Just got a new Digital Rebel

I use a tripod whenever reasonable to do so (subject to limitations of time, space, and the undefined 'hassle factor'). The decision to use/not use is largely a function of shutter speed when anticipating the shot. If I'm shooting at 1/1000th, the tripod doesn't help that much; at 1/30th, it's very important.

Because of convenience, the monopod is used a lot more, but as you might expect, it isn't nearly as stable as a tripod.

Would you say that as a rule of thumb, there are certain shutter speeds you should use a tripod with at all times? Whats the slowest shutter speed one can get away with not using a tripod with?

A general rule of thumb is that you normally get trouble handhelding a lense if the shutterspeed drops below 1/<focal-length>. That means you need support when handholding a 200mm at slower shutterspeeds than 1/200s, or a 70mm at below 1/70s. When IS is involved things change though.

THANKS GUYS!!

I appreciate all the feedback.

In the market for a flash

Ok boys!

What do I need to know about buying an external flash unit?

I will beshooting mostly people indoors (maybe like in a restaurant, gym, house setting)

Depends on your budget, but the 420EX is a good, strong flash. I don't think that the 220EX is much stronger than your built-in flash, but I don't have any numbers in front of me. If you're going to shoot over larger distances than you would in a typical house, you may consider the 550EX. The 550 also gives you some extra features like flash exposure compensation that might come in handy at times when you may want to vary the output of the flash.

Be careful shooting in the gym. If its a weight-lifting scene, make sure the lifters around you know that you're going to fire a flash. I'd hate to be squeezing out that last heavy squat and have a bright flash go off.

PS - I love it when she says "boys" - makes me feel young.

Handbag? = Camera bag.. simple solution there...

Shoes... I assume you mean comfortable shoes...

.... for walking around with all that new Camera gear... ?

Anything will do really.. but if you can live for now with the old Converse high tops you wore in High School and threw in the back of the closet...

....that's all the more you can put towards the Kraft Macaroni & Cheese you will be living off for the next year or so...

CyberDyneSystems wrote:
Handbag? = Camera bag.. simple solution there...

Shoes... I assume you mean comfortable shoes...

.... for walking around with all that new Camera gear... ?

Anything will do really.. but if you can live for now with the old Converse high tops you wore in High School and threw in the back of the closet...

....that's all the more you can put towards the Kraft Macaroni & Cheese you will be living off for the next year or so...

No mac n cheese for this girl. But I would walk around in ugly Converse in exchange for a nice L lens (good thing I can have both though)

Tom W wrote:
Depends on your budget, but the 420EX is a good, strong flash. I don't think that the 220EX is much stronger than your built-in flash, but I don't have any numbers in front of me. If you're going to shoot over larger distances than you would in a typical house, you may consider the 550EX. The 550 also gives you some extra features like flash exposure compensation that might come in handy at times when you may want to vary the output of the flash.

Be careful shooting in the gym. If its a weight-lifting scene, make sure the lifters around you know that you're going to fire a flash. I'd hate to be squeezing out that last heavy squat and have a bright flash go off.

PS - I love it when she says "boys" - makes me feel young.

THANKS TOM

I'll check them out and report back what I find.

I'm late to this thread, but I got the Drebel in January, and have since bought the 28-135MM IS, 100-400 IS, and a POS "wide angle" that was a complete waste of money..... $150 ish, so not too bad...


So what I am really looking for is a decent lens (<$500) for wide angle shots in low light. I do a lot of car related things, but most of the photo oportunities are in low light and in fairly cramped quarters. Any recomendations?

The "deal" in Wide angles for low light are the Sigma f/1.8s...

The widest is 20mm.. it seems to get mixed reviews .. but I've never heard it called a POS... I've seen some very fine images with this lens (the 20mm)

thanks, I'll look into it... POS was a phoenix lens... nothing but unhappy with that...

edit:
do you mean this lens:
http://www.digitalfoto​club.com …features.asp?id​=744523251

thanks

oh, and what about wide angle with some zoom? Anything decent for lowlight that isn't L series priced?

Oh god! Now I'm glad I've got my S1 IS It CAN'T accept filters and edditional lenses...

Wide angle and tele extentions don't count

Hai Diesel Girl, nice to have you here (...as muscular as Vin Diesel? :P )

Actually it depends on your needs.

For example, myself, since I obssessed with macro work, so my first priority after the arrival of my 300D was to buying a macro lens, and lucky, my first macro lens was Sigma 105mm EX which comes with a lens hood, so when I switch to Canon 100mm Macro USM, I keep the hood, since the hood are the screw-type mount (like filter), and both canon and sigma have same 58mm diameter, so I can use the lens hood in canon.

After that since I need to use larger f-number of aperture, that means longer shutter speed, so I buy a tripod...

Ok, that's me, now back to you.. again, it depends on your needs, what is your possession in photography, that's the things that lead you to what you gonna buy next... if you need to take photograph indoor, maybe fast-lens (e.g. canon 50mm f1.8 II) or flash (to be bounced...).

ok, happy hunting with your 300D...

regards,

Loekito