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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Overlooked accessories / birthday ideas
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AuthorThread
 08/16/2007 04:40:27 PM · #1
My birthday is coming up and my wife wants to compile a list of gift ideas. She really wants to get stuff to further my photography instead of socks and underwear--woowhoo! So what are some of your great accessories that really get overlooked in the camera store when we are all drawn to the camera body and lens counter? I am looking to do more studio and location portraiture and more wedding type events. So I am looking for more practical accessories (something my family members or friends can pick up for ~$50 or less) as I have tons of books and, of course, my wishlist of $$$$ items. What little items do you have that you think are great, but donât get much play hereâ¦outside the box kind of stuff?

What I was thinking:
Spare memory, ladder or step stool, backdrop paper, sensor dust blower, lens hoods (not the âpop upâ rubber one I have), what else?

What Iâve got already (so as not to waste peoplesâ time and give ideas for accessorizing my current setup): Camera body, lenses, crappy tripod, crappy bag, flash gun, lightsphere (just the regular dome), corded shutter release, hand strap, AB strobes (with wireless triggers), & assorted filters (UV, CP, ND)

Thanks everybody!
-drew
 08/16/2007 04:42:11 PM · #2
reflector?
 08/16/2007 04:44:10 PM · #3
- Nice tripod (you will NOT regret this move)
- Wireless shutter release
- Memory (can never have enough)
- Bulb blower (a must have)
- Didn't you get lens hoods with your lenses?
- Battery Grip
- More batteries
- Strobe accesories/more strobes (softboxes, umbrellas, etc)

I'm sure there's more, others will add to this.
 08/16/2007 04:56:55 PM · #4
Gift card to B&H ;)

battery recharger and batteries
monopod (appx. $50...but the $125 pistol grip makes it)
DVD or CD's
DPC subscription
Ilford photo paper (appx. $25 for 25 sheets)
Close up filters
Extension tubes (manual appx $25)
Matting and double-sided archival tape
Lens Pen

Good luck and happy birthday!
08/16/2007 04:58:30 PM · #5
oh, hadn't thought of a reflector! THANKS SaraR!

Sam, Manfrotto 190XProB is on my list of $$$ items...I'm looking for small stuff for protraiture and/or weddings that is overlooked (like a ladder) just stuff you all haul to the site, use and don't think twice about. I didn't get lens hoods with any of my lenses...I don't think they were fancy enough for hoods when I bought them, but I will be buying the rigid hoods for my next lenses (when I buck up the cash!) I will add some strobe umbrellas or another softbox to my wishlist, THANKS!
 08/16/2007 05:02:56 PM · #6
Originally posted by KaDi:

1.DVD or CD's
2.DPC subscription
3.Ilford photo paper (appx. $25 for 25 sheets)
4.Lens Pen
5.Good luck and happy birthday!

1. Great idea...now on the list!
2. Have you been peeking at my profile...I've only got to the end of the month!
3. No printer :(
4. Got one (forgot about it).
5. Thanks and thanks! The big 25...or as we tease my parents "half way to dead!"...They're over 50 and it get's them worked up! ;P
 08/16/2007 05:03:32 PM · #7
camera bag - even if you already have a large one for all your equipment, a smaller one for out and about might be useful. Do you take/ want to take landscapes? Cokin P filter holder nad ND Grad filter(s); circular polariser to fit your wide angle lens thread...
 08/16/2007 05:05:05 PM · #8
Originally posted by drewbixcube:

3. No printer :(

Epson R 320 (or similar) photo printer -about £65 new, but you might get one second hand.
 08/16/2007 05:09:23 PM · #9
I think my wife wants me to pick out a bag as my gift from her...so I have been researching it a little. The one I have now is from Cabela's and is waterproof, kind of fits all my gear, and works fine...but it's Mossy Oak Advantage Max-4 HD (camouflage) (see picture in next post...I'm on the left) and looks funny setting up in a church. I am looking at a LowPro backpack type one...I don't know, I will have to try them out at the store first.

Message edited by author 2007-08-17 16:51:05.
 08/16/2007 05:29:44 PM · #10

Looks ok in the duck blind...but a little weird at the zoo...even more off in a church.

ETA: plus if I set it down outside...it is kinda hard to find!

Message edited by author 2007-08-16 17:32:06.
 08/16/2007 05:40:11 PM · #11
Originally posted by drewbixcube:
I think my wife wants me to pick out a bag as my gift from her...so I have been researching it a little.


I used this Canon one for about a year until I outgrew it. Decent bag for the price. Happy shopping, and Happy Birthday (early).

Edit: well, I didn't outgrow it, my gear did.

Message edited by author 2007-08-16 17:40:44.
 08/16/2007 05:52:03 PM · #12
As far as bags go, I'm about to get a Crumpler for my b-day in a month. I got my guy one for Christmas last year and he loves it.
 08/16/2007 06:42:46 PM · #13
Originally posted by KaDi:
Gift card to B&H ;)

Hell, he could just create a B&H wishlist and she could pick from the list and gift wrap it all and everything.
 08/16/2007 07:38:21 PM · #14
Marc, what all did you fit in there until it was too full to use anymore? Any problems with it or features you wished it had? Thanks, -drew
 08/16/2007 10:33:36 PM · #15
Originally posted by drewbixcube:
Marc, what all did you fit in there until it was too full to use anymore? Any problems with it or features you wished it had? Thanks, -drew


I had the 20D with grip and 70-200 2.8IS attached, Canon 24-70 2.8L, Canon 10-22mm, and Canon 28-135IS. Those fit fine, although didn't leave much room for anything else. A big reason to get a larger bag was when I got a Quantum Turbo Battery with the power cord, and a second body (30D). Plus all the other things... lens hoods, flash, Lightsphere, ST-E2, cords, filters, batteries, etc. I now have a Tamrac Expedition 7 that holds all that with the large side pockets on the sides.

The Canon bag is a great bag for the price. Not quite the build quality of Lowepro or Tamrac, but should last you quite a while. Actually, forget B+H. I just checked and it's even cheaper at Amazon. $38.83 there.
 08/16/2007 10:48:37 PM · #16
Originally posted by drewbixcube:
Marc, what all did you fit in there until it was too full to use anymore? Any problems with it or features you wished it had? Thanks, -drew


If you think you might want that bag, I can meet you somewhere and you can "test" all of your equipment in it, I carry that as my second bag when I'm working. My main stuff is in a Tamrac bag that I have had for a couple of years and still looks new its tough.

MattO
 08/17/2007 01:07:35 PM · #17
Matt, I am going to continue looking, but this bag seems pretty nice for the price. I will drop you a line if I decide to go this route and want to test yours to see how all my stuff will fit. I couldn't tell from the reviews, are the inside compartments size adjustable or are they sewn into place? And have you had any trouble with the zippers or things shifting around?

Thanks, -drew
 08/17/2007 01:22:42 PM · #18
Yes, velcro compartments, so you can adjust them as necessary. I've never had problems with the zippers, but I have heard horror stories from people who zip both zippers up to the middle but not fully close it, then the zippers loosen while walking and the main compartment flap opens and everything falls out. I always zipped it all the way to one side to avoid that. Bigger backpacks usually have locking straps to keep the main compartment closed if the zippers fail.
 08/17/2007 01:29:13 PM · #19
Originally posted by drewbixcube:
Matt, I am going to continue looking, but this bag seems pretty nice for the price. I will drop you a line if I decide to go this route and want to test yours to see how all my stuff will fit. I couldn't tell from the reviews, are the inside compartments size adjustable or are they sewn into place? And have you had any trouble with the zippers or things shifting around?

Thanks, -drew


Just let me know if you want to try it on for size, you have my number,
as Telehubbie says the compartments have velcro dividers, I've never had any issues with the zippers, but I also zip them both to one side and never to the middle. It has held up well and has been through use from my days as an Olympus user up until now, I have outgrown it but I carry 2 bags instead of one huge one. I really like it, but for PJ work I like having a shoulder bag that I can get to an extra lens or body with pretty easy. The backpack isnt all to convienent for that.

MattO
 08/17/2007 01:39:46 PM · #20
Originally posted by Telehubbie:
I used this Canon one for about a year until I outgrew it. Decent bag for the price.


I have this bag and it's contents include:
Canon EOS 5D
50mm 1.8
17-40 F/4
24-105 F/4
100mm macro
70-200 F/2.8
300mm F/4
1.4x converter
2x converter
Sigma DG 500 Super

This is just the big stuff and doesn't include all the small things in there like filters, lens hoods, shutter release, cables, batteries and yada yada yada. You can fit tons of stuff in this bag and for 30-some dollars you can't beat it.

If I buy one more thing of any size I will need a new bag.

ETA: The zipper will open on you if A)you zip to the middle instead of one side or the other and B)if you zip to the middle and then grab the flap instead of the strap to pick up the bag. If you zip to one side or the other you'll be fine. I've walked for hours with mine on and have never had any problems with it opening by itself when zipped shut the proper way.

Message edited by author 2007-08-17 14:01:26.
 08/17/2007 01:58:13 PM · #21
Color gels for your AB's. Both effects and color correction.

Snoots, barndoors, grids too

Clamps - can almost never have enough.

Sandbags.
 08/17/2007 02:02:48 PM · #22
Thanks for the input on the bags guys...the Canon one seems right up my alley, but I am looking into a couple of Tamrac and Lowepro ones as well. Specifically the Tamrac 608 Pro System 8 and 767 Photo Trail Backpack or the Lowepro Nature Trekker AW II and Photo Trekker Classic.

Matt, I am assuming your Tamrac is sling type for your PJ work, is that right? I don't know if I want to go with a backpack or a shoulder bag like the first Tamrac I listed. My current bag is a shoulder bag (seen in Matt's pic in a previous post), but it has a waterproof rolltop liner in it which makes it a pain rolling and unrolling to get in and out of. Decisions, decisions...

Thanks again guys!
-drew
 08/17/2007 02:04:03 PM · #23
Spaz...I forgot about color gels! Thanks, they're on the list!
 08/17/2007 02:33:00 PM · #24
LInk to tamrac This is the bag I carry day to day with me. Currently it has my 1DMKIIn, 24-70, 70-200, 85, 580EX, stofens omni bounce, spare batteries(camera and flash) extra cards, rainjacket for the camera/telephoto combo, pens, notepads, and such and I still have a bit of room in the front and side compartments.

MattO
 08/19/2007 06:35:17 PM · #25
I spent about an hour in Schiller's yesterday looking around and found most of the bags that I have been looking at. I opened them all up and did some hands on comparisons. I also had a chance to look at the 190XProB and several heads. Man, I could drop a lot of money in there! I reserved a 16-35 f/2.8L USM for the wedding at the end of September, and am really excited about using that lens.

I am still undecided if I want to go with a backpack style or shoulder bag style...But I added a few things to my list, including a small flash light so I can find all my stuff in my bag in a dark corner of the reception. I will have to go back to look around Schiller's or the big Creve Coeur Camera sometime this week.
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