Upgrading to EOS, which accessories?

[Jerrytrebec33]

I'm now pretty sure I'm going to be upgrading to the Canon EOS 300D Digital Rebel Camera. What accessories do I need if any? I have a tripod and stuff like that already. I was thinking if anyone could provide me some links to nice camera bags. Also what is the difference between a compact flash card and a high speed card? Which one do you think will do? Also what about an extra battery? Thank you for all of your help!

Sorry one more thing lol, anyone have any opinions about the kit lens? I'm thiking of mabey getting the 50/1.8 or 1.4.. Thanks

[markubig]

at least 1 extra CF card and 1 xtra battery. Have a look at this thread:
http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=63878

As far as the 50mm's, I've owned both and they're both sharp. The 1.4 is slightly better IMHO, but i don't think it's 3x better, as the price is 3x as much as the 1.8. the 1.4 is also built better than the 1.8. the 1.4 has USM and the the 1.8 doesn't. I sold my 1.4 because i didn't use it enough to warrant keeping it around. Ended up getting a 1.8 a couple months ago and I'm just as happy with it's performance.

oh, and for $100, you can't go wrong with the kit lens. It's gives you a wide-angle and decent picture, especially when it's stopped down.

[tim]

You'll mainly need a lens(s) and memory card(s), though you can easily spend as much money as you want on camera gear.

CompactFlash cards area standard type of card, "high speed" isn't a card type at all. Sandisk Ultra II/Extreme cards, or Lexar 80X cards are popular. You could get away with slower cards for the 300D because it doesn't take advantage of the really fast cards, but you'd notice the faster cards on your PC when download images. Try and get a USB 2 high speed card reader, it'll make life a lot easier.

Get extra batteries from http://sterlingtek.com , they're cheap ($11), perform very well, and seem reliable to me. Good merchant too.

The 50/1.8 lens is famous for being cheap, fast (ie 1.8 is a wide aperture), and great value. The 1.4 is better (faster, faster focusing, better built) but it's not 3X better, which is what it costs.

For a general lens consider the Tamron 28-75 F2.8, it's what I use and it rarely leaves my camera.

The kit lens is cheap wide angle lens, and that's about all I can say for it. It's a good starter lens and at what it costs it's worth getting, but I use the Tamron over it every time.

There are so many bags available the best option is to walk into a local camera store and look around. If you can't do that google LowePro (what I use) and Tamrac.

Hope that helps.

[Jerrytrebec33]

Does the type of memory card have any effect on the actuall picture or just the transfer time?

[S230]

Does the type of memory card have any effect on the actuall picture or just the transfer time?
It's the transfer time. Stick with name brands becasue if you are using it a lot and with a large memory, the last thing you need is memory failure.

[symes]

Though you don't need the battery pack I think it is one of the best items I purchased with my drebel. Having full contol of the funtions in the portrait and landscape mode has been amazing...

[skyphix]

I second the bigger memory card and second battery.

I know, for me, I wasn't really comfortable using my 300D until I had the battery grip (BG-E1)... but now its a dream. Then again, I have big monkey hands.

[Jerrytrebec33]

lol well I don't have "big monkey hands", hehe but it still might be usefull.. Thanks for all the advice so far..

[symes]

Then again, I have big monkey hands.

I don't have big Monkey hands and I love it...adds weight but well worth it...

[hedphonz]

i would agree with the remark about the battery grip. it's a lot of fun and well worth the money. i would also reccomned the 28-105 USM or the 28-135 USM IS just cause they are amazing walk around lenses and have great quality for the money. not nearly as big of a deal as teh 1.8, though well worth the money.

[DocFrankenstein]

You may need a new tripod
Grip
Flash
Extension tubes
Lightstand for the flash, reflector
Lenses
Extra batteries
Portable storage for CF cards

What kind of shooting are you gonna do?

[ed2day]

I would emphasize the flash if you do indoor photography. As for the kit lens, it's cheap and wide as Tim said, and I might add that it's lightweight. But it's noticeably worse than any of my other lenses, and I knew I wouldn't be happy with it for long. Unlike the cheap 50mm which is a keeper. However I've seen great shots taken with the kit lens--much better than anything I've taken.

[lucasdigital]

I'm now pretty sure I'm going to be upgrading to the Canon EOS 300D Digital Rebel Camera. What accessories do I need if any? I have a tripod and stuff like that already. I was thinking if anyone could provide me some links to nice camera bags. Also what is the difference between a compact flash card and a high speed card? Which one do you think will do? Also what about an extra battery? Thank you for all of your help!

Sorry one more thing lol, anyone have any opinions about the kit lens? I'm thiking of mabey getting the 50/1.8 or 1.4.. Thanks

At the terrible risk of sounding glib - A CAR!

I don't drive and I can tell you now, there isn't a better accessory for your camera! :-)

A more serious suggest - "A Number 1" a skylight filter to protect your glass
A cleaning kit. Don't worry about the high speed cards unless you plan to do a lot of "burst" shooting. Size should be your first consideration.