Right, got my camera, now what do I need?
Discussion
I've just bought my first DSLR 2nd hand from a mate, it's a Canon EOS350D. I'm really looking forward to getting going with it, but I guess I need a few more things too.
What I'd like to know, is what do people recommend, and where's the best place to buy?
CF card...currently borrowing one of my mate's spare ones, but need my own obviously. What size is sensible? I could fit about 500 shots on my point and shoot and never got anywhere near capacity if that helps. Also, I've heard about different "speeds", in terms of the time it takes to transfer from the buffer to the card, what do you people suggest?
Camera bag...I'll need something to keep/protect it all in, I've got the EOS body, an 18-55 and a 75-300 lens to go in there. BTW, I've always like Lowepro stuff, my Tom Tom lives in one!
Tripod...I guess a basic tripod is a bit of a must...or is a monopod or "bean bag" thingy a better bet to start with?
Is there anything else (or software) that I need just to get me going? I've got 2 batteries so probably OK there. I'm guessing I won't need a flash yet as most of what I plan to shoot will be outside. Is it worth getting some UV filters ir similar to protect the lenses?
Something else I would like would be a decent book as an introduction to digital SLR photography...not something for the total idiot, but something that can help me use the features of the camera a bit more creatively. Can anyone recommend one?
Thanks in advance!!
What I'd like to know, is what do people recommend, and where's the best place to buy?
CF card...currently borrowing one of my mate's spare ones, but need my own obviously. What size is sensible? I could fit about 500 shots on my point and shoot and never got anywhere near capacity if that helps. Also, I've heard about different "speeds", in terms of the time it takes to transfer from the buffer to the card, what do you people suggest?
Camera bag...I'll need something to keep/protect it all in, I've got the EOS body, an 18-55 and a 75-300 lens to go in there. BTW, I've always like Lowepro stuff, my Tom Tom lives in one!
Tripod...I guess a basic tripod is a bit of a must...or is a monopod or "bean bag" thingy a better bet to start with?
Is there anything else (or software) that I need just to get me going? I've got 2 batteries so probably OK there. I'm guessing I won't need a flash yet as most of what I plan to shoot will be outside. Is it worth getting some UV filters ir similar to protect the lenses?
Something else I would like would be a decent book as an introduction to digital SLR photography...not something for the total idiot, but something that can help me use the features of the camera a bit more creatively. Can anyone recommend one?
Thanks in advance!!
CF card.... I'd say 2Gb is quite sensible size. Maybe a couple of them will keep you going. There are larger size cards available but I'm one of the 'just-in-case' type of people. 
Sandisk Extreme III is fast & reliable.
Lowepro is definitely a good idea for the bag. As for which one, Mini Trekker is small enough but holds tons of stuff. Your gear will fit in smaller bags but remember that there will be lots more things you'll be wanting to add in the future.
As for the tripod, Manfrotto is a great make. 190 Series is light enough but rock solid.
There are loads of great monthly photography magazines available. I think they are brilliant especially for beginners. I always thought Practical Photography was quite good but there are also other good ones.
Have lots of fun!
Sandisk Extreme III is fast & reliable. Lowepro is definitely a good idea for the bag. As for which one, Mini Trekker is small enough but holds tons of stuff. Your gear will fit in smaller bags but remember that there will be lots more things you'll be wanting to add in the future.
As for the tripod, Manfrotto is a great make. 190 Series is light enough but rock solid.
There are loads of great monthly photography magazines available. I think they are brilliant especially for beginners. I always thought Practical Photography was quite good but there are also other good ones.
Have lots of fun!
CF card - get a 4gig Extreem II or above, the 350d wont take any advantage of anything faster tho. When your shooting RAW memory vanishes quickly, you'll get 500-600 shots on that 4gig. look out for fake cards btw, buy from somewhere reputable.
I have a lowpro toploader and a crumpler shoulde bag. Both are good makes.
Tripod is the easiest to use, get a good one (I have a manfrotto 190b and ball head, used but new was ~ £100) - dont scrimp too much here, also check the weight of them, and the height (both max - so can do eye level, and min). Ball head is a good starter, get a quick release one.
Monopods (with ball head!) are good but need technique to use properly. Ben bags are always handy.
Software - latest DPP from canon, Picasa 2 is good, and good old photoshop is a must, as will some panoramic stiching (autostich?) some good noise reduction software etc.
I dont use UV filters but a set of Cokin 'P' (or kood knockoff) filters , addaptors and holders is a good place , CPL def, ND and ND grads for landscapes.
As for books :
New Manual of Photography, John-Hedgecoe
http://www.amazon.co.uk/New-Manual-Photography-Joh...
And:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Understanding-Exposure-Pho...
I have a lowpro toploader and a crumpler shoulde bag. Both are good makes.
Tripod is the easiest to use, get a good one (I have a manfrotto 190b and ball head, used but new was ~ £100) - dont scrimp too much here, also check the weight of them, and the height (both max - so can do eye level, and min). Ball head is a good starter, get a quick release one.
Monopods (with ball head!) are good but need technique to use properly. Ben bags are always handy.
Software - latest DPP from canon, Picasa 2 is good, and good old photoshop is a must, as will some panoramic stiching (autostich?) some good noise reduction software etc.
I dont use UV filters but a set of Cokin 'P' (or kood knockoff) filters , addaptors and holders is a good place , CPL def, ND and ND grads for landscapes.
As for books :
New Manual of Photography, John-Hedgecoe
http://www.amazon.co.uk/New-Manual-Photography-Joh...
And:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Understanding-Exposure-Pho...
Edited by RobDickinson on Thursday 31st January 22:37
I know John is going to email me with a heap of abuse for this, but mail him anyway. Simpo Two. Email him and beg him for a copy of his 'idiot's guide'. Read that before anything else. Everything you read either assumes you're a f*wit (and is therefore turgid reading) or that you already know what all the words mean. None of the guides ever assume you're an intelligent person with a knowledge gap, except this small document written by our own Simpo, which will give you a proper leg-up to experimenting for yourself. I know someone's going to come up with a book that proves me wrong, but I don't care, his idiot's guide was my 'lightbulb' moment, and I read it in one session
Simpo's a good photographer, and he's a great teacher. I'd have given up right at the beginning, but he looked at my shots and spotted from that what I wasn't understanding and gave some great advice. Superstar.
He's a Nikon man, but seems quite human nevertheless
Simpo's a good photographer, and he's a great teacher. I'd have given up right at the beginning, but he looked at my shots and spotted from that what I wasn't understanding and gave some great advice. Superstar.
He's a Nikon man, but seems quite human nevertheless
Rude Girl said:
I know John is going to email me with a heap of abuse for this, but mail him anyway.
And struggling back to seriousness - yes, otherwise you seem to have a choice of either numpty books or text books that would sink the titanic and would send a hardened caffeine addict into a coma.....
CF card… right I’d go for a Sandisk Extreme III in either 1GB or 2GB size. Check www.mymemory.com or www.picstop.co.uk for prices etc. In terms of “speed” cards were rated at 150kb/sec transfer rate. The x66 and x133 are multipliers of that original figure, so x133 transfers at 20MB/sec (there are differences between read and write speeds, but that gives you an explanation without getting geeky). The camera may not be able to use the full speed of the card, but when it comes to downloading it to the PC via a card reader you’ll notice a difference here.
Camera bag – your call really. Jessops is a good place to have a nose around and get an idea of sizes (IMO) but there are Lowepro and Crumpler who make nice bags. Good old Google should help here.
Tripod. Hmm… depends on what you want to shoot really. Asking for a decent cheap tripod will result in tears on this forum
but since it’s your first I’d look at some of the cheaper Jessops options, and even Amazon who knock out some nice cheap stuff. Also www.7dayshop.com should be in your favourites – check their Specials and Clearance pages for real bargains!
Software? Well you need something to edit the photos with really… have you got Adobe PhotoShop Elements? If not, someone on here will probably have a free copy (it comes bundled with almost everything!).
Books? Er.. I’d take Rude Girl’s advice. For me, my “lightbulb moment” was at www.experience-seminars.co.uk
Camera bag – your call really. Jessops is a good place to have a nose around and get an idea of sizes (IMO) but there are Lowepro and Crumpler who make nice bags. Good old Google should help here.
Tripod. Hmm… depends on what you want to shoot really. Asking for a decent cheap tripod will result in tears on this forum
but since it’s your first I’d look at some of the cheaper Jessops options, and even Amazon who knock out some nice cheap stuff. Also www.7dayshop.com should be in your favourites – check their Specials and Clearance pages for real bargains!Software? Well you need something to edit the photos with really… have you got Adobe PhotoShop Elements? If not, someone on here will probably have a free copy (it comes bundled with almost everything!).
Books? Er.. I’d take Rude Girl’s advice. For me, my “lightbulb moment” was at www.experience-seminars.co.uk
Simpo
Don't forget Play.com are doing some good deals on CF cards, e.g. Sandisk Extreme III 2Gb for £16 delivered.
http://www.play.com/Electronics/Electronics/4-/880...
http://www.play.com/Electronics/Electronics/4-/880...
RobDickinson said:
+1, this is an amazing book, just got it last week. Definitely a must have!
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