My First DSLR - Canon 600D with inc 18-135 mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens Kit

[Drew Smith]

I bought my first camera bag with my first DSLR. Had to buy a bigger one a few months later to get all of my kit in one bag.

I also bought my first tripod at the same time, a Hama Star 62. I bought a Manfrotto a year later.

I'd suggest to you that you seriously think about what equipment you are likely to buy in the next few months and buy a camera bag to accomodate this equipement as your first bag, if your budget allows.

Even more so with your tripod - get a good brand that is sturdy and built to last and make sure you get a decent head that is intuative and easy to use. Go to the retail outlets and try them all out. Manfrotto have the 190 xprob as a good entry level tripod, and they do a really good head - the 804 RC2.

As for your lenses, well it depends: it depends on what you want to shoot and who you ask for advice, we all have favourite set-ups, but this tends to reflect the kind of pictures each person likes to take. As you haven't got your camera yet it will be difficult for you to know what you like taking pictures of.

Mots people will tell you to just get the kit lens and spend a few months finding out what floats your boat. This is good advice. You may not take to photography, you never know.

But if you have the money and the passion then maybe you could look at a kit deal that includes more than one lens when you buy your camera. It's a buyers market out there, don't forget to haggle!

[Navz]

Thanks a lot drew, all tjhe above info is soooo helpful, I just want to get everything i will need now so i can can learn and have the best things now, rather than swap.

[ianpinion]

Navz,

As your skills develop you will find yourself buying more lenses and then better quality versions of the same lenses. That's all part of photography, so make sure you keep saving your pennies because I'm sure you'll be wanting to keep spending them!

And do you know, you're in the one area of the country where I cannot recommend a professional photographer doing beginner's courses. If you're into shooting landscapes then you could always have a look at going on one of Nick Jenkins tours of Pembrokeshire with Light and Land. You'd be sure to pick up lots of good tips and be shown best practice for shooting landscapes and seascapes.

[jet_kit]

Hi Navz and welcome to our world. You will not buy everything in one stop because as you progress you'll discover all manner of things that you need to facilitate the path that you take. There are hundreds of specialities in photography, Landscapes, Portraiture, Macro, Architectural etc. etc. each requiring their own specialist pieces of kit. Your local camera shop will only have the tiniest fraction of what's available out there in the big wide world, so go on line and look around - you'll be amazed.
The 18-135 is a good range lens to kick-off with. As you progress you may find a need for a wider, longer or faster (bigger aperture) lens or one that focuses close up (Macro). The choices will depend on your future direction.
Tripods are equaly tricky, depending on what you're doing, but the golden rule is don't buy cheap because it will let you down. Excellent brands are Gitzo and Manfrotto - I had my old Manfrotto for over 30 years before some piece of pond-life stole it and it never gave a moment's trouble. Just remember to give it a good wash if it lands up in the sea, which mine did frequently. I think mine was made of cast-iron and weighed more than the Severn Bridge - the replacement 055 Carbon Fibre is a joy.
There are hundreds of bags out there. Excellent quality from Lowepro and Think Tank. Not cheap, but good for the job they do. The chances are that you won't choose the right bag for you immediately, that will come as you progress and start moving in specific directions. I suggest you decide whether you want a shoulder bag, backpack etc. and get something that will take all the gear you've got (or getting) and allow a bit of extra space. Don't spend too much on your first bag, the chances are that you'll be buying another one inside 18 months.
Don't be impatient - learn at a comfortable pace and most importantly, enjoy what you do.

[Navz]

Hey everyone - THANKS SO MUCH! for al your help and comments. Today my Canon 600D with 18-55 kit lens has arrived. I have also got myself a Redsnapper Tripod and went for a 32GB Class 10 Memory card. I also signed up to Photo plus Magazine and they sent me a nice Manfrotto Monopod. All of this and my lovely new bag The Lowepro SlingShot 102AW.

I am at work and finish at 8pm tonight so 3hrs and 20 mins left I can't wait to get home and unbundle the whole kit etc and finally have a play.

Do you guys remember your first SLR Camera purchase?

I can't wait to start learning now and eventually get off 'Auto' mode.

Not really sure where to begin...

[OldBoy]

Originally Posted by Navz

Not really sure where to begin...

Pressing the shutter release button is a good start.

Enjoy your new camera.

[Navz]

Hahahaha, Thanks.

Anyone know which one is better Photoshop or lightroom, do i need both or can i just use the one? I am more familiar with Picasa lol.

[littlebro]

When you've unpacked everything and had a play go to bed and read the manual, oh and welcome to the forum.

[tacarey]

I have also just purchased a 600D and am waiting for it to charge before I can use it - although the 300 page instructions should keep me busy. I have both Lightroom and Photoshop and use both. I find Lightroom is very good for converting the RAW files from my camera and applying adjustments to colour, levels etc, but if I want to do any photo touch up such as removing items or any more fancy effects I use Photoshop. What could be a good bet (and a whole lot cheaper) if you are starting out is Photoshop Elements. This is about £70 from memory. I got it for my girlfriend so she could perform basic adjustments to photos. It really is a much simpler version than Photoshop, but has most of the features you would probably use. You usually find that local libraries hold guide books to it, or magazines have DVDs. It is worth taking a look at these to help you get the most out of it.

[Navz]

Hey Guys,

thanks for all your great responses. Finally took some photos last night - These are my first ever pics and I have A LOT to learn, would like some feedback. I used Picasa, know nothing about photoshop etc but i will be buying Photoshop elements to learn.

Please can you give me some feedback and what do you think for a first timer like me -

http://www.flickr.com/photos/navz187...7626462996927/