I have $500 to spend

[jagfanjosh3252]

I recently got a Canon Rebel T3 for Christmas. Now, since I will have a little extra, with my tax return I am gonna get some accessories. I only have the Kit lens and a bag that hold just the camera. What I'm hoping to get it 2 more lenses and a bag to hold them plus a tri-pod. Doable? I will be mainly shooting Disney and outdoor type shots. With of course family shots also. So. Any recommendations you guys can offer?

 

[alloyd1170]

What about a flash? It's good to have for indoors, and fill-in light while outdoors. Is this your first dslr? You might want to wait on buying lenses until you know your camera, and learn about what you want to shoot. I would invest in good lenses vs buying several lower quality ones. I learned the hard way, though you can always sell them on Ebay. Another option would be to rent several lenses and see which ones you like the most before buying.

 

[Phil'sFrontier]

My tripod was $400 + so for me it would not be doable. I would first get a tripod and ball head.
I wouldn't get any lenses yet, just get good using the kit lens. Maybe a polarizing filter? But i would definitely get a tripod first.

 

[boBQuincy]

Doable but you will have to skimp somewhere, probably the tripod ( I can hear a few of our members groaning now, and I along with them since the tripod is actually the *last* place to skimp but what can you do ?).

Assuming you want a longer lens Canon's 55-250 is the logical choice for not much $$$. For dark rides and small DOF (portraits and such) Canon's 50 mm f/1.8 is a deal. So we have now spent a little over $300, maybe another $75 for a Crumpler $5 Million home and have a little more than $100 for a tripod.

Would anyone say that any of them in this range are good ? A good tripod costs a lot more than that and if you use one much you will soon be looking for a better one. Yes, I have a $100 tripod, a Velbon Maxi and it works but has trouble holding a Rebel steady with anything heavier than the kit lens.

 

[WDWFigment]

I have a sub-$100 Velbon travel tripod that is stable with even a 70-200 on it. I've never had anyone comment that my photos aren't sharp, nor have I ever had an issue. Sure, I'd love a nice carbon fiber tripod, but the idea that you MUST spend $300-600 on a tripod is absolutely asinine.

If I had a $500 budget and wanted a tripod and two lenses, I'd skimp on the tripod. I also probably would only get one lens, though.

 

[photo_chick]

I think you can get a decent tripod for under $100, you just have to be realistic. You can get cheap and stable, cheap and light or light and stable. But you can't get all three. My tripods (an old Velbon and a Slik) were both on the cheap end and they're very stable. I shoot several minute long exposures often with them using heavier lenses (I've got lots of old heavy glass) and never have any major issues with stabilization. But they're beasts to haul around and they both have a large footprint when you set them up.

With $500 and only a kit lens in my bag... I'd go with a 50mm f/1.8 for sure and maybe the 55-250 or maybe a longer prime to go with that 50. For bags I've become enamored with Tamrac lately, so I'd lean there. And a must for me is a comfy strap. But it's not about what I'd do, because we all shoot differently.

 

[LordAthens]

For bags I've become enamored with Tamrac lately, so I'd lean there. And a must for me is a comfy strap. But it's not about what I'd do, because we all shoot differently.

Do you have any of the Evolutions? I've been in the market for a new bag for a while now and I keep looking at the Evolutions as well as some of the Think Tank bags (like the Street Walker). I think I like the idea of a "purse" style bag rather than the full backpacks I've always used, but I don't know. The single strap thing just seems like it would wear on me carrying it around all day long. What are your thoughts?

To the OP;

You've only had your camera for a month now; my suggestion would be to wait until you see what you actually find yourself needing. $500 isn't going to get you a bag, tripod and 2 pieces of glass, maybe on the cheapest of the cheap, but 9 times out of 10 you don't want that. I'm not saying you have to run out and buy a $2000 70-200mm, but the $150 zooms generally aren't the best bang for the buck.

I would go out and shoot and remember what it was when you say "I wish I could do ... with my camera". Maybe you want to be able to zoom in more? Maybe you wish you had a better lens for shooting indoors in low light? Maybe you find your current lens won't go wide enough, or maybe you despise your current bag?

There are lots of variables there. Photography can be (and usually is) an expensive hobby. Glass isn't cheap. Even "cheap" glass, isn't cheap. One of the cheapest lenses I can buy for my Nikon is $150, that's a third of your budget.

Like I said, IMO, figure out what you feel that you're lacking before you start spending.

 

[bob100]

I recently got a Canon Rebel T3 for Christmas. Now, since I will have a little extra, with my tax return I am gonna get some accessories. I only have the Kit lens and a bag that hold just the camera. What I'm hoping to get it 2 more lenses and a bag to hold them plus a tri-pod. Doable? I will be mainly shooting Disney and outdoor type shots. With of course family shots also. So. Any recommendations you guys can offer?

The Canon 55-250IS is a nice sharp telephoto zoom, on sale for less than $200. the external flash recommendation is also good

 

[handicap18]

Manfrotto 055XB Classic Tripod Legs = $139
Manfrotto 494RC2 Ball Head with Quick Release = $63

This is the combo that I have (Though I have the 484RC2 ball head, which was replaced a few years ago by the 494). It will extend up to right about 6' and will hold up to about 8 lbs worth of equipment. I've been using this combo for 4 years. Great sturdy tripod setup. You might find something a little less expensive, but really, you don't want to skimp at all on a tripod/ball head combo.

As far as lenses go, you'll want to figure out what your "style" is. Do you just want candids/general stuff, sports, landscapes, portraits. What do you take pictures of the most and what is it right now that your current lens has a hard time with? Figure that out then you'll have a better idea of what lens to go with next.

 

[handicap18]

duplicate. ??

 

[Experiment_626]

I have a sub-$100 Velbon travel tripod that is stable with even a 70-200 on it. I've never had anyone comment that my photos aren't sharp, nor have I ever had an issue. Sure, I'd love a nice carbon fiber tripod, but the idea that you MUST spend $300-600 on a tripod is absolutely asinine.

Having a decent tripod is a big difference versus a cheap one, but it must be said that a cheap tripod is worlds better than no tripod at all. I shot loads of images on an el-cheapo (though I had to keep repairing it near the end) — images I could not have gotten at all with no tripod.

It does bear mentioning that a large percentage of photographers — among serious amateurs and those who aspire to that level and beyond — typically wind up spending far more on tripods in the end because they start cheap, and keep trying to improve their support in small increments. If they had sprung for a high-quality model in the first place, they'd spend less overall. Of course, it must also be noted that, as with lenses, beginners might buy a good tripod only to later realize it wasn't the right one for them because it doesn't suit the type of photography they eventually realize they want to pursue.

Okay, I'm done muddying the waters now!

SSB

 

[mom2rtk]

That fits with my rule..... The most expensive piece of photography equipment (typically lenses, but also applies to tripods) is the one you have to buy twice.

Lots of folks love the 50mm f/1.8 lenses. They are one of the great buys in photography. So when I wanted a faster lens, I rushed out and bought one. I knew I had heard great things about the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 lens, but was really hesitant to spend $300 more to get it. Well, once the 50mm arrived, it only took a few weeks before I was ordering the Sigma.... and the 50mm sits here mostly unused. So yes, it's an inexpensive lens. But I still spent $100 more than I needed to.

So think long and hard about what need you really want to address first. Then research and get the right tool for the job..... even if it means there are other needs still unmet. They will wait for another day.

 

[NateNLogansDad]

Well, I'm probably about to get blasted but here's what I'll throw out there. Keep in mind, I'm a Nikon guy so I'm not too keen on the Canon stuff.

Tripod= $80 on sale at Best Buy I have this one and like it for the money. The reason I bought it was to shoot fireworks on Main Street. I've used it sooo much for so many different things since than. The middle also comes out and acts like a monopod. What I don't like about it- It's big and heavy compared to just about every other tripod. Also, the head would unscrew from the monopod but a dab of gorilla glue a year ago fixed that. (I think my status just dropped even lower with that statement ) It may not be worth a tank of heating oil but it holds my camera nice and steady even with my Sigma 18-250 on it which weighs 1.4 lbs without the camera body.

Flash=$100 used at B&H. Before you do the look like you just tasted the Beverly in Club Cool at Epcot, think about it for a second. I have the same flash for my Nikon and I can take a flash picture from over 100 feet away. Granted it's used but it has a rating of 9 out of 10. When I bought my Sigma lens from them it was used with a rating of 8 and it looked brand spanking new.

55-200 Lens= $160 from B&H. It's a Sigma but made for Canon. It's not an expensive fast lens, but it's under budget and an option. I can't attest to this one in particular but I like the Sigma brand. Do your homework and read some reviews. Don't buy it because the link is here and it's easy

Bag= $80. Bags are all personal preference. Go to a store to hold a few in your hands and try them on. I have the older discontinued version of this one. I literally needed one in a few minutes and ran into Best Buy on the way to the shore. It was there, I grabbed it and have been EXTREMELY happy with it for what I do. It stays packed and by the front door so I can grab it and run without thinking.

Battery =$45 Ever walk around Disney enjoying the sweet sweet sound of every shutter actuation and see your battery warning light go red? Ever try to tell yourself you didn't need to take a picture of that? Get an extra battery and keep it charged.

Whatever is left over, I would get a decent 30/mbs memory card probably 16GB (I was in Staples yesterday and they had some Sandisk extremes on sale for about $30) and probably a remote shutter release. For the remote, I don't think the T3 has an infrared port, so you may need a wired remote which some people prefer anyway.

So, that's my thought process. Is it the best stuff? No, but it's worked out for me so far I think.

Edit: Go an extra $20 over budget and get a comfortable strap too! Nothing like a red neck in the summer from the stock camera strap digging in!

 

[photo_chick]

Do you have any of the Evolutions? I've been in the market for a new bag for a while now and I keep looking at the Evolutions as well as some of the Think Tank bags (like the Street Walker). I think I like the idea of a "purse" style bag rather than the full backpacks I've always used, but I don't know. The single strap thing just seems like it would wear on me carrying it around all day long. What are your thoughts?

I've got my eye on the Evolution 9 for when I need to take my gear with my laptop out with me. I'm just trying to find one in a store to make sure my laptop will fit. I use an Adventure Messenger 4 mostly as just a lens bag and it looks like the way the Evolution Messenger is designed with the zippered top it could work even better in that purpose. My only complaint is that none of them come in camo like my Adventure Messenger. LOL

 

[LordAthens]

Thanks for the info Danielle. I'm not sure why I had it in my head that I was looking at the Evolution's, but I don't think I'm at all interested in those. It's the Velocity series that I've been looking at. Any thoughts on those? I found a new 6x on Craigslist today that I'm going to pickup. It's not as big as I would normally like, but I think it will make a great light bag for days I'm only taking the D7000, 18-270 Tamron and maybe a prime out with me.

 

[photo_chick]

The Velocity series seems nice, but they weren't the style I was looking for so I haven't spent much time investigating them.