Ok $300--what should I buy? - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

03/12/2009 12:08:19 PM · #1

I have $300 that I want to put towards photography *stuff*.

This is what I have:
canon 40d
100mm 2.8 macro
50mm 1.4
75-300 4.5/5.6
85mm portrait lens
28-135 cheapo

Photoshop Elements

backdrops: couple of yards of different color fabrics from fabric store
reflector disk thingy (gold/white)

no lights
no flashes

On what should I spend my $300?

eschelar

Canon EOS-7D

03/12/2009 12:10:41 PM · #2

do you have any specific goals or areas of interest as to where you would like to expand your photography?

If you want to do portraits, you can start looking at flashes and diffusers.

if you want to do macro, you can grab a reversal ring.

Do you have enough storage? Memory cards and HD space? Is your DVD burner up to date and not about to break? (many of these are made to last only a year) Is your comp fully maxxed on RAM? Got enough batteries?

Message edited by author 2009-03-12 12:14:21.

freakin_hilarious

Canon EOS-550D Rebel T2i

03/12/2009 12:12:48 PM · #3

What's annoying you the most when you're shooting?

1. Man, I wish I had some studio lights! Then I could rock this portrait!
2. Man, I could really use a nice flash right about now! This onboard flash sucks the big one, and it's dark in here!
3. Man, this zoom lens sucks! I can't get a decent shot with it at all!

03/12/2009 12:36:39 PM · #4

I don't know enough about lights and flashes to want them. Until I started here, I did everything natural lighting. I used to have a hot-shoe flash with my A2, but really never used it--though I think I might use it now. I try to avoid flash whenever possible because the onboard flash flattens everything so much. Someone mentioned the 580 and then the 4-something as a slave--which sounds interesting, though my $300 won't take me very far at the moment.

The thing that bothers me most is not having a fast zoom. I love the short depth of field, but at the moment I can only do it at 50, 85 and 100 and switching lenses all the time. However, $300 isn't going to help me there.

I only have two cf cards, but they seem to be adequate at the moment. just got a backup drive, so not using the DVD burner at the moment. fine on hd space. RAM is an intriguing idea...

That's the reason that I was posting here. What's the next level that I don't know about?

edited to add:
by the way, have a polarizer, no neutral densities
heavy tripod
cable release.

Message edited by author 2009-03-12 12:51:09.

freakin_hilarious

Canon EOS-550D Rebel T2i

03/12/2009 12:54:41 PM · #5

Well, I think you should get a fast zoom! $300 might just be able to do it. I just recently bought the Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon. It came highly recommended and so far I love it. Fast, sharp, decent price. We got it new from B&H for about $350. I'm sure you can find it used for less.

A recent shot of my wife's with that lens:

03/12/2009 12:54:50 PM · #6

My suggestion:
430ex Flash and the the Canon OC-E3 off camera TTL cord ($244 & $69 at B&H Photo)

This will give you flexability with flash at the moment. You can use the 430ex on camera and bounce the flash off walls and ceilings or use the cord and hold the flash off to the side. The cord will retain you cameras TTL capability which is great for flash beginners.

03/12/2009 01:03:58 PM · #7

ooh, never thought of going away from canon for the lens--interesting thought... I had a sigma 500mm with my canon a2, and it was very slow focus, so I haven't looked outside of canon since then. The focusing speed seems fine to you?

Is the 430 ex the one that can be used as a slave later on? (I know nothing about this part... B&H says it can slave to the 580ex, but then says lower down on the specs that it can be Wireless TTL "slave" flash with EOS 1V, EOS 3, D30 and Pro Digital cameras. Does that leave my 40D out?

freakin_hilarious

Canon EOS-550D Rebel T2i

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

03/12/2009 01:08:43 PM · #8

Here's the thread I started when I was looking for a fast zoom: //www.dpchallenge.com/forum.php?action=read&FORUM_THREAD_ID=872262

I didn't know anything about non-Canon lenses at the time either. I am super pleased with the purchase so far. Autofocus is nice and fast. Feels faster than any of my other lenses, actually.

ETA: It'll hunt some in low light situations, but most lenses will unless they're super fast.

Message edited by author 2009-03-12 13:10:18.

chromeydome

Nikon D7000

03/12/2009 01:10:16 PM · #9

I really like my battery grip, camdapter hand strap, and BlackRapid strap

Battery grip does add weight, but also (at least my nikon does) has an adapter tray that will let you use AA's. It is GREAT for vertical handholding, too.

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

03/12/2009 01:15:04 PM · #10

Originally posted by vawendy:

Is the 430 ex the one that can be used as a slave later on? (I know nothing about this part... B&H says it can slave to the 580ex, but then says lower down on the specs that it can be Wireless TTL "slave" flash with EOS 1V, EOS 3, D30 and Pro Digital cameras. Does that leave my 40D out?

Yes it can be used as a slave wirelessly, but it's not your camera that will fire it. You will need a transmitter of some sort to do that. I use a Canon ST-E2 transmitter because I still want to use TTL, but there are many other choices out there that will fire this wirelessly. (eg. a 580ex, Pocket wizards or Radio poppers)

Spork99

OM System OM-1

03/12/2009 01:15:13 PM · #11

Send me your $300 + shipping costs.

I'll send you my Tamron 28-75 f2.8 zoom. It's in great shape, I just don't use it.

03/12/2009 01:22:58 PM · #12

Didn't know the straps existed--I'll have to check them out!

I had a vertical grip for my a2 and loved it--but somehow don't seem to miss it with my digital.

As I mentioned, my flash knowledge is sorely lacking--when you say ttl, you're talking about the on-board metering? whatever I end up with, I want to be able to control/set & understand through the camera (used strobes once and had to have a light meter). Which leads to another question--If I wanted lighting just to light a white backdrop, would you buy a light, or just use the 430 as a slave pointing at the backdrop?

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

03/12/2009 01:23:26 PM · #13

Oh, and Spazmo, how come you don't use the tamron? what do you use instead?

Spork99

OM System OM-1

03/12/2009 01:38:18 PM · #14

Originally posted by vawendy:

Oh, and Spazmo, how come you don't use the tamron? what do you use instead?

I've been using my primes; 28 f1.8, 50f1.4 and 85f1.8, instead of the zoom.

03/12/2009 01:45:02 PM · #15

Originally posted by vawendy:

As I mentioned, my flash knowledge is sorely lacking--when you say ttl, you're talking about the on-board metering? whatever I end up with, I want to be able to control/set & understand through the camera (used strobes once and had to have a light meter). Which leads to another question--If I wanted lighting just to light a white backdrop, would you buy a light, or just use the 430 as a slave pointing at the backdrop?

1) TTL means the flash is metered in camera. It's similar to the way your onboard flash works. I usually set my aperature and shutter speed in manual, and the flash exposes properly. No need for a light meter. I consider it auto flash.

2) In regards to your backdrop question, I have 2 flashes, so I would use 1 to light my subject and use the other light the background. With 1 flash only, you are more limited but remember, you have to start somewhere. :)

k4ffy

03/12/2009 01:49:48 PM · #16

carbon fiber tripod with pistol/joystick grip ball head.

Leica 18-56mm f/3.5-5.6 Vario Elmar-T ASPH

03/12/2009 01:53:25 PM · #17

Originally posted by k4ffy:

carbon fiber tripod with pistol/joystick grip ball head.

That's what I need now that I got a beautiful new Canon 10-22mm :)

MAK

Leica CL

03/12/2009 02:37:48 PM · #18

That Tamron is a great suggestion, mid zoom fast @ f2.8 and very sharp clear lens HUGE bang for the buck.

NstiG8tr

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM

03/12/2009 03:11:42 PM · #19

In these economic times, you might be better off to save it.

03/12/2009 03:33:25 PM · #20

Originally posted by MAK:

That Tamron is a great suggestion, mid zoom fast @ f2.8 and very sharp clear lens HUGE bang for the buck.

I have the Tamron lens and love it. Considering she already has the Canon 28-135 IS lens, is this really worth the upgrade? I've never shot with the Canon lens so I don't know.

03/12/2009 04:12:02 PM · #21

Originally posted by rmezzo:

Originally posted by MAK:
That Tamron is a great suggestion, mid zoom fast @ f2.8 and very sharp clear lens HUGE bang for the buck.

I have the Tamron lens and love it. Considering she already has the Canon 28-135 IS lens, is this really worth the upgrade? I've never shot with the Canon lens so I don't know.

that's a good question that I would love to have answered. the 28-135 is a 3.5-5.6. I wouldn't be getting it to shoot in low light, the IS does a good job at that. It would be mostly for a shallower depth of field. would it be worth it for that?