WHAT ARE MUST HAVE ACCESSORIES FOR XTI?

[knb10503]

i have always been interested in getting into photography for many years now, but just recently been blessed to get the new xsi as a bday gift from my wonderful husband! woohoo! I am still trying to figure out if i have a certain style that i am more passionate about, but my ultimate goal would to be one day be able to do all aspects of photography. Right now i am just taking pictures of anything that captures my eye! i live i hawaii so there are a lot of things that makes me wanna get my camera out. i also have 3 beautiful girls so i would love to know what are some great accessories to have for portrait pictures! I would love to get a wide angle lense for scenic shots, a great flash for portraits, i heard of softboxes but don't know much of them yet, a micro lense, and a tripod. Could someone please help me with the many choices out there? i am a true beginner but i am a quick and passionate learner. Any advice or help is greatly appreciated!!!!:D

[GetOnMyLevel]

if your a true beginner, you might want to chill out and not step up to bigger equipment so fast.

start out with a bg-e3 battery grip, a 50mm 1.8, a 430ex, and whatever tripod.

[Vascilli]

Good flash, decent lens, some kind of tripod.

[calraisin]

if your a true beginner, you might want to chill out and not step up to bigger equipment so fast.

start out with a bg-e3 battery grip, a 50mm 1.8, a 430ex, and whatever tripod.

I agree with that list and to piggy back on it, this the order in which I'd recommend that you get them:

50mm 1.8
- fantastic for low light and portrait shots, most especially for starter kits.

430ex
- very good flash, learn to bounce your flash lighting around. Amazing how taking the flash off the shoe and bouncing it around just a little does for your shots.

tripod+head
- fantastic for long exposure, low light and a multitude of other shots. You may not want to skimp on a cheap tripod/head here. After all, do you really want to stick a $800 camera on a $40 tripod?

bg-e3 battery grip
- While it's really nice to have, and others may disagree, I find this to be a bit of luxury. Using this will give you more field time (extra battery life), allow you to use attach the Canon hand grip, and for those with larger hands, hold the camera more comfortably. It also has buttons, so that if you turn the camera sideways (portrait view), you can activate the shutter without twising your hands all around.

Welcome to the club!

[nobodyspecial]

Perhaps a wireless remote

[Gethin]

all i'd say is an extra memory card and extra battery, then learn to use what you have... you'll soon figure out what extras you might like .. have fun!

[Eldorf_Dragonsbane]

I am going to assume you have the Xsi since you mentioned you just received it in your post (though the thread title says Xti). If you do in fact have the Xsi, then the battery grip would be the BG-E5, you can get one for half the cost or so from Deal Extreme http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.14865~r.58547694 the cost is $73.46 vs the $140-$180 the official Canon grip costs. I just received mine from them yesterday and I love it. The Grip will make taking vertical photos easier, plus it allows you to use AA (LR6) batteries if your LP-E5 batteries die on you and you dont have any spares, yet you want to continue shooting.

As for lenses, hopefully your husband purchased the Xsi kit with the 18-55IS lens. If so learn the camera with that lens, its a great little lens, probably the best kit lenses Canon has had. After you are familiar with the camera, get the 50mm f/1.8 lens (or as its commonly refereed to here, the Nifty Fifty), this is an excellent portrait lens, and it produces nice sharp images.

A flash will be nice later on, right now your in camera flash should work while your learning the camera. For the flash you will here 101 different opinions on which flash to get from 101 different people. Some love the Vivitar 285HV (make sure its a newer one, Vivitars older 285s are incompatible with your camera due to the hotshoe mount on the flash having higher voltages then the digital cameras can handle), other will say the Sunpak 383s, while other will say stick to the Canon Speedlites and get a 580EX II.

Get a nice tripod, dont go cheap. Here you will get Manfrottos, Gitzo, etc... as recommended tripods. These are all great options. The tripod is probably the second most important accessory you can have.

If you do have an Xsi then you will need SD cards and SDHC cards for your memory. most people seem to prefer Sandisk, which is an excellent brand. I use/have used Sandisk, RitzPix (Made by Sandisk for Ritz Camera and their affiliates like Wolf camera) PNY, Kingston, Impact, and Trancend all with no problems.

Also invest in a good blower, dont get one of the blower brushes that come in most of the camera cleaning kits, you will regret it since they dont blow with enough force to get dust off your sensor. You can get a Giotto Rocket Blower Knock off here http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.14863~r.58547694 for $5.53. A lens pen will also come in handy http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.7190~r.58547694 this will allow you to brush the dust and dirt off of your lens and camera body. For the lens cleaner get some thats formulated for Camera lenses, dont use eyeglass cleaner. Your lenses have a special coating on them that can be ruined by eyeglass cleaner.

If you want a place to find a nice selection of Camera Accessories for low prices you cant beat Deal Extreme http://www.dealextreme.com/products.dx/category.806~r.58547694 Granted they are in Hong Kong and it might take a month or so for your order to arrive, they do offer free shipping and on certain items they offer free EMS shipping (EMS is similar to Fed Ex, UPS, DHL, etc...). I dont work for them or anything, just love their prices and selection. The customer service from my experience is top notch. Granted if you wanted to talk to them live you will need to contact them late in the evening since they are 12 hours ahead (if you live in the Eastern Time Zone, 13 if your in the Central Time Zone, 14 in the Mountain, and 15 in the Pacific).

Dont hesitate to ask any questions there are many here who are willing to help you out.

[irispatch]

Check your local Community college for classes in digital photography. Learn to use all of the functions on your camera and learn to improve your skills. From there you will start to see what directions you want go in. A quality tripod and head area must, make sure to get extra quick release plates so make sure the head you get will take a variety of plates ( ARCA style are best) When considering an expensive lens check out a rental first to see if it will really suit your style. In Hawaii the flora and fauna just scream for both Macro and long lenses . Enjoy, we hope to see some of your work posted soon.

[knb10503]

wow! i can't believe what great responses i've gotten so far!!! thank you ALL so much for all the great advice!!! i feel like i've been officially welcomed to the photography world :D!!! I would like to apologize though for i accidentally posted that i have the xti..and eldorf dragonsbane just hit the nail right on the head about me having the XSI!!! i have sooo many abbreviations in my head just from trying to find out more information on lenses!!! Well thank you guys again so much for all the replies...and especially to eldorf dragonsbane for taking the time to break down all that info for me! i will definitely look into that website and check out all ur recommendations! i did get the kit with the 18-55 is lense...and my husband did get me the canon rc-1 remote...i would like to know which wide angle lense would be great to use. We would rather not invest in the most expensive..but we would also not mind spending a little bit more since this is a hobby that i will hope to one day be good enough at that i may give new comers advice! if there were 5 categories to lenses and 5 being the best and most expensive...i would like to know what lands in 3 and 4 for a macro and a wide? i have also been reading that my camera takes EF lenses and EF-S lenses...is this true and if i were to upgrade my camera in the future..should i stick with EF lenses?? Thanks again everyone! I am also trying to figure out how to use this forum site so i do apologize if i'm not doing this correctly!!! MAHALO!!!

[michaelnel]

Good pair of walking shoes and a bigger memory card. Shoot LOTS!

[photocrazy12]

I got my Rebel XT a month back. Just bought the 50mm f/1.8 yesterday. With the camera, I bought a cheap tripod(was strapped for cash, still am and it came in a deal) which comes handy once in a while esp. in low light situations. Also, when I'm outside without my tripod, I try to find a ledge to put my camera on(not as helpful as tripod but works).The tripod is fine and holds the weight of my rebel xt and the kit lens fine. Will upgrade to a better one after some time.

A couple of good memory cards(4gb each?) would also be great. And, Understanding Exposure is also a good investment if you're new.
I like the advice michaelnel gave...shoot lots.

[Kuma]

Welcome to the forums and to photography. Its a great hobby.

Personally I think you'd be better off trying to focus on photography itself before you start buying lenses. You never know where it will take you. Just learning the basic in's and out's can take awhile.

You dont really need to be too concerned between EF and EFS lenses. EFS lenses are intended for camera's with a crop factor like yours (and mine). If you were to consider a 5D or 1D class camera then it would become a concern.

For a macro the 100/2.8 would fit into the range you mentioned. Its an excellent lens and one I was hoping to add eventually too. I'm not sure what to recommend as a wide angle. The 10-22 would be an excellent ultrawide on your crop body.

[knb10503]

thanks kuma for the great advice! i will look into those lenses that you mentioned!i'm definitely working on my craft and i am very eager to figure everything out! i'm just so excited of all the possibilities! after being stuck with a point and shoot and feeling like my creativity was so restrained by it...i feel like a 5 year old getting access to a whole toy store now!!! Not only that...with my 3 kids feeling like they're growing up faster than any shutter speed or lens can capture...i would like to take the best possible pictures with the proper accessories needed and that i can afford! =D with this new forum site, with great advice from photographers like you thats been doing this awhile..i'm sure i'll be guided to the right direction and get there in no time! thanks again for ur time and EVERYONE else who has taken the time to help me out and other fellow photogs out in this forum site!!!!

[gjl711]

Good pair of walking shoes and a bigger memory card. Shoot LOTS!I'm kind of with michaelnel as well. There is nothing you need now but to get out there and shoot. As you start to develop a certain liking for some aspect or if some shots are just not turning out the way you want the correct accessory with then be obvious.

The only exception to that might be a tripod. I disagree that a good one is the best way to go to start with, a cheap one will hold your camera just as well as a good one. As you start to grow your setup and add heavy lenses, that would be a good time to upgrade to a better tripod.

[Kuma]

thanks kuma for the great advice! i will look into those lenses that you mentioned!i'm definitely working on my craft and i am very eager to figure everything out! i'm just so excited of all the possibilities! after being stuck with a point and shoot and feeling like my creativity was so restrained by it...i feel like a 5 year old getting access to a whole toy store now!!! Not only that...with my 3 kids feeling like they're growing up faster than any shutter speed or lens can capture...i would like to take the best possible pictures with the proper accessories needed and that i can afford! =D with this new forum site, with great advice from photographers like you thats been doing this awhile..i'm sure i'll be guided to the right direction and get there in no time! thanks again for ur time and EVERYONE else who has taken the time to help me out and other fellow photogs out in this forum site!!!!

It does feel like being let loose in a toy store. Sometimes that can work against people when they bought one lens but later found that they really wanted a different lens. While its true you can always sell gear you don't want and use it to fund gear you do want you still lose a tiny bit. No big deal really. We've all done that.

These forums are a great source of help and advice. Its helped me a bunch and still helping me by reading others peoples posts.

Take a bunch of pictures and share some on the forums. Thats a great way to help improve your technique. But just taking a bunch of pictures of your kids will get you down the road to where you'll see lots of improvement and get good with all apsects of your equipment.

One other thing that will help a lot is familiarity with the post processing software packages like elements, lightroom, aperture, photoshop. When I converted from shootning with film I had no idea what I was in for. I already knew photoshop but I had to learn how to do post processing to get more out of my keepers. There is lots of help with that on these forums as well but just something else to consider.

Have fun taking great pictures in hawaii. :D

[knb10503]

thanks again kuma! i'm sure i'll be going to this forum even long after i've been exposed to the photography world...and after reading some of the great advices...i've been doing some research on the 50mm 1.8 lens and it sounds like a great way to start...but does anyone here know if i should go for the 1.4? i've heard there's good in both...1.8..you can't beat the price...but the 1.4 might be worth the extra bucks for the extra strength?! but i think either would be my great...happy....and not sooo expensive first choice for a lens! thanks everyone who recommended it! i had no clue where to start and that sounds like the perfect choice...and i did notice that most of my pictures have been mostly portraits of my kids...so maybe i'll focus in more on that for now! i'll still practice all other aspects..but i think the portrait route will be my first dedicated project! So if anyone could tell me their thoughts on 1.8 vs. 1.4 it would be greatly appreciated! ONCE AGAIN...THANKS EVERYONE FOR THE HEADS UP ON THE 50mm!!!

[AB8ND]

TO keep the camera and lens clean and dust free you should have good lens cleaning tissues (use only ones made for camera lens, nothing else) and a rocket blower (good to blow clean the sensor). Stock up on memory cards when you see good ones on sale and an extra battery is nice to have on hand. Equipment depends on what you like to shot, but a tripod and remote release come in handy. If you get a flash think off camera, for quick shots using my 580 EX II on camera always works, but off camera is so much better for most everything else.

Jack

[Amamba]

My two cents - in order of time & preference

1. A spare battery (Sterlingtech's about $15 or less)
2. An external flash - if you do a lot of portraits in house. Otherwise a tripod.
3. Monitor calibrator - so that what you see is really what you get.
4. A better walkaround lens - although yours is probably OK for a while.
5. CPL

[knb10503]

My two cents - in order of time & preference

1. A spare battery (Sterlingtech's about $15 or less)
2. An external flash - if you do a lot of portraits in house. Otherwise a tripod.
3. Monitor calibrator - so that what you see is really what you get.
4. A better walkaround lens - although yours is probably OK for a while.
5. CPL


i actually just got my sterlingtech a few days ago...what is a monitor calibrator?? i'm sorry...i'm such a newb! and can you recommend a good umbrella? or is it unnecessary? i'm thinking of turning one of our spare rooms into my photo/studio room!

[Eldorf_Dragonsbane]

A monitor Calibrator will calibrate your monitors color for a more true appearance, at least thats the way I understand how it works, and I could be wrong.


Now for the studio setup you can get some nice flash kits that include the flash, umbrella, light stand, wireless trigger and the hotshoe/umbrella swivel mount. Heres the link to the kits from two separate retailers that I have been debating on.

http://www.gadgetinfinity.com/product.php?productid=17028&cat=298&page=1 Comes with a white translucent umbrella, the hotshoe/umbrella swivel mount (to attach the flash and umbrella to the light stand) the light stand, a Vivitar 285HV flash, and the Cactus V2s wireless flash trigger set (I am leaning towards this kit). The cost is $149.95 (plus approx. $50 shipping). Gadget Infinity also has a kit for the same price that has a silver reflector umbrella http://www.gadgetinfinity.com/product.php?productid=17029&cat=298&page=1 You can also purchase either a silver umbrella http://www.gadgetinfinity.com/product.php?productid=17025&cat=298&page=1 or a white translucent umbrella http://www.gadgetinfinity.com/product.php?productid=17024&cat=298&page=1 for $9.95 (I believe the shipping for these are approx $5).

The other retailer that I am leaning towards purchasing a kit from is MPEX. The kit is the Starving Student Wireless Kit (SW1) http://www.mpex.com/page.htm?PG=STROBIST%20SW1%20KIT and it comes with: Vivitar 285HV Flash, 8ft. Air Cushioned Light Stand, Cactus V2s Wireless Radio Slave set (Transmitter and Receiver), Westcott 43” Compact Umbrella - Soft Silver, Rosco Pro Color Correction Gel Pack,
DIY Grid/Barndoor/Snoot kit, CTA Ni-MH 2700mAh AA 4-pack Battery w/Charger, Bongo Elastic Ties (10 pack),Umbrella Swivel, Nano Gaffer Tape roll 1"x8yds. This kit is $219 (shipping ranges from approx $10 for UPS ground to $12 for USPS priority mail to $50 for UPS next day, they also have UPS 2 day air for approx $23, UPS 3 day select for approx $20 and USPS Express mail for approx $38).

All shipping costs I am giving you are approximates based on shipping to my zip code, your shipping cost may be more or less.

For the most part these kits are essentially the Scott Kelby Wedding /Portrait Location Lighting Setup http://www.scottkelby.com/blog/2008/archives/1124#comments . His budget location kit is a Flash, Lightstand, Translucent Umbrella, Hotshoe/Swivel mount, and the wireless flash trigger. Though for his kits he is using Canon and Nikon flashes and B&H as the source for everything. His kit totals $475 for the canon flash, and thats before you add in the cost of the wireless flash trigger (the Canon ST-E1 which is approx $210).

[crossmax03]

Good pair of walking shoes and a bigger memory card. Shoot LOTS!

AMEN!!

that's what i did

[bohdank]

I would say just go out and shoot. With time you will notice what you are "missing", if anything.

Good lenses always come first. A battery grip looks cool but, in your case, considering the price, should be well down on the list, imo. Buy a spare, third party, battery if you find you are running out of juice. Probably unlikely.

If anything, get more memory cards but you'll realize whether you need more, on your own.

[Mike R]

2 books, Learning to See Creativley and Understanding Exposure both by Bryan Peterson and published by Amphoto.

For gear, I would suggest that you get a sturdy tripod and maybe a cable release. If your budget allows it you should also get an external flash. As you improve your skills and determine what you like to shoot the most, you will realize what type of lenses you want

[KENLUDE97]

Tripods. now i'm NO expert so take this for what it is worth.

I bought a "cheap" maanfrotto(sp) tripod and head i spent about $150 from B&H. I wanted a taller one as i'm 6'1". They have one that i can look thru that i don't really have to extend the "neck". I can mount my XTi and 70-200F4 on it and it is very stable.

I went to FL to visit friends and i didn't take my Tripod (and i kick myself for not) and she had a nice walmart tripod, and wile the XTI and 70-200 were mounted the piviot "gaveway" it didn't break and the camera didn't fall but it could not support the weight of the setup. Just something to think about. :)

I LOVE my 430EX. I could not justify the cost of the 580 for a "hobbie"
Lots of memory is a good thing if you are out at a event (me cars and racing, weddings) but if you are pokingaround the house and with the kids then one card is all that you will really need. But a flash is usefull at the time exp with kids in the house and at partys and sporting events.

read lots and lots!

Good luck and congrats on your purschase.
have fun!