EOS 350D/KissN - need accessories

[205alive]

I picked up a silver EOS KissN from the bay of fleas at a resonable cost, EFS 18-55 lens included. However, apart from a low capacity CF card and a cheapy charger, nothing else was bundled.

I've ordered the 350D Magic Lantern book; will I benefit from a copy of the manual? As far as a bigger/better CF card goes, I'm thinking of 8Gb, at an average rather than pro speed - any recommendations please?

CHDK is also on the cards anyone else using it on a 350D at all?

ETA about the card, any thoughts on this, please:

http://www.7dayshop.com/7dayshop-compact-flash-cf-...

Edited by 205alive on Tuesday 1st October 18:07

[Crafty_]

Manual will not be of much use to be honest, I expect the book will cover it all.

Far as the card goes, it might be fine but for the sake of an extra quid I'd get a transcend card: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Transcend-Ultra-Speed-Comp...
Never had ne let me down and they are generally well regarded.

I assume a 350D will handle an 8Gb card ? might be worth checking.

[205alive]

Thanks for the links Crafty. Re the card size issue - hmm...will look into it. If I do decide to install CHDK then I think that removes limitations - just not sure if I'll definitely be doing that. Am awaiting education.

[williredale]

8gb will be fine. I sometimes use a 16gb in mine. The display which shows how many photos you can fit on the card only goes up to 999 though.

[williredale]

Ps. If you want a spare battery PM me. I still have spares somewhere but don't use the camera much any more.

[205alive]

Really good of you, thanks for the offer will! Can I ask you, what's this included lens like - EFS 18-55? Acceptable?

[DibblyDobbler]

205alive said:

Really good of you, thanks for the offer will! Can I ask you, what's this included lens like - EFS 18-55? Acceptable?

18-55 is fine - bit like ordering the house red in a restaurant: cheap but decent

What sort of thing are you intending to shoot ?

[205alive]

What am I intending to shoot? Anything within range at first!

Truthfully the reason for getting a decent camera is to take shots of products and some of the details on them, to be uploaded to a website. This is just going to be in an ad hoc, DIY kind of homebrew lighting set-up, so if it works, great - if not, no great loss.

To be honest, I'm just looking forward to reading about this 350D and understanding more of it's features - but additionally, want to see if this CHDK will install on it. Any experience with it (camera or CHDK)?

[williredale]

18-55 is ok. It feels cheap but in seven or so years I haven't broken it so it must be more robust than it feels!

[DibblyDobbler]

I used to have a 450D and it was a great little camera- I'm sure the 350 will work well for you.

No experience of CHDK. To be honest if you are a beginner I would probably learn to use the camera as-is before mucking about with it

ETA - I'm not even sure there's a version for the 350D...

Edited by DibblyDobbler on Tuesday 1st October 21:11

[JulianHJ]

You can probably download a pdf of the manual direct from Canon.

[kevinward59]

I am using a CF to SD converter with an 8 gb Eye-Fi card inserted. Converter must be 4th generation (3rd won't work).

Everything works fine and after taking a pic Eye-Fi card sends picture to laptop via Wi-F and internet Eye-Fi website.

4th generation CF converter and Eye-Fi cards both from Amazon.com about £11 and £34 respectively.

[RobDickinson]

8 rgb will store huge number of shots. Dont worry too much over card speed as the 350d doesn't write very fast compared to today's card speeds.

Make sure you look into custom white balance for product shots. Also get a tripod and a cheap remote release cable.

IMO get an ef-s 60mm macro insane sharp and perfect for product shooting

[205alive]

williredale said:

18-55 is ok. It feels cheap but in seven or so years I haven't broken it so it must be more robust than it feels!

Good to know as I *intend* not to drop it.

[kevinward59]

I've got manual on PDF.

Point to note.

If using Windows 7 you will need to set communication to print and play so it can be found as a USB storage card in canon 350D.

There are no compatible drivers for Windows 7 and 350D.

This is info from canon.

I got software disc from guy in States on eBay for a couple of quid but you can import into ACDSee or similar image browser.

Edited by kevinward59 on Tuesday 1st October 21:25

[205alive]

DibblyDobbler said:

No experience of CHDK. To be honest if you are a beginner I would probably learn to use the camera as-is before mucking about with it

I should absolutely agree. But, I can't stop myself from trying to tinker wth things. Upgrades, updates, trying to squeeze more out of something legacy. However, you are completely corrrect as my experience of photography extends to compacts, a bridge - and a couple of Lomos, which were fun.

I'm not going to go mad on the budget though.

No, I'm really not.

[205alive]

kevinward59 said:

If using Windows 7 you will need to set communication to print and play so it can be found as a USB storage card in canon 350D.....I got software disc from guy in States on eBay for a couple of quid but you can import into ACDC or similar image browser.

Thanks for these and your other pointers re:wifi cards but I'm going to nail the budget on this right down, keeping it simple until requirements demand better lenses, cards etc.

However I appreciate your input.

[205alive]

RobDickinson said:

8 rgb will store huge number of shots. Dont worry too much over card speed as the 350d doesn't write very fast compared to today's card speeds.

Make sure you look into custom white balance for product shots. Also get a tripod and a cheap remote release cable.

IMO get an ef-s 60mm macro insane sharp and perfect for product shooting

Thanks for the lens recommendation. Will bear it in mind if I want to start over/update the images.

As I've got some mic stands kicking about, I'm going to try an adapter first so I can mount the camera on one of those. But the release cable, hadn't considered it, will take a look at those, and definitely into custom white balances. Thanks for that, in particular.

[kevinward59]

Just got Canon RC - 6 remote control on eBay for £4.99 postage from Ireland free. Instructions included. Think it works with all canon DSLR.

[kevinward59]

Remote supplier is www.sjbtrader.co.uk