Help with Equipment priorities - DPChallenge Forums

01/22/2011 10:33:15 PM · #1

Hi Everyone,

I'm new to photography, and looking to expand on my meager collection of photographic equipment - mainly just being a Canon 550D/T2i and stock kit lens 18-55/3.5-5.6 IS.

Unfortunately as a graduate student on a meager stipend, my budget is limited -- only $350.

With this budget in mind, I feel my options are:

1) tripod and Canon 50mm/1.8
2) tripod and Canon 430EX II speedlight
3) tripod and Canon 55-250/4.0-5.6
4) Speedlight and 50mm/1.8
5) Canon 85/1.8

As far as lenses go, I would like a faster lens than the kit lens, hence either the 50/1.8 or the 85/1.8 and would also "like" a longer lens as I routinely knock up against the 55mm range of the kit lens, hence the 85mm and the 55-250mm. However, I know I need a tripod for low-light photography, longer exposures and HDR. I also suspect I need a decent flash.

So, I'm torn between which is the most useful use of my meager budget. Would greatly appreciate anyone's input on this and which of the above options they would recommend (...or any other option they may feel would be better keeping budget in mind).

Thanks,
Garry

KristinaG

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS

01/22/2011 10:42:29 PM · #2

I upgraded from owning just the kit lens to getting the 55-250. Then after many months I purchased the 50mm 1.8
I definitely think I did that in the right order. I frequently frequently use the longer lens, and mainly use the 50mm to get slightly higher quality shots then I would get with my kit lens.
Since this has worked for me, I would suggest the same for you, but I don't have experience with the 85mm

Oh, and I would get the tripod before the speedlight

MinsoPhoto

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

01/22/2011 11:10:43 PM · #3

Depends on what you want to shoot mostly.

If you want to do landscapes and night photography then I would invest in at least a tripod.
If you want to do a lot of indoor stuff such as portraits and still life then the faster lens (50 1.8) and a flash would suit you better.
If you just want to have a general purpose arsenal then the tripod and 55-250 will be your best bet.

Portrait work, still life, landscapes, street, wildlife and all that all have specific equipment that work better for the specific applications. If you are just getting into photography and just want to have fun and get a feel for what you like best then the 55-250 and a tripod will be the way to go. Also look at picking up a 5in1 reflector. It has a white reflector, silver reflector, black reducing panel, gold reflector and a diffusion panel. Really worth the little bit of money they cost. You can get by with a lot of DIY lighting just by searching the forums and the internet.

Hope this helps.

ETA the 85mm 1.8 lens is a sweet buy and is next on my list. If you plan on getting into portrait work that would be the lens to get although I have seen great things with the 50mm lens and on your crop sensor it gives you a similar focal length, but the 85 will be a bit tight to use indoors on your crop sensor so it depends on what you want to shoot.

Message edited by author 2011-01-22 23:13:45.

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

01/22/2011 11:23:21 PM · #4

Originally posted by jminso:

Depends on what you want to shoot mostly.

ETA the 85mm 1.8 lens is a sweet buy and is next on my list. If you plan on getting into portrait work that would be the lens to get although I have seen great things with the 50mm lens and on your crop sensor it gives you a similar focal length, but the 85 will be a bit tight to use indoors on your crop sensor so it depends on what you want to shoot.

My interests right now are fairly broad as I try find what I'm most interested in. Right now I enjoy landscapes and candid/street pics. I like the fast 50/1.8 but would like something a little longer as often I wish I could get in tighter. The 85/1.8 seems to be a great compromise...both fast and longer.
As much as the 55-250 sounds like a good buy, I worry that the slow lens will be a problem in low-light and also for getting a narrow DoF.

The flash also seems like a great idea, but unless I get into portraiture more seriously, I suspect a tripod is of more importance

MelonMusketeer

Nikon D7000

Nikon MF 50mm f/1.4

01/23/2011 12:07:35 AM · #5

If you are keen on street candid, and shooting within an hour of sunrise and sunset, the 85 would be better for low light, but limiting in allowing you to frame your subjects without moving in and out on the subjects.
On the other hand the 55-250 would give you a lot of reach, to keep you at a comfortable working distance but allow you to move in closer if the scene demands it. I would trade the necessary higher iso to get shutter speed in order to get the versatility of the zoom. A lot of street photography works well with B&W, which does a lot to cover up noise from higher iso as well. Shoot color, or raw, but convert to B&W in processing. The DOF with the zoom at 100mm + and wide open will be surprisingly narrow compared to shooting with the 18-55. If you can try the zoom at a store or borrow one for a day or two, I think that you will find that you like it a lot.

Yo_Spiff

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

01/23/2011 12:18:35 AM · #6

I have the 55-250 and I think it a good lens and a fantastic value for the money. Adding it to the 18-55 would give you a nice range of coverage. It does focus hunt some in low light, and only you can decide if that's a deal breaker. I don't think you can go wrong with it, however.

cpanaioti

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

01/23/2011 09:41:00 AM · #7

A good tripod could eat up at least half (if not more) of your budget ($150+) which would not leave much for more equipment. I wouldn't compromise on the tripod just to be able to get something else.

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

01/23/2011 10:46:26 AM · #8

Thanks for your replies and suggestions, everyone...

I think I will pass on the 85mm/1.8 and get the following:

Slik 340DX tripod with 3-way pan-tilt head tripod $100 new
Slik 340DX

Canon 55-250mm $150 new/lightly used on Ebay

Canon 50/1.8 $100 new

That's the whole budget, but I think well spent on equipment that will help me on my learning path in photography.

Yo_Spiff

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

01/23/2011 12:39:03 PM · #9

Sounds like you did some careful shopping and got a lot for your money.

tanguera

Nikon D750

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

01/23/2011 12:46:36 PM · #10

My 2 cents: Because you have a wide range of interests (like me) and because you have a low budget (like me), I'd go for the most flexibility and get the 55-250. A zoom in any case covers a lot of territory, and that is a great walk around lens. In all honesty, I find I only use a tripod for my studio stuff. When I'm out and about and want stability, there is almost always something to sit the camera on. But I'm not a "pro" and don't care if people look at me funny.

01/23/2011 12:47:28 PM · #11

Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:

Sounds like you did some careful shopping and got a lot for your money.

Thanks Spiff...hopefully sometime in the not so distant future I'll be able to have some pictures from the 55-250 on the main equipment page that will be on par with yours and BNilesh's!

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

01/23/2011 12:49:36 PM · #12

Originally posted by tanguera:

Tanguera, I agree with the 55-250. But I've found there are many times when I wish I had a tripod since there was nothing I could put my camera on. Especially some low-light photography and HDR photo's in the middle of nowhere.

tanguera

Nikon D750

01/23/2011 01:13:13 PM · #13

Since I've never had that problem, nor been out in the middle of nowhere alone at night, our needs are clearly different :-)

Another option is a monopod, which doubles as a walking stick. My sweetie has one and uses it quite a bit.

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

01/23/2011 01:51:27 PM · #14

Originally posted by tanguera:

Another option is a monopod, which doubles as a walking stick. My sweetie has one and uses it quite a bit.

Another less-expensive option is a mini-tripod -- some people use a "Gorilla Pod" which has bendable legs, though I more often use one from REI which has rigid legs and is surprisingly stable on a tabletop, and also has a Velcro strap which allows you to fasten it to a fence post or rail, or to a convenient street sign.

Samsung Galaxy S24, S24+, S24 Ultra

01/23/2011 02:02:51 PM · #15

Originally posted by tanguera:

Never considered monopods as super stable options for long-time exposures?

MelonMusketeer

Nikon D7000

Nikon MF 50mm f/1.4

01/23/2011 02:49:26 PM · #16

Monopods can be a very versatile and useful item to have. You can use much slower shutter speeds with one, and still have the ability to move around freely in groups of people or in brush and woods. It doubles as a walking stick when the camera is not on it, and can be very useful for rocky climbing or rough terrain. It supports the camera when you are doing event photography, taking that load off your shoulders and arms, even when you are just standing around. You can get crazy angles like this on things using remote or self timer with one too.

I use a Giottos M5580 and like it a lot.
If you can put the monopod against something like a post or chair, you can get pretty stable with it for longer exposures.

Bear_Music

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

01/23/2011 03:39:37 PM · #17

Originally posted by gcoulson:

Originally posted by tanguera:
Since I've never had that problem, nor been out in the middle of nowhere alone at night, our needs are clearly different :-)

Another option is a monopod, which doubles as a walking stick. My sweetie has one and uses it quite a bit.

Never considered monopods as super stable options for long-time exposures?

You're right, they're not much good for really long exposures or for HDR bracketing, although it should go without saying that if you cannot HAVE a tripod in a given location, then the monopod DOES increase your chances of success in those situations.

Other than that, the melonhead guy is spot-on; a monopod can be all-around useful, and much less of a chore to lug around and set up than a tripod. I don't use one any longer, but I sure used to, when I was working. I move at a slower pace now, and am rarely shooting anywhere a tripod is not an option, if I want to bother with it.

R.

Cory

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM

01/23/2011 03:58:04 PM · #18

Buy the 85 1.8 .. It's one of my very favorite lenses, period.

ETA: I see I'm way too late to this game... Carry on.

Message edited by author 2011-01-23 15:59:56.