Help Me With DSLR Accesories -- Please!!

[sas_mk]

Hi everybody!

The background:

My husband recently got a Canon EOS Rebel XS 10.1 mp DSLR camera. It came with a lens, but I am not sure which one. He also got a EF75-300mm lens.

He loves photography. He loves taking pictures outdoors of all of the beautiful scenery. He also loves capturing amazing pictures of our adorable kids! But, this is his first "serious" camera.

The Challenge:

I want to get him some great accesories for Christmas, but I am clueless. I know I could just ask him, but I want to surprise him.

What are some good filters? Does he need a lens hood? Would another lens be fun/good for his camera?

And finally, where do you find these items on a budget??

I would really appreciate any help that I could get!!

Thank you so much!

 

[mrsklamc]

Darn. Cheapcheapcheap.com had a Canon accessory kit deal over the weekend but it's gone now.

Honestly, you might get better responses over on the photography board, but one place they pointed me to was adorama.com

 

[ChrisinNJ]

This question would probably best be asked on the photography board, but I will give you a few answers here since I have the same camera.

If his camera came with the kit lens, then it is probably an 18-55mm. I have that lens & don't love it. I replaced it with a Tamron lens, the Tamron XT Di 28-75mm. I like it because it is a fast lens & a decent range to just walk around with. I would like to get a long range zoom lens like your hubby has, but its not in the budget right now. I would also like to get a fixed 50mm lens for portraits.

Does he have a tripod? How about a remote shutter release? Both are great for night/ low light shots & fireworks. How about a camera bag? I want the Lowepro Slingshot 200. The best price I have found is at Costo. He may like a different style bag.

As for price comparison, shop at B&H http://www.bhphotovideo.com/ Adorama camera or Amazon. There are alot of companies out there that have a BAD reputation, so shop with a trustworthy company, especially for lenses.

Lastly, I know you want to surprise him, but most people I know who are into photography do have specific things they want for their camera kits. If you really want to make a smart purchase, you probably should either out & out ask him what he wants, or start a converstation about it & see if he mentions something so you know what he is looking for.

 

[labdogs42]

I like www.beachcamera.com and bh photo for good prices and customer service. Does he have a camera bag? How about a tripod? I'd get him an f2.8 17-55 lens. I loooove mine! How about an extra battery? Can't go wrong with that. If he doesn't have a UV filter on every lens, he needs those. And, of course, a Disney camera strap!

 

[sas_mk]

Wow! You are all so helpful. I didn't even realize there was a photography board on the DIS. I will have to check that out!

He did just buy a Lowepro Slingshot 300 -- he found it on Craigslist for $30. Unfortunately, it is too big for everyday use. The 200 would have been a lot better. I am planning on finding him a better bag that is not so bulky to haul around.

I appreciate the tips on the lenses and all of the reputable websites that you have posted.

Thanks!

 

[sas_mk]

Here is a VERY dumb question...

How do I tell what size filter I need to get him for the 18-55mm lens and the EF75-300mm lens?

Thanks!

 

[disneedee]

extra battery and memory cards are always good

 

[mom2threecuties]

I also have a Rebel XS. I'd suggest an external flash, possibly the Canon Speedlite 430EX II.

 

[mrodgers]

Thanks for the recommendation - and your continued custom!

Sheesh, Helen, you are everywhere! I thought I was reading ThePhotoForum.com for a moment when I saw your post

To the OP, good accessories would be a lens hood, UV filter, and a circular polarizing filter. As for what size, look up the lenses on Adorama (or others, I recommend Adorama because Helen there is so helpful on thephotoforum.com and their prints are outstanding) and buy the filter for the largest size lens. Then you buy step-down rings to fit it to a smaller lens.

One of the most popular lenses is the 50mm f/1.8. They are usually pretty cheap and fantastic quality for both the Nikon version and the Canon version (from the respective companies...)

Those would be a few of my recommendations.

Buy from Adorama, Beachcamera, or B&H. These are the most respected. There are a lot of bait-and-switch stores out there where you will order something and they will try to entice you into something else you don't need or tell you your item is unavailable to trick you into buying the more expensive stuff. For example, my coworker bought a Rebel XTi and kit lenses for $1000 from one of these e-bay bait-and-switch shops. He was then emailed and told the kit lenses won't work on the XTi and was talked into a different lens that he would "need". He ended up paying $1500 for what he bought when what he originally wanted would have worked just fine.

Before purchasing anything camera related, look up the retailer on resellers.com

 

[majimikate]

Give us an idea of your budget, and we can be more helpful. Photography is a very expensive hobby, so knowing what you can spend will be the best way we can give advice. If your budget is unlimited, the Canon 24-70 f/2.8L and the 70-200 f/2.8L with IS are some of the best Canon makes, in my opinion...but that's almost $3000 worth of just lenses!!

Chris

 

[sas_mk]

Ya ... my budget. I wish it was unlimited!

I was thinking of finding a couple of things for around $300. My budget is negotiable, but I am cheap by nature.

As I have done more research, I have just gotten more confused. Does anybody have a link to a good lens tutorial? What do all of the numbers mean? I just can't wrap my head around it. How do I tell which lenses are wide-angle, zoom, telephoto, etc?

Thanks again.

 

[DMickey28]

I'd ask him what lens he is interested in. Photography is a fairly personal hobby and each photographer has a preference.

If taking pics of the kids is a key thing he likes to do I'd get the Canon 50mm. That was the first extra lens that I bought and I LOVE it. I get great portraits of my DS when he is listening on it. It's also great for other close up and low light shots.

A telephoto lens is good to have, if he wants one. I got one for Christmas last year ... but I hardly use it. I just don't have the interest. I'd rather a good wide angle lens personally.

I'll try to think of more!

 

[Magix]

I'd definitely go with a lens hood. I'd also suggest a cheap little item that I've found infinitely useful - the Cap Keeper. Get the ones that have an elastic band that goes around the lens. These basically have a little stick-on button that you stick to the lens cap. You can then just drop the cap off your lens and the Cap Keeper will keep it hanging off your lens for quick use (and makes it impossible to loose your cap). One of the most useful items I ever had when I was doing my motorsport photography.

Make sure he's got some basic UV filters for his lenses. They basically just protect the lens glass from pits and scratches. Much easier and less expensive to replace a filter than lens glass.

You might also consider the UPstrap (online search will bring up the site for you). Very good camera strap that stays on your shoulder through all kinds of movement. Very good strap. In fact, I should get myself another one, as I rubbed all the nubbies off mine over the years.

 

[majimikate]

On $300 budget, most lenses are going to be out of your reach, but, the Canon 50mm f/1.8 is only about $100, and a great sports/low light lens. It can also be used for portrait work as well. It's a prime/fixed lens, so it doesn't zoom, but is a great lens for the money. You zoom with your feet, but it can a great learning lens as it has such wide open capability (the f/1.8 aperature).

A flash is always a good investment, but I would not get anything less than the 430EX, which is running about $250. Lens filters are a must also. Look at the front of the lens itself and it will tell you what size it is. I think both the kit lens and the 75-300 are 58mm lenses, so you'd need 2 58mm UV filters, but double check the lenses themselves to be sure on the size. (these should stay on the lens all the time, you would not get them to share between lenses). Hoya makes amazing filters, but you can find much less expensive ones on amazon for as little as $10-$20 a piece. Adorama, B&H, Beach Camera and amazon are all reputable sellers and I have ever had an issue with any gear I've bought from any of them. Good luck with your purchase, come back and ask if you have more questions.

Chris

 

[mrsklamc]

Since all the budget photographers are already in one place, can you tell me how good a deal this is?

I just bought a Canon Rebel XSi 12MP Digital SLR w/ 18-55mm IS & 55-250mm IS Lenses for $640. I can return it just by paying shipping but I wanted to grab it while available.

 

[mtdewlarissa]

also if he does not have any photo editing software, you can buy photoshop elements for around 100.00. extra memory cards are nice too, just pop the one out of the camera for a ref. i take pics all the time and the best thing is nice neck stap. y

 

[Golf4food]

A tripod is a must - and a decent one, not the cheapest you can find, they will only fall apart or be unstable. If he likes outdoor photography you can't go wrong with a decent tripod. To really complete it a remote shutter release is also a must have for night photography (when that tripod will also get the majority of its use).

If he enjoys outdoor photography then a circular polarizer filter is a must have as well - much more so than a UV filter. There are many who would say forget the UV filters entirely, they just get in the way, use your lens hood for protection against dropping or bumping into things - it will do a better job than a UV filter. But don't get a cheap Circular Polarizer. A good one will run at least $80-100 or more. You can't beat them for improving outdoor shots, though - a lot less work than tweaking skies in post processing software.

 

[mrsklamc]

If he enjoys outdoor photography then a circular polarizer filter is a must have as well - much more so than a UV filter. There are many who would say forget the UV filters entirely, they just get in the way, use your lens hood for protection against dropping or bumping into things - it will do a better job than a UV filter. But don't get a cheap Circular Polarizer. A good one will run at least $80-100 or more. You can't beat them for improving outdoor shots, though - a lot less work than tweaking skies in post processing software.

Ok I sound like an idiot here but- is the difference similar to sunglasses? UV protects my eyes from harmful light but polarized lenses make things look sharper and clearer because they cut the glare?

Can you tell me what I should expect to pay for a lens hood?

 

[tiggr33]

My suggestions (and some have already been mentioned)
*A Spudz (it is a cleaning cloth in a self contained pouch). Get one that is 18% gray to use as a gray card- that makes no sense to you, but may to him)
*A small flashlight- to keep in his bag. Very handy item and a must have in my bag. I use a mico maglite, or mini maglite depending on the bag
*A UV filter. I keep one on all my lenses when not using other filters. It is to protect the glass. Buy a reputable known brand.
*Cokin P series filters. Can be purchased individually or in sets (ei Landscape set, portrait set)
*A Neutral density filter
*A good strap. The ones that come with the camera can be uncomfortable. Personally I use an Optech harness system, as it takes the weight off my neck.
*A good tripod head, I use and love my Bogen pistol grip ballhead
*Editing software. I use a combination of PhotoShop Elements and Lightroom. Lightroom has a free beta download now that is good through April (you mentioned you like bang for your buck, and you can't beat free). Elements 8 is at Costco for $49 with a coupon.
*A cable release
*Lens hoods
*Lens cases/pouches for storage and travel
*Extra batteries
*Memory cards
*Card reader
*Speedlite flash
*AA battery case- for the flash.
*Memory Card wallet
*A Rocket Blower
*A 50mm lens
*I'd also look into classes at your local adult schools or camera shops. Many run claases on using editing software.
*A membership to a local camera club

I'll add more as I think of things. This is all I came up with quickly.

 

[sas_mk]

This has all been so helpful. I have a lot of learning/looking/pricing to do now. I agree that asking him what he would want will be my best bet. I will just get a few "generic" things for now, and then we can splurge later on.

Thanks again!