Chinese Accessories vs. Respected Manufacturers

[ColSebastianMoran]

I used to judiciously pick from the fabulous high-quality accessories of the respected manufacturers. RRS, Kirk, Studioball, ProMedia, Wimberly, even looked at Sachtler, for example for tripod heads. I thought Manfrotto to be very solid, often heavier, and less expensive, an attractive compromise.

Then, starting a couple of years ago, I began seeing much less expensive items. On a lark, I bought an Induro gimbal head on sale for $225 (still selling today at $450). I had a chance to compare it closely to the Wimberly and it was damn close.

A year ago, a $70 large ball head, Chinese manufacturer selling direct on eBay. Excellent, really excellent. Today I see an Amazon ad for a $65 gimbal head that looks pretty good, also available in carbon fiber for $150. My preferred flash today is a $100 item from Godox, instead of the camera-brand flash for 4-5x that price. Flashpoint items at Adorama look very good. All these are now sold through the major photo retailers.

What's your take on today's Chinese accessories, camera mounts, tripods, etc. vs. the long-respected manufacturers? I somewhat hate to say it, but I'm strongly tempted.

Amazon today: $65 Gimbal Head

 

[bmattock]

I have some Youngnuo flashes with a wireless remote and some Chinese (Neweer) umbrellas and stands and such. Quality appears to be quite high. Price is excellent.

If I were a working professional and needed reliability over price, I'd be more cautious. But I'm a hobbyist. This is not what I do for a living. If the choice was to pay $ for a flash from China or to pay $$$ for a name-brand from elsewhere, I'll go with the Chinese import. If I had no choice but the more expensive option, I'd go without - that is the key. I'm not really picking one over the other, I am buying what I otherwise would not buy at all.

 

[ColSebastianMoran]

My ball head is Desmond DLOW-55, $75 in Fall 2016, now selling in several locations for $169. It is excellent. And, I note that this item has clearly moved up in price.

 

[ColSebastianMoran]

I thought I was taking a gamble on the Godox TT685-S flash for $100. Promised full integration with Sony's new MI shoe on A6000 and A7 families of cameras. And, it delivers fabulously in all modes, including radio-wireless with the Godox X1T-S trigger.

Only minor issue is the less-than-perfect English in the manual.

 

[bmattock]

My ball head is Desmond DLOW-55, $75 in Fall 2016, now selling in several locations for $169. It is excellent. And, I note that this item has clearly moved up in price.

I have the Yongnuo YN560-TX Wireless Flash Controller, which I bought two years ago for $40, now it is $37.

I have four YONGNUO YN560 IV Wireless Flash Speedlite Master + Slave Flash + Built-in Trigger System which I bought two years ago for $69 each, now they are $68 each.

My Neweer umbrellas were $25.99, now they are $26.99.

So overall, I have not seen prices change that much. They may change due to ... reasons.

 

[bmattock]

I thought I was taking a gamble on the Godox TT685-S flash for $100. Promised full integration with Sony's new MI shoe on A6000 and A7 families of cameras. And, it delivers fabulously in all modes, including radio-wireless with the Godox X1T-S trigger.

Only minor issue is the less-than-perfect English in the manual.

Yes, the Youngnuo manual was worthless. Fortunately, Youtube came to my rescue, as well as various Amazon reviews; people can be quite sharing with their hard-won knowledge and I appreciate it.

For me, quality has been quite high. I'm pleased. I'd buy again, although I doubt I will ever have cause to do so.

 

[Sumarongi]

1. China did not sign any international intellectual property treaties, AFAIK —— thus many of their products are rip-offs, so to speak.

2. China's policy regarding their products that are meant for export ist quite the same the USSR had —— many prices are state-subsidised.

3. Any Western customer should also know under which circumstances Chinese products are made —— environment, workers' health, and so on, may not really play a big role...

 

[bmattock]

1. China did not sign any international intellectual property treaties, AFAIK —— thus many of their products are rip-offs, so to speak.

2. China's policy regarding their products that are meant for export ist quite the same the USSR had —— many prices are state-subsidised.

3. Any Western customer should also know under which circumstances Chinese products are made —— environment, workers' health, and so on, may not really play a big role...

It is always wise to be an informed consumer, and each of us may or may not have moral, ethical, or other considerations to make besides economical choices. I get that.

 

[B-9]

Purchased a Chinese clone of a heavy Manfrotto fluid video head.

I’ve used a dozen times, it’s pretty much scrap metal now.

Materials are fair, build ok, but they chose to use helicoils for all the threaded parts.... which if anyone knows helicoils like I do, they’re trash for anything you intend to reuse multiple times. I’ve successfully pulled every thread out of this head.

On the other spectrum, I purchased a cheap backup follow focus from China expecting it to be plastic and poorly assembled. Pleasantly surprised it was all metal and very finely assembled with a much smoother throw than my more expensive unit. I sold the name brand FF and pocketed it.

 

[NickTrop]

Youngnuo flashes -- not a problem. Own three 685's which are amazing. Yongnuo transceiver for off-camera-flash. Excellent. $38. My favorite is a black leather camera strap from Canpis for around $25. Beautiful. Also Nikon "pinch" front caps and rear caps, and lens hoods. Had the Chinese not stepped in, I would not have "A" namebrand Speedlight, let alone three. So Yongnuo enabled me to get into flash photography with multiple flashes and off-camera flash.

The camera industry -- for years, gouged consumers on accessories. You want "how much" for that lens hood? Seriously? And do tell why that cameras straps costs what it costs.

I have no issue buying Chinese.

 

[charjohncarter]

I bought some Cactus remote triggers years ago and they were inconsistent but now I guess they are great. I will be buying a small Godox flash for the Pentax K1 which for $85 has HSS which I want because I'll be using it mainly for fill flash. Sebastian Moran did a write up on a bigger Godox model a while back and he convinced me.

I also have a Chinese remote shutter release that I think cost less than $3 with shipping included. It has never failed and I use it alot.

 

[Archlich]

It won't hurt if you buy a very well made, felt-lined heavy duty aluminum cap with Leica engraving for something like $3 to cover your DR Summicron. The quality is even better made than the 50-year-old original which may set you back $50...

I dispise the ruthlessly unimaginative clones like the numerous OP/TECH USA and Peak Design like straps you can find on Taobao. Extremely cheap and nowhere near the quality of the original. Meanwhile the Yongnuo and Godox strobes, the Laowa and 7artisan lenses, and the ever dominating DJI drones are quality and unique products. "Made in China" doesn't necessarily mean it's a copy.

 

[presspass]

There are also things available from Chinese vendors that cannot be found elsewhere. I have two grips for Nikon F2s. They have bases that fit the Arca Swiss tripod heads and fit the cameras well. I don't recall who made them, but I could not find similar items made by more established firms.

 

[JeffS7444]

I buy Chinese goods but I seek quality items from reputable sellers rather than simply looking for the lowest possible price.

 

[zuiko85]

Re. Chinese goods.
Sometimes there is little or no other choice. The type of items I get from China are most all small filter adapter rings (the quality varies). Even if you are buying from a U.S. dealer most of the stuff is 'made in China' anyway. Even my Olympus E-410, yep, made in China. My last purchase was a 43.5mm to 43mm step down filter adapter ring so I could use my considerable collection of 43mm filters on my Olympus Pen F (film) lenses on my Olympus RC. And no, it doesn't block the meter eye. I've also bought a couple of the M42 mount focusing extension tubes. They are a 'grease fit', but okay for the $25 price and my applications.

 

[bmattock]

I've also bought a couple of the M42 mount focusing extension tubes. They are a 'grease fit', but okay for the $25 price and my applications.

Glad to hear it - I am planning to pick up a couple myself.

 

[PaulDalex]

It is a mixed bag for me.
I have some Manfrotto tripods and heads, but recently I bought a cheaper Chinese video head. It looks nice but I still have to test it on the field.
I have a Godox flash, but I made a big mistake buying the 350 (because is compact and digital cameras are so small). In fact it is too weak. The declared GN is deceiving. Not recommended.
Also I bought a cheap leather bag. When it arrived it seemed to me a disaster. I made some DIY work customization, since I could not accept the waste of money.
I will post about that if I can find the time for the write up and to reduce and upload some pictures.

 

[Huss]

I just bought some Kipon lens adapters for my Nikon Z, and they are perfect.
Can't see how spending $130 more (each) for the German made ones would make any difference.

 

[Scapevision]

I'm not a professional tripod user, nor wedding photographer. I've used a number of Yongnuo flashes without any issues. Own a MeFoto tripod that works fine for my travel needs. I have had Manfrotto before in aluminum and carbon. I don't see a need to pay more than what I paid for MeFoto.

 

[aizan]

i would buy accessories made by respected chinese manufacturers. 🙄