What toys should I get?

[MarkBarbieri]

It's bonus season where I work and, because oil and gas prices were high last year, bonuses will be very good. On the downside, they may be the last bonuses we see for a very long time. We'll be saving most of the money, but I plan to spend some on some camera toys. The question is "on what?"

The biggest chunk was pre-spent last year on my new 5DM2. I don't think that I'll be buying anything else in that price league. I was really excited about the new T/S lenses that Canon announced, but when I found out that the 17mm was going to sell for around $2,500 my interest level declined precipitously.

Here's what I have so far:

1) Portrait grip for the 5D. I hate not having one, so this is a no-brainer.

2) An L-Bracket for the new grip. Once you've gotten used to having an L-bracket, it's seems like a necessity.

3) A wireless remote switch. They're cheap, so why not.

4) A Hoodman Hoodloop. Anyone used one of these? They look cool and really useful in bright sunlight. On the other hand, the Expodisc looked cool and I find that I rarely use mine.

5) A 9 stop ND filter. I have a 1 stop and 3 stop, but I want to get darker.

6) A fast 16gb or 32gb memory card, a 1394b reader, and a 1394b add-on card for my PC. I haven't figured out which of each I'll get. The A-Data Turbo 350x 16gb card looks good. I just can't figure out why the price difference is so large. I don't want to get scammed.

7) BlackRapid sliding camera strap. I love the concept. I also like that it will attack completely separately from the hand strap. If I use a normal neck strap, it starts to pull my hand strap loose after a while.

8) Some polarizer gels.

Any other cool gizmos or gadets you think I should get? Anything on my list that you think I'll regret buying?

 

[JoeDif]

Your list seems pretty good. Although as you said, the hoodloop might be one of those purchases that you use once or twice then it gets stuck in a closet or drawer when the novelty wears off.

 

[mainstreet1997]

Really? I actually went with an expocap and LOVE it for inside shooting purposes. The Boardwalk lobby actually has green walls with white trim! Before my pictures would turn out with an ugly muddy yellow tint. Yuck!

 

[Gdad]

7) BlackRapid sliding camera strap. I love the concept. I also like that it will attack completely separately from the hand strap. If I use a normal neck strap, it starts to pull my hand strap loose after a while.

I would avoid buying anything that would attack.

 

[boBQuincy]

I prefer the Canon RC-1 remote over the RC-5. The base goes on the camera strap and the remote snaps into the base so it is always where it should be (very important for those who lose things, like me).

The RRS L bracket was sooo nice on my trip last week, so easy to switch from landscape to portrait!

 

[edolyne]

What about looking into an external mic for the 5D Mark II? From what I have heard the Rhode mics are very good and can be had for between $170 and $250 for one of very good quality.

I would also second the opinion for a white balance solution, when I had one it really improved the quality of my images, I am sorry that I got rid of it.

Also for your memory card you might want to look into one from Calumet. I don't have experience with the card but it appears to come with a lifetime warrenty. Maybe someone here might have a recommendation on it? http://www.calumetphoto.com/item/CM6276/

 

[jann1033]

I would avoid buying anything that would attack.

yeah but if it attacks separately than the hand strap he could beat off 2 villains at once...add a superhero cape/mask to the list

 

[boBQuincy]

5) A 9 stop ND filter. I have a 1 stop and 3 stop, but I want to get darker.

I just ordered a B&W 6 stop ND filter. I had a Hoya 9 stop but the multi-coating made it very difficult to clean, it always had swirls and streaks (and a scratch, which is why it was returned). I figure 6 stops is enough since I will usually use it with a polarizer, even though stacking filters is an evil thing to do.

 

[YesDear]

Other that the gels, anything in the studio light area? Umbrella's, softboxes, extra stobe heads?

Just some ideas.

 

[WVDisGeek]

I just can't believe Mark doesn't already have every toy there is already!

 

[RBennett]

I'll second the gels; my DW (who is the BESTEST EVER) bought me the entire set for Christmas last year. I have yet to start working with them, but I'm hoping when it gets warmer I can get outside and play with them more. And the hoodloop looks like a GREAT idea to me, especially for someone that doesn't have a viewfinder on their camera (or for the intended purpose of reviewing the pictures.)