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12/31/2005 12:48:48 AM · #26 |
I will second (or is it third) the battery grip. I also don't think you will need it, but it really makes the camera handle and feel like a pro body. And silences all the people who "hate" the way that something feels to them. The 350 with a BG feels better than the d50 any day of the week. I actually prefer it even without the BG myself. It's a bit small, true, but uhm.... so what?
The BG can help when dealing with the really big lenses though. Mount a 70-200 F2.8L on the front of that and you are going to want a little more to hang on to.
That looks like a totally wicked setup you have there though. The next thing on your list is probably getting the 50mm 1.8 and maybe a lens reverser to hook it on to your 70-300 by Sigma (which also has a macro mode btw although not up to true 1:1). More Macro Fun!
I will also second that lens pen. Just picked one up myself. Great toy. Some lenses have a special fingerprint magnet installed in them or something and somehow manage to get fingerprints on them, even through lens-caps... The lens pen is just the thing :)
Also, after those nice nifty doo dads, you might consider checking out an off-body slave flash of some description. They can be realllly handy for all kinds of situations. Many creative shots as well as macros are made especially potent with good use of flash.
If you want to take a macro of something but really really can't get rid of the background, you can use a flash to brighten the foreground and make the background disappear in blackness. Fantastic results can be had!
Have fun with it! I'm sure that backpack will grow on you once you realize all the stuff you can get into it. You can even bring your backup 2nd cam with you and keep it safe. Lots of fun if you go somewhere with a friend and they keep trying to drag you away from nailing a great shot. Give them the other cam and let them play!
And don't forget to update your profile. ;)
Message edited by author 2005-12-31 00:51:04. |
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12/31/2005 12:57:17 AM · #27 |
Just get the camera. As you start taking pictures you'll see need for different things. If your photography gravitates towards landscapes get polarizer. If you do more indoor, get flash. Don't start buying things you may not need. Let your photography style dictate your next purchase. That is unless you have $10k to spend upfront. If so then get everything and don't forget to share.
Nick
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12/31/2005 01:18:04 AM · #28 |
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12/31/2005 02:02:26 AM · #29 |
Here's the link for the Sterlingtek battery:
//www.sterlingtek.com/canbeqba80.html
congrats on your new stuff. Unless you shoot a lot at a time, you can hold off on the batter. I think the stock battery is rated at about 400 shots per charge. So unless you routinely shoot over 300 shots at a stint without recharging, I think you can hold off the battery for a bit.
Message edited by author 2005-12-31 02:05:48.
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12/31/2005 02:52:37 AM · #30 |
| You might hold off onto the battery, until the day you get far, far, from home, and discover you have about three shots left in your battery. I like the grip, I love having four batteries so I can leave the charger at home and still use up all my storage. When you can slide in more gigs, you can't afford to say " hold that pose, I'll be back in an hour, just gotta charge my battery." If you have 512mb of storage, one battery will do, if you remember to recharge everytime you pull the card to download. If you own two gigs of cards, you need the power to use all of it in one sitting. |
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12/31/2005 09:23:16 AM · #31 |
...
Get the camera with kit lens. Buy a good book. Save the rest for when you decide what you want...that way you don't waste money and have a bunch of crappy gear.
Will you want something with a close focus distance, something for portraits, something wide angle, something telephoto, will f4-5.6 be fast enough for you, or will you be willing to save, will you need a flash, if so 580ex or will the 420ex do, fact is, none of us know the answsers to these questions...
So get the camera with the kit lens, learn the camera, use it for a long time, until you stop making user errors and have your settings right all the time...then invest in some lenses or flashes, etc.
Good luck.
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12/31/2005 11:52:23 AM · #32 |
Hellllow everybody :)
Someone please tell me that it's okay to not have a CLUE how to use this thing ahaha
I'm halfway through the manual. Aiyeeee!
I've been thinking about the grip, too. I strapped the sigma on and daaaaang it was heavy! I might get the grip just so get a little extra...grip.
And word to the multiple batteries. I always shoot ridiculous amounts - go out for 10 hours and come home with 500 shots - so I think it's imperative that I stock up on charge.
I've got a 1gb card, so I should be okay for now. I'm not planning on shooting in RAW anyway, at least not until I get the hang of things.
So it looks like I still have a few bucks to spend on the grip and batteries. Oh, and hey, question: the grip allows for AA batteries, just in case, but for the packs, can I use any brand, including the Sterlingtek?
And what's a lens pen? Eh, don't answer that, I'll just google :)
Thanks again for all this feedback. Once I figure out how to use the goddamn camera, I'll be able to make better decisions about what I do/don't need heh.
Happy new year!
Katy
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12/31/2005 12:17:35 PM · #33 |
you need to update your profile now to show the XT. Best way to learn the camera after reading the manual, is to go out and practice - shoot at different settings and different lighting. I have the grip and it does help balance the camera better in my mind - especially when you add a heavier lens.
Looking forward to some pics being posted here by you and the new XT.
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12/31/2005 12:25:29 PM · #34 |
The sigma is heavy? Wait till you try a 70-200 2.8! LOL
you can get a lens pen at walmart in the sporting good setion, the nikon one is $8 and there might be anohter for $5 (they look the same to me, but at least one person clames the $5 one is not the same quality). It cleans the lens.
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12/31/2005 02:22:16 PM · #35 |
DPC Profile: Updated.
New B&H Cart: $150 Grip.
Taking 100 Pictures of My Cats: Priceless.
:)
I've just been deleting all my test shots. Sensory overload por moi. Postable pictures will come...eventually.
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12/31/2005 03:05:09 PM · #36 |
| I'm posting, so I can save this info. I also just bought a DSLR, and the all the info you guys shared, helped me incredibly. TYTY. |
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12/31/2005 04:28:43 PM · #37 |
Originally posted by sacredspirit:
I'm posting, so I can save this info. I also just bought a DSLR, and the all the info you guys shared, helped me incredibly. TYTY. |
Conga rats!
Enjoy :) |
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01/01/2006 12:35:52 PM · #38 |
Hey, new question :)
I am finding that I most definitely want the grip.
And that I don't want to lug around that stupid backpack.
Do they make a dedicated hard case that fits the xt WITH the grip? I only see one for the body and kit lens, sans grip. If nay, then anybody know of a decent case or rigged system that'll fit the whole thang?
...I really just want to be able to throw the camera in my (very large) purse and go go go. But I don't want it to get banged up...with my cheapie digi, I'd just throw it in a soft winter hat and stick it in my bag - which works fine, btw, but not with something I just spent a thousand bucks on!
This big canon backpack is fine for travelling with the gear, or going the distance, but I just wanna bring my camera with me EVERYWHERE, so the bag ain't working for me.
What do y'all do, eh?
K
Message edited by author 2006-01-01 12:36:44. |
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01/01/2006 02:25:45 PM · #39 |
for the type of camera you now have you need to protect it more than a hat in your purse..
if you dont like the backpack, find one thats smaller.. or try one that only goes over one shoulder..
but dont just throw it in your purse... you can cause problems to the mirror inside it .. plus stuff from inside the purse can migrate into the camera and onto the sensor..
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01/01/2006 02:41:45 PM · #40 |
Originally posted by Di:
for the type of camera you now have you need to protect it more than a hat in your purse..
if you dont like the backpack, find one thats smaller.. or try one that only goes over one shoulder..
but dont just throw it in your purse... you can cause problems to the mirror inside it .. plus stuff from inside the purse can migrate into the camera and onto the sensor.. |
Exactly. That's why I'm asking about hard cases. I all ready have an over-the-shoulder gadget bag, and this huge backpack, so it's not like I have NO options...I'm just looking for OTHER options.
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01/01/2006 03:18:55 PM · #41 |
There ar e a number of back packs in all sizes, some eith room for the purse (or lunch, clothing, etc).
There is a slingbag, sorta a cross between a backpackand an over teh shoulder bag.
I went back pack - i want everything with me and a shoulder bag gets way too heavy.
they mark hard cases, of all kinds, but nothing like what i think you are thinking about. The hard cases i am thinking of are like this or these
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01/01/2006 03:34:23 PM · #42 |
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01/01/2006 03:34:26 PM · #43 |
i'd look for a smaller backpack or a sling which would be easier for you to carry and return the huge backpack
Originally posted by kdkaboom:
Originally posted by Di:
for the type of camera you now have you need to protect it more than a hat in your purse..
if you dont like the backpack, find one thats smaller.. or try one that only goes over one shoulder..
but dont just throw it in your purse... you can cause problems to the mirror inside it .. plus stuff from inside the purse can migrate into the camera and onto the sensor.. |
Exactly. That's why I'm asking about hard cases. I all ready have an over-the-shoulder gadget bag, and this huge backpack, so it's not like I have NO options...I'm just looking for OTHER options. |
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01/01/2006 03:43:27 PM · #44 |
Originally posted by Prof_Fate:
The hard cases i am thinking of are like this or these |
Ah, no - I'm thinking of these.
Semi-hard cases, sorry :)
I'll just keep looking...I'm fine for now, and this is ultimately a minor detail, but I figured I'd ask in case there's a case that's exactly the case I need. ;)
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01/01/2006 04:53:44 PM · #45 |
Hey, that's great if you only have one lens - but then what's the purpose of getting a dSLR if you only have one lens?
I am probably in the minority, but i carry all my lenses everywhere. my flash too. and other stuff.
Makes you strong! More fun that weightlifting ;)
I have alternately used a diaper bag and a belt system to carry things.
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01/01/2006 05:21:26 PM · #46 |
hahaha i can imagine this - mr mom with the jerryrigged batman belt and diaper bag - nice :)
and yah, i know the purpose of a dslr isn't to limit myself to that one lens, but damn...just to have the camera with me on my daily route or whatnot without the whole shebang...okay, jeez, i think i'm making too big of a deal outta this!
i think i'll be just fine with what i've got, and maybe i just need to get used to the load, right? my cheapie digi was pretty simple to haul around wherever. i was spoiled.
i'll still keep an eye on those diaper bags, though ;)
Originally posted by Prof_Fate:
Hey, that's great if you only have one lens - but then what's the purpose of getting a dSLR if you only have one lens?
I am probably in the minority, but i carry all my lenses everywhere. my flash too. and other stuff.
Makes you strong! More fun that weightlifting ;)
I have alternately used a diaper bag and a belt system to carry things. |
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01/01/2006 05:25:42 PM · #47 |
It took me a while to get used to it too. When i got my 70-210 2.8 i about had a hear attack - 3# just for hte lens! That weighs more than all my other lenses together!
The diaper bag was a necessity with an 18 month old, so i figured to through an item or two in there instead of carrying 300 bags of things. THe belt pack is great for weddings or any envirnment where you need your hands free, freedom of movement and still have some things handy (like memory cards and batteries)
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01/01/2006 05:29:57 PM · #48 |
Originally posted by Prof_Fate:
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Hey Prof. You were really helpful in my thread, so I thought I'd ask you here quick - that Tamron 28-135 lens you were talking about - is it slower than the 28-75 or was that just a rumour? |
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01/01/2006 05:38:14 PM · #49 |
Originally posted by alexsaberi:
Add to the list a sigma super 500dg flashgun. Only £150. Well worth it. Same if not better than the canon 580 and half the price. Forget the flash on your camera, it is worthless IMHO.
With this you can acheive a hell of alot of great effexts.
alex |
Alex have you got my home number? call me, left mobile at work over christmas and you are not returning my emails... feeling very unloved!! |
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01/01/2006 06:58:00 PM · #50 |
Originally posted by AdamThomas:
Originally posted by Prof_Fate:
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Hey Prof. You were really helpful in my thread |
Yaknow, you have been realllllly helpful Prof! (and patient) Thanks for that!
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