Must have accessories?

Just wondering what I should get for my Xsi. I've played around with it a bit and got the 50mm/1.8 lens to go along with the kit lens. I'm looking into getting a battery grip. What other accessories do you think are "must haves"?

A nice flash, case to house everything, set of filters, oh and a tripod.

Im actually looking into these things as well.
As far as flash, im looking to get the 430exII
The case will be the lowepro slingshot and the tripod will be a manfrotto 190xb.

Once you've learned to use the gear you've got to (or at least near) its limits, look at a polarizer, flash and tripod. A grip's not a "Must Have". It may make holding your camera more comfortable but won't give you any real improved capabilities. Extended battery life (from two batteries) doesn't really give you an advantage, since you still need to change cards every so often. Both a flash and a tripod will let you extend your shooting conditions; a polarizer will help improve IQ where there's much non-metallic reflective material (which includes atmospheric dust, thus enhanced blue skies). Get a good polarizing filter (I use B+W MRC), a good tripod (see the tripod sticky for more) and at least the 430EXII flash (or equivalent). Then learn to use them.

Most folks put battery grips on cameras to make them look like "real" cameras. It is pointless to me. Give that some thought. I can get over 600 images on one battery in my 40D.

For something that will help your photography, get a tripod!! Manfrotto 190xprob is my suggestion as it is very high quality and good value for the money, yet has the swing out column for macro shots and such. Just a very versatile tripod.

If landscape is of interest, get the Canon remote shutter release ($49).

Also, assuming you like landscape, invest in a high quality circular polarizer. Some great prices can be found at the site 2filter.com much cheaper than B&H or Adorama when it comes to filters.

I like Sandisk Ultra memory cards and recently bought a slick waterproof memory card case from B&H, a Gepe case and it was about $17.

A Giottos rocket blower and basic cleaning kit with some nice micro fiber towels are needed.

Aside from these things, perhaps a Lowepro backpack to hold your gear.

Must have's ?

Maybe a microfiber cloth when the lens needs a rare cleaning. Other than that, the must have's will make themselves self evident, in time. If you don't know what you need, then you probably don't need it.

Then again some people just have large hands and the standard Rebel bodies are just too small to hold comfortably for long periods of time. I have one and wouldn't part with it and could give a **** what it looks like.

I would consider getting a 55-250mm lens to go with your kit lens and the 50mm before the flash. Then you would own a great setup ready for the flash of your choice.

dave421 wrote in post #10059511
Then again some people just have large hands and the standard Rebel bodies are just too small to hold comfortably for long periods of time. I have one and wouldn't part with it and could give a **** what it looks like.

I am sure you believe that, but it is not why most folks get battery grips. I am 6'6" 310 lbs and I wouldn't even consider putting a battery grip on a camera. If I want a "real" camera, I will buy one.

A CPL filter, flash, tripod and cable release.

dave421 wrote in post #10059511
Then again some people just have large hands and the standard Rebel bodies are just too small to hold comfortably for long periods of time. I have one and wouldn't part with it and could give a **** what it looks like.

+1 on the grip, the handling on a XSi would improve significantly

dave421 wrote in post #10059511
Then again some people just have large hands and the standard Rebel bodies are just too small to hold comfortably for long periods of time. I have one and wouldn't part with it and could give a **** what it looks like.

The secret is to hold the lens not the camera. That "grip" on the camera isn't to support it by, it's to steer it by. Try hanging onto the camera by your right hand for any length of time and you'll get a very fatigued arm, and shaky pictures. But rest the lens on your left hand and you'll be able to go all day with no problem.

Brain Mechanic wrote in post #10059564
I would consider getting a 55-250mm lens to go with your kit lens and the 50mm before the flash. Then you would own a great setup ready for the flash of your choice.

Good point. Been using my dslr set up for 2.5 years and I don't own a flash. Well, not a normal flash, I do have the m-14 ring flash for macro work. Point is, don't buy a flash unless you identify a specific need for it. Depending on what you shoot, this may not be much of a priority at all. For me personally, it wasn't.

Jon wrote in post #10059582
The secret is to hold the lens not the camera. That "grip" on the camera isn't to support it by, it's to steer it by. Try hanging onto the camera by your right hand for any length of time and you'll get a very fatigued arm, and shaky pictures. But rest the lens on your left hand and you'll be able to go all day with no problem.

Great post Jon

I find my XS quite comfortable...at least it has weight advantage IMO.

DANATTHEROCK wrote in post #10059573
I am sure you believe that, but it is not why most folks get battery grips. I am 6'6" 310 lbs and I wouldn't even consider putting a battery grip on a camera. If I want a "real" camera, I will buy one.

I put on on my XSi solely so I could have the same hand position for portait shots.