Help me spend my winnings wisely

Noodles

Noodles

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Adam Partridge
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Hi All

I need some help :help:I won my local cricket clubs annual fund raising, hurahhh!:banana: As I’ve only had an “allowance” of £20 per week recently due to other financial commitments the wife has agreed that we should spend it on ourselves. So I now have some unexpected cash of £700 pounds to send and I’m looking to further educate myself in the various areas of photography (as I’m still only a beginner)

So what should I spend my cash on? I could clearly spend the whole lot on 1 second had L lens??? Or another item, but I want to maximise the various area of photography I can experience so I can find my preferred area. So basically I’m looking for suggestions from people who have started out what they brought that they have found useful in gaining experiencing in areas of photography before going the “whole 9 yards” and buying the higher spec kit.

I find my self at this early stage of photography interested in portrait, sports, wild life, and Macro photography (although I have no idea where to start in macro)


I currently have the following kit.

Canon eos 40d
Canon EF-S 17-85mm f4-5.6 IS USM
Canon EF 75-300 f4-5.6 IS USM
Canon Speedlite 430 EX
Lowpro trecker bag
Tripod and mono pod
And extras (filters batteries etc)


I’ve been thinking of the following

A budget studio flash (as since I have started photography I’ve really enjoyed portrait)
Something to enable me to get into macro photography?
A good quality monitor for my PC………..

Any other ideas gratefully receive


Thanks for taking the time to read this.:thankyou:
 
The monitor sounds like a good idea, as would a graphics tablet.

Other stuff i would consider....

Nifty Fifty 50mm 1.8 (£50 ish)
decent Macro Lens (Sigma 150mm @ £300 ish)
 
Agree with monitor, a good quality 20-24 inch is a real bonus when viewing/processing images.

Agree with nifty fifty, although I would probably look for a slightly cheaper macro-around 100mm size (sigma do a good one at this range)

I would hold off studio lighting for the present-the canon speedlight is very flexible with the right bits and pieces (stofen/reflectors etc)


And congrats on your windfall :)
 
Hey Noodles,

Things I have found very useful are....

1) Remote to reduce camera shake.
2) Off Shoe Flash Cord. Ideal for being creative!
3) Sigma 105mm Macro Lens - amazing lens for the cost.
4) If you havent already - Adobe Lightroom is brilliant for sorting and adjusting photos!
5) A decent tripod opposed to my Jessops flimsy one with fully adjustable head.
6) A Battery grip is the best thing I have bought!!

Just some things that have allowed me to be more creative and progress :)

Congrats btw!

SB
 
I've picked up a couple of things recently that have been super-useful and inspiring for new areas of photography:

1. Radio flash triggers and
2. a nice big 5-in-1 reflector. I seriously love this thing, you can use it for anything and everything, and it makes such a huge difference I never would've believed before I got my hands on it. Now if I can just figure out how to get it back in its bag.. ;)

Apart from that, I love my nifty 50. If I'm ever stuck for inspiration I just bolt the 50 on and try to come up with a new application for it.

Edit: All of the above would be just about perfect for dabbling with some more creative portraits.
 
Thanks guys for the info and help. Really useful stuff, I definitely think that a Macro lens is in order, and I had already planned to get a “nifty fifty” anyway.

The monitor sounds like a good idea, as would a graphics tablet.
Click to expand...

Depending on the cost V quality a new Monitor is in order too

Things I have found very useful are....

1) Remote to reduce camera shake.
2) Off Shoe Flash Cord. Ideal for being creative!
3) Sigma 105mm Macro Lens - amazing lens for the cost.
4) If you havent already - Adobe Lightroom is brilliant for sorting and adjusting photos!
5) A decent tripod opposed to my Jessops flimsy one with fully adjustable head.
6) A Battery grip is the best thing I have bought!!
Click to expand...
I think an off shoe flash cord is a good idea… other than the obvious increase in battery life, what do you say “A Battery grip is the best thing I have bought!!”



I’m still not sure about studio lighting, I definitely think it will help with my growing interest in portrait photography, but will I get the use out of it? V uses the flashgun? I’m currently extending my house, and will have a bigger lounge with hard floor so will have the space when I need it

2. a nice big 5-in-1 reflector. I seriously love this thing, you can use it for anything and everything, and it makes such a huge difference I never would've believed before I got my hands on it. Now if I can just figure out how to get it back in its bag..
Click to expand...
YEs think I'll get one of these


Just don't forget the gift to your wife for giving her agreement on what you should spend it on
Click to expand...

already got that one covered ;)


Justy got to price everything up now to get the most for my money


Thanks again
 
Regarding monitors:
Novatech are very good, and for competitive pricing, they are great!
congrats :)
 
Well for me...I have big hands so the Battery Grip definitely makes the camera feel more significant and allows me to get more "grip" on the camera.

Also the nice aditional shutter button on the grip allows for more flexibility. It makes the camera feel all round more rugged and weighty. Also if your out and about and your battery does die you can use AA batteries!!

To me personally its one thing that makes the camera more comfortable to use :)

SB
 
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