Help! Newbie buying canon d60 for wife-what else?

[MatrixViper]

Hey folks! I have a huge question for you photo pros/hobbyists out there....I know absolutely nothing about cameras, but my wife is a bit of a camera buff who has been entertaining thoughts of possibly trying out her skills with a wedding or two. Anywho, I just purchased a Canon D60 for her with a 28-80 lens (on a recommendation) and my questions are many....Like, what other lenses/flashes/overall accessories do you folks recommend - things that you would say are the most useful with the canon d60?

I have a limited budget at this point and ask that if you had like $250 to spend, what would be the first accessories/lenses/flashes that you would go after - prioritize....Thank you soo much in advance for your anticipated assistance :)

I will eagerly await your responses.

[Bob_A]

Maybe you could sell the 28-80 and buy the Tamron 28-75 f2.8 XR Di. I would think you could get about $50-60 for the 28-80. In the end this would put you about $50 over your budget.

Otherwise you could pick up the 50mm f1.8 ($75) and some CF cards (1 GB Sandisk Ultra II CF cards are about $90 each) and a card reader ($20).

So many choices ... all depends on what she already has and what she wants to do! :D I would think if she wants to do wedding though she will need a good flash like the Canon 580 EX ($390), which will put you over your budget.

[MatrixViper]

Bob,

thanks for the input...Right now, the only thing i have for her is the 28-80 lens and the canon d60. I do have a question for you, and please understand that I may actually be slightly retarded when it comes to understanding photography things :(, but, why would i get rid of a 28-80 for a 28-75...wouldn't the 28-80 be a better lens? please don't hurt me :(

I like the ideas about the flash cards....and what is the 50mm lens used for and why is it not given a range like the 28-80? I feel like an idiot asking these questions, but, if the only way for an idiot to learn is by asking :)

Btw, I have been researching the 540EX Speedlite - any good?

[Bob_A]

I'll try to be gentle :lol:

Almost any lens can give pretty good result if the user knows its capabilities. Some lenses like the Tamron 28-75 are sharp almost at every f-stop, while some lenses like the Canon 28-80 are pretty soft wide open. I'm assuming that the 28-80 you have is a Canon, such as the Canon 28-80 f3.5-5.6 USM II, III, IV or V. It isn't a horrible lens (had one with a film camera kit I purchased several years ago), but something like the Tamron will be a very big improvement.

Here is a link to a review site that shows user reviews of standard zooms:

http://www.photozone.de/active/survey/querylenstxt.jsp?filter=%22brand='Canon%20EF'%20OR %20brand='Sigma%20AF'%20OR%20brand='Tamron%20AF'%2 0or%20brand='Tokina%20AF'%20or%20brand='Vivitar%20 AF'%22

If the link doesn't work, go to www.photozone.de then select Photo Equipment Tests, User performance Surveys (Canon EOS Lenses), select Standard Zooms in the output filter and sort by performance.

For every lens I've used so far I have found the Photozone site to give a pretty accurate assessment.


The 50mm is a fixed focal length lens called a prime lens, not a zoom, which is why there is only one number. It's a fast lens (f1.8 ), so it makes a nice lens for taking images in lower light situations without a flash. Also, lenses with a wider aperature (smaller f-stop number) are capable of producing a very small depth of field which is nice for when you want to isolate the subject from the background (i.e., subject sharp, background blurred). The 50mm f1.8 can be a nice, very inexpensive portrait lens.

[MatrixViper]

Bob,

Thank you terribly for taking the time to speak to a wretched one such as myself ;)

It's amazing, but, i actually can understand what you are saying - dare i say it, i believe i am l-e-a-r-n-i-n-g :D

seriously though, when you put in about the canon 50mm, i did do a quick froogle and ebay on it and i found the prices to be excruciatingly wide open and than i realized that you were speaking of the f1.8, not the f1.4. The F1.4 is EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE (sigh), the F1.8 is definitely in my ballpark - I am not sure what the .4 difference really makes, but it surely makes it EXTREMELY MORE EXPENSIVE :O

I am going to buy a 50mm F1.8 under your advice - btw, bob, what do you think about flashes? is the 540ex or 580ex really going to make such a difference, and if so, is there a "starter model" that i may be able to pick up for around $150? Thanks again :D

[Johnny Thunder]

you could check out the Sigma 500 DG Super on Ebay, they run +/- $200, and are comparable to the Canon 550EX, just a lot cheaper. Pick up a diffuser for it. Reason being is with a bare flash, it tends to create HARSH shadows, with a diffuser, it softens the shadows and gives a more natural looking light. For a diffuser, I went the ultra cheap route, and cut a square off of my shopping bag from the local store, and taped it over the flash, works GREAT (and its the best price, FREE!)

I just picked up a 50 1.8, its a great lens, espcially for the price!

-Johnny

[Bob_A]

Can't help you too much with flash. I have a Canon 420EX which is a pretty decent flash and is powerful enough for my needs right now. Sigma has a flash that is about the same price as the 420EX, but is quite a bit more powerful and has more features:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=352101&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

I know the "Super" version works with ETTL II (used on newer Canon cameras), but I know nothing about the other Sigma flash. There are a few people here that are flash guru's ... so hopefully one of them will chime in to give you some better advice.

[joeseph]

The other benefit you'll find with a F 1.8 apeture is the autofocus will work better as there's more light getting thru to the sensors - useful in low light situations like at weddings where you may not be allowed to use flash anyway.

p.s. D60 is a great camera! I've only recently sold mine for a 20D

[nosquare2003]

I would say an external flash. D60 is not good at autofocus under low light. Canon EX flashes have an near-infrared beam which improves a lot in autofocus in low light. Well, some other dedicated flashes may also have such autofocus assist beam.

[MatrixViper]

Folks, thank you all very deeply for your input :D

Please keep'em coming...i am pretty sure now that I will try to get my hands on a 50mm 1.8, possibly that 500 that fella referred to on eBay (although I may need plans for the "customized diffuser" ;) )it does sound like the external flash thing is pretty important too...I may have to rethink my $250 budget though :)

keep this fantastic input coming and thanks to all of you for the assistance :)

[Andy_T]

Viper,

be aware that there is no 540 EX flash.
There is an older 540 EZ flash ... but this will not work at the D60. If you want to buy a Canon flash, it has to be EX.

With the Sigma flash, make sure to get the 500 DG SUPER, the difference to the normal (non-super) version is important.

Best regards,
Andy

[Bob_A]

Viper,

be aware that there is no 540 EX flash.
There is an older 540 EZ flash ... but this will not work at the D60. If you want to buy a Canon flash, it has to be EX.

With the Sigma flash, make sure to get the 500 DG SUPER, the difference to the normal (non-super) version is important.

Best regards,
Andy

Hi Andy,

Does it have to be "Super" for ETTL or just for ETTL II? I thought the less expensive non-Super Sigma flash worked for ETTL.

[Andy_T]

E-TTL II is a function of the camera, not the flash unit.

Take a look at the Sigma UK site for a comparison of the 2 units:
http://www.sigma-imaging-uk.com/flash/index.htm

The main differences, IMO, are the possibility to use the DG 500 ST Super as master or slave (500 ST only slave) and the high-speed flash synchronization that allows faster shutter speeds than 1/250 s with flash on the Canon EX series and the Sigma 500 Super.

Best regards,
Andy

[Bob_A]

It is mportant to note that some flashes do not work with ETTL/ETTL II, although as you pointed out the new Sigma ones do.

For ETTL and ETTL II to work the flash has to be compatible. Depending on the camera body, Canon EX flashes give TTL, ETTL or ETTL II autoflash metering. EZ flashes will provide A-TTL metering with EOS film bodies, but not with EOS DSLR's.

I don't know anything about the Sigma flashes, but your link to the Sigma site is really useful, and as you pointed out, the main difference between the DG ST and the DG Super are the additional features for the "Super" version.

[bauerman]

Great choice on the camera for your wife - NOTHING wrong with a D60...........great camera to learn on......

[MatrixViper]

first off i want to sincerely thank all of you who imparted fantastic wisdom upon me; secondly i wanted to inform you all that i purchased a 50mm/1.8 lens SPECIFICALLY due to your advice and i will keep all of you posted on her reaction to these surprises...with that said, i do have one last set of questions for all of you:

1. what do you think of the 420EX series speedlites? my budget will not allow for one of the 500 series at this point in time, but i would like to know if i could get away with getting her a 420ex for now should i save up for one of the 500 series?
1 (a) What is a stofeni omnibounce and is it as useful as some say?

2. i now have a 50mm & a 28-80 for her - should i pick up an 18-55? or another useful lens?

3. how important are lens hoods and uv/polarized/etc filters and can you recommend a particular one for starting? i hear the brand hoya thrown out there alot.

lastly, if you folks think im missing anything else please let me know.

fyi, my wife takes 100s of portraits both indoor under florescent and outdoor - she is considering trying her hand with weddings as an apprentice-so she is "avid" with regards to her love for it, just until now she hasnt had the tools necessary to truly unlock her potential & hopefully the d60 will be a step in the right direction :)

[CRE@TE]

The Canon EF-S 18-55 will not work with that camera. I'm not sure about the Sigma ones.

[Trumper]

Get a filter for the lens if for no other reason than to protect your lens glass.Lens hoods will also protect the lens and stop the flare from a bright light source.
Make sure she has plenty of memory cards and batteries ,don't forget those.

[zacker]

the omni bounce is a 'cover" that goes over the head of the speed lite to diffuse the flash... a good purchase, esp. usefull where there is nowhere to 'bounce" your flash off.. IE ceiling or wall!
whats the budget like.... we love buying new gear!..lol
good luck.
-zacker-

[MatrixViper]

The Canon EF-S 18-55 will not work with that camera. I'm not sure about the Sigma ones.

thanks for the heads up on that one - thats one less thing to look at ;)

[MatrixViper]

Get a filter for the lens if for no other reason than to protect your lens glass.Lens hoods will also protect the lens and stop the flare from a bright light source.
Make sure she has plenty of memory cards and batteries ,don't forget those.

if i can only afford to buy one - should it be a filter or a lens hood...also, can you recommend a specific manufacturer/type of filter (ie polar/uv/etc)?

thanks again :)

[MatrixViper]

the omni bounce is a 'cover" that goes over the head of the speed lite to diffuse the flash... a good purchase, esp. usefull where there is nowhere to 'bounce" your flash off.. IE ceiling or wall!
whats the budget like.... we love buying new gear!..lol
good luck.
-zacker-

zack, the budget has dwindled greatly since the purchase of the camera + 50mm lens + books :) hopefully i can pick up one more >$100 item and that will be about it :(

[cdesperado]

Everyone has commented on the tech stuff already, so I will pass on that. YOu mentioned she wanted to do wedding photography. I would strongly encourage her to fully master that camera , lighting, and composition before she even thinks about doing wedding photography. (She will also need a LOT of memory cards and extra battery packs.)

With all that said, it would be best to work as a pro's assistant for at least a year.