can see from the product images, it's the same device, only with different branding and graphics. Some Chinese company must make these and OEM them out under a variety of brand labels. I bought mine from Amazon (under another brand name entirely) about 3 years ago for less than 16 bucks. I've used it a ton with 3 different bodies, and no problems whatsoever.

I also went cheap (in price, not quality) with lens caps, replacing the old Canon style on all my lenses with Tamron-brand center-pinch versions. Now that I've upgraded a couple of my lenses, and the new ones have Canon's center-pinch caps, I have some spares!

 

[dstppy]

intervalometer -- I learned a new word.

Cheap Out? Nothing. To Cheap Out, you need to be buying something not only inexpensive, but inappropriately so. Most people buy less expensive things that are perfectly serviceable. Like releases or intervalometers . . . at this point, any (even inexpensive) flash wouldn't be 'cheap' since it's not mission critical for me.

Now, how about what do other people think you Cheap Out on?

Hrm; I think I've been scared into buying high-end with everything. I do swear by an arca-swiss plate to allow a handstrap instead of getting a grip for my camera . . . I think that's more of a weight thing.

 

[Roo]

Hrm; I think I've been scared into buying high-end with everything. I do swear by an arca-swiss plate to allow a handstrap instead of getting a grip for my camera . . . I think that's more of a weight thing.

I think you are on to something there. I might cheap out on the intervalometer, the lighting kit or some other peripheral but not anything that puts the camera/lens at risk.

 

[wsmith96]

I've purchased a Vello battery grip and lens hood for my rebel - works fine. I also purchase refurb lenses on sale when I have a chance. I used some rewards points through work that landed me a second 430EXII and a ST-E2. Not sure if that's cheaping out, but they didn't cost me anything.

 

[Joe M]

Nothing. If anything, out of all my solid light stands, I do have one that's light duty (rarely used) and suitable for only a flash with maybe a flashbender on it. Oh, and I use the original Canon camera straps. So not nothing, but nothing of consequence.

 

[dstppy]

Hrm; I think I've been scared into buying high-end with everything. I do swear by an arca-swiss plate to allow a handstrap instead of getting a grip for my camera . . . I think that's more of a weight thing.

I think you are on to something there. I might cheap out on the intervalometer, the lighting kit or some other peripheral but not anything that puts the camera/lens at risk.

You see it on SlickDeals all the time, someone gets a $600 smartphone, then wants to save $10 on sync/charge cables.

Everytime an iPhone/Android goes up in flames, they blame the manufacturer.

 

[mrsfotografie]

I usually buy new because I want to be sure my gear is in good condition, though I'm very price conscious. I will buy second hand but only if gear is not available new.

I cheap out on primes, going for old discontinued stuff or third party new. The only one exception being my 100L macro.

I've bought third party batteries for my previous Canon bodies and for my Sony NEX but for the 5D MkII and MkIII I only use OEM batteries.

I,ve never skimped on battery grips ; every Canon SLR I,ve owned got the OEM model.

Edit: I have a METZ flash

 

[jhpeterson]

Can't say I cheap out on many things photography-wise. I've done so in the past, and they almost always had a way of disappointing me.
I use 1D-series bodies and L glass for almost everything. Of course, not every piece of gear is the latest generation, as I expect that paying for quality it should last a long time.
One of my most-used lenses is 20 years old. I'm known to keep things until they're pretty well worn out. Maybe most people call that being cheap; I just look on it as getting good value.

 

[CANONisOK]

* Yongnuo YN-E3-RT: $100 cheaper than the Canon original, has AF assist lamp Canon doesn't, but functions identically. No problems using extensively since launch.
* Some 3rd-party batteries: For long days & trips where I don't have charger access I've got a handful of legit LP-E6 batteries and several more Wasabi Power clones for backup. I never put the batteries inside the 5D3, but use them in the grip in case of the overheating/swelling issue should arise. Of course, if I was smarter I'd be using a clone grip instead of the BG-E11 for those situations.

 

[Besisika]

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.

I cheap out on almost everything except the body and my main two lenses.
I even try to cheap out on my 1DX battery. I bought two, all died within 2 days, then I bought other two and one died after few days, one is still alive until now but I don't trust it so I ended up buying a second legit.

 

[LetTheRightLensIn]

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

brutal and with humidity too no doubt, yikes

yeah keep that computer off! they are so powerful these days, they are like space heaters

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?

Use to on tripod, finally got that part settled.

I actually think that is about it.

Which is why I cheap out on everything else. ;D

I suppose you could say remote release, since it was like $10, BUT it's worked great for years and seems solid, so I don't think it's cheap.


My impression is that the #1 think people cheap out on is displays, you the thing to actually look at the pictures you took with that 20k of equipment, but can you recommend a nice screen for under $150 please. And if you dare mention wide gamut or 4k or calibration/profiling or internal LUTs, on some forums, people bite your head off, who needs that garbage, it's all marketing BS!!!! Wow, seriously?

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

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.

I had a Trane Furnace, it died well before the warranty expired and they told me that they no longer made that model and had no parts for it, so the warranty did not apply. After some very heated comments to the Trane customer service, they finally coughed up a new furnace.

 

[Loswr]

The closest I can come to 'cheaping out' is that I bought an EOS M + 22/2 at the start of the fire sale, and subsequently bought a white box EF-M 18-55.

 

[Chisox2335]

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.

Have the same one. Like it a lot.

 

[Chisox2335]

I bought my first vello grip for my 60d. I loved it, I have them for my 70d and 6d as well. Very pleased with all of them. I also have an oben monopod and tripod head. The b&h brands have served me well so far.