Just bought my first DSLR, now what

reddeviluk · 05-01-2009, 7:24 PM

Hi Guys, I have literally just ripped open the packaging on my first ever DSLR (Canon 1000d), I've had a play and now common sense (and my wife) have made me think how expensive it is and how I need to protect it. I have nothing at all, so need suggestions on a bag (was thinking about THIS that I've seen suggested on the forums), but also reading up on UV filters to protect the lens and also an LCD protector......and it's all getting too much for me and my wallet once again..

Any suggestions before I head out over the nearest hill or lowest dale to get my first snap shots??????

Cheers,

Rich

Yandros · 05-01-2009, 7:56 PM

Bags are a VERY personal thing, and you'll probably end up with several if you accumulate lenses. At the very least, you'll have a 'travel light' and 'everything but the kitchen sink' bag option. If you've only got the camera and kit lens for now, you might want to get something that takes the camera+1 extra lens and bits and bobs (shoulder bag, or a 1/2 and 1/2 camera backpack/daypack). A 1000D+kit lens is going to look a bit lonely in a microtrekker for now.

Yes to a screen protector. My D200 comes with a plastic one, and my belt buckles would've scratched the screen to hell by now without one.

UV filters are controversial. A cheaper (and probably better option) is a good sized lens hood. That'll actually offer more protection than a UV filter, as well as reducing flare. I push my lens up to glass,cages etc with a lens hood on with no worries, and stories of dropped cameras suggest that the lens hoods tend to break the fall pretty well quite often.

RobDickinson · 05-01-2009, 8:04 PM

Bags are worthwhile , I wouldnt bother with an LCD protector or a UV filter (especialy on a 'cheap' kit lens).

dSLR's are hardy pieces of kit, dont drop them from a height onto concrete but dont baby them either.

SprocketRocket · 05-01-2009, 8:26 PM

Do however get yourself a lenspen for cleaning your lens they are less than a tenner and it will remove marks you didn't know were there.

paulyoung666 · 05-01-2009, 8:38 PM

i have just bought a 1000d with the 18-55 is lens , i have bought a uv filter for the lens , my logic is , it is cheaper to replace the filter than the lens , right or wrong i dont care , as for a bag i have bought a lowepro 160 aw , suits me fine as i wanted it for keeping all the kit i have in , not too carry around with me as i reckon i can make a choice of lens that i want to carry and not have to worry about swapping lenses left right and centre like i used to 20 years ago when i used to have one of them aluminium briefcase things with allsorts in it that mostly never got used

reddeviluk · 06-01-2009, 6:55 PM

Thanks for the tips Guys, I have ordered myself a set of LCD covers and have also started to look for a bag, looks like lowepro is the brand so I'll stick to that and find something in my price range.

Cheers,

Rich

paulyoung666 · 06-01-2009, 7:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reddeviluk

Thanks for the tips Guys, I have ordered myself a set of LCD covers and have also started to look for a bag, looks like lowepro is the brand so I'll stick to that and find something in my price range.

Cheers,

Rich

i have bought the aw160 and find it spot on

reddeviluk · 06-01-2009, 7:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulyoung666

i have bought the aw160 and find it spot on

I must admit Paul, since you've got years experience on me and since we share the same model camera I have narrowed my search to the aw 160 model you're using....lol

I have even put a post in the classifieds section and have one chap offering me one for £30, just waiting on some pictures and further details, failing that I guess it'll have to be brand new.

How are you finding the 1000d?, did I make a good choice?, I based my buying choice on these forums since I have 0% experience when it comes to anything other than a basic point/shoot camera. Have only played about with it in the house since I only collected it yesterday and I am already impressed.

Thanks again,

Rich

raptor · 06-01-2009, 7:22 PM

Hi reddeviluk i have orderd a Lowepro micro trekker from Amazon (£19.99 + free p&p)
as ran out of space in my Lowepro 160,you will find space soon gos and at this price i think its a winer hop that some help.

tunnacliffe · 06-01-2009, 7:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reddeviluk

Thanks for the tips Guys, I have ordered myself a set of LCD covers and have also started to look for a bag, looks like lowepro is the brand so I'll stick to that and find something in my price range.

Cheers,

Rich

Where did you get the LCD covers from?

paulyoung666 · 06-01-2009, 8:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reddeviluk

I must admit Paul, since you've got years experience on me and since we share the same model camera I have narrowed my search to the aw 160 model you're using....lol

I have even put a post in the classifieds section and have one chap offering me one for £30, just waiting on some pictures and further details, failing that I guess it'll have to be brand new.

How are you finding the 1000d?, did I make a good choice?, I based my buying choice on these forums since I have 0% experience when it comes to anything other than a basic point/shoot camera. Have only played about with it in the house since I only collected it yesterday and I am already impressed.

Thanks again,

Rich

i bought one brand new for £30 , anyway , i wish i had recent experience , all mine is 20 years old

, so far i am finding the 1000d nice , hopefully i will have my 55-250 is delivered tomorrow and this weekend i will get my first chance to get out and play with it , if the weather is good i reckon maybe whitby and then back over to the danby moors centre

reddeviluk · 06-01-2009, 11:16 PM

Whitby? I am from Stockton, but originally from Guisborough so pretty local. Nice part of the world. Thanks for the help and advice Paul, I appreciate your time.

Would love too see some of your weekend pictures so I can see what the 1000d can do.

Cheers,

Rich

reddeviluk · 07-01-2009, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tunnacliffe

Where did you get the LCD covers from?

Hi Tunna, I bought a set from eBay, sometimes pays off, if not it will be Jessops cut to fit type. Will happily let you know when it arrives.

Cheers,
Rich.

paulyoung666 · 07-01-2009, 8:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reddeviluk

Whitby? I am from Stockton, but originally from Guisborough so pretty local. Nice part of the world. Thanks for the help and advice Paul, I appreciate your time.

Would love too see some of your weekend pictures so I can see what the 1000d can do.

Cheers,

Rich

your kidding , i am only round the corner in norton !!!!!

InsertCoin · 07-01-2009, 9:54 AM

a lot of the lowepro bags get good reviews but I havent had one so cant say.

I am currently using one of these: Crumpler Pretty Boy

Its a very nice tough bag and pretty stylish, but is lacking on space. My 350D with battery grip, 580EX11 in Pouch and Nifty Fifty are all that fit in the bottom part, oh and my letter from the home office saying there is no law to taking photos in public... just incase any police give me grief. The top part does hold all my accessories, but its just an open space so everything is left to flop around.

Still I like it.

reddeviluk · 07-01-2009, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulyoung666

your kidding , i am only round the corner in norton !!!!!

LOL, I am in Hartburn, so REALLY only round the corner.....lol.

Small world, I have found a few members in Stockton, one only a few doors away from me, small, small world......lol

ryart · 07-01-2009, 11:12 AM

The pros and cons of protective filters come up fairly regularly so I would do a search to get the pro side of the "argument".

michael.redfern · 07-01-2009, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InsertCoin

my letter from the home office saying there is no law to taking photos in public... just incase any police give me grief.

Ooooooh! How did you go about getting hold of this?

InsertCoin · 07-01-2009, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michael.redfern

Ooooooh! How did you go about getting hold of this?

Im trying to find the thread for you now mate, but basically you have to write to your local MP, and then they do something and then you get a letter from the home office in the post.. ill drop a picture of it on here if you want.

Gingerbillc · 07-01-2009, 2:07 PM

Lens UV filters
Pro's: Stop dirt getting onto expensive lens
Con's: attract dirt like a magnet; pain in the harris to clean; lens flare at night; lens flare in daylight; decent ones aren't cheap, infact could buy a new lens for the price of some; a big enough bang to damage lens isn't going to be stopped by a peice of glass.

conclusion: get a well padded bag and try to always use your lens hoods (looks far more pro if you do anyhow) and your lens will keep clean anyhow. Make sure you have contents away from home insurance and a reasonably small / no excess! I have a lot of UV filters and have taken them all off as they were a pain.

Hard enough to see the LCD in the 1st place, without a plastic cover but that ones a personnal preference thing.

michael.redfern · 07-01-2009, 2:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InsertCoin

Im trying to find the thread for you now mate, but basically you have to write to your local MP, and then they do something and then you get a letter from the home office in the post.. ill drop a picture of it on here if you want.

That would be great if you could mate. I'm sure there are lots of threads on this subject already and I hate to hijack this thread, but I did find this: -
http://www.sirimo.co.uk/media/UKPhotographersRights.pdf
Not as much use as a genuine one though from the Home Office in convincing plod or some overzealous security that it's all legal.

reddeviluk · 07-01-2009, 3:27 PM

Hi Guys, well I have decided to give the LCD cover a try, it's easily peeled off if it doesn't fit the bill, but got to be worth a try for the few ££ it cost. Regarding the UV filters, I have had a look and read up on them and for now I'm going to give it a miss as I will always use the lens cover and if the camera is dropped I don't think the thin sheet of glass will do much, so it's fingers crossed time and hope it never happens........(famous last words).

Thanks to everyone for the hints and tips, I'll update this thread as and when I buy things in case anyone else is at the same stage as me.

Thanks again,

Rich

InsertCoin · 07-01-2009, 3:35 PM

I would reconsider getting a UV Filter for the lens.. Its a lot easier to clean marks of a filter than it is off the lens, and you will get marks on the lens at some point.

Hoya 58mm UV Filter: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo

Gingerbillc · 07-01-2009, 3:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InsertCoin

I would reconsider getting a UV Filter for the lens.. Its a lot easier to clean marks of a filter than it is off the lens, and you will get marks on the lens at some point.

Hoya 58mm UV Filter: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo

Sorry, I'll have to disagree on this one. A decent cloth , hot breath and bobs your uncle, clean lens. UV filter, streaks, wipe streaks jesus, bits attracted and its not anti-static like the lens, wipe again, ow god missed the shot. And not forgetting, lots of PS touching up those pesky lens flares

InsertCoin · 07-01-2009, 3:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gingerbillc

Sorry, I'll have to disagree on this one. A decent cloth , hot breath and bobs your uncle, clean lens. UV filter, streaks, wipe streaks jesus, bits attracted and its not anti-static like the lens, wipe again, ow god missed the shot. And not forgetting, lots of PS touching up those pesky lens flares

Fair enough, but I would rather take a lens cloth to a filter than touch my lens with it, as from what ive heard you will develop micro scratches on a lens regardless of the cloth you use.

Saying that I did knacker up my 70mm Hoya Pro 1 filter as i accidentally brushed my hand against it and then the UMC just made it so difficult to get off.. had to replace it

ryart · 07-01-2009, 3:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gingerbillc

Lens UV filters
Con's: attract dirt like a magnet; pain in the harris to clean; lens flare at night; lens flare in daylight; decent ones aren't cheap, infact could buy a new lens for the price of some; a big enough bang to damage lens isn't going to be stopped by a peice of glass.

hmmm; if a filter attracts dirt like a magnet than so will the front element of the lens. They are a pain to clean, but no more than cleaning the front element of a lens, and when you've done it once too often you can replace the filter as opposed to replacing the front element of the lens

.

A decent coated filter makes little or no difference to image quality most of the time especially when used with a lens hood. For the very few times when it is a problem it can be removed.

A filter probably won't be of much use if you drop the camera, whereas a hood might absorb some of the impact.

It all comes down to personal choice based on personal experience, and a lot will depend on how and where you use your camera.

Safe advice while building up that personal experience might be to try using one for a while and see if or how much grime accumulates. If none does than you should be fine without using one; but if it does becomes dirty be glad it was there and not on the surface of the more expensive lens.

BTW, for filter cleaning (or lenses if you have to) I have yet to find anything better than opti-clean.

edit: Gingerbilc reposted while I was writing - Sorry old chap but please don't advise to breath on lenses, you may have the very purest of breath but so many people end of with those little bits saliva smearing about....

reddeviluk · 07-01-2009, 4:01 PM

LOL, two minds now.........lol

Have found this:

Hoya 58mm Green Series Standard UV Lens Filter

That would only come to a few quid......is it worth it? or is this one of those things that I'll have to decide by myself???....

Rich

ryart · 07-01-2009, 4:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reddeviluk

LOL, two minds now.........lol

Have found this:

Hoya 58mm Green Series Standard UV Lens Filter

That would only come to a few quid......is it worth it? or is this one of those things that I'll have to decide by myself???....

Rich

Sorry, but havent seen a green series before so can't comment, hopefully someone else will have practical experience though.

reddeviluk · 07-01-2009, 4:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryart

Sorry, but havent seen a green series before so can't comment, hopefully someone else will have practical experience though.

One second thoughts maybe not, just found this online:

"The Green series are available only in Skylight, UV and Circular Polarizer's. The Green Series is a non coated filter"

Guessing they are prone to damage as a result of not being coated, so may as well spend the extra.

springtide · 07-01-2009, 5:12 PM

Oh, the old filter protector debate!

I (mostly) use them on all of my lenses since I managed to get a bit of sand on my cleaning cloth while taking some beach landscapes and scratched the front element while cleaning it.

Didn't make too much difference to the IQ of the lens, apart from lens flare which was always an issue with the scratch. It also made the lens pretty much unsellable (most people just want unmarked lenses)

I also sometimes take them off while shooting, if they are giving me problems for some reason, rarely its flare but sometimes, when using slot filters (Lee) or mostly when I've managed to smear the filter while giving it a quick wipe and I'm not interested in giving the filter a good clean at that point in time (e.g. stood on some rocks with the waves crashing below)

It's very much a personal choice and and depends on the lens in question and what you use it for. e.g. I don't bother with my 50mm f1.7 as the lens was pretty cheap to start with, has a built-in hood and use it for portraits which is generally a clean environment anyway.