Opinions on Off Brand equipment?

[MCary]

The Setup:

Last Christmas I bought my girlfriend a Rebel XT and Myself a 30D so we could enjoy a new hobby together. She is also a fish person and raises Discus. I wanted to get her a nice Macro Lens but she had problems with my Canon 100mm, (DOF and lighting) so I bought her a 50mm Sigma Macro lens thinking it would be easier. It takes great pictures and was indeed easier. A solid well built lens that saved me hundreds of dollars. I also bought her an off brand battery grip that was only $89 with 2 batteries. Also a solid well built piece of equipment.

Beerguy recommended a Tamron 500mm zoom which is hundreds less than a Canon and gets great reviews. I also want a 1.4x converter. Both Tamron and Sigma make them for at least a hundred less than Canon.

So, what are your opinions of off brand items? What are the ones to avoid and which ones would you recommend?

Should I get a Sigma converter over the Canon?

Mike

 

[marcusbigdady]

Mike, what brand did you get on the battery grip, I also have a XTi...Thanks

 

[Blazer88]

I use the Kenko Pro 300 DG 1.4x and 2x converters with my 30D and various lenses. From what I've read, both extenders are considered to be opticially equilivent to Canon, and MUCH cheaper. Plus, you can use the Kenko converters with the EF 100mm where as you would need to use a 12mm extension tube between the conveter and lens if you were to use the Canon converter because of the rear element. I wouldn't hesitate using a 3rd pary converter from either Sigma, Kenko, or Tamron.

 

[MCary]

Thanks Blazer, I saw the Kenko converters at Adorama and the price was appealing.

Marcus, I bought an Opteka battery grip on Amazon.com. It was very solid and fit well. Really pimped out my Girlfriends camera. She was pleased. It costs $69.95 or $89.95 with 2 batteries. The Canon brands costs $135.89. Almost 2x as much and can't be much better because I was pleased with the Opteka.

Mike

 

[Blazer88]

I ordered my Kenko 1.4x through ebay seller etefore and it was $125 shipped from HK versus $195 from B and H. I wouldn't hesitate to order one from HK as the saving are huge. Or keep your eye out on photography forums and you can score a used one for cheap. I got my Kenko 2x for like $115 shipped from photography on the net forums. And I've also heard good things about the Opteka grips.

 

[asnatlas]

Thanks for the info Blazer88