I've been looking to purchase a nice lens and budget tripod for my XT. I'm mainly going to shoot cars, maybe some portraits, scenary as well. Which order would you purchase the following:
1. Canon 17-40mm f/4L
2. Tokina 11-16mm F/2.8
3. Canon 50mm F/1.4
4. Suggestions on another lens???

^Basically a good starting lens which is semi universal for the time being.


Tripods, I'm willing to spend no more than $150. Weight isn't an issue yet since I'm not looking to travel much with it. Just for night shots or whatever. From my research Slik 700dx is a good buy. Any recommendations?

 

While we're on the subject, what makes expensive tripods better than cheap ones?

 

The $$$ one's are made from carbon fiber, solely to cut back on weight.

 

But what's the difference between a $50 one from best buy and a $150 one

 

Sturdiness

You don't want a flimsy tripod.

A blow of the wind or a tap, and you're SLR could tumble to the ground.

Not cool.

Which is why I spent about $200 on mine. You can pay over a thousand, but I found one for about $200 that was carbon fiber and very sturdy.

 

That Silk looks pretty good, a lot of good remarks for it on bhphoto.com, here's another to check out. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...=&cltp=&clsgr= has a few opitions for what head to use.


What lens(es) do you currently have, I'm thinking to recommend a 35mmf/2, it would be better than the 50mm on a cropped body.

 

i have nothing.. but kit lens...

i looked at Bogen/Manfrotto as well. but i think the slik is slightly better. maybe a different head like the 485rc2 will replace the pan/tilt head from the slik

 

how's the canon 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5? too wide?

 

10-22 on a rebel gets you 16-35. It's a good usable range, but a little lacking on the long end.

Kit lens is an 18-55? I would suggest you stick with that and get a fast prime. Fast zooms are expensive.

 

yeah i have the 18-55.

I jumped the gun on the tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 just now. i was leaning more towards it because it was $100 cheaper, ultra wide, 2.8 is great as well. for now my subjects will be cars, landscapes, and close up pictures. looks like my next lens will be the 50mm 1.8 if i'm on the budget or 1.4 if i can find a stellar deal. here's my list of equipment.

1. 3 x 8gb Sandisk Extreme III (bought)
2. Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 (bought)
3. Tripod - Slik 700dx
4. Canon 50mm f/1.4 (1.8 if i'm on budget, hoping to find mark 1 for metal mount)
5. Canon 17-40mm f/4
6. flash
7. something with more range.... not sure what yet...


thanks klepto for the advice even though i didn't take it

 

If you want a MkI, I suggest looking at pawn shops. They don't know what they're selling and you can get it for $60, instead $160.

 

thanks jupitersolo, i'll google some in my area and call them. hopefully i can find one in ef format.

 

found this vid on youtube. I've yet to see a $50 tripod do this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRx4j...eature=related

I try

 

^Thats the XPROB leg set from Manfrotto. They have it in the 190 version and the 055 version. Great lower cost tripod legs, although after owning the 190 XPROB, I would probably lean toward the 055 legs.

 

ehhh i still prefer the slik 700dx, probably going to get the 486rc2 head.

well i'm going to look for that 50mm lens, hoping for 1.4 but will settle for 1.8 for now.

 

just got mine today straight from japan. didn't really get to play with it much just took 1 shot outside, forgot i set my xt to 400 iso =X



came out decent, i'll play with it more this weekend, man this is a nice lens... makes the kit lens look like crap

 

what settings did you use for that shot?

 

that manfrodo-baggins tripod is sickkk...very naice! how much?

 

i dont remember LOL

file prop. says:

Adobe RGB
focal length: 11mm
fstop: 2.8
exposure: 1/10
iso: 400 i want to try lower

 

yes you do, if its with a tripod, and no moving subjects iso 100 ftw

 

mmmmm i gotta get a tripod soon + remote

 

I have a ProMaster SystemPro tripod I got at a local camera shop. For $100, it's really nice. It's sturdy, not too heavy and the center piece doubles as a monopod. The legs also can be positioned at 90 degrees so you can set the camera almost to the ground for really low shots.

 

^^
That's pretty cool.
I like how it double's as a monopod. Every now and then I wish I had one.

Oh well.

 

It's convenient, however the monopod doesn't lock very tight. It will hold my XTi plus battery gip and 70-200mm f2.8 lens, but anything heavier than that and it will likely collapse.

 

interesting tripod, i'll look into that one as well.