Photography gifts

[kur1j]

I am a novice that is getting into photography and looking for some advice on some camera gear. I mostly take pictures at events, some portraits for friends, some scenic and wild life (friends dogs at parks etc.). Basically I just take pictures of whatever I think its cool.

The things I would like to have:

A lens hood for my 17-55 f/2.8. The question I have is it actually worth it to spend close to 40 dollars for the EW-83J lens hood? Is there another lens hood I should be looking at? This is the only one I could actually find for this lens.

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-EW-83J-...5HSK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1322706325&sr=8-1

vs

$4

http://www.amazon.com/Anker-Replace...2W/ref=sr_1_32?ie=UTF8&qid=1322706258&sr=8-32

Something else I would like to get is a remote.

Again basically the same question. Has anyone had any luck with the cheaper non canon wired remotes? Is there any advantage to getting the Canon branded one? I would just like the same feature set if possible. But mainly wanting to time lapse pictures with it.

$135 for the Canon TC80N3
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-TC80N3-...XVA3/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1322703324&sr=8-1

vs

$20 for something like this?

http://www.amazon.com/Digital-Timer...9JBW/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1322703324&sr=8-2

Anyone have a suggestion for a non canon branded remote for a 7d?

Battery Power Grip:

Again basically the same question. I see one from Zeikos ZE-CBG7D for 55 bucks. It got a lot of good reviews and is compatible with the 7D. Any reason to pay extra for the Canon branded one?

http://www.amazon.com/Zeikos-ZE-CBG7D-Battery-Power-Camera/dp/B0032JTOBM/ref=pd_ecc_rvi_cart_4


Would like to get some lens filters:

From the reading I have done, I would like to look into getting a Circular Polarizing filter, ND filter and an IR filter but not sure which one get. Any recommendations for any quality filter? Any suggestions for any other "must have" filter that I missed? The one that everyone seemed to recommend was the polarizing filter.


I would love to get a flash and more lenses but that will just have to come at a later time.

I currently have the following:

7D
17-55mm f/2.8
70-200mm
Manfrotto 055XPROB Tripod
Manfrotto 498RC2 Head
Bag (that I hate)
Several CF cards

Are there any other suggestions for equipment that are not in my list or that I don't have that stands out that you would recommend me looking into getting?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[synergyo1]

How are you carrying around your camera? Bare-handed? Neck-strap? Shoulder-strap? I'm partial to using the BlackRapid straps, especially when using a heavy lenshttp://www.blackrapid.com/product/camera-strap/rs-4/

 

[kur1j]

How are you carrying around your camera? Bare-handed? Neck-strap? Shoulder-strap? I'm partial to using the BlackRapid straps, especially when using a heavy lenshttp://www.blackrapid.com/product/camera-strap/rs-4/

Mainly just the neck strap. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[synergyo1]

I was going to add more to my previous post, but my wireless keyboard batteries died

I have the Zeikos branded battery grip equivalent for the T2i. I'm always a little skeptical with third party chinese knock off stuff, and most of the time I'm left with some degree of being unimpress with the product and wishing to cough up the dough for the real deal. The Zeikos battery grip is the exception. This thing is very solid and sturdy, doesn't not feel cheap at all. If you want to get into the minor details, the only real difference is the color of blue used for the button IDs, a very, very slight difference in the color black used, and the texture of the rubber grip is different. On the other hand, you get two battery cradles; one that uses 2x canon-style batteries and one that uses AA batteries. Very useful IMHO. Loaded the sucker up with Eneloops and works awesome.

You have a solid set up, so I don't know what else to suggest... You could always get more lens or L glass. Do you have a white balance card? Probably one of the most useful items I own with my set up. Consider using flash?

 

[UnknownSouljer]

I was going to add more to my previous post, but my wireless keyboard batteries died

I have the Zeikos branded battery grip equivalent for the T2i. I'm always a little skeptical with third party chinese knock off stuff, and most of the time I'm left with some degree of being unimpress with the product and wishing to cough up the dough for the real deal. The Zeikos battery grip is the exception. This thing is very solid and sturdy, doesn't not feel cheap at all. If you want to get into the minor details, the only real difference is the color of blue used for the button IDs, a very, very slight difference in the color black used, and the texture of the rubber grip is different. On the other hand, you get two battery cradles; one that uses 2x canon-style batteries and one that uses AA batteries. Very useful IMHO. Loaded the sucker up with Eneloops and works awesome.

I should note that the official Canon grips also give an AA battery loader as well. I would say the big draw to buy official over something else is for support, but if photography is just a hobby then even if something goes wrong, it probably won't be 'mission critical'. Blah blah blah, peace of mind etc.
I used a Targus grip on my first Canon and it was fine. Did the job for years with no problems. I picked up the official BG-E6 grip for the 5D Mark II just to have the official version I suppose.

The tricky part of your question(s) is that I assume you're looking to give this gift list to someone else, so really you're sort of looking for Photography gifts you would appreciate and actually use that won't break the bank.

My suggestions in that particular case would probably be things like: lens filters, bags, cases, straps, monopods, microphones (if you're into video), stabilization (if you're into video,) Flashes, Flash battery packs (they speed up flash cycle time,) Shutter releases, Remotes, and things of that nature.

Filters, I would only buy from B+W. They are the most pricey, but you do get what you pay for. You don't want to put cheap optics in front of your expensive lens... that sort of defeats the point, especially with junk that will flare up, scratch easily, or have a host of other problems. Circular Polarizers are great for getting certain effects. But they are by nature an 'effect filter'. I would say that 95% of my shooting is on a UV-Haze filter. I would say that a neutral density filter would be the the second most useful filter to have in the bag if you are a landscape/architecture/nature photographer. This is especially true if you want to have a long 10-15 second exposure of something like waves at the beach during the afternoon when it would be impossible not to have blow-outs without it.
In any case with whatever you decide to buy, B+W will satisfy all your needs in the filter department.

Bags are subjective, but most will say Think Tank, Kata, Lowepro, Crumpler or a few others... bags are more built to cater to particular needs, so you would have to try those out or know what you are looking for.
For a bag that caries a decent amount and has quick deploy-ability (without breaking the bank) I would recommend the Kata 3N1-30 or the Lowepro Fastpack 350. Both can carry a body with 70-200mm attached, and pull it out quickly via the side door. They both can carry 3-5 lenses (which should be plenty.) And they both also feature an area on the top which can hold things other than just straight camera gear, which is important to me.

Straps, Black Rapid are great and relatively cheap.

The Canon release you listed is the best one you can buy, as it allows for many different types of photography. Not least of which is time lapse photography.

 

[kur1j]

You hit the nail on the head.

I was compiling a list of photography items that cost < 150 dollars for gift ideas.

I think you list of items and your suggestions answered just about all of my questions. Thanks a ton.

 

[darktiger]

Honestly I would save up $$ and get a flash. You really do not even need to get something like a 580EXII or anything.

Even a Yongnuo 565EX flash would be a great item to have.... strobist/flashes will open another world of photography..... Just saying...

http://www.amazon.com/Yongnuo-YN-565EX-Speedlite-Flash-Canon/dp/B005HYMUX4

 

[kur1j]

You aren't joking. I JUST ran into this issue tonight. I only have the on camera flash and it was terrible.

On top of that, other than a flash I don't know of a good way of taking decent pictures in extremely low light. Especially quick moving subjects in no light.

 

[MN Scout]

You aren't joking. I JUST ran into this issue tonight. I only have the on camera flash and it was terrible.

On top of that, other than a flash I don't know of a good way of taking decent pictures in extremely low light. Especially quick moving subjects in no light.

The flash will freeze the motion.

Without the flash you'll want to set the lowest high shutter speed needed to freeze the motion, then set a wide open aperture, then as high of an ISO as needed to go get a proper exposure.

 

[UnknownSouljer]

You aren't joking. I JUST ran into this issue tonight. I only have the on camera flash and it was terrible.

On top of that, other than a flash I don't know of a good way of taking decent pictures in extremely low light. Especially quick moving subjects in no light.

Well, it depends a bit on photography style. Jeff Ascough is a very well known wedding photographer who never uses flash. He only uses fast primes, usually a 35mm and an 85mm on two separate bodies. This article actually is quite useful for looking at photography with a different perspective.

Most people just use a flash however.

 

[Pianomahnn]

Honestly I would save up $$ and get a flash. You really do not even need to get something like a 580EXII or anything.

I strongly support this idea. I went three years with nothing more than on-camera flash. Got a 430EX and it changed my photography life forever. You absolutely want a flash...you'll never use on-camera again.