new wish list. . .

[twitch77]

okay so i've been out of photography for a bit now, but spring is here, and everywhere i look i see amazing photo opportunities.
i've dug out my canon xsi and am wondering why i ever put it away in the first place.

please check my signature down below for a list of the gear i currently own.

i have a budget of about $650 this summer to put into photography (i can goto $700'ish if i need to).
i know for sure i want a decent tripod/head. i had a really cheap wal-mart tripod (it was like $20). . .but it was just about useless to me.
and i'd love to get more into macro photography. . .i just love taking photos of plants, flowers, and insects.
from there i'm not exactly sure where to go.

here's what i'm thinking about right now (will more then likely be making the purchase within the next 2 weeks):

Manfrotto 190XPROB Black Tripod Kit with 322RC2 Grip Action Ball Quick Release Head
http://www.adorama.com/BG190XP322RC.html

Canon Speedlite 430EX II Flash
http://www.adorama.com/CA430EX2U.html

and
Canon Auto Focus Extension Tube EF 12 II
http://www.adorama.com/CAETEF122.html

i figure this gives me a wide range of tools i don't already have. a nice sturdy tripod, a nice dedicated flash, and a way to turn my 2 existing lenses (not counting my 50mm) into macro lenses (though i know nothing about extension tubes really, so maybe it won't work out quite as well as i'm hoping? i know it wont replace a dedicated macro lens, and i do plan on making a macro lens purchase eventualy, but i'm hoping this gives me a nice affordable way to get more into macro photography).

so how's the list look to you guys?
anything i'm missing? any suggestions? should i go with the 430 ex II flash, or skip it and get something else?
any advice is appreciated.
thnx.

[Mammoth]

Kenko makes a 12mm/20mm/36mm tube set for $170.
http://www.adorama.com/KNAETSDEOS.ht...nfo=Kenko+tube

Seeing as there's no glass, I'd go Kenko.

[twitch77]

Originally Posted by Mammoth

Kenko makes a 12mm/20mm/36mm tube set for $170.
http://www.adorama.com/KNAETSDEOS.ht...nfo=Kenko+tube

Seeing as there's no glass, I'd go Kenko.

that's not bad at all. the canon extension tubes are quite expensive (the 12mm II and 25mm II).
i'll have to give these some serious consideration.
haha i've forgotten how addicting it is looking through accessories/lenses. never have everything you "need" .
thnx.

p.s.
soooo tempted to just jump head first and hit that purchase button.
my dad just got himself a 4 wheeler, so i know we'll be doing alot out doors this summer.

[chimphappyhour]

I would have no qualms about ordering kenko stuff. They are part of the Tokina, Kenko, Hoya company. The kenko TC's are often well received and those actually have glass in them. (You kinda have to consider that they are probably having Hoya make the glass, so..... )

I have a Manfrotto tripod and really like it. I've seen that one and it looks pretty cool. You might want to reconsider that head though. I prefer regular ballheads so I can flop it around whereever I want. I think that handle would get into my way at some point.

As for the flash, buy as much light as you can.

[Freddy Flash]

Originally Posted by Mammoth

Kenko makes a 12mm/20mm/36mm tube set for $170.
http://www.adorama.com/KNAETSDEOS.ht...nfo=Kenko+tube

Seeing as there's no glass, I'd go Kenko.

I'm pretty sure those are the tubes I have and I would highly suggest them if you need more magnification. They were certainly a good investment for me. I've had my 70-200 f/4 on them and they've held tight. I'd not suggest putting anything too awful heavy on them but hey that worked for me.

In so far as how the tubes work and what they do: they'll make your minimum focusing distance closer but you'll lose infinity focus. There's formulas to it and all that but I've never cared about them, it's always been about the results I get.

To give an example of losing the infinity focus, I've had (I think) all three of my tubes on my 28-70, and had it set to 70mm's, and IIRC I've had it focus for only about an inch or two total from far to near. This picture was the one I had in mind. The blooms you see were small as hell. You can kinda get a feel for it by the dust and crap all over the flowers.


One major thing, for me, to keep in mind is how your depth of field will be effected when you're going to a smaller magnification. And sure, you can stop down more, but after a while you'll start getting some diffraction and it's not pretty. Just something to consider.

On the other side of the DOF coin, you'll want to be aware of how the diffused background looks. If/when you do get some tubes set up a test shot with your 50mm at like f/5.6, with a 20mm tube (or so), and at your minimum focusing distance. Then switch to your 18-55, try to set it to about 50mm's, and do the same thing. Then compare the backgrounds. It should highlight how the 50mm's bokeh can be pretty harsh. It'll defuse, don't get me wrong, it just isn't as smooth as it could be and smooth is a beautiful thing! I don't have any really good examples to show on that either, sorry

But yeah, just a bit to chew on in regards to the tubes

[twitch77]

okay after quite a bit of researching, and consideration (thanks for the tips guys). . .i've changed a few things on my list (and the price grew a bit haha).

on the extension tubes. . .
lol i've read just about nothing but positive things about the kenko 12/20/36 tube set.
but i've decided on the 12 and 25 canon extension tubes.
why? it's quite a bit more expensive (about $50 more then the kenko set) and is only 2 pieces to the kit as apposed to 3 from kenko.
but what can i say? i read an article in a popular photagraphy magazine about a year ago about the canon 12 and 25mm extension tubes. . .and my heart's been set on these since then.
plus i just like the fact that it's made by canon (lol there's a term for people who only like name brand stuff. . .i just can't think of it atm ;p).
so i want the canons over the kenkos. i can always add another 12 or 25 canon tube to my outfit at a later point, when and if i decide i need to.
i'm willing to pay a little extra, just pretty much for the fact that it's made by canon lol.

so anyhow, enough babbling. . .here's my updated list (and thanks for pointing me away from the "action grip" ball head chimp.

canon speedlight 430ex II flash:
http://www.adorama.com/CA430EX2U.html

manfrotto 190XPROB tripod legs:
http://www.adorama.com/BG190XPROB.html

manfrotto 488RC2 midi ball head:
http://www.adorama.com/BG488RC2.html

canon ef 12 II extension tube:
http://www.adorama.com/CAETEF122.html

canon ef 25 II extension tube:
http://www.adorama.com/CAETEF252.html

canon rs-60 e3 remote switch:
http://www.adorama.com/CARS60E3.html


this gives me a bit of everything, with my current gear. . .and should add alot of versatility to my outfit.
my mind is pretty set on this current list. . .and will more then likely be making the purchase here shortly.
thnx.

[chimphappyhour]

I completely understand about the "screwworm" getting into your brain. It happens all the time to me. That ballhead looks much better, it should be more compact and not get in your way.

[jseah]

That's the same ball head I just got off of ebay.

FWIW (in case you want to change your choice of tripod legs), Bogen currently has a rebate going on (through August 31, 2009) that if you purchase any Manfrotto carbon fiber tripod plus any Manfrotto head, you can get $50 back. So you may want to consider getting the 190CX instead.

Besides, since the 488 supports up to 17 lbs, you may want to consider upgrading to the 055 series of tripod legs (since it also supports that amount of weight) rather than the 190 series (that only supports a max of 11 pounds).

[chimphappyhour]

gah! Hate the new naming system they use. Totally didn't catch that that was the lightweight set. They'll work but it is best to buy the best you can afford. http://www.bythom.com/support.htm

[patience]

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[xal]

I'd go with a flash first, then a tripod...lighting is super important and as you can see in my sig i have pretty much the same set-up you do, except i got the 420EX flash last year, and never looked back. The newere flashes have more functions but we can't really use more setting on the XSI or E-TTL so no point investing the money now, when you can always get them later.

I should look into a tripod as well, but so far haven't needed it, trying to save money and will sell my 55-250mm as well in April and hope to purchases the 70-200mm non IS or if i'm lucky maybe even the IS version, if it's less than $1500. (fingers crossed)

[sabesh]

I agree with XAL: Flash and Tripod are rightly at the top of the list. Cheers.