Sailingirl wrote:
My husband bought me a Canon EOS Rebel T3i for Christmas and said to make a list of extras that I want. My question to you is what would you have in your bag as a beginner? I really want to become a good photographer. I've been practicing with my camera every day trying out different shots and techniques. I've also spent time watching youtube videos. I'm feel like I have information overload. I enjoy taking close ups (probably my favorite so far). Today we're going to the park with one of my girls as my model to practice taking portraits. I only have the 18-55 mm IS II lens that came with the camera and a tripod. Since he's offering to buy me more, I want to make sure I'm getting things that are more necessity based rather than "that's a cool thing but you'll hardly ever use it". Thanks for your help.
My husband bought me a Canon EOS Rebel T3i for Chr... (
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Congrats!
The best advice I can give you is the best advice I was given 4 decades ago.
Learn to use your gear to the limits of the lens, camera, flash, tripod. Learn every function and how to use it, to the best of its capability. Before you buy a new lens, practice, practice, practice with what you have until you master it. New gear? same thing when your camera gear becomes second nature, your gear becomes an extension of you. You will get the optimum from your gear when it is intuitive. This won't happen over night.
Shoot, shoot, shoot, shoot , be your own toughest critic.
You might visit Flickr, smug mug or any of the photo sharing sites to see what people are doing, and how they are doing it.
As for a general list of glass and toys:
nifty fifty 1.8 is 100 bucks 1.4 is 350, pretty pricy difference for 1 precious f/stop. Ultimate 50mm 1.2 is near 1200 bucks.
100mm macro, fun lens and tack sharp, great lens. not the most flexible.
I prefer 10-22 super wide for no specific reason.
Tele lens I use an 18-200 for a general purpose lens.
70-200 2.8, pricey lens that never leaves its body.
LOVE this glass
100-400 ( sometimes with 1.4 TC) for my birding exploits.
Some folks prefer prime glass only, and that is fair.
Some folks prefer Zeiss glass. redefines PRICY.
You will need a flash at some point, opinions vary widely.
I use Canon speed lights. pricy
Tripod is a must for many uses. Not a great place to skimp.
I prefer Manfrotto 190 Xprob and 055 Xprob.
I am getting older ( than dirt) so carbon fiber is on my list.
12 mile hike with the 055 and I am ready for a nap!
I will stop here with the point that it does not end, once you acquire all the stuff you think you need, something else will pop up. Filters, soft box, gear bag or back pack. new photo editing software, and then a new laptop for editing.
"Like tattoos, good gear aint cheap, cheap gear aint good."
Good luck and there will be a plethora of advice coming your way very fast.
Enjoy and post some images