Got $200-300 to spend, what equipment should i get

12/18/2006 03:15:47 AM · #1

Ok well im still very much an amature photographer, only doing this as a hobbie so far and am also a student so money is tight, what kind of gear should i get for myself with my christmas bonus? So far im looking at a Canon 50mm f/1.8 which would be perfect as i like doing landscape photography, i dont konw anything about what filters do so what kind would be best? I would like to do some portraits and family pictures too if that gives you more ideas. Id like many ideas cuz im also going to use some of them for my christmas wishlist. Im going to try to get much of it through amazon and other such online sources so long as there trustworthy, so if you know any sites with good deals let me know. Thanks for the help

fordmanf1

Canon EOS-30D

12/18/2006 03:39:13 AM · #2

Get yourself a remote release and a tripod if you don't already have one, checked your profile and I didn't see any lenses listed, what do you have?

12/18/2006 03:50:30 AM · #3

Oh ok ill have to change that, i just have the 18-55/3.5 kit lens, and i do have a tripod.

fordmanf1

Canon EOS-30D

Samsung Galaxy S24, S24+, S24 Ultra

12/18/2006 03:57:32 AM · #4

OK, with only $300 to spend the 50mm is a nice lens for not much money,I don't know what else to add, I have a remote release and couldn't live without it, I think I got mine at B&H for around $20.

Bear_Music

Sony 24-70mm f/4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

12/18/2006 05:46:41 AM · #5

You have the 18-55mm already, so you're basically duplicating an available focal length if you get the 50mm f/1.8... It's a faster lens, of course, but it's not going to improve things for you in landscape photography, where the tendency is to want more angular coverage anyway. I do most of my landscapes at 10-20mm or so.

R.

Message edited by author 2006-12-18 05:47:06.

Telehubbie

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

12/18/2006 08:46:42 AM · #6

Ditto what Robert said if your main concern is landscapes. 50mm translates to 80mm on your camera with the crop factor, so not really good for landscapes. A decent tripod is a worthwhile investment. Get a good one and you'll be happy with it for many years. Here's a good one to start with. It has a ballhead and quick release so you can remove it quickly. I have the same tripod but with a joystick ballhead that I really like. It's a little more with the different head, but very simple to use and sturdy. A cheaper alternative for the same type of tripod is this one sold by Amvona on Ebay. I've never used it so I can't give you a review, but have heard from other people that they really like theirs, and is A LOT cheaper than the Manfrotto version.

The $20 remote mentioned is a good idea. They make a wireless one for your camera too, I used to have the same one on for my 35mm Canon and it worked great, and snapped on the camera strap when not in use. If you're talking about portraits of your family with you in them too, that's a good option. The remote-timer is really nice for the extra features, but I don't use those features enough.

What about CF cards? Got some? Transcend makes decent cards and a lot cheaper than Sandisk or Lexar. Batteries? Spare batteries are essential if your out hiking for a day, especially in cold environments where they don't last as long, and just to have on hand. Canon's are about $50, but Sterlingtek makes nice batteries that last longer and cost a lot less. Amazon has them for $12.75. (I think your camera uses the BP-511 too, but check to make sure.)

Happy shopping!

Edit: I forgot to add that if you don't have a bag yet for all your toys, this one by Canon is a nice CHEAP bag to start with.

Message edited by author 2006-12-18 08:51:46.

pamelasue

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

12/18/2006 10:18:27 AM · #7

if you really like landscape photography you might consider investing in a circular polarizer...

12/18/2006 02:00:14 PM · #8

Ah, ya thats what i was looking for, a polarizer, probably get one of those. As for the 50mm/1.8 I thought people were saying it was great for landscapes and such, if its not good for that, what kinda stuff would it be good for? Im thinking id get alot of use out of it cuz im always finding the f/3.5 isn't low enough, but you guys know better than me what it would be good for lol.

DianeS

Canon EOS-30D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

12/18/2006 02:10:59 PM · #9

I have the 50mm 1.8 and I love it for people shots. I went to a wedding where the reception party was pretty much in the dark and it worked great even with no flash! I highly reccommend it, depending on what you're shooting of course.

12/18/2006 02:25:04 PM · #10

Ya, i made it sound like i do ONLY landscapes, i do them often, but i also like to shoot people. I dont do it as much because of the fact that the F/3.5 hurts me alot cuz usually the lighting isn't the greatest so that 1.8 would be great, think ill look into getting the 50mm/1.8, the circle polarizer, and a remote, that should be around the $200 id guess, keep the ideas coming though, i might change things around.

SamDoe1

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

12/18/2006 02:28:10 PM · #11

Originally posted by kawana:

Well generally for landscapes your best bet is to set the camera on a tripod with the aperature up pretty low (f/8 or lower). This will give you the depth of field you want for a good landscape shot. The shutter speed doesn't matter much since you're on a tripod. The 50mm f/1.8, which is an excellent lens by the way, is not very well suited for landscapes as it's not very wide. I don't think you'll find a really good lens for $200-$300 in the super wide range, the Canon 10-22 is about $600 and the Tokina 12-24 is about $500 as is the Sigma 10-20mm. You have the kit lens though at 18mm and while this lens isn't really the best, it's still very usable. I'd definitely recommend getting the 50mm lens, but not for landscape use.

Message edited by author 2006-12-18 14:28:38.

TJinGuy

Nikon Coolpix 2100

12/18/2006 03:00:41 PM · #12

I am assuming that all you have right now is the 350D, kit lens, a cheap tripod and 1-3 CF Cards. This is what I would recommend

- Buy the Canon starter kit (Bag, battery and UV filter) for $65-$75. That will give you a nice storage place and an additional battery. Do remember that the battery alone is about $55 and Canon states $100 for the bag. Link

- Buy a new lens. This can be the 50mm or something more interesting like the 70-300mm Sigma lens. You can't beat the 50mm for sharpness and large aperture, but a long zoom can be fun. $75 for the 50mm or about $200 for the Sigma. Link and Link

- Circ. Polarizer filter. Good brands are Hoya, B+W and Tiffen. Should run you about $35 for a basic model. Link

- If you buy the Canon 50mm lens, make sure you buy a 52mm-58mm step-up ring. That way you can use the 58mm filters on your new lens. Should cost you less than $10. Link

- Something I never thought I would need is a sensor cleaning kit. But now I have dust on my 2 month old camera sensor and now I own a cleaning kit. Link

Message edited by author 2006-12-18 15:02:26.

pamelasue

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

12/18/2006 03:12:11 PM · #13

great suggestions TJinGuy!

TJinGuy

Nikon Coolpix 2100

12/18/2006 11:19:30 PM · #14

Originally posted by pamelasue:

great suggestions TJinGuy!

Yeah I am full of good ideas. If only I could use them to score higher than a 5.3 in a challenge.

jfriesen

Panasonic LUMIX GH5

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

12/18/2006 11:25:08 PM · #15

Yea, I got the 50mm f1.8 and it is fabulous for the money!! I use it all the time.

And if you want a good all around lens, try the Tamron SP AF 28-75 f/2.8 XR Di for Canon.(here) It's about 330 bucks if you look hard enough.

I don't personally have it but I want to get one and the dpchallenge images taken with it are stunning. I have heard only good things..

Message edited by author 2006-12-18 23:26:27.

Nikolai1024

Nikon D300

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 24-85mm f2.8-4.0D

12/18/2006 11:43:58 PM · #16

lights

robs

Canon EOS R6 Mk II

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

12/18/2006 11:54:26 PM · #17

Depends on what you want to play with -

- Can get a decent flash for that range and can be useful.
- Tripod if you want to play with landscape/light trails e.t.c.
- Some background stands and paper/cloth.
- Memory cards.
- Disk space for all the pics you take :-)

12/21/2006 04:19:50 PM · #18

Wow i like TJinguy's suggestions, im probably gunna go with all of them lol, i got paid today so its time to start ordering stuff ;)