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|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
WARNING, avoid Ebay off shoe cords
Jeff Mills, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Columbus | OH | USA | Posted: 4:57 PM on 08.29.09 |
->> I'm not sure if this is applicable to Canon users as well but Nikon users take notice.
Not wanting to pay $60 for an additional SC-28 (I've already got the official Nikon SC-29) I saw some Chinese generic ones on Ebay for $20 shipped which seemed like a good deal, and being just an off shoe cord what difference could it make ?
Well a big difference. I gave it a try to see if it worked and it did, however, the little drop down locking pin that Nikon uses did not retract when turning the little level to "unlock"
So I was stuck with this off shoe cable stuck in my hotshoe and I couldnt pull it out because the pin was in the down position.
while its a small pin and I could probably get it to shear off, I didnt want to risk any damage to the hotshoe of my D3 so I instead got my biggest channel lock pliers and got downright medieval on its generic ass.
Actually I first tried to take some screws apart but being cheap generic screwheads they naturally stripped.
So what better way to get into a cheap plastic enclosure other than to subject it to a few hundred pounds of crushing force ??
Well that did the trick and cracked the housing open and I was able to find the little pin retaining mechanism and pull that out, which then allowed this piece of garbage to slide out of my hotshoe.
So if like me you read Hot Shoe Diaries and thought it would be a good idea to have a second off shoe cord, DONT BUY THE CHEAP EBAY ONE!
Get the real Nikon one, its not worth the risk to save $40 |
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Renay Johnson, Photographer
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San Diego | CA | | Posted: 5:20 PM on 08.29.09 |
| ->> Ouch. I've wondered about generic cords even though I purchased a non Canon cord at a local store. I admit this chord works so it doesn't sound like I got a dud. I purchased this chord because for the price of the OEM cord, I could purchase two. I don't think I'll try my luck on another generic but will buy a Canon brand. Glad you got that thing off your hotshoe. |
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Jeff Mills, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Columbus | OH | USA | Posted: 5:30 PM on 08.29.09 |
->> Its just a liability because the mechanism they use to lift/lock the pin is so poorly made, plastic retaining clip etc.
I think its a not "if" it will break, but a "how long til" type of deal.
Last thing you want on a shoot is to have an off shoe cord stuck on your camera and no tools handy to get it off |
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Patrick Fallon, Student/Intern, Photographer
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Columbia | MO | USA | Posted: 10:42 PM on 08.29.09 |
->> If you are looking for a non-OEM cord, many Red Carpet shooters believe a ProMaster Canon off shoe cord is better than the Canon OC-E2 cable.
I compared the two myself and thought the Pro Master one was better made. Canon has since released the OC-E3, which has features like weather sealing, but has also taken some notes from the Pro Master model, like metal shoes, 1/4'' tripod mounts etc.. but the Canon one still costs $30 more than the Pro Master
I've used mine now for 3 years with no problems where I believed the cord was at fault. I'd buy another. |
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Michael Fischer, Photographer
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Spencer | Ia | USA | Posted: 10:58 PM on 08.29.09 |
->> Jeff,
I have been tempted, but my experience with the Chinese made stuff on eBay is that it's really cheap. I bought a generic cell phone charging cord for my car that last all of about a hour.
Problem is you have virtually no recourse.
I've passed since then. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Michael |
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Jeff Mills, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Columbus | OH | USA | Posted: 11:06 PM on 08.29.09 |
->> No problem Michael,
I figured with Joe McNally's book being so popular there would probably be a number of people looking to get a cord or two to daisy chain to make the SU-800 work under more conditions. That is why I bought it at least. |
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