Got My First DSLR. What Accessories Should I Get?

The DSLR is a Canon EOS 600D (Rebel T3i). It came with an 18-55mm lens, a 55mm-250mm lens, and an 8GB Class 10 SDHC Card.

I would love to do portraits, landscape, macro, etc.

Already on my list:

• An Extra Battery
  
• Canon 50mm f/1.8 Lens
  
• 49" Tripod
  
• Remote Shutter Release
  
• Wireless Shutter Release
  
• Kata 3N1-20 Backpack
  
• Speedlite
  
• 16GB SDHC Class 10 SD Card
  
• BlackRapid Classic Strap
  
• Lens Hood
  
• Rocket Air Blaster
  

I was in the same boat as you a few months ago. I'd say in the following order:

1. Backpack or sling
2. Lens hood
3. Rocket blaster and lens pen
4. Tripod
5. Flash

Understanding Exposure

The Photographers Eye

Light, Science and Magic

Battery grip and a tripod that with the head comes to about 3/4" below your eye-level.

I mean 3-4" not 3/4" lol

Consider using your existing lenses for awhile before buying a 50 1.8. You already have that focal length covered for now. You may find that rather than desiring a 50 1.8 which doesn't have IS, you may want to upgrade everything to F2.8 with IS, which gives you more stops of light than 1.8 without IS.

Not sure that a lens hood for the 18-55 does anything.

You will eventually need a sensor cleaner, consider Copper Hill, and watch their videos on how to clean the sensor.

Lightroom and Photoshop

If you're going to buy a tripod, buy a good one. Carbon fiber only. Consider Feisol.

Best accessory I bought when I jumped into photography a couple years ago was...

Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson.

After that: correct height, good, stable, tripod and a remote release of some sort.

Scatterbrained wrote in post #15125515
Understanding Exposure

The Photographers Eye

Light, Science and Magic

+1.

Photographicify wrote in post #15125490
The DSLR is a Canon EOS 600D (Rebel T3i). It came with an 18-55mm lens, a 55mm-250mm lens, and an 8GB Class 10 SDHC Card.

I would love to do portraits, landscape, macro, etc.

Already on my list:

• An Extra Battery
  
• Canon 50mm f/1.8 Lens
  
• 49" Tripod
  
• Remote Shutter Release
  
• Wireless Shutter Release
  
• Kata 3N1-20 Backpack
  
• Speedlite
  
• 16GB SDHC Class 10 SD Card
  
• BlackRapid Classic Strap
  
• Lens Hood
  
• Rocket Air Blaster
  

What else should I get?

If you plan on shooting macro and don't plan on buying a macro lens, you'll need to purchase something to reduce the minimum focusing distance of the lens(es) you listed. I'd recommend a Kenko extension tube set. There is a learning curve associated with using these macro tubes, but once you get the hang of it, you'll be addicted showing off your new-found love for photography. Read the stickies at the top of the Macro Talk section and don't hesitate to ask questions.

Sounds like great advice so far. Just a heads-up on the Kata 3N1-20 - it's a great bag. I bought one a few months back, but they are discontinued by Kata. That means you can pick up a brand new one real cheap as they are discounted by most retailers. I got mine from Henrys at a deep discount.

I like the couple things I have on my T2i:

Battery grip and the eyepiece extender. Love both!

Scatterbrained wrote in post #15125515
Understanding Exposure

The Photographers Eye

Light, Science and Magic

+2

and a tripod and flash.

Seapup wrote in post #15126254
If you plan on shooting macro and don't plan on buying a macro lens..... I'd recommend a Kenko extension tube set.

I was going to say the same thing.

You've already got "speedlite" on your list. I'd put that near the top as well.

Photographicify wrote in post #15125490
The DSLR is a Canon EOS 600D (Rebel T3i). It came with an 18-55mm lens, a 55mm-250mm lens, and an 8GB Class 10 SDHC Card.

I would love to do portraits, landscape, macro, etc.

Already on my list:

• An Extra Battery
  
• Canon 50mm f/1.8 Lens
  
• 49" Tripod
  
• Remote Shutter Release
  
• Wireless Shutter Release
  
• Kata 3N1-20 Backpack
  
• Speedlite
  
• 16GB SDHC Class 10 SD Card
  
• BlackRapid Classic Strap
  
• Lens Hood
  
• Rocket Air Blaster
  

What else should I get?

Good list. Go for the speedlight + 50 1.8 first. Save up for a solid tripod. All the other small accessories you can buy as you need.

Photographicify wrote in post #15125490
The DSLR is a Canon EOS 600D (Rebel T3i). It came with an 18-55mm lens, a 55mm-250mm lens, and an 8GB Class 10 SDHC Card.

I would love to do portraits, landscape, macro, etc.

Already on my list:

• An Extra Battery
  
• Canon 50mm f/1.8 Lens
  
• 49" Tripod
  
• Remote Shutter Release
  
• Wireless Shutter Release
  
• Kata 3N1-20 Backpack
  
• Speedlite
  
• 16GB SDHC Class 10 SD Card
  
• BlackRapid Classic Strap
  
• Lens Hood
  
• Rocket Air Blaster
  

What else should I get?

Some sort of bag, first. I have the 3N1-20, and it is a good bag, especially if discounted. See if you can pick up the optional tripod holder at the same time - it is designed to fit the 3N1. I also have a small toploader bag for short outings - cheap and very handy for body plus one lens, fast and easy access (i.e. you can use it instead of carrying your camera around on a sling strap - slightly slower but more protective of your camera).

You don't need a remote until you buy a tripod. Do some research before you buy a tripod - there are a lot of options out there, and you will save yourself a lot of money if you buy one that fits your needs first up. Same for straps - some love BR, some don't like that it hitches on the tripod mount - get a feel for what type of strap (or system - some have interchangeable straps and hitches - e.g. Optech - v handy) you like.

Lens hoods are a must, and 3rd party ones are dirt cheap ($3 or so) on ebay.

You'll probably need extra memory before you need an extra battery - you probably won't need an extra battery unless you are going on long shoots without being able to charge - like multiday hikes - so the extra battery can wait.

I would buy a speedlite before the 50mm for low light work, but it's so cheap that you may be able to throw it into another purchase!

I use my rocket blaster (my coolest looking accessory, by far) more than my lenspen, but they are both useful. Also get some microfibre cloths - handy to keep in your bag.

And I second reading Understanding Exposure and The Photographer's Eye.