Best Accessories for digital rebel right off the bat???

[mxer82]

What is the best thing(s) to purchase after the initial kit with lens. Is a flash something i should think about? Or a battery? Should i just concentrate on building up my lense selection? Thanks
Tim

[timmyquest]

And in this order:

50mm f/1.8
550EX
Battery Grip
Laccessories

[ScottJE22]

I bought the 50/1.8 and two spare batteries. On my sooner-rather-than-later list, in no particular order, are a flash and the grip.

After that, probably either the 28-135 IS or the Tamron 28-75 f/2.8.

[RikWriter]

I personally got a spare battery first thing, then started on lenses. I don't need the flash just yet though I will eventually---haven't had a need for it yet.

[angrybunny]

My order of purchases after 300D + kit lens:

1. 28-235mm IS + hood
2. New bag
3. 50mm 1.8 II
4. Extra battery
5. BG-E1 (battery grip)
6. P4 3.2 CPU + ABIT motherboard

Okay the last item wasn't for the camera, but my aging AMD XP 2100 needed to be replaced. Plus if 6 wasn't the CPU and motherboard, it would have been the 85mm 1.8.

[roanjohn]

I went straight to the lens collection.

50 f1.8, Tamron 28-75 f2.8, 70-200 f4L, 85 f1.8 and 17-40 f4L.

Now, I'm saving to upgrade my 70-200 to the IS version.

I would've gotten a flash already but I'm not a big fan of flash pics. Battery grip?? I don't see the need for it yet as I haven't gone shooting and suddenly had the urge for more juice - though I carry a spare from my old G3.

Oh...........and another great purchase I got was an OPTECH strap for my Rebel. A HUGE DIFFERENCE FROM THE STRAP THAT CAME WITH THE CAMERA!!!! I think I would get that first.

And lets not forget the bags.............:-)

Yikes!!! The list doesn't end!!!

Ro1

[Kinger]

Let's not forget good size compact flash cards!!!

[Jim_T]

The first thing you're going to need (if you don't have any), is a compact flash card.. Probably several... I don't believe the 300D comes with one...

Here's a writeup on flash card performance with the 300D

http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/multi_page.asp?cid=6007-6425

And for external flash.... As far as I'm concerned, you just can't beat an external flash.. The popup should just be for emergencies.

If you haven't got the camera yet and you're thinking of buying from a bargain basement internet seller, watch the prices of what they try to sell you.. The only way many can offer super low prices on a camera is to inflate the price of accessories..

[msvadi]

battery grip

[robertwgross]

The accessories you need will depend on what kind of shooting you intend to do.

One person I know uses his Canon 10D exclusively indoors and at a subject distance of no more than five feet, so the stupid little built-in flash works fine.

---Bob Gross---

[blinking8s]

i have the 50mm 1.8 , 2 batteries and the grip in the mail, 550ex flash is next on the list with a EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM...then more memry other than my 512mb scandiskII and THEN i move onto L glass, its like crack, sell my car for lenses...so sad but so awesome

and i HATE the flash on my 300d...the 550ex is comes with such high reguard i cannot wait...its sup to be dummy proof

[Andy_T]

Now ...

do I get this right :?:

... The suggestions so far include lots of L lenses, battery grips, external flashes, CF cards and bags, but nobody would think a tripod might be useful? :wink:

Then I'll suggest to add that, as well :lol:!

Best regards,
Andy

[WestFalcon]

I would buy a flash unit. As a professional photographer(part time), I learned a long time ago that a flash will make a tremendous difference in your outdoor portraits of people. When I am outside and the sun is bright, I always take people into the shade to take pictures. If you balance the light with the ambient light properly, the flash makes all the difference in the world. Try a comparison with flash and without. If you overpower the flash, it looks terrible but if you get the correct amount of light, you will be amazed at how much more professional your pictures look. You need a bigger flash since the on board one is too susceptable to red eye. If you don't do people pictures, then the flash is not as important. I really like the 28-135 IS lens as a purchase. The grip is another item that you will really find useful and it makes the camera much nicer ergonomically. Good luck and welcome aboard. This forum has tremendously knowledgable shooters and asking questions was the best move that you have made. I'm a veteran photographer but the forum teaches me on a weekly basis. An intelligent photographer is a lifelong learner and this is free education.

[WestFalcon]

Another couple of items that I failed to mention as accessoried are photoshop(elements or full version if you can afford it) and some good books on didgital photography. I love the Scott Kelby books and they are worth their weight in gold to a new digital photographer. Both of these items are really important and will make you a better photographer. Photoshop is just amazing and I feel like I am a novice with a ton more to learn about the program.

[ron chappel]

Do you have enough flash memory?I'm not trying to sell you heaps-just be sure you have 128mb at the very LEAST

Definitely a spare battery-the cheapies are fine

A tripod as mentioned above!

Then decide which direction you want to go in lenses and pick them up in the order you want :D :D
As mentioned above there are several lenses that are universally recommended such as the 28-135IS and tamron 28-75XR-mostly because they are good enough for the vast majority of people but are still cheaper than the L's

Some recommend the battery grip but i think that's a very low priority

[RikWriter]

Another couple of items that I failed to mention as accessoried are photoshop(elements or full version if you can afford it)

Umm...Photoshop Elements CAME with my DRebel. Didn't it come with yours?

[mxer82]

Hey Guys!
Thanks for all the feedback! I already have a 1 gig lexar 40x compact flash. so that is one thing of the list.

[WestFalcon]

RikWriter........I don't have a digital rebel so I didn't know that elements came with it...I only have 2 -10D's and I have full photoshop so I never paid much attention to what program they give you.

[CanonUser]

Get the accessory that improve the image imediately first, then add on other stuffs later. You can live with the kit lens for a while during the "Get To Know You" time. A flash would be something you can use right away. The kit lens is slow, a flash helps remendously when the light fades. And as someone had already mentioned, daylight fill flash is something very usefull to learn. Next is a flash bracket; Nothing looks worse than a flash fired from the side. Beside it protects all the expensive lens you will eventually buy. Third, upgrade the lens. They have direct and immediate effects on your photos and techniques.
Regards,
Alan

[CoolToolGuy]

If you drive to where you shoot, I would place a car charger for the battery high on your list. Whether you have a spare battery or not, being able to charge the battery without going home is a bonus. Even if you think you will always have them charged, you may run into a situation where you are stuck with no battery or one that is low.

The Canon version is very expensive. Look for an off-brand on eBay or on the Internet. Sometimes you can get one with the AC adapter as well as the car cord.

Have Fun,