Photography dummy

[omyjallopy]

I currently have a Canon Rebel XT and would love to know what comes next??? A Christmas list is being asked of me and I'd love to get some more gear, but I know nothing. What would be the most versatile next step for me? What kind of lens? Etc? Any advice would be so appreciated!! TIA!

[rsowers]

I'm so excited for you. I'm sure you'll get lots of great advice from people who are more sophisticated photographers than I am. I'm just a mom who likes to take pictures. I have the same camera. My FAVVVVVORITE lens is the Canon ef 50mm f/1/8 lens. It's wonderful. It brings in so much light makes the background blurry. It's cheap, too. Only about $100. I'm looking forward to what everyone else says, so I can get some ideas, too.

[Cassie Jones (1gr8muggle)]

I would also recommend a prime lens (fixed zoom). The smaller the f number, the better. I have a Nikon D80 and I much prefer my 50mm f1.4 lens as the go-to lens. I also get great shots with my zoom lens, but it's about twice as expensive. If you don't have an external flash, you might look into getting one of those, too. It will help if you can bounce your flash during those indoor birthday/Christmas morning kind of settings to avoid the harsh flash look.

Also, if you don't already own it. Check out the "Understanding Exposure" book by Bryan Peterson. It's a great way to get comfortable shooting in manual mode.

[katrinak]

I'm going to second the 50mm. I have the Canon 50mm 1.4 and love the photos I can get with it. I have to admit to owning a flash but using it rarely because of the 1.4.

[Melissa6169]

I also will have to chime in about my 50mm 1.8. It's awesome and for the $88.00 I paid for it, I'm extremely happy with it. It's on my camera now most of the time.

PS...I have the same camera, and I'm sure you'll be pleased w/ the 50mm if you decide to purchase it.

[rsowers]

oooh, Katrina. Thanks. I didn't know they made a 1.4. Go with that, Ashley. I'm putting that on my list. Same with Katrina, my 1.8 is on my camera most of the time.

[omyjallopy]

Ohhh, these are great suggestions, thanks so much. Cassie, I don't have that book yet, but it is most definitely on the list now! Thanks ladies!

[Elaine]

I too use my Canon 50mm, 1.4 lens most of the time. I have never regretted buying that one.

[scrappurple]

I have the Rebel XTi and I love my EF 70-300 IS lens. With kids it is great to be at a game, yet be able to zoom in close. It is also great for portraits since they say the best focal leghnth is 80-120mm. Just another thought ...

[Bush Girl]

I'm another vote for the 50 mm lens, and my other absolute favourite being the Canon 70-200. It's fantastic to zoom, not too heavy and mega fast.

Another thing you could think about if you don't already have is Adobe Lightroom - absolutely worth every single penny, even if you have no student credentials and have to purchase a full price copy. I process all my RAWs in this, then tend to run (mostly freebie) presets on many of the photos I scrap. Lightroom is absolutely my first go-to piece of software when scrapping.

One final thought - can you got a really good, waterproof/childproof/jam sandwich proof camera bag? My DH was feeling amazingly generous last year and bought us both Crumpler camera bags - I have a rucksack one and a little shoulder bag that looks almost like a regular handbag. I use this the most as I, like so many posters above tend to keep my 50mm attached to the camera all the time.

Have fun compiling that list.

[sarahorton]

Sounds like it's going to be a fun Christmas at your house
I second all of the above. As far as versatility, the Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Standard Zoom Lens is the lens I use most - it's a great walkabout lens because it's so versatile with both wide angle and zoom. Sigma makes the same lens and it's more affordable.

Another fun toy is the Joby GP3 Gorillapod SLR-Zoom Flexible Tripod. Love that silly little thing and I use it all the time because it's so easy to carry with me.

If you don't have a good camera bag, Canon makes a great camera backpack. I have the Canon Deluxe Photo Backpack 200EG for Canon EOS SLR Cameras.
I love it because I can put all my camera equipment in there plus my phone, wallet, lipstick, etc. and even DH will carry it! hee!

An extra battery and a couple of Compact Flash cards would make great stocking stuffers, too

[omyjallopy]

thanks so much for everyone's help!! I really appreciate it, now that I've complied the expert list, it's up to DH!