Photography equipment

Albert Pedrosa
Photo Mania

ALMOST always, people have an impression that getting into photography is expensive. True. From the camera itself to the lens and all the accessories that go with it.

But just like with any expensive product, there’s always a China-made alternative. Then you wonder if you’re really getting good value for your money when getting the branded ones.

One time when I was conducting a photography workshop in Sydney, I was surprised to know that China-made alternatives were very much available. I even worked with one pro photographer there, and as we assembled his lights he said “I hope you work with China-made modifiers.”

Let’s face it. When it comes to brand, there’s that expertise that backs the product up. These are well thought of designs that ensure good performance in every challenge that you face as a photographer. Therefore, it comes with a price. Often, it’s more than what you can afford.

However, not all accessories need a lot of expertise to design, and given the technology available to manufacturers today, there are products that need no complication. This is where alternatives come in.

If you need an RF trigger and you can’t afford to buy a pocket wizard yet, there’s a good number of cheap choices that actually do the job quite effectively. I’ve been using “Yongnuo” for quite some time now. It does go crazy at times, but it actually works well.

Light stands are also a no-brainer product together with many light modifiers. You can get an array of choices with a price one-third of the branded ones. I even added a hot shoe flash from CDR-King in my set of lights, and so far so good.

However, you must consider that when it comes to durability and reliability, branded ones are still on top of the list. I’ve been using a Manfrotto tripod and this piece of equipment is built like a tank. For a 15-year-old equipment, it’s still very much reliable.

Recently, I had a problem with its stability. Maybe this is due to the wear and tear, but surprisingly, part of their design is an adjustment to compensate for this. This is one of the many features you will benefit when getting good brands.

With regard to lenses, I used to find it absurd for manufacturers to price their luxury or pro lenses that would squeeze your budget after purchasing one. I found the cost too much for an image quality difference compared to mid-range quality lenses that are far more affordable.

But after years of shooting, I realized that pro lenses not only offer better quality and reliability but also durability. These lenses will last, given the right care and it’s built to take on any shooting condition. It’s a wise investment when deciding to get one.

It’s always good to research the product you’re buying, but experience will always reveal the truth when buying equipment. Keep on shooting, everyone!

(photomanio.sunstar@gmail.com / www.grp.ph)