What will get me the most for my money?

Bone Puddle · Apr 20, 2011

I suppose this is more of a philosophical question than anything else. I recently purchased a EOS Rebel T3 18-55mm IS II Kit and am really enjoying it. I've just been using Iphoto for my PP.

I'm looking to invest a little more into this hobby (up to $500) and want to know what will get me the most milage, short term, for my money; better software or better hardware? (I've already signed up for a class with a local pro, so that part is taken care of)

To give you an idea, most of my photos are of my family but I'm really starting to like shooting outdoors/nature stuff as well. I appreciate your feedback.

KVRNut · Apr 20, 2011

Go for hardware like a good tri-pod or another piece of glass or lens filters. Getting it right with the camera first will make it cheaper and easier as far as software is concerned.

Kerbouchard · Apr 20, 2011

A flash.

SilverEF88 · Apr 20, 2011

A good prime lens. 50mm f1.8 or something like that I shoot Nikon so I don't know what exactly canon has to offer.

KenC · Apr 20, 2011

Ditto on the 50/1.8 - it's a good portrait lens and the Canon version costs only about $100. For close-ups, a set of generic close-up filters is pretty cheap and will get you started; they won't have the quality of extension tubes or a macro lens, but you can get some good shots.

fokker · Apr 20, 2011

Really a tough call, there's just so much you can spend big dollars on with this hobby. For me personally, I'd go a 50mm f1.8 lens just because they are so cheap (about $100 brand new) and they really are excellent little lenses. Your photos will look better if you get it right in camera with a decent lens, rather than trying to polish a turd with software. There is enough free editing software available that you shouldn't have to spend money to buy features you won't or can't use in pro software like photoshop.

With your change from the lens buy a 430EXII speedlight (flash) and some el-cheapo remote triggers from ebay and you can start to learn about lighting, which is where the biggest payoffs are in terms of making outstanding images.

analog.universe · Apr 20, 2011

Good suggestions already.. I would get the 50mm 1.8 for sure, it's an amazing value.

for the family shots: some kind of off camera flash solution... 430EXII mentioned above is a great flash, but a lot of money can be saved if you're willing to go all manual. Lumopro LP160 is about half the price, but doesn't have any of the canon e-ttl features. cheap triggers are awesome but make sure you research the specific models. i use cactus v5's and love them.

for the outdoor / nature shots: a really sturdy tripod. REALLY sturdy. if you go this route, i would spend whatever in your budget is left after the 50mm (and maybe some more if you can squeeze?) on a rock solid tripod.

definately NOT software. there is plenty available for free that does a great job, and no matter how good your software is, it can't edit light that you never captured.

vtf · Apr 20, 2011

Pretty much what others have said, the 50mm, a flash and tripod. Shooting landscape/nature you might want a zoom, stay away from the 75-300, the value is not there.

kundalini · Apr 20, 2011

Although nothing to sneeze at, in reality $500 in this hobby is merely a drop in the ocean.

I'd suggest to start an interest bearing account for the G.A.S. (Gear Acquisiton Syndrone). Put a small amount in each pay period. When you really know what you are missing and what is needed to fulfil that inadequacy, then the financial hit won't be quite so tough.

Bone Puddle · Apr 20, 2011

Makes sense now that I think about it a little more - if I get the shots right with good equipment first, I wont need the software.

Specifically with the flash set up - it has a built in flash, which I'm assuming is worthless? Any suggestions for a good place online to learn about the different equipment? (e.g. this is a "trigger")

Bone Puddle · Apr 20, 2011

kundalini said:
Although nothing to sneeze at, in reality $500 in this hobby is merely a drop in the ocean.

I'd suggest to start an interest bearing account for the G.A.S. (Gear Acquisiton Syndrone). Put a small amount in each pay period. When you really know what you are missing and what is needed to fulfil that inadequacy, then the financial hit won't be quite so tough.

Nice! I realize $500 isnt a lot but Im not going to drop any serious money until Ive gotten better and can figure out what I'm doing. That, plus what Ive already invested will at least give us the best Christmas Card picture this year - and that's enough satisfaction for the wife - cause thats what the holidays are all about, feeling like you're better than everyone else

)

analog.universe · Apr 20, 2011

Strobist: Lighting 101

Super Simple · Apr 20, 2011

analog.universe said:
definately NOT software. there is plenty available for free that does a great job, and no matter how good your software is, it can't edit light that you never captured.

Man... I really hate to agree because I do software for a living, but it's true. There's excellent software available for free like The GIMP or Paint.NET, and lots of smaller utilities as well for all kinds of different uses.

The major difference between some of the free titles and Photoshop is time --- you *can* do anything in a free title that you can in Photoshop, but the time it takes you could be extremely long.