Picture of your DSLR Camera Set-up?

[tlbradford]

Have any of you camera junkies taken a photo of your camera set-up?

I am trying to figure out what accessories to but on my Canon D Series.  Ken Rockwell had a very useful diagram showing everything that you can put on your camera, but it is a little overwhelming.

A couple of specific items I would like your opinions on is a flash, mainly for family pictures, and how you like the battery grips or if you feel it is needed.  Thanks in advance for your help.

[huntnphool]

A couple of specific items I would like your opinions on is a flash, mainly for family pictures,

If you get used to adjusting the ISO/aperature/shutter speed the flash that is on the camera should be plenty for family shots, and even then I seldom need to use mine. Get yourself a good fast 50mm lens (1:1.2 or1:1.4) for those family shots and you will seldom need the flash

[muleysgirl13]

I personally (I think alot of people may agree) I don't like flash for portraits unless you have access to studio flashes which are not mounted to the camera itself.  Flashes that are mounted to the camera puts the light directly on the front of the person which usually isn't very flattering. If your doing posed in your home or anywhere and need the additional light if you can just bring in a lamp and set it next to you so its shining diagonally at the object (not directly at their side or directly head on but at the corner of their face if that makes sense)  i was always taught and believe it to be more flattering to the face shape, features and usually doesn't wash out the front of their face.  I am not a professional though and this is strictly my  others with more experience feel free to agree or disagree with me.

[hawksfan75]

Yeah, what they said. I have a Nikon D-80 setup and the quality flash is around $150. For the same price I can get a 50mm f/1.4 which is far more valuable, considering the effective range of most flashes.

If you're shooting wilderness stuff, I would encourage prime lenses (fixed focal lengths, i.e. 400mm, not 80-200mm zoom) and a quality monopod.

There's data about hand shake and its impact at certain focal lengths, but I'm too lazy to look it up.

[popeshawnpaul]

I would forget the flash for now and just use the one on the camera.  Like phool said, spend that same amount of money on a fast prime like the 50mm f1.4 for about $300 and you won't need a flash...

I have the BG-E2N vertical grip.  I have a like/dislike relationship with it.  It makes the camera more substantial and easier to handle with big lenses on it and carries 2 batteries.  It is heavy though.  It allows you to comfortably shoot vertical with vertical controls.  My biggest gripe is that you can't reach your multicontroller with your thumb that is on the camera itself when using the vertical grip.  I use the multicontroller to select my autofocus point so when I go vertical I have no way to change my focus point.  It gets frustrating. 

You can get extention tubes to allow for closeup macro photography.  the canon ones are expensive and I highly suggest the Sigma set for about $100.  There are no optics in extension tubes so any brand will work really.  Otherwise, you can spend about $300 on a 100mm macro lens. 

You'll need a good camera bag.  You can start out with a cheapie but I'd look for a used Lowepro with the waterproof cover on craigslist.  It seems every week I see a good one for about $50 and it will hold all your lenses and then some.

Most importantly you need a tripod.  Don't get the cheapie $50 one.  You can't do landscape shots without one.  You'll need a head for it and a decent ball head seems the standard for wildlife/landscape photography.  Get one that can handle 5-10 lbs for those times when you rent a big lens or eventually buy one.

For wildlife only, I rarely use a tripod anymore.  I use a good sturdy monopod.  You don't need a head with a monopod.  I wouldn't try the monopod if your lens lacks IS...

You need extra batteries and CF cards.  I get cheap CF cards at Frys in Renton.  Canon brand batteries are expensive.  There are a few off brands that work just as well.

You may also want a remote release.  You can buy the kind that wires to your camera.  I have the Canon brand one but a 10-20 one, wireless or wired off ebay is just as good or better.  Me personally, I'd go for a wireless one off ebay.  I must admit I hardly use it because my camera has a 2 second self timer.  That works just as easy for me.  If I'm doing a lot of landscape shots I take out the remote release.

Get lens hoods for your lenses to prevent flare.  They have them on ebay 3rd party brands for cheap.

That's about it for me...

[huntnphool]

Get lens hoods for your lenses to prevent flare.  They have them on ebay 3rd party brands for cheap.

Hey, whats wrong with a little flare

[popeshawnpaul]

It's ok sometimes...