Camera Labs

What are some of the essentials that you need when starting out?

After reviewing and shopping around,this is what I've got so far:

Canon EOS 40D
Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM Lens
2 Gig Compact Flash Card
Speedlite 430EX
Backpack for SLR,Lenses and accessories

What am I missing?

are you getting a kit lens with your 40d or just the body.. if your just getting the body i suggest getting a wide angle and a telephoto if your going to be taking those kind of shots.. because just an 85 mm is extremely limiting for everyday use.

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Nikon D80/MB-D80/ ML-L3
AF-S 18-55 f/3.5-5.6, AF 50mm f/1.8D
SB-600
Vivtar 2800
My flickr
~Dan Nelson~

Hey Josh,

that set-up will definitely cover a very wide range of shooting opportunities and can certainly produce some great results for you.

Usually the equipment list is best defined on what kind of images you want your gear to be able to handle.

The only universal items I can think of that I personally would not be without are:
- UV filter for the lens, as much for protection as for it's effect on UV light.
- Cleaning kit, including a rubber-bulb to blow air where there may be dust
- I can't live without a two tripods of some sort. A full-size for flexibility and a small one for cramped quarters..alternately a small bean-bag, but that's just me.
- Last but not least: for flash - a diffusor or reflector, to soften up that ofttimes harsh flash.

Other accessories to consider could be a remote shutter release - wireless.

In terms of bags, I prefer a sling-back where you can get your camera out without taking the bag off entirely - but that depends on the situation. If you hike in rougher terrain, a backpack is safer for the equipment and more comfortable.

Cheers

You're not going to do much with just that lens. You'll need something at least equivalent to a 50mm, preferably even wider.

Oh, a hip flask?

Zorro

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http://zorrofox4.deviantart.com/



Various lenses, SB800 & Manfrotto 190 with 460MG head

The flask is key

That's a very nice initial setup you've got. Actually that lens is can be quite versatile so don't feel like you need to go out an buy bunch of different lenses or some mega zoom right away. Learning with a good, fast prime like the 85 f/1.8 will be fun. It should work well for portraits and street shooting. I particularly like to isolate subjects when I shoot so using a longer prime works well with my style, but you'll have to see what works best for you.

You could also get a set cheap extension tube and experiment around with some macro photography with that lens and like LahLahSr said, a tripod can be priceless at times.

What are you using to edit your photos? Lightroom, Elements, CS3, iPhoto...

Most of all, just have fun shooting.

-steve

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Leica M9, Nikon D300s, Leica X1, Canon S95, Zero Image 6x9

I am a personal believe in a 3 Zoom Lens System.

[and yes I just made that up, and it is now copyright DanielDevine 2008] lol

Wide Angle Zoom - Standard Zoom - Telephoto Zoom

12-24mm + 24-70mm [w/IS] + 70-300mm [w/IS]

Also a 3 Prime Lens System.

24mm F/1.8 + 50mm F/1.4 + 100mm F/2.8

Thats sort of my "ideal" lens choice - enough to cover any circumstance...apart from extreme telephoto like the 500mm + beasts that are out there.

80mm is ok, but I really like the flexability of a zoom lens, 17-70 would be great if the image quality was better, but 24-70 lenses are generally (from canon, tamron, and sigma) pretty good quality.

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Canon EOS 5DmkII + BG-E6 + Canon EOS 40D + BG-E2N + Canon EOS 33
Canon 17-40 F/4L USM + Canon 24-70 F/2.8L USM + Canon 28mm F/1.8 USM + Canon 70-200 F/2.8L USM IS + Canon 85mm F/1.8 USM
Canon Speedlite 580EX II + Canon Speedlite 540EZ + 2 x Nikon SB-80DX
Cactus V2s Wireless Trigger - 5 x Cactus V2s Wireless Reciever

MY FLICKR!

I'm a great believer in starting simple!

I'd always start with a basic kit, use it for a while, then you'll know what you're missing. Maybe you'll realise you need something wider or more powerful, or maybe you won't need anything at all!