Reccomendations for a Newbie

[creativegirl]

So... I did it. I plunged in (thanks to all your lovely advice here in these threads) and bought a Canon EOS Rebel T2i (550D). It came in a kit with two lenses (18-55 and 55-250). I had been wrestling with the idea of just using a nice point and shoot, but my daughter is heavily involved in two sports (soccer and gymnastics) that require fast reaction times. Then, the topping on the cake is that I'll be traveling the world while teaching aboard a ship this coming January - May and I figured I really want to come back with awesome memories.

So, I've got the basic equipment, but need advice on some accessories.

Has anyone tried the Cloak camera carrier (http://cloakbags.com/)?

My father has a Tamrac backpack he really likes. Any other suggestions on smaller, easy to carry but doesn't look too much like a camera bag bag?

What about accessories for the camera. For example, I assume extra batteries are a good idea. How many do you recommend?

Any other must haves or things you really enjoy that make things easier? Would love to hear any and all advice. Thanks in advance

[esther_a]

That sounds like such an interesting experience!
As for a camera bag, I love my Lowepro Passport Sling. It is functional but doesn't scream camera bag and is big enough for my canon DSLR, spare lens and personal stuff like wallet, phone and keys etc.

[tylertooo]

I have never heard of the cloak bag - but it seems interesting. If you want to check out bags that don't look like your basic camera bag, here are a few others sites to check. Epiphanie - home
Welcome to the Kelly Moore Bag Store
ONA | Stylish Camera Bags | Leather Camera Bags | DSLR and Laptop Bags real leather or waxed canvas. I have the nevis, which they no longer make, but I love it.
Plus there are many others out there.

I just have one extra battery, as the charge lasts for a long time. My camera has a speedlite, so it uses it's own batteries. I believe the T2i has a popup flash, so it probably will drain the battery quicker. Memory cards are cheap now, so I'd have lots handy

[maureenreynolds]

No camera advice as I'm strictly an iPhone shooter, but seriously Have a GREAT time cruising and teaching!

[TereseC]

I have a Blackrapid camera strap which I love. Cruising the world for 6 months sounds amazing!

[inspiredarts]

I would suggest:

1) Lens clothes - I usually make sure I have 10 in my bag, some in the car and 1 in my pocket at all times. You'll want to keep your lenses cleaned and this will help keep as much of the dirt off the sensor as possible

2) At least 1 extra battery should do it since you will be close to a electrical plug

3) Sensor cleaner - Delkin Devices Sensorscope 3 kit with a camel hair brush or Visible Dust Arctic Butterfly 724 (Super Bright) Sensor Clean Bundle are good ones.

4) If you have a flash - extra batteries for the flash

5) Extra cards - I usually get 8Gb cards and make sure you have plenty. I prefer Lexar and the faster the card the better - slower cards will slow down how fast you can shoot

6) A way to back up your images; laptop, external drives made for backing up images (Epson 6000 i think it is)

7) UV filter for all lenses. It is much cheaper to replace a UV filter than it is to replace a lens

8) Ewa Marine or similar underwater housing bag or rain cape. Cruise means salt air, also means the possibility of going out on excursions and you'll want to take your camera with you. With one of these you won't have to run inside when the rain starts etc.


Hope this helps some. All I could think of right as I'm getting ready for bed.


BJ


BJ Adkins
Inspired Arts Photography

[KimR+]

Yay!! Congrats on your new camera!! I have the same one and I love it!! For a great camera bag that doesn't look like a camera bag, check out Cheeky Lime!! Not expensive and they are cute!!! I'm getting one for Christmas!!! (I'd share a link but I'm on my phone!) I wouldnt bother with an extra battery, they are expensive and they hold their charge pretty well!! Get a 8 Gb memory card! Also look into filters! They are a great way to protect your lens! A lens i wound suggest that is also inexpensive is the canon 50 mm f/1.8!!! Great aperture for around $100!!! Enjoy!!

[dugarner]

Someone here recommended the Op Tech flip lens cap. I lose my lens caps ALL the time. I got tired of replacing my Sony caps (at $8 a pop). I put these on my wishlist this year!

http://www.amazon.com/OP-TECH-USA-11...=2F25Z03F5HBR3

[dugarner]

Originally Posted by KimR+

Yay!! Congrats on your new camera!! I have the same one and I love it!!

This is the camera I have, too. A friend of mine researched batteries and found a third party battery with great reviews on Amazon for something around $15. I'll have to ask her what brand it was. She's been using it for a year now and hasn't had any problems with it. I have had my battery die on me rather unexpectedly since the weather got cold---they won't hold their charges nearly as well in cold weather. Just a thought! Though I put memory cards high on my list of collectibles. I prefer a larger number of smaller cards (4GB) rather than putting all my eggs in one basket since cards are so easily corrupted. I've had large cards go bad and lost hundreds of images at once . . . and I empty my cards before the day is out. At Disney I had a card go bad while I was in the park, and lost everything from that day.

On Black Friday I think 4GB cards were $9 just about everywhere. I picked up 2 at KMart and I feel well-prepared.

I definitely need to look into some kind of rain gear because I take my equipment around a lot of water, and to the beach. I need a solution for beach shooting without filling the equipment with sand.