What Else Do i Need ? Beside Camera and Lens ?

[10-Dee-Q]

Him thx all after asking a lot of questions on this forum, i've decided to buy my first DSLR it's the Canon 450D which arrive next week in my country :P (can't wait to play with it)
Anyway i'm just a litttle bit confused what else do i need to buy, UV filter ? dry box? Flash ? etc ? what is the essentials? tripod or monopod ? or anything else ?
i don't have any experience as my prvious cam is G7 which are fine without any accecories or dry box.

Currently i've listed my shopping list as follow:

-Canon 450D Body only
-Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 (i didn't take the kit lens cause i take indoor shoot without flash and handhelds mostly)
-I already have tripod It;s Velbon CX-480 (actually this is the video tripod) i don't know what are the differences, is it ok ?




can you please list me what else i need to buy to make my experience with DSLR is pleasant enough ?
thank you. Especially filters, which one is the best out there? and what the diff between UV and polarizer ?

[10-Dee-Q]

and 1 more thing what do i need t check when i get them?

[Headshotzx]

Need now:

Camera Body
Lens (with a hood?) **I suggest to also get the cheap 50mm f/1.8II (S$110+)with your Tamron since you take pictures in low-light. f/1.8 will give faster shutter speeds, essential in low-light photography)
a good UV filter
CF memory Card
a good strap if you want to feel comfy (Optech products at ~S$20-30)
Giotto Rocket blower (S$12, and can save you in dusty times)
A spectacle cloth (or any other lint-free cloth)
A bag (I suggest Lowepro, Tamrac or Crumpler bags for a start to fit just your body, and maybe 1-2 lenses + accessories)

Need after awhile:
Drybox
more batteries (3rd party will do)
A few more CF cards

General wants (after awhile):
More lenses (duh? haha)
A flash (Speedlite 430EX?)
BG-E4 battery grip (if you feel that the camera is too small / difficult to handle ie pinky goes below camera etc)
Creative filters (circular polariser, ND, Close-up etc)
A better and sturdier tripod perhaps?

Hope this helps =)

EDIT:

UV is just a *protector*
CPL filters add contrast & the ability to shoot through glass and stuff, at the expense of less light entering (basically a magic sunglass) Useful when taking nature pictures, shooting from the car, or shooting through water.

You'd probably check to see if any of your stuff has visible scratches, works properly, and handles well. Make sure that most of your stuff doesn't clank around when shaken just a bit. However, when you rotate your dslr, the shutter will probably shake just a slight bit. Don't worry about this.

[Fragnatic]

normal filters for protection of the lens front element would be those UV filters. standard ones are usu quite cheap. better UV filters are coated / multi-coated to supress reflections/flares and increase light transmittivity thru the lens.

Originally Posted by 10-Dee-Q and 1 more thing what do i need t check when i get them?

EDIT: and please check the price if its inclusive of GST!! haha
bargain if u want. confirm the all contents and final price b4 u confirm buying frm them and pay them the money.

check the full package contents.
body
lens (if u are buying the kit)
cables
manual
battery
body/lens cover

check for bundled stuff (most shops shd give (some of) these for free)
carrying case (camera bag)
cf card
tripod
lens/camera/photography books

u can ask them to throw in a standard (uncoated) UV filter for free.
or a simple dry box
or extra oem batt, etc..

[Octarine]

Originally Posted by 10-Dee-Q can you please list me what else i need to buy to make my experience with DSLR is pleasant enough ? thank you. Especially filters, which one is the best out there? and what the diff between UV and polarizer ?

It seems to me that your focus is too much on equipment. Knowledge and experience will be your best investment, it saves you a lot of money for equipment that you don't need but might look attractive for now. Take a few dollars and attend a photographer beginner's workshop, just with your camera and your Tamron lens. After this you can probably answer already some of your questions and the answers are much more valuable then - because you know the reasons behind.

Looking at your current equipment I would only add:
- Battery charger (if it's not included) and 2nd battery
- 2nd memory card, card reader
- Simple UV filter (e.g. Hoya, without multi-coating) as lens protector
- Lens cleaning kit (blower, soft brush and lint-free cloth)

That's enough for a good start. Everything else you should get once you understand WHY you need it and only IF you really need it. Additional equipment you can either rent (lenses) or borrow with other friends. Your video tripod should fit to the cam, mostly the screws have the same dimensions and weight is not an issue here.
Next thing will be post processing. Learn what to do once you have hundreds of pics at your memory card and you want to bring them online or print them.

Enjoy!

[roDz]

Originally Posted by Headshotzx Need now: Camera Body Lens (with a hood?) **I suggest to also get the cheap 50mm f/1.8II (S$110+)with your Tamron since you take pictures in low-light. f/1.8 will give faster shutter speeds, essential in low-light photography) a good UV filter CF memory Card a good strap if you want to feel comfy (Optech products at ~S$20-30) Giotto Rocket blower (S$12, and can save you in dusty times) A spectacle cloth (or any other lint-free cloth) A bag (I suggest Lowepro, Tamrac or Crumpler bags for a start to fit just your body, and maybe 1-2 lenses + accessories) Need after awhile: Drybox more batteries (3rd party will do) A few more CF cards General wants (after awhile): More lenses (duh? haha) A flash (Speedlite 430EX?) BG-E4 battery grip (if you feel that the camera is too small / difficult to handle ie pinky goes below camera etc) Creative filters (circular polariser, ND, Close-up etc) A better and sturdier tripod perhaps? Hope this helps =) EDIT: UV is just a *protector* CPL filters add contrast & the ability to shoot through glass and stuff, at the expense of less light entering (basically a magic sunglass) Useful when taking nature pictures, shooting from the car, or shooting through water. You'd probably check to see if any of your stuff has visible scratches, works properly, and handles well. Make sure that most of your stuff doesn't clank around when shaken just a bit. However, when you rotate your dslr, the shutter will probably shake just a slight bit. Don't worry about this.

If i'm not wrong 450D use sd memory card instead of cf card

[Headshotzx]

Originally Posted by roDz If i'm not wrong 450D use sd memory card instead of cf card

Oh yeah, I'm extremely sorry. Yes, SD cards instead of CF.

[10-Dee-Q]

what the different between coating and no coating UV filter ?
and any recomendation on which one to get ?

i got 8GB SD already last time i use it on my G7 so ithink it'll be enouhg for now and i'm plannngto buy 2nd battery

do we really need drybox ?

[syl]

Things you will need - may have some repetition with what others have written but for the sake of completeness I'll list them down:

(In no particular order)

Camera bag (to stow your body and lens/es, spare batteries, filters, etc...u get the picture?)

Filters - a must would be an UV/protector filter to protect your lens from foreign bodies like stones, etc...of course a coated filter would be better than an uncoated filter as it should reduce glare.

Lens hoods - again, this is to protect your lenses if you accidentally drop your camera (God forbid but it does happen!). Hopefully in such a fall, the hood will take the brunt of the fall saving both the body and lens from GREATER damage. Also can reduce lens glare.

Spares: SD card (I know you've a 8 GB card!), camera battery for the moment until you get a flash, then spare batteries for it. You'll rue the day when you travel without these spares and when Murphy's law kicks in, you forgot to charge the camera battery or forgot to download your SD card and you've run out of memory. Then where are you? Remember there's such a thing known as back -up so don't be caught short when you need it most!

Cleaning equipment - a blower, a brush (only the softest to clean your camera body), and I recommend a microfiber cloth to clean your lens/filter.

A dry box - to store your camera and lenses to prevent fungus from growing on your optics. When buying allow room for expansion caused by the BBB virus! (Hehe! BBB or buy, buy, buy - a disease that will afflict nearly all photographers caused by wanting to get accessories, additional lenses, upgrade body, etc. Not terminal unless the Home Affairs minister gets to hear about it!)

These are the essential stuff. Now the 'good to have' stuff:

Tripod - but you've got one to begin with.

A flash - although the 450D comes with a built in flash, its generally low powered. To shoot functions you will need a more powerful flash like the EX 430 or better.

A remote shutter release to shoot long exposure shots like sunrises, fireworks, etc.

Photo processing software - the software that will come with your camera should suffice for quite a while but alas, like everything else, you'll not be happy until you get CS3, Lightroom, Aperture, etc. etc. and then a very powerful computer! Must watch out for the BBB virus then!

A beginners/intermediate DSLR course. Most desirable for you to max the most of your purchase of camera. Go to SAFRA or the CCs for affordable courses.

Then you have the 'nice to have' stuff which really isn't necessary but ......you'll get bitten by the BBB virus then AMEN! Too many things to list like more lenses, filters like CPL, GND, ND4s to ND8s, more RAM for the computer, advanced colour monitors, etc. etc.

But no matter what I've written, you'll still fall into the TRAP of BBB.

so welcome into the world of DSLRs and have fun!

[antacid]

don't need to buy anything for now. just have some EOSfun!

when it gets dirty, then buy something to fix that.

when the lens is not wide enough for the shots you like, then buy something to fix that.

when the lens is not long enough, then buy something to fix that.

[IsenGrim]

eh wanna ask something about UV filters.

issit worth it to get a 180$ b+H UV and stick with it forever (if possible to forever)

or get a cheap hoya. (with the urge to upgrade in a few years)

??? advice needed!

[airfins]

Originally Posted by IsenGrim eh wanna ask something about UV filters. issit worth it to get a 180$ b+H UV and stick with it forever (if possible to forever) or get a cheap hoya. (with the urge to upgrade in a few years) ??? advice needed!

I think you meant B+W filters, for me I have been through the forever upgrading stage so now I will take the pinch and go for the top quality one therefore eliminating any further upgrading and end up spenting even more money, that is if your budget permits

[10-Dee-Q]

okay my list now is:

(i already own)
-Velbon CX 480 tripod
-lens pen
-Blower
-SD HC 8GB
-SD 2GB

(buying soon)
-450D body
-Tamron17-50 f2/8
-B+W MCR UV Filter 67 mm for the tamron
-back up battery (any good 3rd party brand to recommend ?)

(Still considering)
-Canon 50mm f1/8 (cause i feel i'm still new and it will be a hassle for me to bring around lens but if it's really good then i'll buy cause it's quite cheap anyway)
-Dry Box
-Falsh (cause i seldom use it and i like my picture to be flash free as it's more natural to my eyes)
-camera bag
etc

(selling)
-canon G7 (anybody knows how much is the average price ? ) or i should keep it for video recording ? still can't decide

[10-Dee-Q]

"A remote shutter release to shoot long exposure shots like sunrises, fireworks, etc."

hmmm can explain why i need that ?

can't i just set my camera to timer and leave it on tripod when shooting long exposure ?

still don't understand, tahnk you.

[syl]

Originally Posted by 10-Dee-Q "A remote shutter release to shoot long exposure shots like sunrises, fireworks, etc." hmmm can explain why i need that ? can't i just set my camera to timer and leave it on tripod when shooting long exposure ? still don't understand, tahnk you.

For long exposures, you try to use a remote release so as not to induce any element of camera shake. This can occur if your press the shutter button. You can also use the camera timer - no problem but usually there is a time lag after you shoot till the photo gets actually taken. If this is OK for you then no problem. But sometimes whilst waiting for the timer to kick in, you may miss a shot or the moment! So if you want full control then you use a remote control.

[2ichigo2]

(buying soon)
-450D body
-Tamron17-50 f2/8
-B+W MCR UV Filter 67 mm for the tamron Good choice
-back up battery (any good 3rd party brand to recommend ?) check out east gear

(Still considering)
-Canon 50mm f1/8
I think u don get first... Know what u wanna shoot~ Since ur first lens already covered 50mm range
-Dry Box
Unless u bring use ur gears very often, i suggest getting a dry box... Better one-time investment will be dry cabinet
-Flash
It is useful for indoor. Still u can get it later...
-camera bag
Hand carry???
-remote switch
Good to have... but not a must~
etc

[cai1983]

if you are getting a bag, imho, get bigger ones, that can fit at least 1 body, flash and about 3 lenses. saves you money in the future, if you decide to expand your current gear.

[IsenGrim]

eh cable release is a must if u want to take pictures of >30 secs shutter time. the camera will not allow u to do that if u dont have a cable release.

I think remote control quite convenient ba. lets u take cadids better (and with yourself in it) loL. get those cheap cheap one lor. $20 maybe can get.

[calebk]

Originally Posted by IsenGrim eh cable release is a must if u want to take pictures of >30 secs shutter time. the camera will not allow u to do that if u dont have a cable release. I think remote control quite convenient ba. lets u take cadids better (and with yourself in it) loL. get those cheap cheap one lor. $20 maybe can get.

You mean the 450D has no bulb mode?

It says on DPReview that there is bulb mode present on the 450D. Who says all long exposures must be taken with a cable release?

Just for your reference, this was shot without tripod and cable release. It was rested on a railing, and bulbed for close to 45s.

[10-Dee-Q]

hx guys,
about the remote, is it better to get the wirelles one or the cable one ?
and east gear is a brand of battery or a name of a shop ?
thx.