My wish list...In what order should I purchase them?

Well, here's my wishlist of items to buy to go along with my DRebel. I put them in the order that I think I would buy them. But, those of you with more photography experience than I have may have some advice on the order these should be bought. Let me just say that I currently do have a Lowepro camera bag that can hold my DRebel with kit lens and a few other things (like blower brush, lens pen, lens cap/body cap, and CF cards). I also have an el-cheapo tripod that should be able to get me by for a while.

Lumiquest Pocket Bouncer
Lumiquest Mini Softbox
Lumiquest 80-20
Canon 50mm f/1.8 Lens
Tamron 28-75/2.8 Lens
Lowepro CompuTrekker AW
Canon BG-E1 Battery Grip
Gitzo G-2220 Explorer Aluminium Tripod
Alien Bees Beginner Bee (and some way to trigger it)

Thanks in advance

FlipsidE

Tripod
50mm 1.8
BG-E1 (i own this its great)
Then go from there on needs.

Whenever you get it, get the LumiQuest Pro Kit - it's not that expensive and will save you a lot while giving you extra toys.

Bang for buck order:
50mm f/1.8, which you could skip considering the Tamron.
Tamron 28-75
Lumiquest stuff
Bag
Flash Bracket - since you seem to want to do portraits, I'll throw it in.

The big bucks:
Tripod & Head - you forgot the head. Tripods are priceless, but expensive. Good choice on the 2220.
Alien Bees

Note that the Grip is not on my list, as I don't find it useful, but you might for portraits just for the extra button.

My 2 cents:

First - EF 50mm f1.8 - you can't get more value out of the $70 or so you'll spend to get it any other way.

Second - The tripod (head included, of course)

LAST - The grip - unless you are really interested in the vertical shutter release. I would not buy the grip for the battery capability unless you plan to use the built-in flash extensively, and with the flash you have and what you have on your list, it doesn't appear that way.

Fit all the other stuff in between 'Second' and the grip.

Although, if you are getting an Alien Bees unit, do you want to trick out your 420EX with all the other add-on things?

Have Fun,

Without knowing anything about what you're doing, I'd say the lenses - especially the 50mm.

But of you tell me you only work in a studio, then it's time to get the Bee. (They come with a sync cable.)

Well, I'm hoping to focus on three types of photography...Macro (of all types), Landscapes, and Portraits.

I'm not planning to be in a studio all the time, but hopefully frequently.

FlipsidE

Neither of the lenses mentioned are Macro lenses. You already have a landscape lens. You'll really really want a tripod for macro and landscape.

I'm beginning to think that a tripod & head come first to allow you to get started on landscapes at least.

Yeah with Macro listed first (if that's meaningful) I'd be looking at the Canon 100mm macro. That's a really nice macro lens.

It also makes for a very nice portrait lens, allowing you to hold off on the Tamron for a bit. It's not much more than the Tamron I believe.

By all means, if you all can recommend a lens that's good for both Macro and Portraits, that'd be great!

FlipsidE

Dave did - the Canon 100mm f/2.8 Macro.

It's slow to AF, but it's a very nice length, well built, and *very* sharp and contrasty and clear. It's at the top of the list for optics.

Fixed zoom? Just curious. It'd be nice to have a variable zoom for some portrait shots rather than having to move the camera.

Thanks

FlipsidE

Fixed focal length yes. Also known as a Prime. It's not a zoom.

Yes, it would be nice not to have to move, but you asked for a lens that would suit both. You're not going to find a Macro lens that's also a zoom. Well, some call themselves Macro but no zoom that I know about will do 1:1. On B&H I found 4 macro zooms, none better than 1:2 and all mediocre to poor quality.

It's never easy but you have to weigh your priorities and budget. Since you have a good landscape lens, what is next - macro or portraits? Many would say that the Tamron 28-75, while a very good lens, is barely long enough for portraits. At almost 1:4 it's certainly not a macro. The 100mm Macro suits both very well, at a cost of moving your feet.

I have read (though can't back it up) that that 50/1.8 will do 1:2. That's not bad for the price. I could use that for my Macro lens until I decide to spend more on a true macro lens. Then, either grab that Tamron or the the Canon 28-135 for portraits.

That's what I was kinda plannin to do...what do you all think?

FlipsidE

I think there may be some confusion with Canon's 50mm macro lens here. That lens can do 1:2 without an optional accessory.