What accessories are needed? - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6

01/09/2006 06:00:27 PM · #1

I'll be getting the xt and some lenses tomorrow. I already have a camera bag - what else do I need? I have a bunch of Best Buy gift certificates, so I'll be shopping there:

1.) Tripod (what should I look for in a good one at Best Buy?)
2.) Memory Card - San Disk Ultra II 1/2gb

What else? Card reader? Polarizers? UV filters?

Givemeashot

Nikon D200

01/09/2006 06:03:50 PM · #2

well i hate pluging my camera up to the computer so i would say a card reader .....because i need one as well... i have had my baby for about 1 month now.......and i love it Have fun =)

Message edited by author 2006-01-09 18:04:07.

01/09/2006 06:06:33 PM · #3

last i looked Best Buy didn't have a sturdy tripod...
You could always look for a good photo printer and photo paper at Best Buy
You can get a cf card there also
edit to add: and definitely a card reader (I have two oen that stays on my computer and one for my camera bag so i can leave photos on my laptop.
if they have GOOD filters... get a uv filter for each lens... that way it protects the lens on teh front of the camera

Message edited by author 2006-01-09 18:08:33.

Canon EF 28-135mm F/3.5-5.6 IS USM

01/09/2006 06:09:38 PM · #4

Originally posted by Di:

What is a GOOD filter? What makes a good tripod?

ignite

Canon EOS-500D Rebel T1i

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

01/09/2006 06:12:25 PM · #5

Well, it all depends on how much you wanna spend, and what you will be doing with your camera. I would suggest not spending too much right away. A tripod is a must. Anything which extends to 6 feet is ok. It will be better if it has a level, so you can make sure it is horizontal. 1 GB of memory is enough for now. A UV filter will be good for protecting your lenses. Polariser.. well if you will be doing a lot of outdoor shooting. Get a good quality CCD cleaner and lens cleaner.

nlghttrain

Canon EOS-50D

01/09/2006 06:14:05 PM · #6

I work at best buy and the tripod choice is VERY limited. They just have 4 basic models and a monopod.

definatly get the card reader.
you may want an extra battery.
if you want a UV or ND filter they have those too.
If you want your own printer theres A LOT of choices or you can do what i do and use imagelab (best buys on line printing service)

I just got my rebel xt today too =) yay new xt users

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

01/09/2006 06:14:36 PM · #7

a good tripod is a sturdy one... one that won't tip over with your longest and heaviest lens on it..or have the wind blow over. one thats high enough for you to stand at and look through the eye peice with out leaning over

Originally posted by AdamThomas:

Originally posted by Di:
last i looked Best Buy didn't have a sturdy tripod...
You could always look for a good photo printer and photo paper at Best Buy
You can get a cf card there also
edit to add: and definitely a card reader (I have two oen that stays on my computer and one for my camera bag so i can leave photos on my laptop.
if they have GOOD filters... get a uv filter for each lens... that way it protects the lens on teh front of the camera

What is a GOOD filter? What makes a good tripod?

IceRock

Canon EOS-20D

01/09/2006 06:15:06 PM · #8

Yes good advice Di to have a steady tripod really important
No need for filter since you-are whit digital camera and storage tank to download picture when you are in photo-trip

Originally posted by Di:

Tamron 70-180mm F/2.8 Di III VXD

01/09/2006 06:16:04 PM · #9

woohooo to you too
and i agree with the second battery thing
also a grip... gives you both batteries at one time

Originally posted by nlghttrain:

I work at best buy and the tripod choice is VERY
limited. They just have 4 basic models and a monopod.

definatly get the card reader.
you may want an extra battery.
if you want a UV or ND filter they have those too.
If you want your own printer theres A LOT of choices or you can do what i do and use imagelab (best buys on line printing service)

I just got my rebel xt today too =) yay new xt users

DanSig

01/09/2006 06:22:45 PM · #10

like everyone has said.. the cardreader.. make sure it's USB2 or FW, USB1 cardreader is just as slow as the camera.

and a tripod.. try to get a manfrotto and a head that can hold at least 6lbs. if you get a heavy lens...

UV filters are only nessesary if you buy really cheap lenses.. the higher quality lenses like the "L" don't need UV filters as the front element is coated with a scratch resistant substance, so if your lens has an accident that will scratch the front element then with the UV filter, it would break the filter and might even leave bigger scratches...

but I reccomend a polariser, go for the good ones like B+W they are really worth the price.

and a decent printer, like the epson R800 :)

MadMan2k

Sony Alpha a6400

01/09/2006 10:17:56 PM · #11

Congrats. Which lenses are you getting? I'd definitely get the Canon 50mm 1.8 (or even 1.4), it gives you really good quality images and the depth of field is really good.

I bought a Manfrotto 724B tripod at a camera store last week, I've had the chance to use it a few times and I'm quite happy with it so far. It has a ball head, so it's quick and easy to adjust the position where you want it. It's also pretty sturdy - not as good as the $500 ones, but good. And it doesn't way too much either. Got mine for about $130.

Oh, and I'd definitely get a circular polarizer filter (get one for the largest diameter lens you plan to get, and then get adapters for the others if you want to save a bit)

Tamron 70-180mm F/2.8 Di III VXD

01/09/2006 10:45:54 PM · #12

Originally posted by MadMan2k:

Congrats. Which lenses are you getting?

Oh, and I'd definitely get a circular polarizer filter (get one for the largest diameter lens you plan to get, and then get adapters for the others if you want to save a bit)

I'm getting the following lenses:
Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8
Canon 50mm f/2.8
Canon 75-300mm f/3.5-5.6 III

So what size polarizer should I get? Sorry, I'm really new with the UV/Polarizer stuff.

MadMan2k

Sony Alpha a6400

01/10/2006 12:19:10 AM · #13

The Tamron lens is a 67mm filter size.
The canon, if it's the 1.8, is 52mm. I haven't seen the 2.8 one, did you mean the 1.8?
The 75-300 is 58mm, which is the same as the kit lens if you're getting that.

So, if you bought a 67mm circular polarizer, and then a 58-67mm step up ring, and a 52-67mm one that would work. Also maybe get a clear UV filter for each size if you feel like you wouldn't regularly use the polarizer, at least the UV filter on it makes it a little harder to scratch the lens.

paddles

Pentax K10D

Pentax FA 50mm f/1.4 AF

01/10/2006 06:49:17 AM · #14

Alternatively, if your lenses all have different filter thread diameters then consider getting Cokin instead - that way you can share filters between different lenses.

With Cokin, you have a ring that you screw onto the front of each lens, then there's a filter holder that will slide on and off any of the rings, because they all have the same outside diameter. I've only got one polariser, but I can use it for my lenses with 55, 62 and 77mm diameters. More info at //www.cokin.fr (English language site).

Oh, btw, getting a 50mm prime is a nice choice. If you can afford to upgrade to a 50mm f-1.4 it'll be even nicer. Fantastic for available light photography and narrow depth of field. :)

OT: I used to work with a guy named Adam Thomas. He always said not to trust people with two first names. :)

Message edited by author 2006-01-10 06:56:03.

dahkota

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

01/10/2006 07:41:05 AM · #15

Bestbuy does sell a mini tripod for about $16. I have one I carry with me everywhere as it fits in my over stuffed camera bag. It only gets about 18" tall but you can set it on the ground, walls, car, anything. Extremely convenient and way less bulky that a real tripod. I also sometimes attach it to my 100-400L when I have a good place to prop it and I don't have my monopod. Another benefit is that it forces you into different points of view you may not have considered. After spending a day hiking through swamps or city streets, it really is worth the $16 not to have to carry around a full tripod.

I'm pretty sure Bestbuy also carries some kind of cleaning kit, another thing you don't want to be without.

01/10/2006 11:00:53 AM · #16

Originally posted by MadMan2k:

Thanks for the info. I know this really makes me sound like a newbie, but it's annoying that I have to buy three different ones, or at least a couple of rings. The price just keeps going up and up!

I ended up buying a SanDisk UltraII 1 GB card
A Card Reader
A 58mm Cokin filter and 58mm Cokin polarizer
A lens cleaning kit

Peleng 8mm f/3.5 Fisheye MC In M42 Mount

01/10/2006 11:04:50 AM · #17

Originally posted by paddles:

Paddles, thanks for the helpful post. That site, cokin.fr, is not entirely user friendly, but I'll try to figure it out. If you know right off the back what I'd need to get for the three lenses I listed and the Cokin filter/Polarizer I got (58mm), posting it would be great. Otherwise I'll just take some time after work to try and figure it out.

Yah, I made a mistake, I am getting the Canon f/1.8 not the f/2.8. Sorry for the confusion.

p.s. Luckily, my full name isn't Adam Thomas - that's my first and middle name. I'm a little paranoid on the internet and don't reveal too many personal things.

Message edited by author 2006-01-10 11:11:13.

Matthew

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

01/10/2006 11:14:57 AM · #18

A remote switch is pretty handy.

01/10/2006 11:15:15 AM · #19

Originally posted by dahkota:

Thanks - I'll look into that. Might be nice if it's not too windy. I might just buy the slik 700dx and call it quits. I'm getting near the deepest part of my wallet and it scares me that I've already spent $1300 dollars. I know that's minimal to what some guys spend here, but I just graduated and money is not in an endless supply!

Thanks for the info, though. I'll check it out next time I go.