3 Objects of Intrest

Ok, Well I really have 3 different item I am looking into, small accessories but still could be helpful. I would like opinions on all three and if possible maybe tell in your response what order you would purchase the items (what you find more useful down to not as useful)

1. Has anyone used the extension tube offered on Amazon made by Kenko? -Here is the link

2. Are pop-up screen covers worth the money? And if so, what brand is recommended?

3. Is the 90 degree angled viewfinder worth it? Seems useful... but havent ever used one.. Link Here

Again, I know these are small items but I usually consult the forum before my purchases, I dont like to waste any money. Thanks for your help!

clickcanon40 wrote in post #6338155
Ok, Well I really have 3 different item I am looking into, small accessories but still could be helpful. I would like opinions on all three and if possible maybe tell in your response what order you would purchase the items (what you find more useful down to not as useful)

1. Has anyone used the extension tube offered on Amazon made by Kenko? -Here is the link

2. Are pop-up screen covers worth the money? And if so, what brand is recommended?

3. Is the 90 degree angled viewfinder worth it? Seems useful... but havent ever used one.. Link Here

Again, I know these are small items but I usually consult the forum before my purchases, I dont like to waste any money. Thanks for your help!

1. Extension tubes are fairly simple items. Never used the Kenko ones but they're probably as good as any other.

2. I don't use one. My friend swears by her Delkin Pro.

3. They can be useful. If you're not too sure, try one of the cheap ones from Ebay. I've got one of them and a Canon one. I prefer the Ebay version (tighter fit).

1. Yes, if you want to do macro work.

2. Save your money. Canon has an LCD cover already in place that's very tough and, in the unlikely event you do manage to damage it, easily and cheaply replaced.

3. If you're shooting at odd angles or low angles they can be very useful.

I have items 1 and 3. I haven't regretted not getting LCD protectors for my cameras although they take a beating and I use protectors on my PDAs.

Jon wrote in post #6339760
1. Yes, if you want to do macro work.

2. Save your money. Canon has an LCD cover already in place that's very tough and, in the unlikely event you do manage to damage it, easily and cheaply replaced.

3. If you're shooting at odd angles or low angles they can be very useful.

I have items 1 and 3. I haven't regretted not getting LCD protectors for my cameras although they take a beating and I use protectors on my PDAs.

I think you may be confused. I do not mean protectors, I am talking about the sun shades to keep light from glaring on the LCD.

Thank you both for your help!

You'll find shades to be more hassle than they're worth too. You need to open them to review the picture, by which time the auto-review interval's over and you'll need to do it manually. Then you need to fold it down to get out of the way. And they're (numerous posts here on it) very prone to breakage. Wear a hat and turn your back to the sun. It'll be every bit as effective and much easier.

They're made pretty cheap actually, even name brand ones. Kenko's tubes are quite popular and you can pick up all three for $190 I think. It's somewhere around there and you can get them used on here often for $130. Great little things.

As for the angle finder, I'm starting to think I wouldn't mind one. They seem good for those odd angle shots but I don't know who often I'd use it so I'd probably get the ebay one.

1. Has anyone used the extension tube offered on Amazon made by Kenko? -

I have no experience with these extension tubes but, have heard good things about them. However, I was able to get a 90mm f/2.8 Tamron AF SP macro lens on eBay a couple of years ago for less than $125 with shipping. This might be an alternative to extension tubes if you can find one of these great lenses used (note: this is not the Di model but, has outstanding image quality on my 1.6x cameras). Definitely avoid the el-cheapo extension sets sold on eBay. They are trashy.

2. Are pop-up screen covers worth the money? And if so, what brand is recommended?

I bought a Delkin pop up screen cover for my XT and didn't really like it. I don't chimp, but will often check the screen to make sure that my camera is working properly. In order to check it with the Delkin, I have to pop open the screen and then close it before I shoot.

3. Is the 90 degree angled viewfinder worth it? Seems useful... but haven't ever used one..

I use my 90 degree finder fairly often when I am shooting with a short, but very light weight, tripod or when I am doing low angle macro work. This saves my back from straining. I purchased a Chinese knock-off on eBay and it works just fine. However, when I bought mine, I didn't realize that it did not have a 2x magnification capability. I would definitely choose a right angle finder with that capability. Another use for a right angle finder is when shooting people with a wide angle lens. I am a tall guy and if I shoot people or groups of people using a wide angle lens (sometimes there is no choice because I cannot back up or arrange the group any tighter) with the camera at my eye level, the natural distortion will make the subjects heads and torsoes seem much larger than their legs and lower torso. The right angle finder allows me to shoot from about their chest level which decreases the natural distortion somewhat.

well, here is another question I have. How would my gear do with extension tubes? The lenses I have listed below are the only two I have. I am saving for a 50mm f/1.4 lens and have heard good things about using them with that type of lens.

Your lenses will work. All tubes are at heart is air between the lens and the body. Be aware that you'll lose infinity focus and zooming will change focus quite radically. Expect the 28-135 to want things to be within 2" of the lens or closer when you're at 28 mm and the 70-300 will want them at around 3" and closer at 70 mm. At the long end, you're looking at maybe 8" and closer on the 28-135 and 12" on the 70-300. These are off the top of my head. They'll be reasonably close, but not exact to the actual numbers, and assume the full set of Kenko tubes (68 mm total). Using fewer tubes you'll be able to focus further away.