3rd Party DSLR Flashes / Battery Grips?

Question

I am an owner of a Canon EOS 1000D and have been looking at investing in some more merchadise for my hobby.
Currently my kit is as such:
1) EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
2) EF 75-300mm f/4.0-5.6 III USM
3) EF 50mm f/1.8 II
No Batter Grip/ No Flash

I remember seeing third party flashes at a store where they were selling a Canon Mount flash which was equivalent to the Canon Speedlite 430 EX II Flash which was goin at SGD $99/ USD $70 / GBP £40!!!!!!
it had pretty good build and it seemed alrite...however, in doubt, i did not purchase it. So i just wanted to ask you for names of such companies that produce such cheap 3rd party equipment and whether you would recommend getting such equipment for a price that is 5x cheaper than original Canon Merchadise?
I was also looking at a battery grip and would wanted to check whether you recommend getting the original BG-E5 from Canon, and will the BG-E5 come with and extra battery (LP-E5) or will i have to purchase another one to fork up my battery life by 2x?
Thank you!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kushalshah/

Answer 1

I don't know much about third party battery grip, but I would definetely stay cautious.

About the flash, there's plenty of lighting solutions available, at prices even lower than what you mentionned.

Using Canon flashes guaranties you full communication between the flash and your camera (TTL). The body adjust the flash power output based on the exposure automatically. But the adjustment can be done manually, provided the flash has manual setting. Of course, this requires extra works from you but the results can be amazing.



PS: If you're using non-Canon Flashes, do not mount them on your camera hotshoe before checking the flash voltage. This could seriously damage your camera.

Answer 2

beforehand you purchase a sparkling digital camera.....ask your self what you will use it for. maximum non specialists that use a DSLR gain this by using fact it truly is cool and glossy. there are a number of element and shoot cameras that rival DSLR's in high quality for much less $$$ and are greater handy to apply. the precise 2 that are evoked are from Olympus and Canon. The Olympus E-PL2 and the Canon G-eleven will do each little thing a DSLR will do, different than view for the duration of the lens. era. Interchangeable lens....confident. Video....confident. photograph stabilization....confident. accessory flash.....confident. The checklist is going on and on. There are some that could stay on the bounce attempt and additionally be used below water without particular case. The Olympus problematical sequence is on the brink of an suitable digital camera.....Water/ask your self/youngster data!!!! it may take a booting and save on capturing. do no longer purchase that DSLR except you prefer it. Being cool could be high priced.....in case you wreck your P&S you will get a sparkling one for under a worry-loose restoration to a DSLR will value.

Answer 3

i use the opteka battery grip and it works. it's half the price with two batteries. plus canon and opteka use the same mold and materials for the battery grip, you just dont get the canon logo.



as for flashes, i went with a canon flash.

Answer 4

First, I wouldn't count on "cheap" equipment. If you buy cheap you're going to get cheap.



That being said here's a great place to begin research.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/