few Questions

Hey guys so basically I have NO accesories for my camera other than a bag, and a tripod. I also have a neck strap but thats it. so im looking to get the following:

External Flash
Hood
wired or wireless remote

What else do you guys suggest for my camera ( 350D / XT)?
I have the kit 18-55mm lens, and a 100-300mm lens.

What other lenses do you guys suggest? Ill shot just about everything. Im looking for a good wide angle lens and a nice zoom/macro lens. So what does everyone think?

Thanks,
Dave

Shoot for a while and see where you find yourself in need of a solution. If you're always looking or "just a little more reach", for instance, you might want a longer telephoto; or if you're always shooting indoors or at evening the flash and/or a faster lens may answer your immediate needs. So basically, identify what you need for what you shoot and go from there. I have lenses I almost never use; they're widely considered valuable additions to your toolset, but they don't match my shooting needs so they sit idle. Fortunately for me, they're only a very small part of my investment, but when you're starting out that's not a good idea.

Hoods are always good to have; every lens I own (even the non-L Canon ones) has a fitted hood, and they always get used.

For a flash, what's your budget?

Jon wrote in post #6099769
Shoot for a while and see where you find yourself in need of a solution. If you're always looking or "just a little more reach", for instance, you might want a longer telephoto; or if you're always shooting indoors or at evening the flash and/or a faster lens may answer your immediate needs. So basically, identify what you need for what you shoot and go from there. I have lenses I almost never use; they're widely considered valuable additions to your toolset, but they don't match my shooting needs so they sit idle. Fortunately for me, they're only a very small part of my investment, but when you're starting out that's not a good idea.

Hoods are always good to have; every lens I own (even the non-L Canon ones) has a fitted hood, and they always get used.

For a flash, what's your budget?

i could probalby spend UP to 200 dollars or so...

As far as a fitted hood... is it true you have to order them straight from canon?

I have ordered hood twice.and never received them,got my refund..seems the smallest things get "lost"..

Flo wrote in post #6099791
I have ordered hood twice.and never received them,got my refund..seems the smallest things get "lost"..

lol i know how that is...

Most reliable stores, like B&H, stock the hoods. If you can go a bit over your ceiling, the Sigma EF-530DG ST is supposed to be good, although most people would recommend the more feature-rich 530DG Super. I have only Canon's dedicated flashes; they're definitely out of your price range.

mmhmm i may hold off on the flash at the moment...

Jon what do you think I should do as far as a lens goes? I love to shoot flowers and other things like that but I also shoot automobiles and people. Do you think the 28-135 IS is a good choice then? I want to start doing more landscapes with my camera and so I would bet that the semi wide angle 28mm would be good for that. Or do you think I should go with another lens?

The 28-135 isn't as wide as the kit 18-55; it's more a normal lens on the XT. It's only a wide angle at 28 mm on full-frame/35 mm cameras, where it has about the same coverage as your 18-55 at 18 on the XT. I'd say to maybe get the "Nifty 50" (50 mm f/1.8) at around $80-90 and a set of extension tubes (Kenko's 3-tube sets go for around $150-$160 IIRC) which will give you better low light capabilities, some sharp glass in a cheap mount, and good macro capabilities (the tubes can be used on your 100-300 as well). For that matter, the price difference between those and the 28-135 may let you pick up the flash of your choice.

Jon wrote in post #6100008
The 28-135 isn't as wide as the kit 18-55; it's more a normal lens on the XT. It's only a wide angle at 28 mm on full-frame/35 mm cameras, where it has about the same coverage as your 18-55 at 18 on the XT. I'd say to maybe get the "Nifty 50" (50 mm f/1.8) at around $80-90 and a set of extension tubes (Kenko's 3-tube sets go for around $150-$160 IIRC) which will give you better low light capabilities, some sharp glass in a cheap mount, and good macro capabilities (the tubes can be used on your 100-300 as well). For that matter, the price difference between those and the 28-135 may let you pick up the flash of your choice.

can you possibly show me a link of this "nifty 50"lol... and possibly a link to these extension tubes? Ive never heard of them.

Nifty.

Kenko tubes, which go between the lens and the body.

So do the tubes just serve as an extension? is that all they serve to do?

Yep! That's why they're called extension tubes

canonnoob wrote in post #6100202
So do the tubes just serve as an extension? is that all they serve to do?

But seriously, they essentially move the rear element of the lens farther from the sensor (focal plane). This allows you to focus closer at the expensive of not being able to focus on distant objects any more.

so do you think its worth the money?

for just the lens and the extension tubes?

If you like flowers, you may want to consider a macro lens. Sigma makes a 50mm macro for around $250. It gets pretty good reviews, can shoot wide open at 2.8, and 50mm makes a nice portriat lens to boot.

Reviews on Fredmiranda, http://www.fredmiranda​.com …duct=133&sort=7​&thecat=13

For a flash, the canon 430 EX II is also around $230, it's still leaps and bounds ahead of the on camera flash.

I'd go for the macro if I were you. It opens up a whole new world of shooting. Stick with your stock kit for landscapes, and use your telephoto when you need reach (animals, birds, people from a distance).