Must-Have Newb Gear?

F8th637

My fiance and I are sharing an EOS 30D right now. (We'll see how long we can play nice together before we each end up with our own. :wink) One of the big reasons we bought it was for our trip to Bali in October. We are both fairly novice at this. We recently bought an 17-85mm f4 lens to supplement the camera.

In your opinion, what do you recommend all new users to have for starting off? All suggestions are welcome. Thanks!

dragon300zx

F8th637 wrote:

In your opinion, what do you recommend all new users to have for starting off? All suggestions are welcome. Thanks!

Unlimited funds at ready.

Honestly need more details what kinda stuff do you guys want to shoot? What do you like photo wise? Etc.

It's really really easy to spend tons of money on equipment you aren't going to use if your not careful.

What lenses do you have other than the 17-85?

wxwax

A camera bag. A tripod. Sufficient memory (several GBs.) A card reader. Good photo software.

Read the manual.

colourbox

If you are new, I seriously believe you don't need more than your camera body and a good lens, and you have both. Of course, you need a protective case and enough cards for the trip. Some people would bring a field backup device like the Hyperdrive.

Also having a Canon body and the 17-85mm zoom, I strongly feel that the 17-85mm is not a great low-light lens even with the image stabilization. I have always been glad to bring along the little $75 50mm f/1.8 lens on a trip because I end up switching to it almost every time in low light or for portraits.

At home, you need the support infrastructure required to store and edit the photos (card reader, high quality photo software, good computer, lots of RAM, large hard disks, redundant photo backup strategy, workflow study and training...).

After you learn more about what you really need, that's when it's OK to buy more. When I figured out I could use a 580EX flash, I bought that, but I'm glad I waited to read about flashes everywhere including this helpful forum right here.

The point about the manual is great. Probably the best thing you can do is PRACTICE using your camera before you go, in the situations you want to be shooting. Like go down to your local street market or beach or summer festival if that's what you want to shoot in Bali. If you are on a trip and you see a once-in-a-lifetime shot coming, but you can't remember or never learned which button sequence puts the camera into the mode where it will capture that shot as you are seeing it, and maybe you left the manual at the hotel or at home, and you miss the shot or get it wrong despite having $2000 of equipment in your hands, and you know it will be forever before you can return to that place, that can be heartbreaking.

F8th637

dragon300zx wrote:

Unlimited funds at ready.

Honestly need more details what kinda stuff do you guys want to shoot? What do you like photo wise? Etc.

It's really really easy to spend tons of money on equipment you aren't going to use if your not careful.

What lenses do you have other than the 17-85?

Of course I thought about that after I posted. Well, since we are just getting started I'd say the possibilities are quite endless. I've had a bit more photography experience than him (and I say that a bit tongue in cheek since it's been with a point and shoot) and I really like the photojournalist look. I like to take a lot of pictures close up, landscapes, not as many portraits but maybe as my skills develop I can look into that too. So I guess to sum up I'm interested in scenes but since I'm starting off so that may change.

The only other lens we have is the one that came with the kit. And I can definitely see where it is easy to spend tons of money on equipment that you're not going to use. That's what I'd like to avoid. Thanks thus far!

F8th637

wxwax wrote:

A camera bag. A tripod. Sufficient memory (several GBs.) A card reader. Good photo software.

Read the manual.

• Camera bag - check
• Tripod - temporary, cheap one but check
• Sufficient memory - 4 GB - check
• Good photo software - Adobe Photoshop - check
• Card reader - check
• Will probably have to read the manual over and over - check

F8th637

colourbox wrote:

Also having a Canon body and the 17-85mm zoom, I strongly feel that the 17-85mm is not a great low-light lens even with the image stabilization. I have always been glad to bring along the little $75 50mm f/1.8 lens on a trip because I end up switching to it almost every time in low light or for portraits.

Lots of good info in your response. I think my fiance likes to take a lot of night pictures so I will definitely consider the lens you recommended.

After you learn more about what you really need, that's when it's OK to buy more. When I figured out I could use a 580EX flash, I bought that, but I'm glad I waited to read about flashes everywhere including this helpful forum right here.

What do you use the flash for? I haven't liked using it thus far but that's probably because it's just so harsh and I don't have a good flash. Someone is selling a 550EX on my local Craiglist for $250. Good investment?

If you are on a trip and you see a once-in-a-lifetime shot coming, but you can't remember or never learned which button sequence puts the camera into the mode where it will capture that shot as you are seeing it, and maybe you left the manual at the hotel or at home, and you miss the shot or get it wrong despite having $2000 of equipment in your hands, and you know it will be forever before you can return to that place, that can be heartbreaking.

:uhoh Haa haa, that's my biggest fear and what I'm trying to avoid. I called them once-in-a-lifetime too because who knows when we'll be back to Bali? Good stuff! Thanks!

colourbox

F8th637 wrote:

Lots of good info in your response. I think my fiance likes to take a lot of night pictures so I will definitely consider the lens you recommended.

I should clarify. If he likes to take static night pictures like cityscapes and he'll use a tripod, use your 17-85 on a tripod with image stabilization off and you won't need a different lens.

I like to take handheld candids, so the 50mm f/1.8 works better for that.

F8th637 wrote:

What do you use the flash for? I haven't liked using it thus far but that's probably because it's just so harsh and I don't have a good flash.

I bought the 580EX purely for its power to light up a decent area after being bounced off a ceiling or through a diffuser, since both techniques avoid the harsh look. After reading here and at the Strobist blog, I realized I wanted to bounce or diffuse, which led to the power requirement, which led to that flash. I also might use it as a master someday; if not, I might have gotten the 430. I have never bought an external flash before this. I am unlikely to take the 580EX along on most trips. It's mostly for events and portraits close to home. 80% of the time I do not use flash except as fill light.

USAIR

Polarizer filter...maybe UV filter
Lens hood...if your lens didn't come with one.
Cleaning stuff...blower,microcloth,brush.

Fred

wxwax

Good one, Fred. Forgot about cleaning supplies. Something for the lens. And something for the sensor, if you ever start changing lenses.

Right now, you're basically set. You have what you need to start. If you enjoy shooting landscapes, your first upgrade should be a better tripod. A flimsy one is useless in any kind of wind, and will spoil your longer exposures. After that, start thinking about lenses.

Nikolai

While there is still time
You may wanna learn how to use all that gear properly so you don't miss too many shots in Bali
We have just started a series of classes right here at dgrin, you can still enroll
Cheers!

F8th637

colourbox wrote:

Also having a Canon body and the 17-85mm zoom, I strongly feel that the 17-85mm is not a great low-light lens even with the image stabilization. I have always been glad to bring along the little $75 50mm f/1.8 lens on a trip because I end up switching to it almost every time in low light or for portraits.

I just got in my 50mm lens in yesterday and I LOVE it! Thanks for the recommendation!