Camera Accessories:$250 Budget:Options?

[Pose]

Hey, I just got some cash, about $230-250.00, so of course it's going towards photography.
My current set-up: Elan 7, & 35-135mm f/4-5.6 lens.
I'm not really focusing on any specific aspect yet as far as my shooting goes, but my favorites are Street, Architecture, Nature, and Portraits. Oh, and I tend to do a lot of low-light shooting.

So I'm wondering what you'd do with the money? I was thinking of buying a 50mm f/1.8 prime lens, battery pack, and a remote switch. In your opinion would this be the best way to utilize my current setup, or would I be better ________ (fill in the blank )

Thanks for reading & commenting, for whoever bothers ;)

[mjm]

A decent flash w. a pocket bounce (http://www.lumiquest.com/)
does wonders for low light shooting.

[Liz]

The 50mm/f1.8 is an excellent lens which you will really like. It's nice & light too. The other choices are good ones too.

Or.........if you don't have an external flash, you might want to get the Canon 420EX which is also an excellent choice.

Liz

Hey, I just got some cash, about $230-250.00, so of course it's going towards photography.
My current set-up: Elan 7, & 35-135mm f/4-5.6 lens.
I'm not really focusing on any specific aspect yet as far as my shooting goes, but my favorites are Street, Architecture, Nature, and Portraits. Oh, and I tend to do a lot of low-light shooting.

So I'm wondering what you'd do with the money? I was thinking of buying a 50mm f/1.8 prime lens, battery pack, and a remote switch. In your opinion would this be the best way to utilize my current setup, or would I be better ________ (fill in the blank )

Thanks for reading & commenting, for whoever bothers ;)

[Pose]

Thanks for the quick replies & link.

Regarding Speedlites/Flashes, what exactly will the 420EX offer over the 220EX?

Thanks.

[mjm]

The 420EX has a head that zooms to match your lens length and that also tilts & swivels for bouncing off walls & ceilings. The 420EX is more powerful and can be used as a wireless slave. Also size and price are different.

[Chunk]

Tripod or tripod.

[paulnj]

an external flash is WHAT YOU NEED!! 420EX will do you justice as will a 50f1.8

[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.

[Liz]

So many decisions!

About the 420EX - others explained the features. I have the flash and it is excellent with this camera which I also owned before I got the Rebel 300D.

You could also get a relatively inexpensive tripod or monopod, but I would suggest getting the 420EX along with the 50mm/f1.8. You will love this lens and it's only $69 new.

Liz

Hey, I just got some cash, about $230-250.00, so of course it's going towards photography.
My current set-up: Elan 7, & 35-135mm f/4-5.6 lens.
I'm not really focusing on any specific aspect yet as far as my shooting goes, but my favorites are Street, Architecture, Nature, and Portraits. Oh, and I tend to do a lot of low-light shooting.

So I'm wondering what you'd do with the money? I was thinking of buying a 50mm f/1.8 prime lens, battery pack, and a remote switch. In your opinion would this be the best way to utilize my current setup, or would I be better ________ (fill in the blank )

Thanks for reading & commenting, for whoever bothers ;)

[mjm]

I have the 550EX on my 300D and its very nice. I use the 420EX as a remote flash (thinking about picking up another 420EX soon). I spent $60 on my tripod and it works well with my setup, so you don't need to go too expensive on that, IMHO.

[Sebastian]

I have the 550EX on my 300D and its very nice. I use the 420EX as a remote flash (thinking about picking up another 420EX soon). I spent $60 on my tripod and it works well with my setup, so you don't need to go too expensive on that, IMHO.

If you look in critique under my post titled "Darkness" you will see a shot that was taken on an $11 (yes, ELEVEN) tripod, at f/16, 30 second shutter. It was a 10D, grip and 17-40 f/4. Had I put anything heavier on there, and I do mean ANYTHING, and I would not have been able to get the thing to stand up, let alone keep the image steady.

A good, sturdy tripod is an INVESTMENT. Unlike bodies and accessories, a good tripod will ALWAYS be a good tripod. It's difficult to understand until you've owned one and have started relying on it. WIth a good tripod you can take images that would otherwise be impossible, or make mediocre images excellent.

I spent 250 dollars on mine almost to a penny, and it has paid for itself many times over in how much it has let me do. It took me three years to finally break down and buy it, but now I get nervous if it's not in my car with me, there are just too many times it makes an otherwise impossible shot possible. The 11 dollar one is an old Velbon that I keep in my car. My main tripod is a Bogen 3021 set of legs with a 3265 grip action ball head.

[mtbbrian]

Tripod!
They are worth every penny. Be it a small table top one or larger one.
Get a tripod!
Bogen, Gitzo, Manfroto are all good names to look for.
Maybe even a monopod too.
Good luck!
Brian

[Pose]

Haha, sheesh.

Decisions, decisions. I think I'm going to get the 420EX, 50mm f/1.8, and battery pack, assuming my mom will loan me a little more money . I forgot to mention having a tripod, although it was only $40.00, so I'm assuming I will have to upgrade in the future. As of now I just attach it to my backpack for when I wander the city, it's super light.

A question about the lens, how fast is it? My current lens gets kind of annoying while attempting street photography, it takes me atleast 3 seconds to focus and take the picture, and I'm not impressed with the auto-focus.

Thanks for all of the recommendations, theyre greatly appreciated.

[Liz]

is a fast lens......

Check some of the reviews here - 113 of them

http://www.photographyreview.com/35m...2_3111crx.aspx

Liz

Hey, I just got some cash, about $230-250.00, so of course it's going towards photography.
My current set-up: Elan 7, & 35-135mm f/4-5.6 lens.
I'm not really focusing on any specific aspect yet as far as my shooting goes, but my favorites are Street, Architecture, Nature, and Portraits. Oh, and I tend to do a lot of low-light shooting.

So I'm wondering what you'd do with the money? I was thinking of buying a 50mm f/1.8 prime lens, battery pack, and a remote switch. In your opinion would this be the best way to utilize my current setup, or would I be better ________ (fill in the blank )

Thanks for reading & commenting, for whoever bothers ;)

[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.