New Guy here looking for some common advice

[Kit Cloudkicker]

Hey guys, i've been parolling the sight for a while but finally managed to grab a username and start being active, I'm hoping to be picking up a rebel XSi with kit lens and a 50mm 1.4 lens within the next couple days, what would be the next thing everyone would recommend?

I was thinking about a grib because I've got decently large hands and dont want to be worried about dropping my XSi anywhere... for those of you with grips, how do you like them?

[JeffreyG]

There are two pieces of gear that are nearly indispensible and which newcomers resist buying for some reason. These are:
1. A decent tripod with quickrelease.
2. A flash that can be bounced.

These two items will do more for the average persons photography than a case of expensive lenses.

As for grips, I don't care for them much but it has been a while since I used a Rebel.

[Andrushka]

i'm all for a grip - it honestly helps me frame my portrait shots better... and on the rebels it gives you somewhere to put your ring and little finger!

[DStanic]

I think grips make the Rebel cameras feel much, much better. I haven't taken mine off since the day I bought it! As you mentioned they are great for several reasons:

1. Makes the camera easier/more comfortable to hold, doesn't feel like you are going to drop it.

2. You can attach a E-1 handstrap

3. Vertical shutter button

4. Extra battery power.

[SoundsGood]

Originally Posted by JeffreyG

There are two pieces of gear that are nearly indispensible and which newcomers resist buying for some reason. These are:
1. A decent tripod with quickrelease.
2. A flash that can be bounced.

These two items will do more for the average persons photography than a case of expensive lenses.

Count me in on the "resist buying" list for the tripod.

Can you explain why and when you use the tripod? Perhaps you'll convince some of us resisters.

[Kit Cloudkicker]

Originally Posted by JeffreyG

There are two pieces of gear that are nearly indispensible and which newcomers resist buying for some reason. These are:
1. A decent tripod with quickrelease.
2. A flash that can be bounced.

These two items will do more for the average persons photography than a case of expensive lenses.

As for grips, I don't care for them much but it has been a while since I used a Rebel.

i already have a decent tripod and will be buying a new one in the near future but as for the flash i was going to wait until i figured out the general settings and ins and outs of my camera before i had to learn all the functions of the flash

[PhotosGuy]

Can you explain why and when you use the tripod? Perhaps you'll convince some of us resisters.

Most of the time it stays in my trunk. But when I need it, I really NEED it. Your time will come, too.

[lungdoc]

Originally Posted by SoundsGood

Count me in on the "resist buying" list for the tripod.

Can you explain why and when you use the tripod? Perhaps you'll convince some of us resisters.

Several reasons I can think of
1) Long exposures - think night cityscapes, sunsets etc.
1a) Long lenses - even 1/250 is long if you've got a 500mm lens!
2) Making you stop and think - forces you to consider composition.
3) Group pictures where you want to be in it - think family pictures with self timer
4) Stitching/Multiple exposures/HDR - very hard to do without fixed camera position.
5) Lens or body testing...not very common but handy when you need it.
6) When you need ultimate sharpness..the 1/focal length rule is just an approximation for 8x10 prints, for true sharpness may need tripod or really fast speeds.

I'm sure there's more.

[sapearl]

I would have to agree with Jeff on this. An external flash will teach you a good deal about light, how to modify it, and use it creatively in a variety of different situations. It's amazing how bouncing it can give very pleasing, natural looking lighting when done properly.

As for tripods, I've lost track of how many I've purchased over the years. - I don't use grips either, but seem to be in the minority here. Stu.

Originally Posted by JeffreyG

There are two pieces of gear that are nearly indispensible and which newcomers resist buying for some reason. These are:
1. A decent tripod with quickrelease.
2. A flash that can be bounced.

These two items will do more for the average persons photography than a case of expensive lenses.

As for grips, I don't care for them much but it has been a while since I used a Rebel.

[polarbare]

Kit,

I have big hands and I never go anywhere without my grip attached. As a matter of fact, I don't think it's ever been off the camera since the day I bought it. If you don't mind the added weight it certainly helps people with larger hands IMO.

[sapearl]

I understand - makes sense in your case. I have midsize hands. I try to minimize the total weight since over the the course of an 8 - 12 hour wedding day things can get a little bit heavy.

Originally Posted by polarbare

Kit,

I have big hands and I never go anywhere without my grip attached. As a matter of fact, I don't think it's ever been off the camera since the day I bought it. If you don't mind the added weight it certainly helps people with larger hands IMO.

[Kit Cloudkicker]

all good stuff, i guess im wondering if there are any retail places that would let you test fit a grip to see how it feels, just seems like a big jump in money for something im not sure i would be completely happy with, money could be well spent other places

[JeffreyG]

Originally Posted by SoundsGood

Count me in on the "resist buying" list for the tripod.

Can you explain why and when you use the tripod? Perhaps you'll convince some of us resisters.

1. Macro, because rigging my flashes to work for macro actually takes more effort than using the tripod.
2. Quite a bit of formal portrait work. I have a tough space to work in and so I kind of need to keep the camera in one place relative to subject, lights, background and stuff to make the shots work. Tripod and re-checking is part of the process there.
3. Landscape stuff. I'm not much of a landscape shooter, but I make vacation books each year for both extended families from our trips together. I include a lot of scene shots in those books because they are places we all experienced together. Anyway, about half of this stuff needs a tripod to be shot.
4. Along with (3), I usually include a group shot of the whole extended family and they kind of want me to be in it too.

I don't use a tripod all the time (and probably not as often as I should) but when you need one there isn't really any other way around it.

If you can stand the weight something like the Manfrotto 055 or 190 plus a 486RC2 head won't break the bank and it stable enough.

[neilwood32]

I would resist buying the 50mm f1.4 for the moment unless you have a dying need for low light photography that requires it.

I would agree with buying the flash. It is invaluable and useable in all kinds of photography.

If you have big hands then a grip is unbelievably useful. Mine never comes off!

[Kit Cloudkicker]

that seems to be a little steep for my price range right now, im newer to this photography stuff and dont want to spend way too much and eventually fall out... does anyone know anything about this canon tripod? its relatively cheap and it's canon so i was just assuming it was decent, not the professional grade everyone here is used to but thats just not what i need yet.