 | Canon EOS 40D 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)
Buy used from: $675.00 This is my first DSLR body. Its as flexible as a gymnast and solid as a tank. There is a fair learning curve, but its worth it. The 50D has a bit more functionality, but not enough to make me switch - yet. More lenses first!
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 | Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM Lens for Canon EOS SLR Cameras
Buy new: $1,140.20 / Used from: $974.00 This smooth, rugged IS AF lens has a fixed aperture of f/4.0. It feels substantial, but not too heavy. The focal length is 38-168 on my 40D. Good for many things, but you'll want something else in low-light action situations.
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 | B+W 77mm UVA (Ultra Violet) Haze MRC Filter #010
Buy new: $83.70 / Used from: $69.99 A fine lens deserves a fine filter. Protect your investment without compromise.
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 | Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM Lens for Canon SLR Cameras
Buy new: $1,048.00 / Used from: $1,049.99 Fast, super-sharp tele - great for indoor sports and low light situations. It's a little long for portraits (216mm) on my APS-C sensor body, but I can usually move back. Very, very smooth background blur (bokeh).
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 | B + W 72mm MC (Multi Resistant Coating) Clear Glass Protection Filter, #007
Buy new: $62.50 Some people always use a protective filter and some hate them. They've saved my lenses more than once, so I'm an advocate. Choose the best optical quality you can afford and be sure it has multicoating to reduce flare.
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 | SanDisk 8 GB Extreme III CF Card SDCFX3-008G-A31 (Retail Package)
Buy new: $68.80 / Used from: $49.99 This is a nice balance of fast-enough and large-enough at a reasonable price. Holds hundreds and hundreds of RAW+JPEG images, but get two so you don't run out of "film" on a long trip.
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 | PROMASTER CAMERA GRIP
I don't use a neck strap, so this accessory is essential. Secure, comfortable and quick to attach/detach. Makes your camera feel like an extension of your arm.
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 | Canon EP-EX15 Eyepiece Extender for EOS Cameras
Buy new: $15.29 / Used from: $9.99 If you wear glasses (like me), this accessory reduces nose-smudges on the rear screen and provides a more comfortable shooting experience. It is so worth $20.
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 | LumiQuest - Instant On-Camera Soft Screen Diffuser
Buy new: $11.95 Improve your flash shots with this diffusion screen for your on-camera flash. Reduces harsh shadows and softens close portraits.
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 | Tamrac 5625 Pro Digital Zoom 5 Case (Black)
Buy new: $49.95 This one is a well-built, dual-foam padded case with lots of pockets and straps. Use on walkabout when you don't need large accessories (like a second lens or off-camera flash). Part of Tamrac's comprehensive strap accessory add-on system, if that's important to you. Get the 5627 if you have a battery grip.
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 | Slik Professional Universal Deluxe Tripod with 3-Way Panhead and Panoramic Photo Guide
I bought this U-212 DX when it first came out, over 20 years ago - and it still serves me well today. It's sturdy, flexible and has tons of features. While not as durable as a Manfrotto, Gitzo, or others that cost 2-3 times more, it's a great value for the price. Get the matching bag, too!
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 | Nikon 7072 Lens Pen Cleaning System
Buy new: $11.99 What a great gadget! Its wonderful for removing dust and smudges. Wish I had one back in my film days.
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 | Adorama Lens Cleaning Tissue, Three Packages.
Buy new: $2.49 Don't be without these when you need them, and someday you'll need them.
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 | Canon EOS 40D Guide to Digital Photography by David D. Busch
Buy new: $19.79 / Used from: $14.00 Sure, the camera includes a decent user manual, but this will help you get the most from your equipment. Written by a well-seasoned author and photographer.
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 | Smartparts SPX8WFEF 8-Inch Wi-Fi Digital Picture Frame
There are literally hundreds of choices in this category, but this is what I purchased. This unit has great image quality, wireless uploading and many other features.
This really is a required accessory for the serious digital photographer. Take photos? Show 'em off with this! Oh, and they make great gifts for relatives.
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 | Canon EF-D Focusing Screen for Canon EOS 40D Digital SLR Camera
Buy new: $36.59 -= Wish List =-
Improve your landscape and architectural shots with this accessory focusing screen. The built-in grid lines will help keep your horizons and building lines straight.
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| Canon EF 28mm f/1.8 USM Wide Angle Lens for Canon SLR Cameras
Buy new: $479.95 / Used from: $445.00 -= Wish List =-
A reasonably priced standard lens equivalent (45mm) for APS-C format Canons. It's sharper than a zoom and a few stops faster, but not as flexible. Sure, I *really* want the 24mm f/1.4L, but it's not worth several hundred dollars more to me right now.
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 | Canon EF 50mm f1.4 USM Standard & Medium Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR Cameras
Buy new: $355.00 / Used from: $329.00 -= Wish List =-
This relatively inexpensive, high-quality prime is an 80mm lens on a APS-C format camera. Very nice for indoor portraits and short tele work.
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 | Canon EF 100mm f/2 USM Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR Cameras
Buy new: $434.95 / Used from: $373.00 -= Wish List =-
Fast medium telephoto is 160mm on my APS-C format camera. This is a light, economical star for indoor action and stage. Don't forget to add a filter and an ET65III lens hood.
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 | Canon Speedlite 580EX II Flash for Canon EOS Digital SLR Cameras
Buy new: $389.99 / Used from: $370.00 -= Wish List =-
Canon's big Kahuna off-camera flash offers advanced functionality and coordination with the camera's built-in flash.
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 | Joby GP2-E1EN Gorillapod Flexible Tripod for Digital SLR Cameras
Buy new: $39.00 / Used from: $19.99 -= Wish List =-
There are times when it's just not practical to bring the standard tripod and that's the time to take this. Joby defined the flexible tripod format with their Gorillapod line. This model can effectively handle the weight of a large DSLR. Oh, and it's great for positioning a remote flash, too.
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 | CANON RS-80N3 Equivalent Wireless Remote For EOS-3, 1v HS/1v, 1D-series, 1Ds-series, 5D-series, EOS 7D 10D, 20D, 30D, 40D, 50D, D30, D60 and D2000
-= Wish List =-
This gadget (and others like it) helps to reduce camera shake and it's a nice compliment to the 40D's Live View mode.
Simply put, if you have a tripod, you'll want one of these too. Note that this is RF wireless, and at a low price. There are similar devices from Opteka, Jenis, Satechi, and Adorama - all at twice the price or more.
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 | Canon BG-E2N Battery Grip for Canon 20D, 30D, 40D & 50D Digital SLR Cameras
Buy new: $128.37 / Used from: $102.99 -= Wish List =-
This adds a little bit of weight, but increases your comfort and improves the cameras balance when shooting vertically. Uses two Canon BP-511 or six AA batteries. There are other third party options, but measure them against this.
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 | Canon BP511A 1390mAh Lithium Ion Battery Pack for Select Digital Cameras and Camcorders
Buy new: $39.66 / Used from: $12.12 -= Wish List =-
Extra batteries are good to have on a long trip, and youll need two of these for the Canon BG-E2N. Unlike my old F1, modern cameras don't work without juice!
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 | Adobe Photoshop Elements 8
Buy new: $74.99 / Used from: $68.99 -= Wish List =-
Someday I'll move into the digital darkroom, and this will likely be the way. A standard for the semi-pro, it's deep, but accessible. I've tinkered with this program over the years, but for now, all my shots are unenhanced. Is that a word?
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Listmania!