Accessories Everyone Should Own?

I am anxiously awaiting the delivery of my first digital SLR, a Rebel Xsi. I got it with the kit lens as I'm going to save up for an "L" series telephoto lens. Now I'm not sure what else to buy. I'm guessing I need a case, cleaning kit, remote, rubberized camera armor, etc., but I'm not sure exactly what I need to get me started.

Does anyone have some suggestions on the essentials? Can you give me specifics on makes or models that are a good value? When I search on eBay, I'm overwhelmed by the amount of "stuff" I can buy related to these cameras.

I'd definitely pass on the camera armour. Get a flash unit. It will make the biggest difference in your photography.

Case, yes. Cleaning cloth, yes. Rubber armor? Not so much I'd suggest a quality circular polarizer and rocket blower (for cleaning the sensor and lens.) The Canon 200 backpack makes a great first case. At $40 it's one of the best budget accessories around.

Extra battery and SD card.

I moved this to Accessories as it is better for the topic.

Nick5 wrote in post #7201864
Extra battery and SD card.

Should I buy a Powergrip? Or just an extra battery? I've got pretty big hands and I wasn't sure if the Powergrip would help me grip the camera better.

Are there differences in SD cards regarding speed? Someone told me to buy an "extreme" SD card as it saves the pictures to the card faster. Is there any merit to that?

Forget the armor, forget the battery grip. Get a good tripod, it will improved the quality of your pictures tremendously...both from the standpoint of no camera shake hurting photo quality, but also from the standpoint of making you a more deliberate photographer rather than a machine gunning grabshooter.

Extra battery minus the grip. Fast SD cards, Extreme III or Class 6-I prefer a few smaller sizes like two or three 4gb or 8gb as opposed to one 16gb. Rocket blower. Good quality UV filter for your kit lens.

rocket blower, lens pen, flash, camera bag

This may sound a little strange but my suggestion for "should own" accessories is books. After owing a Digital Rebel since 2005. I finally decided to get serious about making it a hobby this past fall. Since then, yes, as you can see from the sig, I've acquired some equipment. But the single biggest thing that has advanced my knowledge and photography is books. Here's what I've read/am reading/have already ordered in the last 3 months:

• Digital Rebel Field Guide
  
• Digital Rebel XTi for Dummies (they didn't have 300D version that I could find)
  
• Understanding Exposure
  
• Understanding Composition
  
• Photoshop Elements 7 - The missing Manual
  
• Teach Yourself Visually - Photoshop Elements 7
  
• Canon EOS 50D Field Guide (ordered but not yet released)
  
• David Busch's Canon EOS 50D Guide to Digital SLR Photography (ordered but not yet released)
  
• Canon 50D: From Snapshots to Great Shots (ordered but not yet released)

Equipment - I agree with the tripod and flash suggestions. Other than that, let your photography dictate what you need. When I go shoot, and I am limited by my equipment, I buy what I need to shoot what/how I want.

For instance, some people use a CP filter every day, others have absolutely no need for one whatsoever. I consider off camera lighting gear to be indispensable. You may prefer natural light and have no need.

flash
tripod
rocket blower
lenspen
extra battery
extra memory cards
bag

+1 for the FAST SD card(s) AND the several smaller cards idea. You'll probably find it cheaper to buy two smaller cards as opposed to one larger card, but at any rate invest in speed. Both for taking your pictures and transfer to PC. You'll save time and aggravation.

Good luck and enjoy the new camera!

Dave...

tripod
flash
filters
rocket blower
lens pen
bag
good cards and batteries

I think you have a pretty good suggestion list already of what you can get. I would add a recommendation to buy a new safe to lock up your credit cards. Only open the safe when you go grocery shopping. Have fun shooting!