Help me spend my ~$70 on photo equip!

[e r y k]

heyya POTN!

after buying a bajillion dollars worth of books for this semester, i have about $70 bucks left in my life savings account, give or take a few bucks :P

i bought myself an XTi over the holidays, and i have already bought a camera bag and a hoya polarizer for it. photog equipment surely breaks the bank.

I am not sure what i should buy next :P I am torn between opteka grip (with no batteries, i could use the AA cartridge though), or a 50mm f1.8 lense.

both items have their strengths, but there are also some smaller items like a rocket blower, or a wire/wireless remote i still have yet to purchase.

I dont have that much use for a 50mm 1.8 since i dont shoot much indoors, however, it could come in handy for portraits and whatnot. I really dont have a problem with the kit lense, as it does mostly what i want.

The grip serves its own purpose in making the camera much more ergonomic. I was shooting for a good 4 hrs last week and my hands did feel a little cramped up on the XTi. it is very rare that i shoot for that long though :P

help me spend the last of my money! :P

thanks :)

[Dbix]

definately the 50mm f/1.8

[Woolburr]

Rocket blower, POTN camera strap, extra Sterlingtek battery

[::John::]

Definately the rocket blower. I found the AA cartridge for the grip in my 350D/XT (when I had it) to be an emergency use type of stopgap - not enough power for a full shoot but enough to make you think you could get a full shoot... ;)

Others may have different experiences.

[hijinks]

Where is a good place to get a 50 mm 1.8?

[Woolburr]

Where is a good place to get a 50 mm 1.8?

Check B&H Photo, Adorama, Beach Photo, KEH or Tri-State Photo for good prices and safe deals.

[Eric]

Go with the 50 !!!!

[SuzyView]

I would make sure you have enough money for food the next week or so first, but the 50 1.8 is a good value. Other than the recommendations for really good batteries (Sterlingtek, of course), you don't really need a grip. Those batteries last through a whole shoot for me. I've had one in my 5D for about 2 months and only changed one time shooting over 1500 pictures.

[cgratti]

definately the 50mm f/1.8


yep... get the 50...

[e r y k]

well most of you guys shoot really nice cameras (20d/30d/5d) which have more than adequate grips, however the rebel series cameras have a little less "chunk" to them.

why is the 50 so great anyways?

[Az2Africa]

If you buy the grip, PM me and I'll send you a couple of 511 Sterlingtek batteries. I'll even pay the shipping.
Terry

[joegolf68]

Where is a good place to get a 50 mm 1.8?


Buy used if you can. They come up here in the classifieds all the time.

[zasboy]

I am not sure what i should buy next :P I am torn between opteka grip (with no batteries, i could use the AA cartridge though)
The Opteka grip will still work with one NB2LH battery installed in either slots. It's stated in the manual.

I have both the Opteka grip and the 50mm f/1.8. To recommend one of these is going to be difficult and it all boils down on your needs. The grip makes the body more ergonomic. It will add weight to make the body more even balance and the larger surface area makes it comfortable to hold. Great for big hand users like myself :) The 50mm f/1.8 is great in low light conditions but remember that it's a prime lens. So you need be more aware of your composition.

Here is a link to thread dedicated to 50mm f/1.8 sample shotst:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=186207&highlight=50mm

[zasboy]

If you buy the grip, PM me and I'll send you a couple of 511 Sterlingtek batteries. I'll even pay the shipping.
Terry
The user eryk owns an XTi and the camera uses NB2L or NB2LH batteries. Not 511, but it is awesome that you will be giving out your 511 batteries for a good cause :)

[lostdoggy]

I rec. the Thrifty Fifty too. Its light its cheap and its fast (not focus wise). The next fast lens goes for $350 (50f/1.4).

[Az2Africa]

The user eryk owns an XTi and the camera uses NB2L or NB2LH batteries. Not 511, but it is awesome that you will be giving out your 511 batteries for a good cause :)

Too bad. I thought they were the same.