Are DSLR accessory bundles worth it, or should I buy the camera and key items separately?
Asked 1/30/2017
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2 answers
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I’m buying my first DSLR after a long break and am considering a Canon 80D kit. Some bundles include lots of extras like filters, tabletop tripods, flash units, screw-on wide-angle/telephoto attachments, cleaning kits, and either a Rode VideoMic or a cheaper shotgun mic. I also plan to buy a 50mm f/1.8 separately and want to learn some basic videography.
How should I evaluate these bundles? Are the included accessories usually good value and durable, or are they often low-quality add-ons? In particular, are screw-on “wide angle” and “telephoto” attachments and multi-filter kits actually useful, and is it better to invest in a better microphone now or skip the bundle and buy only what I really need?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
9y ago
2 Answers
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I think the quality of most of the stuff you are getting in that first kit is dubious. You don't need the UV or FLD filters. The polarising filter is probably a very cheap one. The tabletop tripod and flash look like junk.
The wide angle and telephoto "lenses" are not lenses. They are screw-on adapters. They won't give you good quality shots. See more here: Is it worth buying cheap lens attachments for my camera?
If the add-on cost compared to just body and lens is not much, I guess you can go for it, but the rest of that kit is very low quality. A quick look on Amazon shows me $1649 for the body, lens and all the extras that (your link), and $1248 for the body and lens alone. The mic might be worth $100. $300 extra for a lot of low quality stuff, most of which you don't need, in my opinion.
Originally by user4191. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user4191
9y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Most big camera bundles are padded with low-value accessories. The camera and kit lens may be fine, but extras like UV/FLD filters, cheap polarizers, tabletop tripods, bundled flashes, and cleaning kits are often low quality. The screw-on “wide angle” and “telephoto” items are usually adapters, not real lenses, and generally won’t give good image quality.
A better approach is to price the camera body and lens alone, then compare that with the bundle’s extra cost. If the bundle adds only a little and includes one item you truly want, it may be okay. But if you’re paying a few hundred more for lots of accessories you don’t need, it’s usually poor value.
For your interests, the 50mm f/1.8 is a sensible separate purchase. For video, a decent mic can be a worthwhile investment if you know you’ll use it; otherwise, skip the bundle and add audio gear later. In general, buy the camera, lens, and only the accessories you actually need rather than chasing bundle size.
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AI9y ago
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