XT Accessories

Well I finally ordered my first DSLR yesterday. I got this 350D package from buydig.com. My question now is, what other items are neccessities? Are there things I should get now, or should I wait until I have a little experience with it? I will mainly be shooting sports. MX and maybe try some skiing. Thanks.

Looks like you have everything you need to get going; Canon don't include a CompactFlash card, but the bundle does, also it includes a card reader which really is a must.


If you're interested in sports, you will almost certainly land up wanting a faster (wider aperture) lens than the kit lens included in the bundle, and that lens will almost certainly have a longer focal length than 55mm. There's no point deciding on a lens purchase until you've got the camera and tried it out. Many of the popular lenses for serious sports shooters will cost you rather more than the camera did, but there are, depending on what you want to shoot, some good choices that don't need to break the bank.

A lens hood may help - but it's questionable whether it's worth getting a hood for the kit lens, especially if you find yourself upgrading it fairly soon or not using it much. I didn't even bother getting the kit lens with my 20D, because I knew I wasn't going to use it.

David

Thanks. I think I'll be upgrading lenses soon, especially with the triple rebate. I know I'm gonna need at least a nice zoom. I figured that I'll wait for a little while on that though. My other question is about bags. The kit I got comes with a holster, but I want a bag that I can take around with me to hold my camera and probably 2 or 3 lenses. I don't want anything too big, but I want something weatherproof. Any suggestions?

I'm using the Lowepro Toploader 75AW that's in the sticky thread here. It works really well with my setup (20D, BG-E2 grip and either an EF 24-70mm f/2.8L with the hood forward, or an EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS with the hood reversed). The AW cover is pretty good. It can make a powerful setup with lens cases on the side - because you have the option to take the lenses or not.

If you're not going to buy a grip, and you're not going for such big lenses, you may want a Toploader than the 75AW.

However, if you want something more conventional, there's other products in the Lowepro range that are worth a look, also good products from other companies, such as Tamrac and Crumpler. Bags are a very personal thing.

David

Anyone else?

Click here for tons of insight to various bags, some serious some just in fun, but you will see lots of different bags.

Depending on where you are Blacks/Astral (Canada) has a sweet deal on the Lowepro Edge 300 for $20 CDN. Don't know if there are any still around.
Great little bag, holds my XT w/kit lens , 90-300 zoom and room for another lens, along with extra batteries, flash cards, A75, cleaning kit etc.

Wayne

I just bought a Lowpro EX 180 to go with my 350D w/battery grip. It's a big cube and isn't weather proof but is suitable for my needs. Room for the kit lens and two more along with my flash, cables and charger.

I have the Lowepro Offtrail 2. It holds my XT with my 70-200 lens attached. Also it is modular so I can add on to it as my needs change.