Hong kong specials????

[slightlyimperfect]

So I need a wireless shutter release. Im on ebay and I see all of these super cheap hong kong specials. I have the canon 40 D. I will be using this mostly in studio settings, portriat shots. The question comes in here---what should i be looking for in the description of this item. Is it a waste of money even if it is only 20 buck shipped to get one from hong kong?

Thanks for your imput

Robin

[Greg_Nuspel]

I have bought several items from Hong Kong, I have yet to be disappointed. Shipping is usually twice as fast as getting something from the States. I think most parts come out of the same factory as the brand name item. I know this cloning of items is unfair to the originator, but the 6 to 8 times the cost is a markup I can't afford to pay.

[AntZ]

I don't know which ones you are looking at, but last time I was looking at these for my 40D, my local camera store(part of a chain) was selling one of one you see on Ebay for twice the price. Usually brick and mortar stores won't mess around with something that is going to cause them too many issues/returns.

[EJC]

I bought Yongnuo radio flash triggers and have been very happy with them. I got 1 transmitter and 3 recievers. When I use the PC cord I have to wrap an elastic band around the cord plug in and unit to get a firm contact. Once I did this they are very reliable. One of the reciever batteries died within a couple weeks but I had left the power switch on. Now I remove the batteries every time I'm done shooting (we really shouldn't leave batteries in for long periods of idlness anyway). They use the CR2 batteries which are about $17. I am using them on my Canon 40D and Vivitar 283 flashes.
A google search for reviews will help you too.

[Fortytwo]

Obviously I don't know how things are in Canada, but around here, if you import stuff from Asia (or anywhere outside the European Union) you pay importtax. If you get caught at least, they don't check every package. But if they do, it is usually enough to level out any price diffences...

[F8&Bthere]

Greg, what were you doing up so early? Have to shovel your way out to get to work?

For me, Ditto what Greg and EJC said, exactly. I think all mine, wired and wireless, are Yongnuo from China via eBay and all very reasonably priced and work fine. In some cases you can buy two in case one fails and still only spend a fraction of camera shop/OEM.

Now, if only the Asians could knock off the Hoodman LCD Loupe.....

[russ]

When I moved from my bridge camera (a Fuji S5200) to the XT I bought a couple remotes - a cabled one and a wireless. Both work fine, the wireless is a bit flaky but the batteries are 2 years old now. I also bought a couple of nikon - canon adapter rings, a lens reverser, a selection of macro extension tubes. Most of it came in pretty reasonable time. Right now, I'm waiting for another wireless trigger(a stocking stuffer), a Flash trigger (1Tx & 2 Rx), a YN460(?) flash, & flash bracket & umbrella. The 1st item was ordered on the 19th of November and the last was on the 26th, none of it has arrived yet.

I am using them on my Canon 40D and Vivitar 283 flashes.
A google search for reviews will help you too.

EJC - did you have to make a cord to fit for the 283?

[EJC]

Hi russ

I either mount the flash directly on the reciever or I use PC cords that came with the triggers. I had to cut the big jack ends of the trigger PC cords and did the same with some spare Vivitar PC cords. I then spliced the Vivitar jack onto the trigger PC cord. There are some hacks on Flickr to put a generic PC port into the hot shoe mount of Vivitar 285s. I would be tempted to go that route on the 283s if I where to start over again. I hope that helps.