Staring Down The Barrel of My 2nd BIG Order... *Me Rambling*

[purplefungus]

So its been like, a year, that I've had my camera. Did a photography course so naturally took a lot of photos then. Was on the back burner for about 4 months because I was travelling with work and had little-to-no free time to shoot really. But the past month I've been really getting back into it now work has died down and I think I'm finally gonna go out and buy some new stuff. Been on about getting a tripod for a whole year and finally ready to stump up the money as its got to the point where I think I really need one.

Still very much a newbie so my first order was only a Sigma 70-300mm APO. Which I thought was a big step at the time. But I'm looking at getting the following, probably place the order later today:

- Nikon 50mm/1.8
Hopefully going to the little Studio meet organized for the end of May so I'll be needing something useful in the portrait department. Looked around, EVERYBODY raves about this lens and for the price it seems like a no brainer.

- Manfrotto 055XProB Legs & 804RC2 3-Way Head
Going all out with this bad boy. Been reading a bit about tripods and this seems like the obvious choice out there. Bit hesitant about spending this sort of money on a tripod but if your spending 50quid and it rocks in the wind, its a waste of 50quid. So might aswell just get a beast that I KNOW will still be standing even if I'm not. Ok, maybe getting a little carried away but it looks like it'll be good and at least I've got piece of mind that I know I can rely on it to do the job. It sounds heavy (for a tripod) but really, 2.5kgs isn't that bad. I'm 20, I should be able to handle it :bonk:

So a grand total of £247.97 including delivery if I order from cameraworld.co.uk. Not too drastic judging by some of the posts I've read around here but again, I'm a freshie so I'm new to this expensive hobby of ours.

Any ideas/comments on the order? Wanna insult me for rambling on about nowt? By all means

I'm thinking I need a UV filter for the 50mm just as protection. I know some people don't agree with that but I'm not that careful and I've got em for my other two lenses and they're permanently on so... probably a good idea. But then I've wanted to play around with a polarizer for awhile. Or maybe I should just fork out the extra bit for the 50mm 1.4 instead of the 1.8. NOOOOOOO! Time for a new job I think

 

[cherryrig]

You don't really need a UV filter on the 50mm as the lens is deeper inside so wouldn't get hit easy and break. Unless you just want to protect it but it's up to you. I have the 50mm f/1.8 and it's a cracking lens and such good value for money. Depends if the extra stop is really worth it to you.

Your tripod pick is a very good one. I've been looking at the same thing and is really good. The tripod is very strong but is also quite heavy. Have a look at the 190XProB as well. The tripod head...yea get that one. Three way is so much better than ball head!

Hope that helps

 

[mattyh]

Assuming you're still shooting Nikon (and why wouldn't you be ) I wouldn't bother with a filter.. the front element of the 50mm is set about 1.5cm (yes I'm sad I measured it ) into the lens, so you've not really got much chance of bashing it tbh, although I can't imagine it's too expensive, so it's up to you. Obviously the optical quality of the nifty can't be beaten for the price... everyone should own one

On the tripod front, you've got a good setup there, but you could also consider the 190xprob which is a bit lighter, I've never had any problems with stability of it

 

[kmlc]

I'm 20, I should be able to handle it :bonk:

LOL. I am 22 and cant lift one of those!!
Seriously though, good choice for a tripod. Thats the one i was thinking of maybe purchasing sometime in the year. Possibly a lighter one, but either way, good make!!

 

[cherryrig]

Assuming you're still shooting Nikon (and why wouldn't you be ) I wouldn't bother with a filter.. the front element of the 50mm is set about 1.5cm (yes I'm sad I measured it ) into the lens, so you've not really got much chance of bashing it tbh, although I can't imagine it's too expensive, so it's up to you. Obviously the optical quality of the nifty can't be beaten for the price... everyone should own one

On the tripod front, you've got a good setup there, but you could also consider the 190xprob which is a bit lighter, I've never had any problems with stability of it

I guess I was the quicker typer then hahaha

Basically the same as what I said

 

[mattyh]

Cherry :razz: it's because i was measuring the nifty, otherwise I'd have won

Least we agree

 

[stylgeo]

I would suggest you go for the 190xprob. I have the 055xprob and it's quite heavy and unnecesary large for your needs. I bought it just for my 120-300mm f/2.8, which, combined with the camera body, is well over 3kg.