What to buy next?

[doublehmom]

I got my 40d, 28-135, 50 mm 1.8 II, my alien bees, photoshop elements, black and white backdrop, speedlite 580 exII, tripod with ball head and I am so excited~my husband on the the other hand isn' t that thrilled because he is the one with the job and paid for it. Anyway, I use my equipment mainly to take pics of my kids but what else do you all think I need to buy? I need some advice on lenses again, what should I buy now~I just need it mainly to take pics of my kids, no landscapes or anything like that. Can I add anything else do you think I will need? Do you think I need to invest in a quality printer (really like the epson ones) or just take card to Wal-mart and have prints made? Anyway, I am still learning but have been fortunate and blessed to be able to buy stuff.

[binlerne]

Depending on what you think you'll need a new lens for. You have the gear for taking portraits, and the 50mm 1.8 is decent for it. But if you want something better, maybe the 85mm 1.8 or even the 1.2L version if your husband will let you. :D If you feel you need a better lens for taking action shots of the kids, perhaps something with some more reach like the 55-250 IS, or again, if you husband will allow it, the 70-200 F4/2.8 (IS or non-IS).

Of course the lenses you have now will most likely do the job and get you results that you will be happy with. If you want to spend the money on a good printer, that's up to you. Are you okay with entrusting printing to Wal-mart or Costco, or even a professional printing company? If you want to do it all yourself, and maybe even make some extra money taking pictures of family/friends kids, then you could get a printer.

As far as studio gear I think a shoot through umbrella and stand or some reflectors/soft boxes might help you out as well. Again, it depends on exactly what you want to do with your photography and what you can (or your husband) can afford. Don't buy gear out of want, buy it out of necessity. (Something we all, including myself :D should take into account).

[L.Morey]

Get the Epsom 1900

[neilwood32]

I think you have all the gear you need at the moment. GAS (gear aquisition syndrome) is a problem and occasionally you need to stand back and think do i need more?

Printing wise, Im a Pimxa Pro9000 user and love it but if your not printing regularly or large, you might be as well taking them to Costco (who do a great job!).

[irishman]

Just start using the stuff you have. Maybe you don't need anything else.

[jgoodstein]

a new husband that doesn't complain?;)

I hear tons about the 85mm lens that may be a nice option for you. Mostly you should just master what you have. I did the same thing as you bought so much and then got overwhelmed by trying to learn it all at once, now i spend a few weeks focusing on each thing and trying to add each new skill or lesson to my repertoire. The printer I would hold off on, unless you are printing a lot. especially since the cost per print can't beat the cost for online stores, drug stores, even the costco/sams, etc.

[DStanic]

If you don't know what you need, hold on to the money until you find something that you wish you could buy, or if you have a specific purpose in mind.

If you want to take pics of your kids and want a fast zoom, get a 17-55 f/2.8 or something along those lines. f/2.8 zooms go a LONG ways.

As far as printers go- I have an Epson RX595. It's good quality (nice and sharp) but I can never get the colors right and have run out of ink playing with ICC profiles and different papers. Some of my friends who know nothing about photography got better results then me with their cheap Canon printers.

[hms209]

Go for a 24-105mm L IS Does it all

[[Hyuni]]

I think you already have all the tools you need to take photos of your children...
Don't buy things just for the sake of adding to your 'collection'.

Maybe in the future you could replace your zoom lens, but if you find it to be good enough for now, why fix something that ain't broken? :)