Camera Accessories:$250 Budget:Options?

[PerPlunk]

You can't beat a quality tripod and head with a cable release. After that I'd focus on filters. I mostly do landscape and wildlife shots so ND, graduated ND, and polarizers are like gold to me... I've also found that saving money for film and developing helps as well

[Sebastian]

I would go with either a sturdy tripod and good head, or a incident light meter.

[Pose]

incident light meter.

What exactly do these do? I looked at a few on B&H - 'Digital Incident, Reflected and Flash Light Meter', is that what you're talking about? It's priced at under $200.00, so any specific features or brand I should be looking for?

The Sekonic Flashmate L-308 BII is the world's smallest and lightest flash and ambient exposure meter with comfortable one-hand operation. It offers a direct readout LCD display. Ambient and flash measurement can be selected by a single mode selection button. A built-in sliding Lumisphere provides easy changeover from incident to reflected light.

[Sebastian]

Pose,

You put it where your subject is, point its globe where the camera will be, and it will tell you the exposure setting for that particular shot.

It won't be fooled by white or black or strong highlights or reflections. You can also meter an area and set you camera to thos esttings and walk around shooting knowing that they exposure will be prety much perfect unless the lighting changes. THey also allow you to meter studio flashes, they are pretty much necessary if you want to get anything done in a reasonable amount of time.