still new to photography... must haves?

[jjaenagle]

hey guys.. i am still trying to grow my collection and i dont have that much. Can you guys give me some must haves? i am not looking into getting the best and i dont have too much money but as i go along i would like to keep adding.

I like to do all types of photography, mostly outdoor or nature or buildings.... walking around and taking pictures mostly and some indoors of parties and what not.

Anyways, right now here is my list

Canon XSI with 18-55mm IS Kit lens
NIFTY
Camera bag (i would like to get a different kind but no rush)
extra battery
Cleaning kits
and some books
old velbon tripod... (it fell on me once and is missing parts. i would like to get a newer cheap one so if you have suggestions please let me know)
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What i plan on adding next to my list... in no particular order

430 EX
canon 55-250mm
Maybe a good wide angle lens?


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Thats all i really want.. i would like to just have one good walkaround lens that goes from like 18-200 or something like that but i dont have that kind of money and i would want some with good IQ

[Diesel_Dog]

I like to do all types of photography, mostly outdoor or nature or buildings.... walking around and taking pictures mostly and some indoors of parties and what not.


My vote would be for a new tripod that won't break or fall over on you. Good ones don't come cheap, expect to spend $200- 300

[Laramie]

Ultra-wide angle like a Sigma 10-20 or Canon 10-22 would be nice, but your kit lens should get you by for a while.

Another vote for a tripod. Check out something like a Manfrotto 055xprob and 488 head. Or if you want something lighter, get the Velbon 530 carbon fiber from Best Buy. Best Buy sells it for $80 cheaper than B&H and it's a great, lightweight tripod.

Also look into getting a nice remote like the Canon RC1. Goes for about $20 and is real handy.

[jjaenagle]

thanks... is that remote wireless? I actually have a couple parts to make one myself... just need to solder it together but i do plan on getting the cheaper wireless remote.

i'll look at some tripods.

[Laramie]

Yep that's a wireless. It's pretty small too. When I had my XTi I found it very handy. But it doesn't work on my 40D.

[jjaenagle]

ok... well thanks for that! Now i really want to get a new tripod lol... what do you think is the lowest price someone (i) should go a tripod?

I think carbon fiber is too expensive for me and i dont want to go with the cheapest carbon fiber one i can find, but some of the manfrottos seem ok.. i dont want to be too picky about a tripod but right now, i would want one that will work and be semi portable.

i think 200-300 seems like its a fair price for nice tripods, but im still in the stage where i had a hard time picking up a nifty lol!

I would probably purchase a used new model tripod to have a nice tripod but still spend little.. Would that be safe if i got it from trusted people?

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sorry guys, i didnt think that "what you pay is what you get" means EVERYTHING regarding photography :)

[Diesel_Dog]

the Manfrotto 055prob and 488RC2 ballhead is the most recommended tripod on here (and for a good reason). Check the tripod sticky and come back if you have any questions. http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=53864

Investing in the best now will save you money and problems in the future.

[jjaenagle]

ok thanks for all the help on the tripods... i really like that setup above... i will keep looking into it. Would you say that the rest of the list is ok for now? Do you have any suggestions on a few lens filters that will help? Im not really sure what to look for in this area but i have taken a couple pictures where people have said that a filter would make the clouds come out and the trees look less overexposed...

[Laramie]

The Manfrotto 055 is highly regarded but if you want something lighter, I really liked the Velbon at Best Buy. It's only $199. Pretty reasonable for a name brand carbon fiber tripod. It does has a 3 way head instead of a ball head, but it's still very usable.

I've owned both the Velbon 530 and the Manfrotto 055. Both were nice, the MAnfrotto was MUCH heavier but also a little sturdier.

Diesel_Dog has hit the nail on the head. Buy the right stuff once and you'll only have to buy it once. I made this mistake with tripods. Don't waste money on junk, you will regret it and soon want to upgrade.

[Laramie]

Would you say that the rest of the list is ok for now? Do you have any suggestions on a few lens filters that will help? Im not really sure what to look for in this area but i have taken a couple pictures where people have said that a filter would make the clouds come out and the trees look less overexposed...

Rest of list looks good. Not sure what cleaning kit you have, but a rocket blower comes in real handy not just for sensor cleaning, but also for blowing off dust from lenses, filters, etc.

For what you're talking about with the clouds, you're looking at either a Circular Polarizer or some Graduated Neutral Density filters. Again, like tripods, you get what you pay for. Not sure the exact price for a filter for your kit lens, but a decent one is going to be $50 and up. But you could always get a cheapo from best buy and see if you like it. Nothing wrong in that.

Graduated Neutral Density filters are expensive and you need adapter rings and a holder and it gets pricey :(

[DDCSD]

I'd personally get the 430EX first.

For filters, if you're into landscapes, a GND set and a CPL is great to have.

The place for GND's is 2filter.com great prices and good products. The HiTech kit is what I own.
http://www.2filter.com/prices/htpackages.html

For CPL's, I got my Hoya Pro-1 from www.hvstar.net . They ship from Hong Kong and take about 10-14 days to get to the States, but you'll save a ton of cash buying from them.

[Laramie]

The place for GND's is 2filter.com great prices and good products. The HiTech kit is what I own.
http://www.2filter.com/prices/htpackages.html

This is where I got mine. I'm using a Lee 4x4 holder, Lee adapter ring and HiTech GND's.

[dicktay]

Lens hoods and circular polariser.
Then a good tripod with a remote.

[jjaenagle]

ok thanks guys! OK so i think my list next 3 purchases will be flash, 55-150mm IS and tripod and then work on the the other accessories...

For the cleaning stuff, i have a rocket blower and then just a basic lens cleaning kit from the local camera shop...

[SuzyView]

I don't know. This is hard to answer because it really depends how often you take pictures and whether indoors or outdoors, or sports or portraits. I know I bought the 85 1.8 right away reading the reviews as portraits and indoor sports were what I shot. And I have never regretted it. Then it was the extra memory and filters, etc. From what I've noticed, the 55-150 is good, but consider how you shoot and read all the reviews. If purchases are listed in order of priority, you'll have something good to look forward to.

[SwtSarina]

If I plan on getting a cicular polarizer filter...do I also need a UV filter??

[Diesel_Dog]

If I plan on getting a cicular polarizer filter...do I also need a UV filter??

What do you need the UV filter for? If its for protection, you may not need it at all. Many have found that a hood offers good protection (myself included). Although it can't really protect from water/sea spray like a UV filter could.

UV filters and CPL's are quite different. UV's are often used for protection. CPL's are used to bring out blue's in the sky, as well as greens and can cut thru reflections caused by water/light.

[SwtSarina]

I want it for protection but I also want my pictures to pop.

So not sure if I should just get a polarizer only or a UV AND a polarizer.

[Diesel_Dog]

UV will do nothing to help the pop. CPL (polarizer) will.

[brecklundin]

you can get the 055XPROB for a nice price with free shipping:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=pagination&A=nextPage&Q=&catId=0&compareCatId=0&shs=055xprob&ci=0&ac=&atl=&mnp=0.0&mxp=0.0&cmpsrch=&cltp=&clsgr=&bl=&sb=ps&sq=desc&sortDrop=Relevance&fi=all&iso=Y&pn=2&image.x=9&image.y=8

Also if you have Amazon Prime, at Amazon it's about the same price but with free 2nd day delivery.