$50 Gift Cert for Christmas - What to get?

[bauerman]

I received a $50 gift certificate to the local camera store for Christmas.........what would really make this money well spent? Take flashes, lenses, studio lighting and camera bags out of the mix.

I shoot with a Canon 20D.

[bauerman]

I got a note that someone had suggested a remote shutter release as a reply to this thread - but the post is now gone. That is a good idea......anyone else?

[Cuong]

How about a sensor cleaning kit or some support like a monopod?

Cuong

[Tee Why]

Polarizer filter, camera bag or a photography vest, cleaning supplies (bulb blower, sensor cleaner, lens cleaning supplies, and a lens pen, batteries for flash and camera, camera strap.

[Elaine]

An expo disc or some such tool, a remote, a flash diffuser...

[bauerman]

Thanks Yukio, Elaine and Tee Why........all good suggestions and each of you mentioned something that I had not thought of to this point.

With sensor cleaning kits - do people recommend a dry system over a wet?

And with remotes - are third party ones ok or should I stay with Canon?

[Tommyboy]

I had a $50 GC to the local camera store. I planned on getting the Canon remote (which is $50). They only had Dotlines, and I'm hinky about third party electronics. I decided to treat myself to a very cool gadget bag.

But I'm still wanting to get that remote. Get it, unless you don't have a circular polarizer, then get that.

Rechargeable batteries for your flash, perhaps?

[bauerman]

I had a $50 GC to the local camera store. I planned on getting the Canon remote (which is $50). They only had Dotlines, and I'm hinky about third party electronics. I decided to treat myself to a very cool gadget bag.

But I'm still wanting to get that remote. Get it, unless you don't have a circular polarizer, then get that.

Rechargeable batteries for your flash, perhaps?

Yeah - at the store where I have the credit the Canon remote for my camera is $80 - and the third party option is about $45 (Promaster). I may pay the difference to get the Canon - not sure. I have had good success with Promaster products in the past.

What kind of gadget bag did you get?

[Cuong]

If it's a simple remote release, the Promaster should be fine. For sensor cleaning kit, I'd recommend a wet system, something similar to the Copperhill basic kit (http://www.copperhillimages.com/shopping/pgm-more_information.php?id=3). For rechargeable batteries, eneloop batteries from Sanyo are the way to go. Costco has a package of eneloop Ni-MH charger, 8 AAs, 4 AAAs, 2 C adapters, and 2 D adapters for $26.

Cuong

[Tommyboy]

Yeah - at the store where I have the credit the Canon remote for my camera is $80 - and the third party option is about $45 (Promaster). I may pay the difference to get the Canon - not sure. I have had good success with Promaster products in the past.

What kind of gadget bag did you get?

The Canon remote is $49 online. I assumed this was the list price. Apparently, I was sadly mistaken. . . .

I've been through half a dozen bags in that last 12 months, buying and selling. I have a Tamrac backpack that I like, but it's a tight fit and I missed a shoulder slung gadget bag. Always had an affinity for a slimmer bag. After exhaustive research (Curmpler, Kata, LowePro, NG, etc.), I settled on this as perfect for me. I don't drag a laptop around, but the laptop compartment is perfect for folding reflectors and Lumiquest flash attachments.

http://tamrac.com/5618open.jpg

Tamrac Turbo CyberPro 5618

Holds my:

40D
10-22
17-85
70-200 f/2.8
50 1.4
85 1.8
100 2.8 macro
420EX
Flashmeter IV
reflectors, hoods, cleaners, etc. with ample room to spare. Very happy with this purchase.

Thanks for asking!

[/HIJACK]

[bauerman]

If it's a simple remote release, the Promaster should be fine. For sensor cleaning kit, I'd recommend a wet system, something similar to the Copperhill basic kit (http://www.copperhillimages.com/shopping/pgm-more_information.php?id=3). For rechargeable batteries, eneloop batteries from Sanyo are the way to go. Costco has a package of eneloop Ni-MH charger, 8 AAs, 4 AAAs, 2 C adapters, and 2 D adapters for $26.

Cuong

Cuong,

Thanks very much for the information. I was kind of thinking the same thing on the remote - the third party one should be fine. I have never heard of those batteries that you recommended so I will surely look into those. I have a Costco very close by.

Thanks again for the great info.......

[bauerman]

The Canon remote is $49 online. I assumed this was the list price. Apparently, I was sadly mistaken. . . .

I've been through half a dozen bags in that last 12 months, buying and selling. I have a Tamrac backpack that I like, but it's a tight fit and I missed a shoulder slung gadget bag. Always had an affinity for a slimmer bag. After exhaustive research (Curmpler, Kata, LowePro, NG, etc.), I settled on this as perfect for me. I don't drag a laptop around, but the laptop compartment is perfect for folding reflectors and Lumiquest flash attachments.



[/HIJACK]

That looks like a great bag - I am partial to shoulder bags as well for my gear - always have been. I have mostly purchased Lowepro bags in the past (I have three!) but that one is worth a look.

Thank you sir!

[Cuong]

You can find more info on eneloop batteries here (http://www.eneloop.info/home_en.html). The great thing about eneloop batteries is that they still retain 85% of their power from a full charge a year later.

This is what the package at Costco looks like:
http://lh5.google.com/CuongMNguyen/R3h9H0GhOtI/AAAAAAAAEB4/9uhkrHU1FPM/eneloop1.JPG?imgmax=640

The inside:
http://lh5.google.com/CuongMNguyen/R3h9J0GhOuI/AAAAAAAAECE/X-4ViTMC6vY/eneloop2.JPG?imgmax=640

Costco also has the package of batteries only for $16 in case you need more than what's already in the kit.

Cuong

[bauerman]

SOLD on those batteries - cannot use the gift certificate for that purchase - but these look like great batts and I always have needs for C and D size batts and never have them around.

I think with the gift cert at the local camera store I am narrowed down to a remote shutter release or an off-shoe flash cord.........will head to the store on the 2nd to spend the dough.

[Cuong]

You might want to check out this thread (http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=79667) regarding remote shutter release and spend the money on something else at the local store. Would you consider stepping up to a Phottix wireless remote (http://cgi.ebay.com/Phottix-Wireless-Remote-Set-C3-for-Canon-20D-30D-40D-5D_W0QQitemZ200187226270QQihZ010QQcategoryZ43443QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)? If you have doubts, the wireless remote is discussed in this thread (http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=75692). I'm afraid I'm leading you astray here, but remember, having choices is a good thing.

Cuong

[bauerman]

You might want to check out this thread (http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=79667) regarding remote shutter release and spend the money on something else at the local store. Would you consider stepping up to a Phottix wireless remote (http://cgi.ebay.com/Phottix-Wireless-Remote-Set-C3-for-Canon-20D-30D-40D-5D_W0QQitemZ200187226270QQihZ010QQcategoryZ43443QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)? If you have doubts, the wireless remote is discussed in this thread (http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=75692). I'm afraid I'm leading you astray here, but remember, having choices is a good thing.

Cuong

Cuong - choice ARE a good thing for sure - and I appreciate you taking the time with me in this thread to give me some great options. That inexpensive remote shutter release seems like a great deal and I may go that route.

The wireless remote seems handy as well, but I don't picture myself needing to be too far away from my camera rig for most of my shots - so will probably stick with a corded model. Thanks for the information though.

Hope that you are having a great start to 2008!

[Jane B.]

Cuong - choice ARE a good thing for sure - and I appreciate you taking the time with me in this thread to give me some great options. That inexpensive remote shutter release seems like a great deal and I may go that route.

The wireless remote seems handy as well, but I don't picture myself needing to be too far away from my camera rig for most of my shots - so will probably stick with a corded model. Thanks for the information though.

Hope that you are having a great start to 2008!

One other thing to think about when deciding between the corded and wireless releases is do you ever want to get in your own shot? Being included in a group photo is one thing that I have used a wireless one for.

Jane

[bauerman]

One other thing to think about when deciding between the corded and wireless releases is do you ever want to get in your own shot? Being included in a group photo is one thing that I have used a wireless one for.

Jane

Good point Jane - I would normally just use the camera's self timer to get in the shot - but the wireless remote would really give me 'unlimited' amounts of time to get in that same shot rather than "hurrying and hoping".......right? :D

[Jane B.]

Good point Jane - I would normally just use the camera's self timer to get in the shot - but the wireless remote would really give me 'unlimited' amounts of time to get in that same shot rather than "hurrying and hoping".......right? :D

Right! And I find that the other people are often more relaxed when they are not trying to hold an expression for a "count down". I will often take several shots in a row and some of the later ones when people are not trying so hard are often better.
Jane

[bauerman]

Right! And I find that the other people are often more relaxed when they are not trying to hold an expression for a "count down". I will often take several shots in a row and some of the later ones when people are not trying so hard are often better.
Jane

That is an even better point Jane and I completely agree. If we could have time to completely compose ourselves and not "hold smiles", photos that I am a part of would be better. (Other than the stark fact that I am, in fact, in them!!)