[TOR]

Always felt the D60 a bit small for my hands. Was quite disappointed by the third party options available in battery grips. Tragus and opteka both has grips but did not fir my personal tastes.

Came across the Meike battery grip and knew that this was what i wanted.


The quality of the grip is average, the texture on the grip matches exactly with that of the camera.

The main difference with the other grips is that the IR trigger is not recessed into the body of the camera so there is no need for fiddling around with another switch for the same.

The other(similar) option is the Ownuser battery grip, the same is double the price!

[janitha]

@TOR
Do you get such accessories at Trivandrum? If so, let us know the dealer/source?

[Knight Rider]

@TOR, can you tell me how much you paid for it?

[discobiscuit]

Originally Posted by Knight Rider

@TOR, can you tell me how much you paid for it?

the box says $368, not sure what currency that is

[Knight Rider]

Originally Posted by discobiscuit

the box says $368, not sure what currency that is

Impressive observation skills

[janitha]

Originally Posted by discobiscuit

the box says $368, not sure what currency that is

The grip even canon/nikon cannot cost anywhere near 368 U.S.dollars.

[TOR]

Originally Posted by janitha

@TOR
Do you get such accessories at Trivandrum? If so, let us know the dealer/source?

No! The grip is not available at TVM(for that matter its not available off the shelves anywhere in India-checked with JJ Mehta also). I got the grip shipped from Hongkong.

Originally Posted by discobiscuit

the box says $368, not sure what currency that is

Originally Posted by Knight Rider

Impressive observation skills

Sharp eye there disco!

Originally Posted by janitha

The grip even canon/nikon cannot cost anywhere near 368 U.S.dollars.

Cost of the grip is 45$ and the shipping charges with insurance was 2$. Got the same delivered by speedpost(12 days) and there was no customs issues.

The costliest grip(3rd party) for the D40/60 series is by Ownuser and Hahnel. Phottix,Opteka and tragus all cost around the 50$ mark.

[given2fly]

Originally Posted by TOR

Cost of the grip is 45$ and the shipping charges with insurance was 2$. Got the same delivered by speedpost(12 days) and there was no customs issues.

That's a pretty cheap shipping rate with insurance. Are you sure that you paid 2 USD$$ for shipping and it wasn't 20?

[jaysmokesleaves]

I need help with a purchase decision.

I have decided to buy the Canon EOS 500D, which I shall pickup from JJMehta shortly.
I plan to purchase to body from India to benefit from the 2 year warranty. However, I plan to purchase the lens from the US due to the massive cost saving.
My query is as follows:
Is it better to buy the 18-55mm & 55-250mm lenses or just buy one 18-200mm EF-IS lens. The cost difference for the 18-200mm(f/3.5-5.6) lens is approx 8000 less in the US.

Is there any other better lens configuration that I should go in for other than what ive mentioned above?
I feel the need for a wide angle lens for landscapes.

Im not a professional and like shooting landscapes, travel photography and on the move photography. So guys please advise. I intend to keep this camera for a really long time.

Thanks,
Jay

[jkdas]

Originally Posted by jaysmokesleaves

My query is as follows:
Is it better to buy the 18-55mm & 55-250mm lenses or just buy one 18-200mm EF-IS lens. The cost difference for the 18-200mm(f/3.5-5.6) lens is approx 8000 less in the US.

Is there any other better lens configuration that I should go in for other than what ive mentioned above?
I feel the need for a wide angle lens for landscapes.

Im not a professional and like shooting landscapes, travel photography and on the move photography. So guys please advise. I intend to keep this camera for a really long time.

Thanks,
Jay

My 2 paise ; will be easier with a 18-200 as you travel a lot. Makes it easier to carry too and ready for most shots

[janitha]

Originally Posted by jkdas

My 2 paise ; will be easier with a 18-200 as you travel a lot. Makes it easier to carry too and ready for most shots

The more the zoom ratio, the less the image quality. But a single lens means more convenience and less chance of dust entering inside.

[TOR]

Originally Posted by given2fly

That's a pretty cheap shipping rate with insurance. Are you sure that you paid 2 USD$$ for shipping and it wasn't 20?

The standard shipping was free which was included in the 45 dollar price. I opted for shipping with insurance, which was 2$ extra.

So technically am not sure how much is the shipping rate(as the same is included in the price).

Bottom line is i paid 47 dollars.

[janitha]

Originally Posted by TOR

The standard shipping was free which was included in the 45 dollar price. I opted for shipping with insurance, which was 2$ extra.

So technically am not sure how much is the shipping rate(as the same is included in the price).

Bottom line is i paid 47 dollars.

When it was available with jjmehta, they quoted ~7K for both Canon and Nikon original but with only 3 months dealer warranty.

[TOR]

Yes default manufacturer grips are quite costly, but the problem with D40.40x and 60 is that Nikon does not offer a grip at all from their side.

[phamilyman]

Does anyone want a EOS500D grip - original BG-E5!??

~Jay. I have the twin lens kit. I'd recommend it anyday. Its not as much of a hassle, but the nifty 250 is one heck of a lens. The moment your lens starts going beyond 3-4x zoom the optics suffer. If you desire a 18-200, go Nikon (or so my research said)