New 350D User....

aFlabbyPanda

Just got it this week and so far have just been taking snaps around the house. But i was wondering what more experienced users would recommend as must haves to get the most out of the camera. I know its need a better lense (suggestions welcome, although preferably ones that wont break the bank) but what about filters, lense adators, external flashes, etc???

I'm going to enroll in one of the spring photography courses to try and get the most from it.

all suggestions/guides welcome, cheers.

Mayshine

Why do you need a better lens?

Here is what I recommend

1/ Go to www.kenrockwell.com
2/ read his stuff
3/ Realise it is you not the camera that takes good photos
4/ Take good photos before buying more stuff

aFlabbyPanda

because that seems to be the general option I've been getting. that the stock lense is OK but thats about it.

thanks for your input anyway......

ShayHT

yeah, what Mayshine said....

Get to know your camera before you go getting extra gear.

halenger

I'm probably not the best person to say this given the constant buying of things but from what I've read the kit lens is a lot to work with and a lot to learn with. Spend some time with it before going out and buying other things, seriously. When you find the kit lens limiting you, you should know why it's limiting you and what you need to recify that situation.

captain P

I got a 350 about a month and a half ago. I took a few hundred photos already and it helped me decide what else to get for it.

A tripod for low light situations.

I bought a polarizing filter which is helpful for some sky shots (landscapes etc.)

I read reviews and posts here and found out about the Canon 50mm 1.8 lens and bought that for 100euro. Great lens for a cheap price but decide what you want from your camera before you buy anything.

And shop around.

Hope i helped

Merrion

Definitely a tripod, polarizing filter, and then you can go as mad as you like...it depends on what kind of photography interest you.

A good quality printer and proper photo quality paper is also a good idea - after all you're going to want to show of your work.

440Hz

I got my 350D about 10 days ago, and have taken 700 photos already, I went a little mad I think. I went for the 17-85 lens and Im really happy with it. I have used the kit lens as well and Im happy that I paid the extra for the 17-85.

I would agree with the posts so far though, I dont plan on buying anything else for the moment, until I get a better feel for the camera. Except for a better tripod perhaps.

Good luck and enjoy it.

Dimy

I bought a 350D a month ago and also took a few hundred pictures with it by now. I have the kit lens and bought a UV-filter and spare battery. Those are the only two I'd really suggest to buy for now and follow the advice given above. The kit lens is limiting me and I need a better zoom for the kind of pictures I like to take, so a better zoom lens will be my next purchase and likely a polarisation filter and tripod.
The UV-filter is mainly to protect the lens, it doesnt have much else effect.

bminish

BrianGT4 wrote:

I know its need a better lense (suggestions welcome, although preferably ones that wont break the bank)

I have the D300. the best lens I bought by far (it is also the cheapest!) is a fixed 50mm lens, the EF 50 mm f/1.8II. On the d300 and 350 this equates roughly to an 80mm lense on a traditional 35mm camera (due to the sensor being smaller than 35mm film).

http://www.canon.co.uk/For_Home/Product_Finder/Cameras/EF_Lenses/Fixed_Focal_Length/EF_50mm_f18II/

However the fixed lense goes right the way down to f1.8. this allows you to take shots in low light as well as learn how to utilise the depth of field to your creative advantage

A fixed lense will teach you more about how to frame things since you will have to work harder sometimes to get your subject.

lastly, even though the 50mm is a cheap lense. it's also a very sharp lense (the internal construction of fixed lenses is far simpler than a zoom lense)

my 50mm lense spends much more time attached to my camera than my much more expensive USM EF 24-85

.brendan

rabbitinlights

Tripod.

UV Filter

ND Gradient Filter (for sunsets)

Decent bag.

50mm 1.8 Lense

Enough sparetime in daylight to use it!!!!!

S.