Beginning Photographer - What Should I Buy Next?

Of course, I may not need to buy anything. I may need to sit around and take pictures for a year before purchasing a single thing, but I figure I would poll the experts first.

I have a Canon t1i with the kit lens, and I've purchased the required 50mm f1.8 II portrait lens to capture the various people in my life. I've got some money that I could put toward upgrading my shots, and have considered the following:

• A Nicer flash (than the on-camera one)
  
• The Canon 17-40mm L USM lens for landscape photos
  
• Nice tripod
  
• Photography Class
  
• Books of sorts on photography
  

A nicer flash will go a long ways

If you're looking into landscape photos, the 17-40 will be good, although it is equiv to 27-64. If you're looking to go wide (ultra-wide) I'd recommend something in the 10-20 range.

Sounds like you don't need anything

You're new to the game. You're 18-55 can do everything the 17-40 can. I would worry more about making good photos, than having a better built lens. If you can find some seminars, classes, or photowalks, sign up for those. Books are relatively cheap, snag a few of those on topics that interest you. Mainly, just get out and shoot.

Lee wrote in post #10487440
A nicer flash will go a long ways

If you're looking into landscape photos, the 17-40 will be good, although it is equiv to 27-64. If you're looking to go wide (ultra-wide) I'd recommend something in the 10-20 range.

what do you mean it is equivilant to 27-64? Does that have something to do with the fact that my camera isn't full-frame?

Also, I don't do any post-processing, simply because I don't know what to do. I have Photoshop CS4, but haven't done much in it.

orangekayak wrote in post #10487464
what do you mean it is equivilant to 27-64? Does that have something to do with the fact that my camera isn't full-frame?

Correct.

Go for a flash, something like a 430ex. From there just start messing around in photoshop. Don't be afraid to experiment.

orangekayak wrote in post #10487464
what do you mean it is equivilant to 27-64? Does that have something to do with the fact that my camera isn't full-frame?

Also, I don't do any post-processing, simply because I don't know what to do. I have Photoshop CS4, but haven't done much in it.

I'm also an amateur, so take my advice with a grain of salt ;

You have a T1i, which has a smaller sensor than a frame of 35mm film. A frame of film is 1.6x bigger than your sensor, so you have a 1.6x crop factor. As a result, the field of view (FOV) on your camera is the equivalent of multiplying the focal length of a lens by 1.6. For example, a 200mm lens would have an equivalent FOV of 320mm on a full frame. Here is some more information about the Crop Factor if you're interested.

If you want wide angle (which you typically do for landscapes) you'll need to have a lens with a focal range between 10 and 20 ideally. These lenses are typically called ultra-wide angles (UWA). There's a lot of UWA's, but the most popular are the Sigma 10-20, the Canon 10-22, the Tokina 11-16 and 12-24.

I have a Tokina 11-16 2.8 and I LOVE it. I would really recommend it if you enjoy doing landscapes, architecture, city shots or anything indoors. It really gives you flexibility while working indoors when you need to get everyone in the frame. Most of the pictures in my France, Italy and French Rivera 2010 galleries were taken with the 11-16 (some with the 18-55IS kit, you can check the EXIF).

The Tokina 11-16 runs for about $600, which seems like a lot of money but it's really worth it. It allows you to get everyone in the Frame and gives you new perspectives and creative options. I can't recommend it enough!

You may also want to look into a telephoto lens if you feel that you need more reach. An affordable and quality telephoto zoom is the Canon 55-250 IS. It is well regarded and usually runs for $250. It will be my next lens purchase.

I'd also recommend buying a book on editing your photos with Photoshop so you could learn some basic skills to enhance your photos.

If you take more pictures of your family, specifically indoors, you may want to look into a flash. I don't have one, so I can't speak from experience, but the 430 EX II is well regarded here on the forums.

As for the tripod, it's up to you to assess how much you need it. If you would use it a lot, invest in a good Manfrotto or Gitzo, but if you wouldn't use it too often, I'd recommend the Dolica Proline, which can be had for 40$ on Amazon. I have one, and use it for long exposure shots, like the fireworks in my gallery. It is a steal for 40$ and is sturdy and high quality.

I hope this rambling reply can help! Good luck and enjoy your purchases.

I would buy a flash, a 580EX would be ideal but any flash that can be operated in manual mode would be good. Also add some books, and you should be pretty much covered.

If you actually buy the flash used, you should have enough for a used tripod as well.

You can get a used 580ex for under $300. It's a nice full featured flash with more power then the 430ex. I like having the external battery pack connector..

Manfrotto 190x-series are good place to start for tripods, you can get a setup for around $200. I don't use tripods very much so I figured it was good but still inexpensive for the amount that I use it.

Photoshop CS4 is probably a bit overkill, try out Lightroom- it's very popular amoung wedding photographers. great for basic editing.

I say go out and take as many pics as possible - using the money to "travel" or go to your favorite events to take pics.

After a while, you'll start to figure out just exactly what your shooting style and subjects are and thus what equipment you need. Then go ahead and spend the money.

I'm at that point right now with owning a dSLR for over a year and a half (and taking pics for ever almost) - figuring out what digital equipment suites me....

First, what is your experience? Are you entirely new to photography or do you know what the exposure triangle is?

Based on that answer, there are a number of options open.
Newbie

1) Increase your knowledge - Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson is a good place to start as is Bens Newbie Guide
2) Consider buying extra equipment as and when you feel you need it.

Experienced or semi knowledgeable
1) New flash - biggest upgrade possible for shooting people.
2) Tripod - next biggest upgrade.

Flash/Photography class and a book

Flash, because the in-built one is next to useless
Photography class of some sort, because you don't want to have 3 years behind you, and not know a damn thing about photography
A book, that doesn't go into too much details about the technicality of photography, yet you don't want a book that doesn't give out vague information

A good book would be "Understand exposure...." by Bryan Peterson

Get a good book on composition; some of my favorites being "The Photographer's Eye" and "The Photograph" by Mante.

Don't buy anything until you know what YOU need. Then come here and ask questions about what is best for that particular thing, but never ask strangers how to spend your money. Photography should be about the photographer's passion, not some stranger's.

It is a myth that equipment is what photography is about. Equipment is necessary for photography, but what specific equipment is necessary depends on what the photographer is trying to do. Find out what you really want to do first, then you will KNOW what equipment you need.

i'm on the newb side...reading books is my objective at the moment. Maybe joining a club or taking a class would be cool. I'm so overwhelmed with lightroom and photoshop and the reading that i believe i'm going to be pretty content for a while. A lot to learn for sure!

Thanks for all the awesome answers guys! I wouldn't consider myself a newbie (I understand the concepts of the exposure triangle) but obviously I see a huge gap in the photos I take, and the photos I admire of others.

I generally take photos in Av priority, giving me the depth of field I want for my subject. I don't know much about the best shutter speed to use, and I hate it when images appear in focus when I review them on the camera's LCD, but then turn out to be blurry once I transfer them to my PC.

I think I'm going to invest in the 580ex II from your suggestions, as well as pick up those books listed above. I have no issue getting out and taking pictures... with a newborn daughter, it's hard to get me to stop!