Today’s question(s) really need to be broken down because there are many questions encompassing the one topic so here goes!
I’m curious about the investments required and the timeline to make those investments, in order to build and improve my photography, whether for business or even just for pleasure. For example, I just got the MOST BASIC DSLR (Canon XS Rebel).
Oh that’s a great camera! There are many advantages to having a more advanced body (I use a 7D and 5DmkII) but really and truly, it’s the glass that makes the biggest difference when you’re talking about entry level DSLRs. And the know-how to use your camera to the best of your ability.
I have the kit lens (18-55), a zoom lens (75-300) and I bought the 50mm 1.8 prime. I also bought 2 filters. I have a tripod and a monopod.
The kit lens is ok but I found that lens in particular has faults especially extreme barrel distortion when used at 18mm. The 75-300 is the lens that every newbie buys when they want to go telephoto. I did it too :) I think it’s the illusion that we can actually use it at 300mm that is the biggest selling point (that and the very low price of ones like Sigma). I was immensely disappointed with this lens because I shoot primarily kids and you can’t really use this lens at 300mm well. No matter what, there were problems with this lens and the aperture limits you to using it outside only. Then when I wanted to go prime and try 50mm, I bought the 1.8 too! Then I made another mistake. I invested in a collection of primes (24mm, 85mm, 50mm) and found myself chasing kids around while weighed down with a satchel of lenses and missing shots because I was fiddling with them. The only zoom I had was the kit 18-200mm which I found way better quality than that other popular kit lens the 18-55. But still, the low light possibilities were quite limited.
Then, I discovered the L series lenses which are the creme de la creme of Canon. The quality when you jump from regular lenses to L series is instantly noticeable and I would never ever go back. I sold my primes and kit zoom (not my 50mm 1.4) and bought an L series 24-105mm and I haven’t taken it off my camera since. It’s pin sharp (seriously…still can’t believe the clarity and sharpness) very fast at chasing kids around and it has a beautiful IS system to stabilise the image when your hand isn’t so still. The low(ish) f/4.0 aperture means I can shoot indoors pretty well when combined with the IS (image stabilizing).
In short? If I had it to do over, I would avoid all those primes and experimenting with cheapies and have bought the L series straight off the bat. I would have saved so much money. That said, I have learned SO MUCH about lenses, focal length, aperture and my personal preferences through my journey and now I’m here telling you. So it was win-win!
But what about external flashes? And remote triggers? And an external hard drive for my images? and reflector disks? And, obviously, more lenses? Specialty lenses (like fisheye)? Ultra wide angle?
Personally, I think at least a mid-range external flash (like a Speedlite 430ex) is essential. You’ll need light at times and pop-up flash is a huge HUGE no no in my books. Remote triggers are great for slow speed landscapes and times when you don’t want to touch & shake your camera. I’ve never found any use for them whatsoever. External hard drive or any other way of storing your images in a second location is essential if you don’t want to lose them. And they’re pretty cheap these days. I have a portable 320gb LaCie and a permanently attached 1tb LaCie hard drive. It gives you peace of mind so you can sleep at night. Alternatively, you can just back up to disks now and then or use an online back-up program but both these options end up costing a lot and taking loads of time. Reflectors? Love them . Specialty lenses? I would buy one if I found I needed it. And if it’s for a one-off occasion, you can rent one! In the UK, I would use Hire a Camera to hire online.
If I were you, I would stick with your camera body, invest in a zoom L series lens and just run run run on in your skill. I’m starting to actually disdain the epic and ongoing fight for bigger and better equipment. I just want to be a great photographer. I feel that I have the equipment I need now and I’m at peace with that.
