Help improving my set up?

[supersammy]

Hi, this is a little random. However I am looking at what I could add to my set up to improve it the best.

I currently have, Canon 7d, 24-105 mm lens, 430ex flash. And a bag.

I am looking into buying, a tripod, a remote, a 50mm lens (1.4), possibly either a 135mm or a 70/200.

I am unsure how well these lenses will work with a cropped frame camera. And it seems a bit daft to have a 50mm prime when I have that focal range with my current lens.

So what would your suggestion be for me to improve my set up?

 

[menthel]

Hi, this is a little random. However I am looking at what I could add to my set up to improve it the best.

I currently have, Canon 7d, 24-105 mm lens, 430ex flash. And a bag.

I am looking into buying, a tripod, a remote, a 50mm lens (1.4), possibly either a 135mm or a 70/200.

I am unsure how well these lenses will work with a cropped frame camera. And it seems a bit daft to have a 50mm prime when I have that focal range with my current lens.

So what would your suggestion be for me to improve my set up?

What do you find lacking? What does your current kit not do that you want it to?

 

[supersammy]

What do you find lacking? What does your current kit not do that you want it to?

Well I'm quite new to this, so at the moment my biggest problem is taking a decent photo. I need a tripod, and would like to be able to have a bit more range so I want a bigger lens. Finally, I would like to be able to take some great portraits. It's not too much to ask.

 

[gadgeteer]

If you want to take good portraits then you probably already have the equipment.

A 50mm f1.8 is probably a good investment as on a crop body it will be a good portrait lens. Personally I found f1.4 was too shallow and you could easily get people out of focus. Plus it's a more expensive lens. Get a f1.8 is my advice for now.

I don't think you necessarily need a tripod. I rarely rarely use mine. I can't remember ever using one for portraits.

I found the 70-200 was too restrictive on a crop body. It's great on a FF body though.

And what is currently wrong with your photos? What is it which is not 'decent'?

 

[HoppyUK]

Well I'm quite new to this, so at the moment my biggest problem is taking a decent photo. I need a tripod, and would like to be able to have a bit more range so I want a bigger lens. Finally, I would like to be able to take some great portraits. It's not too much to ask.

Learn to get the best out of what you've got first - read, shoot, learn, read and shoot some more. That's very capable gear you have, and only buy more stuff strictly on a need basis.

You want more reach, that's a clear need, so look into that as and when, but just buying random stuff now will be frustrating and expensive. Eg, a longer lens - there are several dozen options there at least, many of them will do the same job very well, but all have their pros and cons and prices.

 

[Keebsuk]

Learn to get the best out of what you've got first - read, shoot, learn, read and shoot some more. That's very capable gear you have, and only buy more stuff strictly on a need basis.

You want more reach, that's a clear need, so look into that as and when, but just buying random stuff now will be frustrating and expensive. Eg, a longer lens - there are several dozen options there at least, many of them will do the same job very well, but all have their pros and cons and prices.

Very wise words from Richard, "less is more" and more kit before you can "take a decent photo" will not help you.

Andy

 

[Organnyx]

I'd agree, use what you have, get used to it, then when you KNOW what limitations there are you'll know what you need to get next - I used to shoot weddings predominantly using a an EOS5 (film), dedicated flashgun, and a 24-85 lens............(very similar to what you've got a digital version of)