Equipment purchases...

[Scott328i]

Hello Everyone

Recent Purchase of a twin lens 450d bundle means I want some kit to go along with it.

I have the kit lens - 18-55mm
70-300mm Tamron lens
8gb card

What else will I need

I woud rather get a few bits now for christmas than part with money later on it the year :-)

I have a few ideas ...

Tripod - I have a cheap jobbie but feel it won't take the weight so recommend me one.

Flashgun thingy - will I need one?

Remote Shutter - will I need one and where from?

Memory Card - Another 8gb?

50mm prime canon lens

I have some filter's for the kit lens.

Books?

Any information is appreciated as I am pretty much a noob - I just can't wait until the 25th and get the bloody thing out of the box!

Thanks

Scott

[SamHH]

If you definitely want all of that stuff then I'm sure people can give you recommendations. However, if I were you I'd wait until you start using your camera to find out what you actually want. For example, you may find that like me, a tripod is completely irrelevant to the sort of photography you want to do, in which case you needn't buy one. On the other hand, you might find that it's essential, in which case you'll want to spend as much as you can on one. The same goes for flashguns, lenses, filters and all the other accessories available.

Edited by SamHH on Monday 15th December 18:34

[DIW35]

Personally I would use a 2 x 4GB cards rather than a single 8GB. If you get close to filling up an 8GB card and it decides to throw it's dummy out of the pram, you risk losing an awful lot of photographs.

You can still get loads of images on a 4GB card, but don't run the risk of losing quite so many photos if it should turn it's toes up.

[stigmundfreud]

dont bother buying any kit until you've had enough chance to learn what you have got. Read books, practice, get to your limitations/understanding then spend on kit

[4hero]

Scott, you'll "need" all of what you mention, what do you plan on photographing?

stigmundfreud said:

dont bother buying any kit until you've had enough chance to learn what you have got. Read books, practice, get to your limitations/understanding then spend on kit

Use the basic kit before spending? I knew I went wrong somewhere



All purchased new within 18 months of buying my first slr, now, how do you use it

[LukeBird]

To avoid starting a new subject for basically the same question...

...Does anyone have a good recommendation for a tripod?

I'm a few months into enjoying my DSLR (40D) now and want (need! ) a few more bits and pieces.
I'm pretty sure I know what lenses I want now, but I would like a tripod!
Any suggestions?

TIA!

[RobDickinson]

If your going to take it places get one your happy lugging.

Make sure it gets the camera to eye level, and is solid enough to hold it with a decent lens on.

I've a manfrotto (190B0 the 055 is taller). I'm happy with it but its quite heavy.

[vetteheadracer]

Definitely get a second card and also a second battery and also get a decent flash (I recently got the Canon Speedlite 430EX II).

Nothing worse than having a card go bad and not only potentially losing the pics but also not having the opportunity to try and replicate some of the shots. Spare battery (always charge both before departure) and keep a charger handy as again running out of battery power is not a good thing.

Did you also buy skylight filter(s) for your lenses?

[vetteheadracer]

On this subject, I have just purchased a Canon 5d Mk II, plus spare battery, battery grip and 2 x 8GB UDMA cards and reader, to add to my old Canon 20D.

[Bee_Jay]

vetteheadracer said:

On this subject, I have just purchased a Canon 5d Mk II, plus spare battery, battery grip and 2 x 8GB UDMA cards and reader, to add to my old Canon 20D.

Exactly ditto - same kit... (down to the 2x 8GB UDMA cards) spooky.

5D2 was the first worthy upgrade from 20D in my eyes...

[Scott328i]

Right so I need to get another card - check
Spare Battery - Check

Flash gun - what are they specifically for?

I have a skylight filter and an ND filter for my kit lens

[Bee_Jay]

Scott328i said:

Right so I need to get another card - check
Spare Battery - Check

Flash gun - what are they specifically for?

I have a skylight filter and an ND filter for my kit lens

Flash gun is for:

Initally when the flash on your camera is not strong enough (why you first get it)
When you want to bounce flash (which will be all the time when you discover it and the main point of an external flash IMO)
Off-camera flash - which you will love once you have tried it.

Bin the Skylight filter - great for film, pointless for digital (nice pink cast...). If you REALLY have to put a filter on your lens all the time, use a UV (0) - but best practicce would be to use no filter and just put a lens hood on it. 'protective' filters like UV and skylight are guaranteed ways of degrading your images and introducing flare wherever possible.

[Simpo Two]

Scott328i said:

Flash gun - what are they specifically for?

Scott ole bean, if you have to ask that, you just saved some cash

You will have a lot to learn - just take it one step at a time.

Edited by Simpo Two on Monday 15th December 22:46

[Bee_Jay]

Indeed - go out, take pictures, and then when you feel restricted or limited in some way, come back here, tell us what, and then we'll tell you what kit to buy...

In the meantime, you are trying to solve problems you may not have...

[Scott328i]

Bee_Jay said:

Indeed - go out, take pictures, and then when you feel restricted or limited in some way, come back here, tell us what, and then we'll tell you what kit to buy...

In the meantime, you are trying to solve problems you may not have...

Indeed it seems I am - although I have 1 last topic

Thanks guys

[Zod]

Bee_Jay said:

vetteheadracer said:

On this subject, I have just purchased a Canon 5d Mk II, plus spare battery, battery grip and 2 x 8GB UDMA cards and reader, to add to my old Canon 20D.

Exactly ditto - same kit... (down to the 2x 8GB UDMA cards) spooky.

5D2 was the first worthy upgrade from 20D in my eyes...

My 5D Mk II arrived on Friday. I got a single 16GB card. It joins my 5D (upgrade from 300D) and will give me the flexibility of always having two lenses mounted and ready to shoot.

[stigmundfreud]

Zod said:

Bee_Jay said:

vetteheadracer said:

On this subject, I have just purchased a Canon 5d Mk II, plus spare battery, battery grip and 2 x 8GB UDMA cards and reader, to add to my old Canon 20D.

Exactly ditto - same kit... (down to the 2x 8GB UDMA cards) spooky.

5D2 was the first worthy upgrade from 20D in my eyes...

My 5D Mk II arrived on Friday. I got a single 16GB card. It joins my 5D (upgrade from 300D) and will give me the flexibility of always having two lenses mounted and ready to shoot.

you bd!!! STill waiting for my mk2 to arrive I ordered it back in September

[fathomfive]

Scott, I got a similar bundle back in September - 18-55mm IS & 70-300 Tamron lenses. I've bought two items since then:

1) one of these - http://www.warehouseexpress.com/product/default.as... - suits my needs right now, not heavy so very portable and I can't fault the quality or price. It will have limitations should I want to stick a bigger body and lens combo on it, but thats a bridge to cross some way in the future.

2) and one of these - http://www.warehouseexpress.com/product/default.as... - for £60-odd quid it's a univerally liked lens from the opinions I've seen on here.


HTH, Andrew