A sense of priority - "must have's" in building a camera system?

[Colin O'Regan]

I like to hear/read some opinions on what people regard as a "must have" in building a camera system. I wish I had unlimited finances to purchase equipment on a whim. Unfortunately, I need to plan a strategy for acquiring my equipment. I believe I'm off to a good start with my first lens. Canon 24-70 f2.8.L. There are other lenses I'd love to have but will have to wait. What would be an invaluable next addition? A good flash? Tripod? Book? (Vacation to practice shooting)
What say you?

Colin

[Matthew]

As I only acquired my first SLR 2 days ago i can't really say much but what i can say is last week I sold off some of my DJ equipment to purposely buy a camera. Unknowingly I got 1 for my birthday as you already know so now I have some spare cash to buy some accessories.
There are a couple of lenses I would love to have right now and they are the Sigma 10-20mm F/4-5.6 and the Canon 100mm F/2.8. Although I'm really tempted to get them, i think il wait until iv explored the kit lenses I have. A few books would be nice right now but i defiantly need a tripod and maybe a few filters to get me started and il keep the money i have to buy whatever i think i need when i get more familiar with my new toy

[dendrophile]

1. Mac Pro
2. Adobe PS CS4
3. Lots of books.
4. Free world wide travel.
5. Plenty of time.

(I know this was not the sort of list that you want.)

I guess to answer your post, I'd want to know more about what you want from your photography. No point buying a flash if you always shoot outdoors and don't need some fill light. If you travelled a lot, then more memory cards and batteries would be a wise investment. Trying to recall my purchase history, but would have been something like:

a) Canon 300d plus kit lens.
b) 100mm USM macro lens (love macro work)
c) 420EX speedlite
d) Random assortment of memory cards (cheap ones)
e) Second battery (keep one on charge so always have a spare)
f) Canon 20d plus kit lens
f.2) Epson R2400
g) EF 50mm F/1.4 prime
h) Tripod
i) 17-40mm F/4.0 lens (borrow one from a friend, loved it, bought one)
j) 70-300mm lens (cheap one)
k) Sandisk 4G Extreme IV.
l) Large camera bag
m) 30d + EF-S17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM
n) EFS 60mm macro (ex kept the 300d plus 100mm macro)
o) EF 400mm F/4.0 plus 2x extender
p) 50d + EF28-135mm IS USM
q) Epson 7880
r) Speedlite 430EXII (ex kept the 420, knew that the 5d didn't have on-camera flash)
s) Sandisk 8G Extreme IV
t) Canon 5d Mark2
u) Canon EF 100mm F/2.8 macro

I know that I have missed out on filters, remote shutters, and so on. Will aim to get a 70-200mm lens next, missing out on that sort of range. I'm not saying anything other than this is the sort of order I acquired things. Possibly the 75-300mm lens was a mistake - I never liked it, think I sold it with the 20d. Also, I got the 60mm EFS macro because I couldn't afford the 100mm macro. Given then my ultimate aim was to get a full frame canon, this lens was only a stop-gap (the EFS lens are built for the consumer body range and don't mount to the 1d and 5d range.) I think having two duff purchases over around 5+ years is not too bad.

HTH,
Graham (note to self, check that this kit is all insured)

[Colin O'Regan]

Actually that list will work quite well Dendro, thanks. What I need to do is spend more time with the shutter release mechanism until my style of photography reveals itself a bit more and my next purchase will be obvious.

I'm going to Google "free worldwide travel" right now.

Colin

[Dave Humphries]

I'm going to Google "free worldwide travel" right now.

Get a job as an airline steward?

Not that I could, my weight would cost 'em a fortune in extra fuel

Sounds like a good plan, "buy in haste, regret at liesure" is often true.

Cheers,

[Colin Southern]

I like to hear/read some opinions on what people regard as a "must have" in building a camera system. I wish I had unlimited finances to purchase equipment on a whim. Unfortunately, I need to plan a strategy for acquiring my equipment. I believe I'm off to a good start with my first lens. Canon 24-70 f2.8.L. There are other lenses I'd love to have but will have to wait. What would be an invaluable next addition? A good flash? Tripod? Book? (Vacation to practice shooting)
What say you?

Hi Colin,

Excellent first lens choice; the 24-70 was my first L-Series too

Next items are really going to depend on what you'll be shooting, although at some point you're probably going to need lenses + a tripod + a flash.

My advice is to "do it right, and do it once" ... buy quality items and then you'll know that the limitations you come up against are your own, and not those of your equipment.

In terms of Lenses - if you can - stick to L-Series zooms initially; the classic "Lens Trilogy" is the EF 16-35 F2.8L USM II, the EF 24-70 F2.8L USM, and the EF 70-200 F2.8L IS USM. You already have the 24-70/2.8L - the 16-35/2.8L II is nice, but quite specialised - so if you need something with a bit more reach then give some serious thought to the 70-200/2.8L IS (that was my 2nd L-Series lens ... and I'd do it that way if I had to start all over again).

In terms of Flashes, if you get anything, do yourself a favour and make it a 580EX II - it's head and shoulders above any other Canon flash unit.

In terms of Tripods, make it a carbon fibre, and preferably a Gitzo, with a really right stuff head - heck yes they're expensive, but they're also the last ones you ever need to buy! (unlike the cameras!).

Just my thought anyway ...

[Hansm]

Most important: be inspired and learn to use your equipment thoroughly.

Discover the limitations where you run into and from that point of view decide what will be your [COLOR="Red"]must have.

[dendrophile]

Get a job as an airline steward?
Cheers,

In my case, I got a wife who works for an airline. :-)

-D

[Daniel Salazar]

Hi Colin, as Colin wrote, it's better to buy quality products otherwise you could get cheap products that with the time will be more expensive, because you'll have to buy a better quality ones, so at the end you could give more money for everything.

I know it, because I made the mistake of buying at the very beginning a cheap Manfroto tripod and now I've to buy a better one.

Have fun!

[Colin O'Regan]

Great replies, thanks so much. I totally agree with buying quality once. It's much cheaper in the long run. Sometimes I get impatient though and my wallet can't always keep up. There is no doubt I have a lot to learn and look forward to "schooling". I have enough equipment at the moment I think to keep me out of trouble for awhile.

Soon I'll be posting pics and inviting criticism from the journeyman (and novices). I'm really enjoying this site and learning more than I can absorb. A college course probably wouldn't hurt either.

Thanks again,
Colin

[Daniel Salazar]

Sometimes I get impatient though and my wallet can't always keep up. There is no doubt I have a lot to learn and look forward to "schooling". I have enough equipment at the moment I think to keep me out of trouble for awhile.

so I'm not the only one with this problem!

[William W]

I like to hear/read some opinions on what people regard as a "must have" in building a camera system. What say you?

Colin

1. What camera(s)?

***

2. Specific "must haves" are dependant upon outputs, which means a few A4 pieces of paper a 2B pencil and several hours thought. The two key questions are:

a) what do I want to photograph?

b) what do I need to do that, and get lots of enjoyment in the process?

Do not underestimate the importance of : “and get lots of enjoyment in the process” . Because you will most likely find there are always compromises. It is important that you set what the limits are and what the priorities are, for you.

Those two lists might mean more research.

***

As a general guide, I think your idea buying quality and buying once is sound.

Also, as a general rule I prioritize lens speed very highly, there is not much which can go astray with that rule as a general premise, IMO.

I also prioritize the value of Prime Lenses, but I do not undervalue the flexibility of a zoom lens: though I do not own many (zoom lenses).

***

Some further food for thought: you obviously are building Canon System, consider the leverage; flexibility; and coverage you might achieve - with reduced weight; space; and expense building a dual format system

WW

[Colin O'Regan]

Thanks William, plenty of food for thought.
I think I'm on the right track. The results will tell.

[Donald]

Like so many others, the wallet and the wish-list don't quite match up. Always keep trying to remind myself of the story attributed to golfer Lee Trevino re learning golf - namely to play, play and play again with one club until you've truly mastered it and found out all that it can do, and then go on to another club.

At least that comforts me when I come to the point of accepting that much on the wish-list will remain there!

[CNelson]

I am no expert here but the equipment your acquire will depend in large part on what you like to photograph. I think your first lens sounds great. There's a strong argument for putting money into good lenses. Your camera body may change when you can upgrade but a good lens will stay with you.

If you like to photograph nature and wildlife you may want to consider a zoom telephoto next. The Canon 70 - 200mm 2.8 will pick up where your current lens leaves off and it's a very versitile lens...used for nature, sports and event photography a lot. If you don't plan on indoor and event photography right away the flash unit can wait while you invest in lenses.

My lens progression took place over several years. I started with the Canon kit lens but was unhappy with it and upgraded to the 24-105mm f/4L and am VERY happy with it. It's my walk around lens. Next I added the 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L lens and am VERY happy with it. I do a lot of nature photography and these lenses cover a broad range and let me do a lot, the only drawback being they are slow lenses. Because my range of photography has evolved to include some people and events, I added two final fast lenses that should be the end of it. I added the 50mm f/1.2L lens and the 70-200mm f/2.8L lens and LOVE them. The 50mm 1.2L lens really bailed me out when I had to shoot group shots at an event in a poorly lit room. I think good glass is worth the price for a serious photographer.

You have a great lens for starters.

Chuck