Help with accessories for new 20D

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX100

11/09/2009 02:07:04 AM · #1

Hi all. Just got a new camera. A EOS 20D with a kit 18-55mm lens. Looking into purchasing either a new lens or some filters. My main interest will be nature shots; waterfalls, streams mostly. But will also want to take some portraits and possible night time shots. Star trails and such if I'm able. Eventually I will want to shoot some macro shots as well, however being able to shoot my waterfalls is my #1 priority.

I want to get the 3 ND filters and a Polarized, but had a few questions.

1. Should I stick with the kit lens for now and just get the filters? And if so will the majority of my lens purchases in the future be able to use the same filters or will I have to buy them again once I start upgrading glass?

2. If I'll have to buy all the filters again once I start upgrading glass would I be better off getting a new lens first? Any suggestions?

3. What thread size will I be using the most? Will most of my lens be 58mm thread? If so I'd prefer to get the filters first so I can start shooting and start upgrading glass later.

4. Are the Hoya filters worth the extra money? The polarizing filter is priced about the same as the other brands but the ND filters are almost double the price of a Tiffen filter.

I'm on a pretty low budget since I just purchased the camera, so I'd like to keep it under $150 or so right now.

I was considering one of the below 3 packages.

1. Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Camera Lens and Hoya Cir pol. about $140

2. Hoya cir Pol and 3 Tiffen ND filters 0.3 0.6 & 0.9 about $80

3. Same as #2 but all Hoya filters about $110

Prices are from Amazon so if there's a better online shop please let me know.

This is my first SLR camera so any advice/suggestions for getting the most as a new user would also be welcome.

One last thing, how do I know what size filters a lens takes? For example the 50mm f/1.8 on amazon shows it purchased together with a 52mm UV and a 58mm UV. Can it take both cause I have several ND filters already from my previous camera and I think they are 52mm.

spiritualspatula

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

11/09/2009 02:18:18 AM · #2

Originally posted by bmatt17:

The "pro" size for filters is 77mm and you typically won't need anything larger than that (sometimes you will if you get bigger lenses, but generally speaking this is true). You can then buy step up rings for whatever size thread your various lenses actually have to make them get up to 77. Unfortunately, buying 77mm filters is more expensive, but it's cheaper and less annoying than having tons of different size Cir pols, for instance. For landscapes, a cir pol is something you definitely want. I would say not to skimp on the cost for this. As far as choosing all Hoya, that's a choice you'll have to make on your own. I've only gotten Hoya (with a couple B&W's in there) because I couldn't justify spending the money for purely B&W but wanted higher grade than Tiffen. Your budget may not justify the cost of Hoya over Tiffen, and I've never used Tiffen so I can't really say there's a noticeably large difference in quality. I figure if I'm putting glass in front of my expensive glass, if I go cheap I'm making my expensive lens into a cheap lens, defeating the purpose of getting it in the first place.
The thread size should be listed on all lenses under the specs. It will only be one size. Filters of different sizes will only fit on other filter thread sizes by using a step-up ring. The 50mm is a 52mm thread.

sarampo

Nikon D7100

Nikon AF-S DX 18-105 f/3.5-5.6 ED VR

11/09/2009 04:18:55 AM · #3

Hi Matt!

Also please consider going for the Cokin square ones. They're a bit more expensive, but offer you the advantage of fitting several filter threads. And they're easier to carry/store, so you can upgrade your filters at any time.

For your type of shooting I think that a kit lens will suffice (expect probably for macro work), so I would stick with it before making expensive changes to the setup. It's better to save up some more on a good lens than to use all your money for a standard lens.
Just my 2 cents.

Cheers,
Joao

Bugzeye

Fisher Price Kid-Tough Digital

11/09/2009 04:34:35 AM · #4

I agree with this, Don't waste your money on cheap glass. Save up for the good stuff, If you buy the cheap now, you will only find yourself upgrading down the road and the cheap lens you would buy now ends up becoming a paperweight. If you want to invest in accessories, Extra Batteries are a wise choice and depending on how much you plan to shoot more memory cards always come in handy.

Originally posted by sarampo:

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

11/10/2009 10:53:05 AM · #5

Thanks for the replies so far. So looks like I'll be getting the filters first then so I can get out and start shooting. Any recommendations on a good lens? I don't want to go too expensive though, <$300 would be preferable.

Edit: One of my main complaints with my old camera was shooting in low light. The lens I have is better but still requires half a sec shutter if I'm zoomed in. Zoomed out is better though.

Message edited by author 2009-11-10 11:14:17.

Yo_Spiff

Olympus 12-100mm f/4.0 M.Zuiko ED IS PRO

11/10/2009 12:07:11 PM · #6

On the budget you are on, you don't have much choice for lenses. The kit lens that came with the 20D is not as good as the newer 18-55 that replaced it. The optics are far superior on the new one. You can get one for around $100 give or take $10. I bought the newer version from another DPC member who had better lenses and didn't need it. I can definitely see the difference compared to my previous 18-55. Plus, it's stabilized, which will help the low light shots.

Looks like

bnilesh nearly owns the page for that lens. Fantastic examples of what you can achieve with just that kit lens!

For about the same, you can get the 50mm 1.8. Good for portraits, not a good focal length for landscapes, however.

Message edited by author 2009-11-10 12:11:00.

MattO

Nikon D4

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II

11/10/2009 03:02:46 PM · #7

I think I have a 58mm CP filter at my house that came on a used lens I bought. If you are willing to paypal me $5 for shipping and packaging I'll send it to you. Let me get home and make sure that is what size it is and what brand and I will let you know. Welcome to the DSLR world.

Matt

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II

11/10/2009 03:28:24 PM · #8

That would be great if you do MattO

MattO

Nikon D4

11/10/2009 10:50:46 PM · #9

Originally posted by MattO:

58MM Tiffen CP filter if interested let me know.

Matt