Starter Setup - Must Haves?

[LightningBG]

Last week I ordered a new Canon T3i along with an 18-55 lens, a 55-250 lens and a Pixma Pro9000 Mark 2 printer (which I'm sure I'll rarely use).

I know I need a memory card which I will pick up somewhere locally along with a bag to hold it all in. I already have a tripod that will do for now.

So, what other stuff should one have? UV or other filters? Anything else?

I'll mostly be shooting....anything, or nothing in particular, little of this, little of that. Just stuff for fun. I haven't had a SLR of any type since back in high school shooting an old Minolta Maxxum 7000.

Thanks in advance.

[Jim Almquist]

I would have at least 2 memory cards cause once its full you are done shooting. A extra battery is another thing that can stop you from missing a great shot. Somewhere down the road you might want to get a flash but its not a must have right now. Not sure you really need to get any filters right now and they are something that could wait till you get some time under your belt.

[IA4PATS]

I find a remote to be handy. I go with the cheaper one.

[Dbl]

You should be set for now accept as Jim mentioned at least two memory cards. I would hold off on anything else at this point until you get a few months of shooting under your belt. You will have a much better idea of what you will use with a bit more time shooting.

[ccarlson]

I'm in the same boat as LightningBG and one of the things I picked up right away was a UV filter, mainly to protect the lens. If I get a smudge, I'd rather be cleaning the filter than the actual lens glass is my thinking. Is this a detriment to have on for quality or anything?

Also, while I'm asking about UV filters, There was quite a range so I just picked up a cheap $9 rocketfish brand or something on sale at Best Buy. I see you can get double coated UV filters for up to around $70. Any input on these or is a basic UV just fine?

ccarlson

[Jim Almquist]

I have invested in good UV filters for the same reason to protect the lens. What I found is I very rarely smudge up or even touch the lens so they are now removed. Are my pictures better ? Not sure on that one but why take the chance.

[Dbl]

I haven't used UV filters on any of my lenses in years. They frankly are usually a source of problems. They can create lens flare, inconsistent focus, soft images and vignetting on certain lenses. If you insist on a filter stay with Hoya or B&W, cheaper ones rarely are even constructed with glass!

Keep in mind that on a lens the front element is more like a built-in filter, to protect the soft underlying flourite element and is something that is easily replaced at a fairly low cost. You likely could replace two front elements for the price of one good filter. In my opinion a lens hood does more to protect your front element than a filter will. Carefully blowing off any dust with a Rocket Blower and then using a micro fiber cleaning cloth is all I have ever used to keep my front element clean.

[ccarlson]

Excellent info. Very good to know on the front lens. I'll keep the filter on my 18-105 since my family will be using that one more often.

My 80-200 f2.8 should arrive in the next day or so, and I might skip the filter that I was planning on picking up to protect it. I might pick up the hood though as you suggest since this lens doesn't come with one for some reason.

Dbl, I looked at your HSOforum the other day. Excellent work and it gives me ideas for shooting my girls playing basketball. I tried a little the other night with my 18-105 and they turned out okay for a slower lens when I bumped the iso up. I was able to shoot at about 1/500 or so in some cases. Just made me all the more anxious for the 2.8 to get here though!

Thanks again.

ccarlson