3 Areas to Save Big Money on HDSLR Gear

November 16, 2011

in Articles,Gear,Lenses,Resources

There is so much gear out there for the DSLR shooter to choose from these days, and over the past year I have found 3 areas where you can save a ton of money and not compromise on quality. And yes there are other things to save money on but the items I want to talk about are necessities to every DSLR video shooter.

1. DSLR Batteries

Everyone needs power. And the brand name batteries aren’t cheap. Right now the Canon brand LP-E6 battery for the 60D/7D/5D is $60. Thats a tall order when you need 6 of them. But there is a different brand I have been buying from and their battery is only $16. The Maxtek LP-E6v batteries have performed great for me. Big savings. Now for the price of 1 Canon LP-E6 battery I can buy almost 4 off brand ones.

The same good news goes for T2i/T3i batteries. $40 for the Canon’s and only $9 for 2 off brand ones. Apparently there are fakes out there. Check out this comment for more.

Now that you can actually afford to buy several batteries you should consider grabbing a dual charger (T2i version here). Has Saved me tons of time and works with pretty much every brand.

2. CF and SD Cards

Everyone also needs a couple cards, some times 2 types of cards. There are so many different brands out there its difficult to figure out which ones are affordable AND reliable.

Quick disclaimer: With EVERY card brand there is a chance the card will die. Not every card brand is safe. I only work with 8GB and 16GB cards and I back them up all the time. So don’t come crying and cursing at me if your card dies. It sucks, and it happens. One brand I have found to be working great for me is the Transcend brand. $50 for a 16GB 400x CF card is a great deal. Same with the SD only $22 for a class 10 16GB SD. These prices are around half or more the price of compatible cards.

I have 2 of these CF cards and 2 of the SD cards and none of them have failed me which doesn’t mean they will never fail, but I would still recommend them. And don’t forget a good card reader.

3. Prime Lenses

This one is a little more subjective. I get emails all the time from people looking for a prime lens for shooting video on their DSLR. Its seems most people only consider Canon lenses for Canon DSLRs. Or Sony lenses for Sony cameras. But there is a whole world of other options out there, my favorite being manual Nikkor lenses. I get all my lenses from KEH.com they have a great rating system and fantastic warranties.

With Nikkor primes you have 3 levels. Non-AI (Cheapest) AI (Middle) and AIS (Higher). And for killer savings check out the older Non-AI “Nippon Kogaku” Nikkor lenses like this 50mm F1.4 for under $100.

All 3 types work well with an adaptor to Canon cameras. If you are a Nikon shooter check out this Nikon chart to see what your compatibility will be. I have a set of AIS primes and I LOVE them. They all match in color, very sharp, and they are affordable. If you’re low on cash grab a set of the Non-AI and upgrade down the road.

To attach all these magical lenses to your camera you will need an adaptor which will only set you back around 15 bucks.

Conclusion

So there you have it. 3 areas you can save some serious cash especially if you are getting started. So for $200 you could get a fast 50mm, a card or two and some batteries.

Have you got some money saving tips? I’d love to hear what gear you guys have found to save you some money.

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I Don’t charge any subscription fees, nor do I sell DVD tutorials so if you found this article helpful you can really help me out by purchasing gear from one of the links in this article, donating, or by purchasing from one of the links below. Thank you!

Related content:

  1. Affordable FD Lenses For HDSLR Use
  2. Episode 25: DSLR Cinema Book Review
  3. Episode 23: Preparing Photography Lenses for Video
  4. Episode 27: CF and SD Card Case
  5. Episode 43: Nikkor Lens Guide – Adapting Nikon to Canon and Other Camera Mounts

Tagged as: Batteries, Cards, CF Card, Lens, Nikkor

  • http://www.facebook.com/calgaryweddingphotography David Sherjan

    Looking to get into video more and more on the 5D MK2. Just bookmarked this article, little gem – thanks for sharing :O)

    David
    DSP

  • Jay Windland

    Nice tip on the batteries. As for Nikkor primes, are there any you would recommend over the Rokinon 35mm 1.4 or the upcoming 24mm 1.4? I’m hunting for a fast normal length prime for Canon crop sensor but that would also work if I were renting a full frame body. I haven’t researched Nikon, but am interested in the recommendation.

  • http://joshuatheory.com JoshuaTheory

    Hey man, thanks for the article. I’m a student who is looking to get into DSLR video on the professional level. Really appreciate your insight, but I was wondering if I could ask you a few questions about purchasing a set of those prime lenses? Perhaps you could throw a list of dream team up to help guide my purchases further? Again, really appreciate it!

  • Daniel Jacobs

    Any thoughts for 3rd party lenses for the GH2? All I have so far for lenses is the stock Panasonic 14-45 and the 20mm.

  • http://www.facebook.com/anthony.harrison1 Anthony Harrison

    Great tips

  • http://dslrvideoshooter.com calebpike

    I have not tried the 35mm 1.4 but I do have a 35 F2.0 and really love it. I have this one: http://www.keh.com/camera/Nikon-Manual-Focus-Fixed-Focal-Length-Lenses/1/sku-NK060000135000?r=FE

  • http://dslrvideoshooter.com calebpike

    I would love to introduce you to the wonderful world of FD lenses. Us Canon users can’t use them easily because of our large sensors, but they work great with the GH2 M4/3 sensor. Using this adapter you can use all of these lenses: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003EAVUMK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=tecbri-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=B003EAVUMK

    Check out Keh.com for FD lenses: http://www.keh.com/Camera/format-35mm/system-Canon-Manual-Focus/category-Fixed-Focal-Length-Lenses?s=1&bcode=CA&ccode=6&cc=55898&r=WG&f

    You can get a 50mm F1.2 for under $300… Yeah thats right, CRAZY.

  • http://dslrvideoshooter.com calebpike

    Glad to be of service.

  • Martin

    I’m preparing to shoot my next short on a Canon 60D that I’ll be renting, and was wondering where I could find an F1.4 50mm lens for cheap, as recommended by Ryan Koo in free eBook “The DSLR Cinematography Guide”. Your article was a huge help, and I’m planning on buying the lens and adapter you mentioned to use on the Canon 60D. Thanks Caleb!  

  • SkunkWorks

    Caleb, where are you finding genuine Canon OEM LP-E8 batteries for $40? All the places here in Canada that sell them want $85-$90… if I could get them for $40 I’d consider that a bargain. The only supposed genuine ones I’ve seen close to that price are fakes on amazon being passed off as the real thing (I know because I bought one and know what to look for, I returned it and left the seller a rather scathing review which I’ve since retracted).
    The problem with the cheap aftermarket LP-E8 batteries is they aren’t “chipped” so they won’t correctly report remaining battery life to your camera… they’ll either show full bars if they they have any juice left in them at all or “replace battery” if they’re dead. Are you saying you’ve found aftermarket LP-E8 batteries that are actually chipped?

  • Jay Windland

    Hey, thanks for the tip on KEH.com. That place rocks. After a couple of days of research, I got a killer deal on an older Sigma 28mm 1.8. $144 in excellent condition. Can’t beat that.

  • http://dslrvideoshooter.com calebpike
  • http://dslrvideoshooter.com calebpike

    Sure thing! Glad to be of service.

  • SkunkWorks

    Yeah the E8 for the T2i/T3i you mentioned @ 40 bucks. The amazon one you just linked to is one of the fakes and no different than buying a $7 aftermarket battery except you’re paying 40 dollars for it. I have no problem buying 3rd party batteries if I know that’s what I’m getting up front along with their shortcomings I mentioned and are paying an appropriate price (<$10).
    But this one is meant to deceive and to look exactly like the real thing and you pay a premium for a <$10 battery. But they're not genuine product if you look at them closely when you receive one, the printing is lighter and blurrier, the pins are a bit different and they all have the same manufacturer date code that pre dates the T2i even existing. Canon has even confirmed these are fakes (read the reviews… people are pissed).

  • carlos

    Does your meter still work on a canon dslr using nikkor AI / AI-S???

  • http://www.facebook.com/chernandez28 Chanel Hernandez

    Hey Caleb, 

    I’ve been following your blog for a while now, this is my first time writing to you but I’ve taken your advice from many of the reviews you’ve done, like on the Manfrotto 561BHDV1 which i just bought yesterday and I love :) and other gear too. I’m not a super beginner at shooting video but I’m not a pro, I own a Canon T2i and I’m soon to have my first official project(friends small wedding)  I wanted to know if it would be right for me purchase an expensive lens like Canon EF Lenses if I only have a T2i or If you have any tips on what lenses i could go for that are affordable but killer.    

    Thank You for all your Info,

    Chanel Hernandez

  • http://profiles.google.com/diallow Diallo Williams

    “The same good news goes for T2i/T3i batteries. $40 for the Canon’s and only $9 for 2 off brand ones.”
    Can you post a link to the “$9 for 2 off brand ones”?Will that dual charger work on the t3i batteries? If not, can you link me to one that does?
    Also, any off brand battery grips you recommend?

  • SkunkWorks

    Hmmm, I replied to this several days ago but it never showed up. Will try again…
    Yes, caleb, I was refering to the E8 batteries for 40 bucks you mentioned for the T2i etc. Retailers here in Canada want $85 to $90 for the genuine OEM Canon ones. If I could find a genuine Canon brand battery for $40 I’d consider it a bargain.
    The one on amazon you linked to is a well known fake, Canon has even confirmed this. It is no better than an aftermarket $7 LP-E8 and you pay through the nose for it. I don’t have an issue with using aftermarket batteries, I own one, if you are willing to live with their shortcomings (like the fact they aren’t decoded or chipped so they won’t report diminishing battery charge to your camera) and that’s the trade off you live with for paying under $10 for a battery. But this one as well as some others listed on amazon.com and amazon.ca are meant to deceive and purposely clone the look of the genuine Canon OEM batteries and these sellers are charging a premium for them… that’s just wrong. Read the buyer reviews… the first entire page is 1 star ratings from people who got burned. I was one of them. It’s pretty easy to spot the fakes if your have your original to compare it to. The case is a darker grey, the printing of the text is lighter and blurrier, the contact pins are different, they all have a common manufacter date printed on them which I believe was 201003, and the biggest difference… they aren’t chipped and putting one in you camera will show full bars if it has any juice left in it at all and won’t alter from full bars until it’s empty.
    There’s alot of discussion around the web about these. The variations are NOT due to different batches etc. that some have suggested. Like I said, Canon themselves have confirmed these are fakes.
    The good news is I see the genuine ones are only $45 at Adorama and B&H and my siter is down in Florida right now so I think I’m going to grab one and have it shipped to her and she can just bring it home to me ;)

  • carlos

    does the light meter work on canon dslrs using nikon lenses??

  • http://dslrvideoshooter.com calebpike

    To be honest I don’t use the build in metering. But I believe they work in video mode.

  • http://dslrvideoshooter.com calebpike

    Wow. Thanks for the heads up. Could you share the link to the good ones on B&H? I will add it to the article. Luckily for us 7D/5D/60D users there are several good after market chipped batteries out there.

  • http://dslrvideoshooter.com calebpike

    Its strange, I think they work in video mode on my 7D, but when shooting stills things get crazy. I can’t confirm about other cams. But I only use these lenses for video work, and I never trust the canon metering when shooting video gigs.

  • SkunkWorks

    Yeah you can find cheap aftermarket E6 batteries that are good, I haven’t seen chipped aftermarket E8′s. Here’s links to genuine OEM Canon LP-E8 batteries (T2i/T3i). I know some will think these are still kind of pricy but for me here in Canada they are half price compared to what my local retailers want… and they are chipped. And if you’ve lost your original and want to sell your camera it will hold better value if you have the original Canon battery with it.

    http://www.adorama.com/ICALPE8.html

    http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/676256-REG/Canon_4515B002_LP_E8_Rechargeable_Lithium_Ion_Battery.html

    (oh, and I meant “sister” in my above post, not “siter” … ha ha).

  • SkunkWorks

    Just thought I’d update that the date code on some (if not all) fake LP-E8 batteries is 200912, not the 201003 that I mentioned above which is probably a legit date (got mixed up when I was copying and pasting something). You’ll find the date code in the last line of all the text on one of the faces of the battery. On my particular fake, if you compare to an original, you’ll probably also find a line of Japanese writing actually missing as well.

    Here’s an enlightening article…
    http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Photography-Tips/Counterfeit-Camera-Accessories-Warning.aspx

  • Keenan

    Hey Caleb do you have any experience with these focus confirm chips? You can apparently buy them separately and glue to your adapter. I’m not exactly sure what it does but I think it’s mostly useful for stills. Not sure, correct me if I’m wrong.