Before I get scammed.

[Roy G. Biv]

Items I am looking for, for the XSi

1 - 18-55 flower lens hood.
2 - Clear lens filter, not necessarily a UV filter.
3 - Some sort of flash diffuser on the stock flash
4 - Leather hand grip.
5 - Lens cap.
6 - Remote control

I can buy all of these items on ebay, and generally most of them are from Hong Kong. I can get all of the above for less than $40. Does it matter if I cheap out on these accessories?
Shipping is cheaper from Hong Kong than companies that are 1 state away from me.

 

[BlueCorn]

For that stuff I wouldn't be too worried.

 

[not_sponsored]

Honestly I don't see you using any of that except the remote control.

 

[Roy G. Biv]

1 - I have run into issues where light runs across the pic from the side.
2 - I keep reading that it is better to use this so you dont need to clean the lens directly.
3 - There are instances where I use a sheet of white paper in front of the flash because it is sometimes to harsh.
4 - I hate the friggin strap the camera came with.
5 - The cap that came with the lens is a bit awkward to use. I was looking at one like this.

6. Remote control vs a shutter release cable. Is there a pro/con to each? Is the remote too slow to use for my tank?

 

[TitusvileSurfer]

1 - I didn't know the 18-55 had a petal lens hood. If light from the side is your main concern, wouldn't you want to get the non petal hood like the one designed for that lens anyway? As opposed to a hood with this sides cut out.

2 - Personal feelings here, but if your paying $40 for all that stuff than I would guess your paying $5-10 for the filter. I can't imagine it being anything I would ever want to stick in front of any lens unless I was shooting camel racing in a sand storm.

3 - I really wouldn't bother trying to tame the on camera flash. You don't have any real control of it anyway. Get the 430ex II, and a diffuser would be worth your while. Trying to dictate the results of your on camera flash seems futile IMO.

4 - Fair enough.

5 - Fair enough again.

6 - No...the remote shouldn't retard your shutter or give shutter lag at all. If it is slow in any sense of the word I wouldn't ever use it for anything. I imagine it may loose signal easily though. Your experience may reminisce trying to rewind the VCR from the other side of the room. The signal has to hit at just the right angel. I bought myself a remote for family Christmas portraits. It was a fairly high quality rig. After the portraits were done, I was so sick of the thing I took it back and exchanged for a cable.

So number 4,5, and 6 seem worth-while to me, while numbers 1,2, and 3 don't IMO.

 

[Roy G. Biv]

Thats great. Thanks for your advice.