What do I need to get yet?

i just purchased the Canon 8MP EOS Digital Rebel XT w/ 18-55 mm Lens. I am shooting indoors at parties. what else should I invest in? I will also be shooting a Church directory. Any help will be MUCH appriciated!!

Brenda

I'm assuming you have a flash unit of some sort, since you're shooting a church directory. If so, the Canon 17-40L or the Tamron 17-50 would be good choices. Should you wish to go the prime lens route, the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 might be of interest to you.

I would think that a flash, tripod and shutter release cord might be good additions at this point.

Today I purchased a strobe with a combination umbrella with silver and gold inserts that also has a soft box capabilities. I am an extreme novice when it comes to most of the terminoligy, so may I assume the strobe is the flash? and I have the tripod for the camara, but the stand for the strobe, is it the same as for the camara, as in just buy a second tripod?

As you can see it comes with an 18-55 mm lens, what others should I consider? Canon offers a 28-105 and a 55-200mm, and what would I use the other lenses for? What would I be shooting to require them? Or do you think the 18-55 is suffient for the Directory? I know there are so many questions, but I work in a national company point and shoot studio that I do not have to do any adjustments for.

Your gonna need a 8-10 foot light stand and a way to synch the light to the camera. The XT doesnt have a sync port so you will need a hotshoe to PC adapter like a wein safe sync (your light should have come with a PC cord) or a radio slave set up, mount the transmitter to the hotshoe and the reciever to your strobe. This will fire the strobe when the shutter opens. Max sync shutter speed is 250th of a second I believe maybe 200th. So keep it at that or slower. If you dont have cash for a second light I would recommend a large reflector and a stand for it also.

Flash, inexpensive fast prime between the 20 thru 85 range, tripod (a must), remote shutter release (cheap!), battery grip, extra batteries, extra memory, Tic Tacs and a good camera bag to carry it all in.

I have the feeling that you are trying to run before you have learned to walk. The lenses you mention will be useless inside, they are not fast enough. I don't know what your budget is, but you might consider the Tamron 28-75mm 2.8 XR DI. It is a sharp fast lens and the price is right. If your budget is big enough you might consider the Canon 24-70mm L 2.8.

The strobe and soft box you bought is a flash, just not a camera flash. The on board flash of your XT is limited and you should consider either the Canon 430ex or the 580ex. If your strobe has a slave setting then you can use the other flash to trigger it. Since you are such a novice I would suggest buying books to get the insight you are going to need. The best book for understanding flash photography would be "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson. Then just practice, practice, practice. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

Bruce

Use what you have first. Get used to it, and find out what you miss. Then you'll also know what you need.

That's actually the best advice yet.

Oh, I don't know. I liked your advice to buy Tic Tacs.

50 1.8 if you are shooting portraits. like $70-90 new and it is fast and sharp

It sounds like you need to slow down a little, figure out how to use what you've got, and do some reading. You're going to get recommendations for things that you don't have the slightest idea what they're talking about, and for lenses that can cost hundreds, if not a thousand dollars. Until you have an understanding on the basics, you might spend unecessarily on things that you don't really need, or,are over your head.

Slow lenses ( ie kit lens and the like) will be JUST FINE with extra lighting in the form of a Speedlite. Don't rush out and buy all the stuff people are suggesting for a while - you'll just end up with serious buyer's remorse because there is no way you can learn enough in a week to know what you need.
But you definitely need a tripod, and you should get a 50mm 1.8 because it is a good portrait lens, and it is dirt cheap - that's why everyone has one. but don't spend big $ yet - take some time to learn how to use the camera. Learn how to use your lighting and how to get the effects you want. digital has a very fast learning curve, because you can see your results almost immediately.

Take some time to educate yourself:
1. Flash - http://photonotes.org/​articles/eos-flash/
2. Lenses - http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/
3. Discussion/ Reviews :- http://www.fredmiranda​.com/ and http://luminous-landscape.com/
4. Stickies - in each section of POTN there are sticky threads that discuss all the pertinent questions, and the search function works quite well too.

And of course POTN members here will advise you till the cows come home, help you make decions, and applaud you purchases, and ask to see poictures of the boxes they came in.

Above all welcome, we just love anyone who loves the stuff we love!