What should I get for my Canon DSLR?

[RedSpectrumPictures]

Christmas is coming up, and I am creating a list of things I would like my parents to purchase for me. I currently have the canon 50mm f/ 1.8 lens, and the cheap holga lens with the canon efs mount on my list. Are there any other cheap lenses or dslr accessories which you would recommend? I know the holga lens is 'crap', however it will provide me with test material on my youtube channel.

 

[David W. Jones]

Rather than getting something subpar for test material quality, why not get something that will actually inhance your film making experience?

Something like a tripod, lights, quality zoom lens, videography lessons on DVD.
Just a thought.

 

[prashk]

Rather than getting something subpar for test material quality, why not get something that will actually inhance your film making experience?Something like a tripod, lights, quality zoom lens, videography lessons on DVD. Just a thought.

^ Very True. Also the 50mm you have acquired is a superb lens for the money it demands - so start shooting with it first. You will know what your preferences are, once you start shooting videos/documentaries you will know what kinds of situations you're often in, you will then be better able to pin point your needs and others can recommend suitable lenses. A basic camera rig or a cheap tripod will do for now, you family might even have an old tripod already, which should be good for now.

About Holga lenses - they sure will serve an artistic value, but I guess it serves just that specific purpose and nothing else. You can get some good manual focus-only lenses for less money. Vivitar 28mm f2/2.5 is a good semi wide angle manual lens, but not sure how comfortable you're with manual focusing. Its no rocket science, but you have to be okay with the facts like no aperture control from the camera settings, no autofocus. But old manual lenses offer much better focusing, since they take a long turn to reach focus point from their infinity point, so all in all, wont be bad either.

So get out with your 50mm, put the camera in manual mode and start shooting, and never use autofocus for one day. This will let you decide whether you can cope with the manual-only lenses or not. And while processing the videos you shot, you will see whether you want more coverage, more light, zoom etc.