Please Help Me Spend $ Im Stuck

Hello All,

I have a few extra dollars now that Christmas is over (Im Surprised) and i am looking to add to my equipment. Im stuck on a few items. I have about $260.00 to spend and am thinking of the following items and am also taking suggestions.

A better tripod and head (Maybe a Monfrotto)
Kenko Extension Tube Set
Speedlight 430 EX II

This is the equipment i have so far:

Canon EOS XSi
EF-S 18-55mm
EF-S 55-250mm
EF 50mm f1.4
Very Entry level low cost tripod


I do not currently use the onboard flash a lot and see to take more outdoor shots that indoor BUT my wife and I are about to have a baby soon so i plan on taking a lot of pictures of her.

See my flickr for my photo "Style" but again we will be having a baby soon.

Thanks

Buy yourself a flash. A real and proper flash like the 430exII. Learning how to use a flash properly will open up new worlds for you.

Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 used

I'd go with the flash unless all you do are landscape or wildlife shots outdoors, in which case it would be the tripod upgrade.

If you use the on-board flash, then you'll LOVE what a speedlite will offer. +1 to the 430EX
And an idea that wasn't on your list.. a battery grip. Rebel series are smaller, and the grip is a very nice addition if you want more to hang onto, or if you want the second shutter for portrait orientation. I had one on my rebel xt and I don't think I ever once took it off prior to selling the camera.

I added some info to the bottom of my original post....

I would buy a new tri-pod head.That is if you take lots of photos on one because the good ones are expensive.

I'd definitely upgrade your kit lens.

I'd recommend the flash - the on-board flash on a Rebel is not comparable to an external flash, which you can bounce, use diffusers and reflectors, and even move off camera with a cord or remote.

You're going to have a lot more indoor shots for the next year with the new baby, and that flash will make a huge difference.

Im thinking upgrading my kit lens will cost me more than i currently have.

Mudhog79 wrote in post #11573245
Im thinking upgrading my kit lens will cost me more than i currently have.

If you have the IS version of the kit lens, and I think you do. Its not a bad starter lens for wide work.

gonzogolf wrote in post #11573263
If you have the IS version of the kit lens, and I think you do. Its not a bad starter lens for wide work.

I do have the IS version of the 18-55 mm and the 55-250 mm lens.

Your baby will hate you later if you don't buy a 430EXII.

You'll have to walk 50 feet behind at the mall, pick up around the corner from the school, and not speak to your kid's friends when they're riding in your car. Oh wait, you'll get that treatment anyway. Just buy what you want.

+1 for flash.
The first bit of gear I got was almost identical to what you have and I was very happy to add a speedlight. Depending on how you feel, you could potentially go cheaper with something like the yongnuo YN-468 flash and have enough left over for a decent manfrotto, still coming at less than the cost of a new canon 430.

whuband wrote in post #11574138
Your baby will hate you later if you don't buy a 430EXII.

You'll have to walk 50 feet behind at the mall, pick up around the corner from the school, and not speak to your kid's friends when they're riding in your car. Oh wait, you'll get that treatment anyway. Just buy what you want.

Haha. Thanks fr that bit of info.