topic Re: Which accessories would you recommend for an enthusiastic hobbyist? in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

Which accessories would you recommend for an enthusiastic hobbyist?

BoricuaBruni — Wed, 10 Aug 2016 18:58:20 GMT

Hi!

I have the T6s, and the following lenses: an 18-55 kit lens, an 18-135 kit lens, a 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 lens, and a 50 mm lens. Some accessories I've purchased are the MeFoto aluminum roadrip travel tripod/monopod kit, bags for each lens, a 'raincoat' for the camera, and a rapid fire camera strap. I also have an iphone 6 and an ipad (haven't tried the "wi-fi nfc options" to transfer pictures to my iphone yet, but, if there are any accessories to make the transfer easier, I'm all ears, as I've read it's much easier with an android phone.

I don't have any hoods for my lenses, filters, remote shutter, bubble spirit level, speed lites,... Which accessories (other than lenses) would you suggest/categorize as a must-have or aspire-to-have, with no specific price point in mind?

Thanks all!

Re: Which accessories would you recommend for an enthusiastic hobbyist?

TTMartin — Wed, 10 Aug 2016 19:09:12 GMT

@BoricuaBruni wrote:
Hi!

I have the T6s, and the following lenses: an 18-55 kit lens, an 18-135 kit lens, a 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 lens, and a 50 mm lens. Some accessories I've purchased are the MeFoto aluminum roadrip travel tripod/monopod kit, bags for each lens, a 'raincoat' for the camera, and a rapid fire camera strap. I also have an iphone 6 and an ipad (haven't tried the "wi-fi nfc options" to transfer pictures to my iphone yet, but, if there are any accessories to make the transfer easier, I'm all ears, as I've read it's much easier with an android phone.

I don't have any hoods for my lenses, filters, remote shutter, bubble spirit level, speed lites,... Which accessories (other than lenses) would you suggest/categorize as a must-have or aspire-to-have, with no specific price point in mind?

Thanks all!

Canon 430EX III RT flash!

Otherwise, just get out and shoot, and then you'll learn what you need, instead of having to ask.

Re: Which accessories would you recommend for an enthusiastic hobbyist?

Waddizzle — Wed, 10 Aug 2016 19:28:01 GMT

Backpack. Buy one that has 50% more room than what you need. I call that my kit. I have a smaller one for travel, my tote.

Re: Which accessories would you recommend for an enthusiastic hobbyist?

ScottyP — Wed, 10 Aug 2016 23:20:46 GMT

Get some microfiber cloths in a sealable baggie to wipe lenses with instead of your shirt.

Book: Understanding Exposure by Bryan Petersen.

A Rocket Blower or similar generic squeeze bulb blower to blast dust off the sensor. Mine has a lens dust brush built in.

Backpack or sling bag.

22" collapsible reflector, silver one side and white on the other. Perfect size to actually fit in your bag.

Two EX 430 RT flashes so you can shoot off camera flash. Or 3rd party RT flash like Yongnuo 600 RT if the price difference makes the difference in your budget that lets you get two instead of just one.

If you get 2 flashes pick up a cheap Chinese light stand.

Re: Which accessories would you recommend for an enthusiastic hobbyist?

ebiggs1 — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 13:17:13 GMT

This is what you said....

"...an 18-55 kit lens, an 18-135 kit lens, a ~~10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 lens~~, and a 50 mm lens..."

First I would sell all of these lenses. Keep the 10-18mil and buy the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens. If memory serves me correctly it does not come with a hood so buy one for it.

Forget filters and learn one of the better post editors like PSE. Filters are generally obsolete.

Second lens purchase might be one of the 70-200mm f2.8 out there.

The notion of a good bag, larger than you currently need is a great idea. Also a back pack type bag is a good idea.

A flash is a nice to have but is getting less useful as cameras get better.

"...remote shutter, bubble spirit level..." Mostly just gimmicks, But at best specific use items. Not general.

We have ...

Rebel T6s

EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens

EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM Lens

Your choice of 70-200mm f2.8

Hoods for all lenses

MeFOTO RoadTrip Aluminum Travel Tripod Kit

Your choice of backpack bag

iphone/ipad

Black Rapid strap

Photoshop or Photoshop Elements or other good post editor <---- the best accessory you can have or add to your kit.

Pretty good start, I'd say. Now go out an learn how to use it all.

Re: Which accessories would you recommend for an enthusiastic hobbyist?

TTMartin — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 14:03:11 GMT

@ebiggs1 wrote:
This is what you said....
"...an 18-55 kit lens, an 18-135 kit lens, a ~~10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 lens~~, and a 50 mm lens..."

First I would sell all of these lenses.

Whether you should sell the lenses you have or not depends on if they are the STM version of the lenses or not.

If they are STM lenses keep them, the only excepting would be if you have both the 18-55 IS STM and the 18-135 IS STM, you could probably sell the 18-55 IS STM.

Re: Which accessories would you recommend for an enthusiastic hobbyist?

Waddizzle — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 14:27:54 GMT

"I don't have any hoods for my lenses, filters, remote shutter, bubble spirit level, speed lites,... Which accessories (other than lenses) would you suggest/categorize as a must-have or aspire-to-have, with no specific price point in mind?"

What do you like to photograph the most? Or, think you like the most?

A hood for both the 18-135mm and the 10-18mm would be a smart add. I like to use at least a clear protective filter on my expensive glass.

The flash on the camera will cast shadows with the 18-135mm and 10-18mm lenses, but not the 18-55mm kit lens. I'd keep the 18-55mm lens around, if you do not have an external flash, yet.

Again, I am going to recommend a good backpack. Look for one that comes with a rain cover. They don't sell them at the Big Box stores, either. Get a backpack with more room than what you need. I'd say get one that can hold 1-2 camera bodies, and at least 5-7 lenses, or so. Yeah, that's pretty big. But, you'll need space for flash units, chargers, lens cleaning kit, widgets, and maybe even future lenses.

Re: Which accessories would you recommend for an enthusiastic hobbyist?

ebiggs1 — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 14:56:57 GMT

"Whether you should sell the lenses you have or not depends on if they are the STM..."

A consideration but not the important one. The f2.8 'constant' aperture is way more better than STM.

So, are you "an enthusiastic hobbyist" or simply a beginner? Because two of your lenses (18-55 kit lens, an 18-135 kit lens) are beginner category. Possibly the "50mm", also, if it is one of the f1.8 versions. IMHO, of course, as always.

Re: Which accessories would you recommend for an enthusiastic hobbyist?

TTMartin — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 15:32:39 GMT

@ebiggs1 wrote:

"Whether you should sell the lenses you have or not depends on if they are the STM..."

A consideration but not the important one. The f2.8 'constant' aperture is way more better than STM.

So, are you "an enthusiastic hobbyist" or simply a beginner? Because two of your lenses (18-55 kit lens, an 18-135 kit lens) are beginner category. Possibly the "50mm", also, if it is one of the f1.8 versions. IMHO, of course, as always.

The EF 50mm f/1.8 STM and EF-S 18-135 IS STM is just as effective, more versatile and more cost effective than the EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS USM.

The for portraits the EF 50mm f/1.8 is superior in giving shallow depth of field.

For general usage an f/2.8 aperture was much more important when you were pretty much limited to ISO 400 or ISO 800. With today's digital cameras where ISO 3200 is just as usable as ISO 400 from the early age of digital having an f/2.8 aperture becomes much less important.

Add to that the EF-S 18-135 IS STM is f/3.5 at 18mm, f/4 at 24mm, f/4.5 at 35mm and f/5 at 50mm, the aperture differences between the two lenses are much less pronounced than some might be lead to believe.

Re: Which accessories would you recommend for an enthusiastic hobbyist?

TTMartin — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 15:47:04 GMT

@TTMartin wrote:

Whether you should sell the lenses you have or not depends on if they are the STM version of the lenses or not.

If they are STM lenses keep them, the only excepting would be if you have both the 18-55 IS STM and the 18-135 IS STM, you could probably sell the 18-55 IS STM.

One correction to add, it that if the EF-S 18-135 IS is either the STM or USM you should not sell it.

Re: Which accessories would you recommend for an enthusiastic hobbyist?

BoricuaBruni — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 15:58:23 GMT

Thanks for the recommendation. Will be adding it to my wishlist.

Re: Which accessories would you recommend for an enthusiastic hobbyist?

RobertTheFat — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 16:17:09 GMT

@ebiggs1 wrote:

A flash is a nice to have but is getting less useful as cameras get better.
:

You're kidding, right? What do you use to brighten the faces of backlit subjects? A pocket mirror?

Re: Which accessories would you recommend for an enthusiastic hobbyist?

BoricuaBruni — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 16:18:36 GMT

Waddizzle,

Yes, a backpack is my back's best friend, unfortunately, I've encountered many museums in Europe require you to 'check' your backpack. And handing it over and watching it placed in a cubby, ala kindergarten-style, is stressful. So, I've yet to find a "perfect" bag for my solo travel needs.

Re: Which accessories would you recommend for an enthusiastic hobbyist?

BoricuaBruni — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 16:23:43 GMT

Scott,

Woohoo, I have the first 4 items you mentioned. Several people are suggesting the flash, so it'll definitely make it's way into my "kit" along with the reflector and light stand. Thanks!

Re: Which accessories would you recommend for an enthusiastic hobbyist?

Waddizzle — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 16:30:03 GMT

@BoricuaBruni wrote:
Waddizzle,

Yes, a backpack is my back's best friend, unfortunately, I've encountered many museums in Europe require you to 'check' your backpack. And handing it over and watching it placed in a cubby, ala kindergarten-style, is stressful. So, I've yet to find a "perfect" bag for my solo travel needs.

Yes, that's why I called the big one "my kit", and then also suggested a smaller one for travel, my tote.

[EDIT] When I want to travel "ultra-light" I use a Toploader Pro 75 AW II Holster Bag from Lowepro.

Re: Which accessories would you recommend for an enthusiastic hobbyist?

BoricuaBruni — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 17:11:26 GMT

Hi ebiggs1,

I consider myself a beginner/hobbyist, shoot in manual, have owned a dslr for a few years, and spend the most time with my camera when I'm on vacation, special events, etc. I don't shoot enough to spend $1000s on a lens, but at some point in the next few years will upgrade some lenses. My 18-135 is an STM and my 50 mm is f/1.8.

Thanks.

Re: Which accessories would you recommend for an enthusiastic hobbyist?

BoricuaBruni — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 17:20:32 GMT

Thanks TTMartin for your input. My 18-135 is an STM, so I'll be keeping it along with my 50mm f/1.8. I'm not in the market at this time for more lenses, as they are pricey and not a necessity for me, although I'm not opposed to a gifted and expensive lens...(i keep a wishlist for my loved ones to use during the holidays).

Re: Which accessories would you recommend for an enthusiastic hobbyist?

BoricuaBruni — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 17:24:18 GMT

Thanks for the bag recommendation. Will check it out.

Re: Which accessories would you recommend for an enthusiastic hobbyist?

ebiggs1 — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 20:14:31 GMT

"My 18-135 is an STM and my 50 mm is f/1.8. "

Sell them and the 18-55 no matter what letters it has. Then you can put that money towards a real lens. The EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens because you will eventually anyhow. Might as well have it today. You will quickly outgrow the lenses you currently have. But this really does depend on whether you want to stay a beginner in a beginner class or move on. I can't make that decision for you. But I can tell you what better lenses can do for you. Lenses are where its at. So what will it be?

Re: Which accessories would you recommend for an enthusiastic hobbyist?

ebiggs1 — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 20:26:08 GMT

Bob from Boston,

"You're kidding, right?"

I am not. A flash would be way down on my list if I was watching money as this OP likely is. I have six 580 ex II and don't know how many older flashes on the shelves of my formerly stop bath stained darkroom. They quietly occupy that shelf space and gather dust for the most part.

I am booked up all ready this year for Senior photos and I bet I don't use a single flash. I might take a couple silver/white reflectors, though. If I shoot in the studio I will use real strobes. Bob from Boston you really need to learn how to use Photoshop!