Photographers, unite! [That is, help me buy stuff]

Post by **SpongeBuell** » Sun Dec 28, 2008 2:30 am

Here's one for the camera folk out there...

A few days ago, I got a good deal on a Canon EOS Rebel XS with 2 lenses for a job of mine. Now, I need to get all the add-ons. Being a college student, price is one of the most important things, but I'd obviously like to get things that'll be good for what I want, too.

The most important thing I can get next, I think, would be a flash. I found this one at a good price, $150 after MIR, at a local camera shop, and don't think I can get much better for the money. Any thoughts on that?

Next, the case, batteries, etc. I'm pretty sure the accessories that I really should get would be a decent case, cleaning kit, and rechargeable batteries for the flash. However, of course, there are plenty of other things that look that much better, such as an extra battery for the camera, armor, an SD reader, and perhaps a tripod. Normally, the tripod would be higher on the list, but my parents are letting me borrow theirs for the time being.

I've seen some pretty good looking packages on Amazon, usually by Cameta Cameras, but no perfect fit, especially at that price. I know it's probably kinda cheap, but this bag seems pretty nice at a good price, lots of storage. Any thoughts on what would be most needed, and maybe places to get a good deal? I know this usually requires top-of-the-line stuff, but I'll mostly be shooting sports stuff in gymnasiums for a local newspaper. Thankfully, it is a relatively small paper (the weekly, small-town type) so they don't demand the very best.

Thanks,
SpongeBuell

Vanindor · Post by **Vanindor** » Mon Dec 29, 2008 2:32 pm

Well it seems I'm only other semi-professional photographer on the board so. One thing you need to check on is if the flash is made for canon as many photographers including myself have bought useless accessories only to take them home and find out they do not fit. Also you shouldn't use rechargeable batteries with flash units as they have a lower voltages because of this the flash produces less light and degrades the performance. This one here is very good and I recommend saving up for it, if you can. One thing about 3rd party accessories this the compatibility changes between cameras, if you do buy the ProMaster 7500EDF you may have also buy a new flash if you buy an new body. But for the price it looks good.

The case you are looking at doesn't look like it has much side or bottom impact resistance other than that it's is a nice case. Camera Armour I believe is generally useless it doesn't add much protection and they usually don't fit well. Plus they hardly protect the lens/lenses.

On the tripod, when your looking to buy one have a look at mono-pods. mono-pods are really useful it your move around a lot because they are light and small but they still provide a stable shooting platform.

PS. extra batteries are always a good idea.

Post by **SpongeBuell** » Mon Dec 29, 2008 3:59 pm

Vanindor wrote:Well it seems I'm only other semi-professional photographer on the board so. The flash your looking at could be a problem, as there is no standard among the manufactures. The one you have picked out is for Sony Alpha SLR and if I remember Sony and Canon Flash Units are not interchangeable. Also you shouldn't use rechargeable batteries with flash units as they have a lower voltages because of this the flash produces less light and degrades the performance. This one here, from what I have heard is very good and is only $8 more than the canon version of the ProMaster 7500EDF.

The case you are looking at doesn't look like it has much side or bottom impact resistance other than that it's is a nice case. Camera Armour I believe is generally useless it doesn't add much protection and they usually don't fit well. Plus they hardly protect the lens/lenses.

On the tripod, when your looking to buy one have a look at mono-pods. mono-pods are really useful it your move around a lot because they are light and small but they still provide a stable shooting platform.

PS. extra batteries are always a good idea.

Thanks for the input, and welcome, by the way. I wasn't looking too closely, I guess, but I meant the Canon version of that. I actually bought it yesterday, works pretty well. Oh, and the $150 I mentioned was for that Canon version, so the 430 would be about $88 more. Anyway, I did a rough test in my basement using my neighbor's 10D, and compared the Promaster with the built-in flash and his 550EX.

Built-in Flash:

(I'll admit, this turned out a little worse than I expected, I think there may have been some bad light metering or something)

Promaster 7500EDF Flash

Canon 550EX Flash

The 550 seems a bit brighter, almost too bright, but the 7500 seems to really be able to light up the room nicely. I took this picture at night (no light coming in from the windows) with a little light coming from the stairway to the right, and some white christmas lights behind me, so 99% of what you see is from the flash, not ambient light.

As for the batteries, I always thought that flashes worked by charging a capacitor in between, so at worst you get a relatively slow recycle time. A very brief (about 2 minutes) showed that people had theories of why it might be a bad idea, but there would be a couple people saying that they've had no problems.

As for the case, I'm still looking around. I may end up getting a name-brand one, anyway, not really sure. Something big to hold the camera, charger, flash, telephoto lens, and whatever else I may get, but not to the point where it's a backpack. Tripod, I'm not going to specifically shop for... I can just borrow my parents' one for a while. I have seen the monopod, my boss has one, and they are pretty nifty. However, I think I'll hold off on that for a while.

Thanks again,
SpongeBuell