What small bit of gear do you wish you had gotten ages ago

[Mr DOHC]

I have had my 400D for about 2 years now, i have taken probably 25000-35000 pics and until recently i have only had 1 battery in the normal slot. I just purchased a genuine battery grip (they are $300AUD, so not an impulse item here).
I cannot believe what i have been missing out on these last 2 years, i wouldnt have to wrestle with my 70-200 to make it sit comfortably on my should or not hurt my wrist after 6 hours of drag racing. I was annoyed i didnt pony up the dosh earlier, best $75USD i have ever spent!!

what small/insignificant thing has made your snapping way easier?

[Redr8]

US$75 ??? Where from?

[S2K.OGRAPHY]

i have had my xsi for almost a year and a half. for basically the first year i was content with just the 18-55 kit lens. then thanks to this site, i found a sale on the canon 50mm 1.4 at roberts imaging. i scooped that sucker up at $325 so fast. the last 6 months or so shooting with pretty much only the 50, has really helped me get a lot better i think, not to mention more creative. yesterday i pulled the trigger and ordered a toki 11-16, hopefully that creates a similar spurt in creativty. i'm positive that it will

hmm my first lens was $325, now this one is double that...i hope the next one isnt $1200 LOL (dont worry it wont, after i get a 70-200f4 i think ill be all set)

[preveen]

hmm my first lens was $325, now this one is double that...i hope the next one isnt $1200 LOL (dont worry it wont, after i get a 70-200f4 i think ill be all set)
I wonder how many ppl have said "After this lens, I'm all set" and then find out, nope, thats wrong. :lol:

[S2K.OGRAPHY]

immediately after i wrote that i realized i want a macro too lol, hmm and what else....

[gonzogolf]

I wonder how many ppl have said "After this lens, I'm all set" and then find out, nope, thats wrong. :lol:
No kidding. Luckily I know that I'm only about 8 lenses away from having my perfect set, well until canon releases new lenses, then I have to start over....

[Mr DOHC]

$75 at B&H :)

[DStanic]

As far as cameras and lenses i feel that i've bought the best choice that I could afford, so really no regrets in that department.

I think with me it might be the camera bag- for the longest time I had a Lowepro Microtrekker (backpack). It was a pain getting things in and out and since it was a backpack it made my back sweaty during the summer. I needed something bigger so i got a Nova 200AW which is alright, but I then got a messenger style bag (a 7MDH clone) which is much nicer to carry around and doesn't make you look like someone lugging around photo equipment. I added a smaller messenger bag (5MDH clone) to compliment it for times when I want to go out with one camera and 1-2 lenses or a flash. Much better now. :)

[junipa]

I wonder how many ppl have said "After this lens, I'm all set" and then find out, nope, thats wrong. :lol:



Too right! I got the 18-200 kit with my 500D because I 'didn't want to be changing lenses all the time'. I still use that lens because it is sometimes convenient not to have to cart several different lenses around but I certainly didn't stop at one. :oops:

[Mr DOHC]

I wonder how many ppl have said "After this lens, I'm all set". :lol:


we call those people, liars.

[PhotosGuy]

Quick release plates: I've had a quick release plate on every camera I've owned for decades.

When you decide to buy one, get three instead, because over time...
1. You will want another one anyway.
2. You'll lose one. And they'll have stopped making that model & you won't be able to find a replacement.

[Anthony S]

Wireless flash triggers, even the cheap ebay ones for $35 are such a big difference

[shaftmaster]

Wireless flash triggers, even the cheap ebay ones for $35 are such a big difference

Yes! I love my RF-602's. They've made quite a difference for me, and the basic set is only $28 shipped.

[egordon99]

A lightstand/umbrella/trigger for my flash....

[CanonHowitzer]

I just bought a Sto-fen diffuser for my Canon 580EX II.

:cool:

[gonzogolf]

I just bought a Sto-fen diffuser for my Canon 580EX II.

:cool:
That will turn into the accessory you wish you hadnt wasted the money on.

[junipa]

That will turn into the accessory you wish you hadnt wasted the money on.

Why? I've been thinking about getting one and, if they're a waste of money, I'd like to know. Not so much that I could save the cash, so much as spend it on something else.

[gonzogolf]

Why? I've been thinking about getting one and, if they're a waste of money, I'd like to know. Not so much that I could save the cash, so much as spend it on something else.

They work in a very limited set of circumstances. Their purpose is to redirect the light in several directions (omni) so that it bounces off the white ceiling and walls. Well thats fine when you have those elements present. But if you have those elements present you can do just as well with the bounced flash and your little white fill card. Otherwise it just eats batteries and does pretty much nothing in regards to softening shadows. Light softness has to do with the relative size of the light source to the subject and the distance. The omnibounce doesnt do anything to increase the size of the light source when used direct. Its a cheap accessory and most of us had purchased them. Its just that if you actually test it you find it doesnt make much of a difference. Look at the lumiquest 80/20 or demb flipit for more effective solutions.

[junipa]

... Look at the lumiquest 80/20 or demb flipit for more effective solutions.

Thanks. I will.

[rishu_pepper]

I wish I read this post last week, I JUST bought an Omnibounce... ;)

[DStanic]

Why? I've been thinking about getting one and, if they're a waste of money, I'd like to know. Not so much that I could save the cash, so much as spend it on something else.

I had one with the 430ex I just sold, found it to be very useless. Sometimes I make 'better bounce cards' (check youtube for instructions) it's free and they work very well IMO.

[yogestee]

I would have killed for a set of RF-602 triggers/receivers in the 1980s..

[junipa]

I had one with the 430ex I just sold, found it to be very useless. Sometimes I make 'better bounce cards' (check youtube for instructions) it's free and they work very well IMO.

Looks good. It's hard to believe such a simple thing can work. I guess it does, though. I certainly won't lose anything by trying! Thank you.

[The Moose]

How did you pay $300 for a BG-E3 :eek: Mate you should have looked used or bought a HK one off eBay. I sold my genuine one August last year for $100 after buying it for $125 in January brand new.