Canon EOS 500D accessories

scottishminnie

My hubby has a Canon EOS500 D camera which he loves to bits. Last Christmas I bought him another lens (55-250?) for it which he was thrilled with. I'm wondering what else I could buy him to use with it. He likes taking landscape and wildlife shots mostly however I don't know much about what would be suitable.
I did wonder about a good visual step by step book which would help him make better use of the many settings as, by his own admission, he only uses a few of them.

Any suggestions welcome - budget up to £150.

Thanks

yangptangkipperbang

A good quality (robust) tripod. (Manfrotto)
Tripod head (Manfrotto)
Tripod quick release plates (Manfrotto)
A monopod. (Manfrotto)
A cable release (there is no point in putting your camera on a tripod and then poking it with your finger) (Canon)
Polarizing filter(s). Essential for landscapes. (Hoya)
Photoshop Elements. (Adobe)
An Amazon voucher.
A really good, comfortable camera strap (Black Rapid RS-7)
ND filters (for blurring moving water - tripod needed too!) (Hoya)
An external back up HDD for his PC before he loses all his photographs. (Western Digital) This really should be the FIRST item :D

I have added some names to give you an idea of the price of reasonable quality goods. There are other manufacturers too !

Go to a decent camera shop - not the common High St cowboys.
Try here: http://www.yelp.co.uk/biz/merchant-city-cameras-glasgow

Mr_Toad

If he likes taking landscapes and wildlife then a tripod setup is a must for the best results. I would also recommend Manfrotto and bearing in mind that he's going have to lug it over the aforementioned landscape it'll need to be strong and light.

Also agree about a remote shutter release but forget cable, go for an electronic one.

Do a search on eBay for canon remote shutter release.

I bought a cheap one for my Canon 400D and I'm still using it years later!

yangptangkipperbang

Mr_Toad wrote: »

I
Also agree about a remote shutter release but forget cable, go for an electronic one.

The reason I said a cable release is that some electronic release/camera combinations are limited in the angle at which you have to operate the release. Many cameras have the sensor on the front of the camera which means you have to have the release in front of the camera pointing back at the camera.
It is much easier to use a cable where you can keep your eye through the viewfinder - although you can use an electronic one in some cases - I actually have both

Also,
If you go for a Manfrotto DON'T buy their carry case - you pay a fortune for the name - I got one from Jessops at a quarter of the price...................

Shimrod

yangptangkipperbang wrote: »

The reason I said a cable release is that some electronic release/camera combinations are limited in the angle at which you have to operate the release

I second the use of a cable release, but don't buy the Canon brand ones which are ridiculously expensive. I use something similar to this http://www.amazon.co.uk/Timer-Remote-Shutter-Canon-1000D/dp/B006CU6RRC/ref=sr_1_11?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1351798991&sr=1-11 which lets you experiment with timelaspe photography as well.

Just checked my Amazon orders - this is the actual one I bought: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B001C6JYSA/ref=wms_ohs_product

yangptangkipperbang

Shimrod wrote: »

I second the use of a cable release, but don't buy the Canon brand ones which are ridiculously expensive.

You should have bought a Nikon camera, their cable release is very reasonably priced.....................;)

Shimrod

yangptangkipperbang wrote: »

You should have bought a Nikon camera, their cable release is very reasonably priced.....................;)

The timer remote is similar in price to Canon.... http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nikon-4917-Mc-36-Remote-Cord/dp/B000BY9CUY/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1351807505&sr=1-1
The genuine Canon cable release to be fair is reasonable priced at £14, but then again you can get compatible ones for around £3

...and don't get me started on how much Canon charge for an empty hole (extension tubes)

Mobeer

Presumably the camera release is wanted for wildlife, otherwise for landscapes you could just use a time delay on the shutter?

Mr_Toad

yangptangkipperbang wrote: »

The reason I said a cable release is that some electronic release/camera combinations are limited in the angle at which you have to operate the release. Many cameras have the sensor on the front of the camera which means you have to have the release in front of the camera pointing back at the camera.
It is much easier to use a cable where you can keep your eye through the viewfinder - although you can use an electronic one in some cases - I actually have both

Canon's have a small socket that you plug the electronic release into, no sensor involved. You can stand in shot if you wish or behind the camera and use the viewfinder. :cool:

To me a cable release is just that, a cable where the inner wire presses the shutter release mechanically when you press the plunger.

yangptangkipperbang

Mobeer wrote: »

Presumably the camera release is wanted for wildlife, otherwise for landscapes you could just use a time delay on the shutter?

Not really. Using a cable also enables you to stand back and look at the "wider" scene other than through the camera viewfinder, where you are more likely to spot the pigeon flying through your perfect scenic view or the Parcelforce van

Mr_Toad wrote: »

Canon's have a small socket that you plug the electronic release into, no sensor involved. You can stand in shot if you wish or behind the camera and use the viewfinder. :cool:

On a Nikon you can use a cable or a "remote" :cool::cool:

Mr_Toad wrote: »

To me a cable release is just that, a cable where the inner wire presses the shutter release mechanically when you press the plunger

I bet you still use glass plates.................:rotfl:

Mr_Toad

yangptangkipperbang wrote: »

Not really. Using a cable also enables you to stand back and look at the "wider" scene other than through the camera viewfinder, where you are more likely to spot the pigeon flying through your perfect scenic view or the Parcelforce van




On a Nikon you can use a cable or a "remote" :cool::cool:



I bet you still use glass plates.................:rotfl:

You can use and IR remote on the Canon too :p

No glass plates but I have been taking photographs since I was a teenager in 70s when a cable release was exactly that. I still have my 35mm Nikon F SLR that my parent's bought me in the early 70s. I can't bring myself to get rid of it but I haven't put a film through it for years.

I've stopped upgrading my kit. My first DSLR was the Canon 350D and it was wonderful so when the 400D came out I upgrade but of course the quality of pictures is limited more by the skill of the person behind the camera than the kit they're using.

I've no idea what I would buy today if I decided to upgrade, I've stopped looking, all the shiny, shiny things only tempt me!