New gear for Montana

theinlawjosietheinlawjosie Registered Users Posts: 162 Major grins
edited January 4, 2009 in Accessories
Hi all, I am not sure if this is the right place for this but I am going on a trip to Montana next month and I got some B&H gift cards for Christmas so I'm looking for suggestions on what to get. :D I don't have a lot to spend right now but I also have a birthday before the trip so who knows? :dunno

All I have right now is a Canon 40D with the EF 28-135mm kit lens. I REALLY want to get a wide angle but I'm just not sure I will end up with enough money to get what I want....I'm looking at the Sigma 10-20mm and I'm pretty sure I couldn't go TOOOOO much higher in price range. I'm also open to other suggestions (filters, tripods, telophoto lens, etc.). Landscape and wildlife are probably the two most interesting areas of photography to me so I'm extremely excited about taking this trip! Thanks for looking.
Shane

"Set the Gear Shift for the High Gear of Your Soul"

Comments

  • ziggy53ziggy53 Super Moderators Posts: 24,131 moderator
    edited January 1, 2009
    One of the nicknames for Montana is the "Big Sky Country", so I think it is certainly deserving of a super-wide lens like the Sigma 10-20mm, f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM.

    I have that lens and it is very nice used at f5.6 and f8.

    You might consider renting instead of purchase just in case you want to get more lenses for the trip.
    ziggy53
    Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
  • catspawcatspaw Registered Users Posts: 1,292 Major grins
    edited January 1, 2009
    You want big sky? hrmph!

    292711290_ZfCqt-S.jpg

    (yes, the Sigma 10-20 at 10mm and about 4 inches away. just imagine if I'd actually tried to capture landscape, huh?)
    //Leah
  • Art ScottArt Scott Registered Users Posts: 8,959 Major grins
    edited January 2, 2009
    Tripod is a must have...on a budget.....Look into Giottos 4 section ..... extremely sturdy and light weight.....can't afford even a under $200 tripod....look at the Giottos P-Pod....a mono pod with removable legs for added support......works great, carry mine alot out looking for deer to shoot...

    Can't go wrong with the Siggy 10-20 from what I hear.
    "Genuine Fractals was, is and will always be the best solution for enlarging digital photos." ....Vincent Versace ... ... COPYRIGHT YOUR WORK ONLINE ... ... My Website

  • theinlawjosietheinlawjosie Registered Users Posts: 162 Major grins
    edited January 2, 2009
    Thanks for the responses guys. I'm pretty sure I'm going to go with the Sigma. I do appreciate the tripod suggestions though Art; I realize I NEED a tripod and I'm working with what pretty much equates to a toy tripod right now, but it's hard to sink all that money into some legs when the only glass I have is a kit lens.....ya know?
    I think renting is probably a good idea but the closest camera store to me is not close at all and I have been wanting a super-wide for a long time so I might as well use this as the ultimate excuse to put a little extra in with my gift cards right? Laughing.gif.
    The trip is actually being paid for by Marlboro (going to the Marlboro Ranch) and they are sending me a small check as well.....I promised the wife she could use the money for new carpet but I shouldn't have too much trouble getting a little bit more out of her for a lens to capture all the great memories we are going to have.....at least that's what I keep telling myself. :D
    Shane

    "Set the Gear Shift for the High Gear of Your Soul"
  • catspawcatspaw Registered Users Posts: 1,292 Major grins
    edited January 2, 2009
    borrowlenses.com ships, I think they rent tripods too AND you get a smuggy discount if you've a smug account (check out clubsmug)

    just saying :D
    //Leah
  • theinlawjosietheinlawjosie Registered Users Posts: 162 Major grins
    edited January 2, 2009
    catspaw wrote:
    borrowlenses.com ships, I think they rent tripods too AND you get a smuggy discount if you've a smug account (check out clubsmug)

    just saying :D

    Thanks for the info!!!!! I swear, if there were an award for best forums ever (and there may be) dgrin would take the cake. I'm always bragging to anybody I know that is getting into photography to come here, everyone is so friendly and helpful!!!!!!!!!!!

    YAY DGRIN!!!!!! wings.gif
    Shane

    "Set the Gear Shift for the High Gear of Your Soul"
  • hiroProtagonisthiroProtagonist Registered Users Posts: 83 Big grins
    edited January 2, 2009
    I'll second Art's recommendation on the tripod,but if your hearts set on a wide angle give the Tokina 12-24 f4 a look.
    "But you and I, we’ve been through that, and this is not our fate. - Dylan 1968"
  • Tee WhyTee Why Registered Users Posts: 2,390 Major grins
    edited January 2, 2009
    Tripod, cable release, polarizer, and maybe ND filter too.
    My Gallery
  • theinlawjosietheinlawjosie Registered Users Posts: 162 Major grins
    edited January 4, 2009
    Tee Why wrote:
    Tripod, cable release, polarizer, and maybe ND filter too.

    I ended up getting a tripod (Slik 700dx), a Cokin P series kit that has three filters (Star 4, Difuser 2 and Graduated Grey G1) and comes with the adapter for my lens. I also got two cheap ND filters because I wanted to be able to stack. Like I said; I have a birthday coming up so I am definitely getting a circular polarizer even if it has to be from myself! :ivar I'm hoping to get a cable release as well. It's funny because I read this list and then went to my wishlist on b&h and had everything you have listed.....I figured a tripod was more important than a cable release and I want the Canon TC-80N3 (w/timer) so I couldn't afford both! :D
    Thanks for the suggestions everybody, once again I find pleasure in dealing with the all the wonderful folk here at dgrin! clap.gif
    Shane

    "Set the Gear Shift for the High Gear of Your Soul"
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