What do I need?

[Suzy85]

Okay my first post

I have a canon 450D which I love and have been getting to grips with since I bought it 5 months ago. Up until now I have just been figuring out how to get good shots with the 18-55mm kit lens but have now decided I need to invest in some kit Can't be too expensive (is that possible?) as I have 2 young babies and a wedding in 5 weeks

I have recently made a purchase of a 55-200mm on the recommendation of a local camera club. So the big question is WHAT DO I NEED? I am thinking I need a tripod as I am using my camera to get my own wedding shots (with a friend on the other side of the camera, don't shoot me!) as I can't afford a photographer. Anything else? What is your ideal beginners kit?

Should mention I mainly use my camera to get shots of people

Submitting before I chicken out

 

[HoppyUK]

That's a brilliant starter kit - more than just starter TBH. Is that the 55-250 lens? Good choice.

Get a RedSnapper tripod - look in the advertsiers section and get 10% off.

Decent flash. Canon 430EX is very nice. Or a Nissin would be my choice (cheaper). Fit it with a Stofen-style diffuser cap.

That's it for now. You can do masses with that. Then think about a super-wide zoom (Sigma 10-20) and a nifty-fifty 50mm f/1.8 is cheap and good for shallow depth of field portraits. If you like macro, a Raynox DCR-250 macro adapter lens will get you very close for £40.

It more about how you use it than what you've got though