Just got a 500d....what next?

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Herethere

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Hello!

Am very new to DSLR photography. I have a 500d with 18- 55mm Is lens. I have ordered the 55 - 250mm Is lens too (canon).

My question is what else do I need?

Filters?
Extra flash?

Please help!
 
Battery Grip
Spare Batteries
Camera Bag
More Memory
And a very understanding partner

Welcome to the world of Dslr:D
 
Hia Charlene, :welcome: to TP!
First, give us some idea of what you will be shooting, landscape, portrait, macro, and dare I say it? (weddings) :D How much do you want to spend?
We can then give you a list of things you may need (and probably some you don't!)
 
tonkie said:
Battery Grip (may not need one if you have small hands.)
Spare Batteries (Deff)
Camera Bag (Deff)
More Memory (Probably)
And a very understanding partner (or hide it all!)

Welcome to the world of Dslr:D
Click to expand...

Left off the large bank balance! :thumbs:
 
Hello everyone!!!! I want to photograph lots of things...the usual such as family etc but also I like landscapes, holidays, trips away etc. I also would like to do some close ups on nature etc

I have a bag - Lowepro 160 Rezo which seems a bit small (its full almost with my new 55 - 250mm lens!!)
 
More batteries.

IMO... eBay ones are fine, better than genuine ones in my experience.

Canon 50mm f/1.8 lens would be next on my list. £75 new.
 
Hi Charlene

My advice would be that you have most bases covered so get out and start to take photos and practice practice practice. Only you will know what you will need once you start to take pics
Read this forum alot and you will learn loads too ( i have) post up some pics too and you will learn loads aswell.
good luck and look forward to seeing some pics soon

spike
 
Close ups of nature will mean macro work. Get yourself a Raynox DCR 250 macro lens for now, it will fit on your 18-55 and your 55-250 probably cost around 35/40 quid.
Family indoors will mean a flash. Stand by to be shocked at the prices! However, you can get cheaper E-TTL flashes, try FITP, advertises on the forum.
I have a prime 50mm 1.8 lens for low light situations, also called the 'Nifty Fifty' I personally wouldn't be without it, it works very well with the Raynox too! You would do well with one in your kit.
 
Buy Nothing and get some training.

Without a basic understanding of how to use your camera in the creative modes, Av, Tv, and P (we'll leave M to the geeks for the moment) plus an understanding of ISO, autofocus zones and exposure compensation as well as learning how to asess the image you have on the LCD, well you might as well use a pocket camera.

There are group courses and pros who offer individual training all over the country, a little knowledge and you will be making informed purchases, or possibly none at all.

I have loads of people come to me with masses of heavy gear they don't need and a big reluctance actually to take it out and shoot.
 
Thanks photo tuition....just looked at courses at my local college- there are some starting in Jan.
 
phototuition said:
Buy Nothing and get some training.


Without a basic understanding of how to use your camera in the creative modes, Av, Tv, and P (we'll leave M to the geeks for the moment) plus an understanding of ISO, autofocus zones and exposure compensation as well as learning how to asess the image you have on the LCD, well you might as well use a pocket camera.

There are group courses and pros who offer individual training all over the country, a little knowledge and you will be making informed purchases, or possibly none at all.

I have loads of people come to me with masses of heavy gear they don't need and a big reluctance actually to take it out and shoot.
Click to expand...

:plusone:

It's more about the photographer than the gear, in my opinion...
 
Herethere said:
Hello!

Am very new to DSLR photography. I have a 500d with 18- 55mm Is lens. I have ordered the 55 - 250mm Is lens too (canon).

My question is what else do I need?

Filters?
Extra flash?

Please help!
Click to expand...

Hi Charlene,
I have just bought a 450D and one thing I would recommend is to stop buying new kit. I know you want everything you need now, but what you have there is some very good kit that will take good pictures but you need to start learning to use it.

I would recommend a photography course, and I will also be looking to take one in the new year.

Once you become more competant you will start learning for yourself where your kit is letting down your photography and where you need to improve. For example, you may spend £150 on a flash however once you start using your camera you might discover the type of photography you want to take requires no flash and you'd rather spend additional money on 'faster glass'.

So go out there, get used to your kit, and take some photos!!
 
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DaveKing said:
Hi Charlene,
I have just bought a 450D and one thing I would recommend is to stop buying new kit. I know you want everything you need now, but what you have there is some very good kit that will take good pictures but you need to start learning to use it.

I would recommend a photography course, and I will also be looking to take one in the new year.

Once you become more competant you will start learning for yourself where your kit is letting down your photography and where you need to improve. For example, you may spend £150 on a flash however once you start using your camera you might discover the type of photography you want to take requires no flash and you'd rather spend additional money on 'faster glass'.

So go out there, get used to your kit, and take some photos!!
Click to expand...

Good advice...
 
phototuition said:
Buy Nothing and get some training.

Without a basic understanding of how to use your camera in the creative modes, Av, Tv, and P (we'll leave M to the geeks for the moment) plus an understanding of ISO, autofocus zones and exposure compensation as well as learning how to asess the image you have on the LCD, well you might as well use a pocket camera.

There are group courses and pros who offer individual training all over the country, a little knowledge and you will be making informed purchases, or possibly none at all.

I have loads of people come to me with masses of heavy gear they don't need and a big reluctance actually to take it out and shoot.
Click to expand...

Having been through all this myself over the last couple of years or so, my advice is the same as everyone else: go out and take lots of pictures. Then decide what, if anything, else you need.

On the subject of light reading: apart from The Times every day, I would recommend the John Wiley Digital field guides. I have the ones on the 450D and the 550D and I've found them very useful.

Cheers and best of luck with your photography.
 
posiview said:
:plusone:

It's more about the photographer than the gear, in my opinion...
Click to expand...

:agree: Go out take pictures ,have fun learning, and don't fall into the trap of thinking a more expensive camera will make your photo's better, it won't only you can do that (there really are no bad camera's these days to put the blame on ). :)
 
Herethere said:
Hello! Am very new to DSLR photography..............

Please help!
Click to expand...

Oh dear - I shall probably get my head bitten off again for saying this, but so what ?

How does the post start ?.............."Am very new to DSLR photography"

It is a little dispiriting to see the OP's question answered with a blizzard of: "buy this, buy that, one of those and two of those................."

She doesn't need to buy anything ! She has a good camera - the advice should be (as just a couple of people did offer) - get out and take lots of photos ! and if possible go to evening classes or similar.
Understand your camera and what it can do. Download Picasa onto your PC see what you can do with that - I'm surprised no one has told her to go out and buy the full Photoshop suite yet !

Charlotte - it isn't the camera or the bag full of expensive equipment that makes good photographs - it's the person holding the camera - you.
You don't even need a spare battery - flatten the battery taking photographs - whilst it is recharging have a look at your work on the PC.
See what is good or bad - ask yourself why ? Remember what you had the camera set to. Why is that shot almost black and that one almost white when the camera had the same settings ? What do those little white numbers all over the lens mean ?

Photography is great fun, it has kept me amused for over 40 years - but please don't get swept along with the "must have the biggest, latest, most expensive" tide.
You might even find that it isn't all you were expecting - then you have wasted an awful lot of money.
I'm sure you will get hooked on it, but don't rush into it.
 
Moonrakerz said:
Oh dear - I shall probably get my head bitten off again for saying this, but so what ?

How does the post start ?.............."Am very new to DSLR photography"

It is a little dispiriting to see the OP's question answered with a blizzard of: "buy this, buy that, one of those and two of those................."

She doesn't need to buy anything ! She has a good camera - the advice should be (as just a couple of people did offer) - get out and take lots of photos ! and if possible go to evening classes or similar.
Understand your camera and what it can do. Download Picasa onto your PC see what you can do with that - I'm surprised no one has told her to go out and buy the full Photoshop suite yet !

Charlotte - it isn't the camera or the bag full of expensive equipment that makes good photographs - it's the person holding the camera - you.
You don't even need a spare battery - flatten the battery taking photographs - whilst it is recharging have a look at your work on the PC.
See what is good or bad - ask yourself why ? Remember what you had the camera set to. Why is that shot almost black and that one almost white when the camera had the same settings ? What do those little white numbers all over the lens mean ?

Photography is great fun, it has kept me amused for over 40 years - but please don't get swept along with the "must have the biggest, latest, most expensive" tide.
You might even find that it isn't all you were expecting - then you have wasted an awful lot of money.
I'm sure you will get hooked on it, but don't rush into it.
Click to expand...


Thanks :clap:
 
go out and take pictures :)
read about exposure
shoot raw and learn how to post process your photos

enjoy!
 
Moonrakerz said:
Oh dear - I shall probably get my head bitten off again for saying this, but so what ?

How does the post start ?.............."Am very new to DSLR photography"

It is a little dispiriting to see the OP's question answered with a blizzard of: "buy this, buy that, one of those and two of those................."

She doesn't need to buy anything ! She has a good camera - the advice should be (as just a couple of people did offer) - get out and take lots of photos ! and if possible go to evening classes or similar.
Understand your camera and what it can do. Download Picasa onto your PC see what you can do with that - I'm surprised no one has told her to go out and buy the full Photoshop suite yet !

Charlotte - it isn't the camera or the bag full of expensive equipment that makes good photographs - it's the person holding the camera - you.
You don't even need a spare battery - flatten the battery taking photographs - whilst it is recharging have a look at your work on the PC.
See what is good or bad - ask yourself why ? Remember what you had the camera set to. Why is that shot almost black and that one almost white when the camera had the same settings ? What do those little white numbers all over the lens mean ?

Photography is great fun, it has kept me amused for over 40 years - but please don't get swept along with the "must have the biggest, latest, most expensive" tide.
You might even find that it isn't all you were expecting - then you have wasted an awful lot of money.
I'm sure you will get hooked on it, but don't rush into it.
Click to expand...

BEST advice right above... get the camera and lens, get the memory card and go take pictures..we all got a pencil or pen somewhere but until you know how to use it, you'll never know if your going to be a writer, a poet or just write home to mum. GO and enjoy it, if you don't then sell it, start easy then it will all happen by itself, and you will make good friends here with all the help you could ever want. good luck
 
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Herethere said:
My question is what else do I need?

Filters?
Extra flash?

Please help!
Click to expand...

Moonrakerz said:
Oh dear - I shall probably get my head bitten off again for saying this, but so what ?

How does the post start ?.............."Am very new to DSLR photography"

It is a little dispiriting to see the OP's question answered with a blizzard of: "buy this, buy that, one of those and two of those................."

She doesn't need to buy anything ! She has a good camera - the advice should be (as just a couple of people did offer) - get out and take lots of photos ! and if possible go to evening classes or similar.
Understand your camera and what it can do. Download Picasa onto your PC see what you can do with that - I'm surprised no one has told her to go out and buy the full Photoshop suite yet !

Charlotte - it isn't the camera or the bag full of expensive equipment that makes good photographs - it's the person holding the camera - you.
You don't even need a spare battery - flatten the battery taking photographs - whilst it is recharging have a look at your work on the PC.
See what is good or bad - ask yourself why ? Remember what you had the camera set to. Why is that shot almost black and that one almost white when the camera had the same settings ? What do those little white numbers all over the lens mean ?

Photography is great fun, it has kept me amused for over 40 years - but please don't get swept along with the "must have the biggest, latest, most expensive" tide.
You might even find that it isn't all you were expecting - then you have wasted an awful lot of money.
I'm sure you will get hooked on it, but don't rush into it.
Click to expand...

The OP has asked what else does she need,ie. Filters,Extra Flash so I think most folk were on the understanding that the OP was after more gear hence the reply the OP got.

If She had asked if there is any advice that a newbie to DSLR, then maybe she might have a different response from most,just like yours and a few others gave and of which I totally agree,but I do think that the replies she had were in keeping with the request she had asked
 
tonkie said:
The OP has asked what else does she need,ie. Filters,Extra Flash so I think most folk were on the understanding that the OP was after more gear hence the reply the OP got.

If She had asked if there is any advice that a newbie to DSLR, then maybe she might have a different response from most,just like yours and a few others gave and of which I totally agree,but I do think that the replies she had were in keeping with the request she had asked
Click to expand...

In a nutshell!! :thumbs:
 
I would always recommend a fast prime lens to someone who hasnt got one already, and with you going Canon all the better as you can get probably the best value for money lens ever with the Canon 50mm 1.8 mk2.. its a very useful lens, makes you approach photography in a different way and if you find yourself bored they are a great creative lens.
 
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