p.2 #1 · Cheap gear or accessories you would recommend..
I liked the K&F 12L sling as an alternative to a small camera bag on safari a few months ago. Held the R5ii, 100-500, 35mm, and accessories. Only around $40.
p.2 #2 · Cheap gear or accessories you would recommend..
gdanmitchell wrote:
Normally I agree. That's why I don't buy third-party batteries any more. But I've had excellent luck with my USB charger, probably using it for close to 10 years now without problems.
In my experience, it is useful to be selective about which less-expensive products you use and which you avoid.
For example, years ago I had multiple bad experiences with third-party batteries, including several for Fujifilm cameras that swelled inside the camera. The potential for damage there concerned me greatly, and Fujifilm sells batteries that seem reliable, so that's what I get. In another case I had several batteries for Canon cameras go bad on my during a long backcountry expedition, and I had to restrict my photography to get through the week.
I tend to agree with you regarding cords. Poor cables often fail too soon and at the worst possible times, and they don't really save that much money in the long run.
On the other hand, I've had no bad experiences with the chargers. (I've used them for Canon and Fujifilm cameras.) They offer some useful (to me) features that aren't found on the Fujifilm products, notably very small size and low weight — which are important to me in the backcountry. In addition, there is no comparable alternative from Fujifilm for this purpose.
I also have long used less-expensive memory cards from known vendors, always selecting cards that meet the manufacturer specs. In more than 25 years of using cards in cameras I have yet to encounter a card failure. (I also use cameras with two slots and mirror the images to both cards.)
I also would not worry much about inexpensive card readers. There are tons of them available, and they all work pretty much the same if they are similarly designed They also don't pose any serious risk to cards or computer. (These days I'm more likely to just hook the camera straight to the computer.)
I'm glad that has worked for you, I would definitely agree that the batteries/items sending charge/connections are most important to make sure are in spec. I once had a non-om charger kill a battery's charge capacity, and though it was a one-off incident it kind of soured me on the others. But that was years ago, maybe it's time to take another look. I may be overly superstitious from a background in film cinematography when it comes to avoiding points of failure regarding backing up data/protecting work, but I just rest easier not introducing potential points of failure wherever possible, even if the chance may be slim or seem silly. Mirroring the cards from the get-go is a great way to mitigate, it only takes one heartbreak of failed to capture/card error/drive loss to make one more militant about these things!
p.2 #4 · Cheap gear or accessories you would recommend..
I wonder how much $$$$$ is spent on Brand name, rather than on actual substance of a product?
U. S. companies, for example, offered Sling straps for close to $100, or more, that were made for them in China, whereas similar straps direct from China, & likely from the same manufacturer sold for $20 or less.
Vendor's are well aware of the belief of many that if it costs more it must certainly be of significantly superior quality, so elevated comparative pricing can often be nothing more than a marketing strategy toward increased profit, rather than a factual increase in quality.
p.2 #5 · Cheap gear or accessories you would recommend..
Speaking of cheap but useful accessories. Per someone's recommendation I got the SmallRig Baseplate for Sony A7R V on Amazon, for $40 IIRC and it's fantastic. It doesn't add noticeable weight to the camera, feels fully integrated as if it's a part of the body, adds a bit of much needed vertical space and mounts on any Arca Swiss compatible head.
I use tripods quite frequently but even if I wasn't, it still would have been permanently mounted on my camera. Hard to think of any other example of adding so much value for $40.
p.2 #6 · Cheap gear or accessories you would recommend..
If you shoot portraits of kids, animals, or family portraits with both animals and kids, buy a set of these squeaky toys and squeeze it right next to your lens when shooting them. You'll see the yellow one in my bag in the photo above.
p.2 #7 · Cheap gear or accessories you would recommend..
jeffbuzz wrote:
Cheap is relative. Rocket air blasters are one of my favorite gadgets. You can get knock-offs for a couple bucks. But I've found the original Giottos brand full-size rocket is worth the premium $18 price.
p.2 #8 · Cheap gear or accessories you would recommend..
J2323 wrote:
Would not recommend cheap-ing out on anything electronic/data related aka batteries, chargers, cords, memory cards, card readers etc. Silly way to damage your gear/lose your work just to save a few bucks
The purpose of this thread is to share some of the diamonds in the rough that have worked very well for people. I'm not about cheap-ing out either, but sometimes there are cheap products that work very well and might save you space, weight, and money.
Another example from me are these Canon battery chargers. Unfortunately it looks like they don't sell them anymore but if any Canon shooters are able to find these somewhere I would snatch them up immediately. I bought them for $16 each five years ago and they've been around the world with me several times with very heavy use. From hot safari vehicles, to humid Indonesia, and I've even used them on boats for weeks at a time where there's often "dirty power" and frequent power surges. They weigh absolutely nothing and they feel like there' s nothing inside, but they have worked perfectly for me. Not to mention two of them are smaller and weigh less than half of the Canon charger that only charges 1 battery vs 4 batteries. I keep waiting for them to stop working, but they just keep on charging...
p.2 #9 · Cheap gear or accessories you would recommend..
old-gregg wrote:
Speaking of cheap but useful accessories. Per someone's recommendation I got the SmallRig Baseplate for Sony A7R V on Amazon, for $40 IIRC and it's fantastic. It doesn't add noticeable weight to the camera, feels fully integrated as if it's a part of the body, adds a bit of much needed vertical space and mounts on any Arca Swiss compatible head.
I use tripods quite frequently but even if I wasn't, it still would have been permanently mounted on my camera. Hard to think of any other example of adding so much value for $40.
I also have that one for the a7rV. It helps tremendously with my wide right hand to get more of it on the grip. I like the clever design for the battery too. My only complaint is that the magnetic removal tool fell off and was lost.
I don't use it on the tripod with small lenses so cannot comment on the A-S base. I would use an L-bracket instead.
p.2 #10 · Cheap gear or accessories you would recommend..
jeffbuzz wrote:
Cheap is relative. Rocket air blasters are one of my favorite gadgets. You can get knock-offs for a couple bucks. But I've found the original Giottos brand full-size rocket is worth the premium $18 price.
Unfortunately I had one that ruined the sensor with thousands of particles. (
I obtained some of the Sensei blowers which have worked well for me.
The price is much lower for some reason, maybe more difference from Giottis than when I got them.
p.2 #13 · Cheap gear or accessories you would recommend..
old-gregg wrote:
Speaking of cheap but useful accessories. Per someone's recommendation I got the SmallRig Baseplate for Sony A7R V on Amazon, for $40 IIRC and it's fantastic. It doesn't add noticeable weight to the camera, feels fully integrated as if it's a part of the body, adds a bit of much needed vertical space and mounts on any Arca Swiss compatible head.
I use tripods quite frequently but even if I wasn't, it still would have been permanently mounted on my camera. Hard to think of any other example of adding so much value for $40.
I never use a tripod and that plate is attached all the time, same for the A7R4.
I use a wrist strap and the plate really helps in holding the camera more comfortably for long periods.
Here's my favorite small purchase: dual battery charger for travel bought at Ali Express. It has its own USB plug, as well as in/out USB/USB-C ports and two SD card holder slots. The charger also came with two batteries than can be charged by USB-C cable alone.
So far, they perform just as good as my Sony batteries.
p.2 #15 · Cheap gear or accessories you would recommend..
ATPphoto wrote:
I never use a tripod and that plate is attached all the time, same for the A7R4.
I use a wrist strap and the plate really helps in holding the camera more comfortably for long periods.
Here's my favorite small purchase: dual battery charger for travel bought at Ali Express. It has its own USB plug, as well as in/out USB/USB-C ports and two SD card holder slots. The charger also came with two batteries than can be charged by USB-C cable alone.
So far, they perform just as good as my Sony batteries.
If you have these USB-C chargeable batteries, why then buy that dual charger?
I simply have a neat little universal 65W charger with 3 USB-C ports and 1 USB-A port which I carry anyway on trips and with which I charge all my devices at home. So I can charge up to 3 batteries at a time (or 2 batteries and my cell phone etc.)
Dedicated chargers are superfluous now.
p.2 #16 · Cheap gear or accessories you would recommend..
One of my favorites is the PGYTECH Beetle Camera Clip. Got it last Summer on Prime Day and it's been great. Just surprised it is still on the market as it is basically a ripoff of the Peak Design one
p.2 #17 · Cheap gear or accessories you would recommend..
hasenbein wrote:
If you have these USB-C chargeable batteries, why then buy that dual charger?
I simply have a neat little universal 65W charger with 3 USB-C ports and 1 USB-A port which I carry anyway on trips and with which I charge all my devices at home. So I can charge up to 3 batteries at a time (or 2 batteries and my cell phone etc.)
Dedicated chargers are superfluous now.
When I travel, I bring 8-10 batteries with me. Being able to charge them all quickly is important.
So with the dual charger and the USB cable I can charge 4 batteries at the same time.
p.2 #18 · Cheap gear or accessories you would recommend..
ATPphoto wrote:
When I travel, I bring 8-10 batteries with me. Being able to charge them all quickly is important.
So with the dual charger and the USB cable I can charge 4 batteries at the same time.
Why do you need so many batteries? Do you travel where access to electricity is limited?
p.2 #19 · Cheap gear or accessories you would recommend..
chez wrote:
Why do you need so many batteries? Do you travel where access to electricity is limited?
No, but I go through a lot of batteries in one day, and have to recharge them every night.
Jun 30, 2025 at 08:25 AM
AmbientMike Offline • • • • • • [X]
p.2 #20 · Cheap gear or accessories you would recommend..
Cheap name brand cards are slower, often seem good quality though. Idk that you're risking data loss, just slower. But even the inexpensive cards generally seem a lot faster than older cards.
I'm not really comfortable with 3rd party chargers. Not impossible to test them though.
