Help with filters and other accessories for camera

[smakb Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close smakb]

My 14 year old daughter loves coming out in the 4wd and takes a lot of photos with her Canon EOS 1100D. For this Christmas she is getting a Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM lense to go on her camera. Other people are asking what to get her and as with most teenagers she is difficult. I am suggesting that she could do with a UV filter for the lense.

Besides the UV filter, can you camera nerds give me some assistance with some other things that we should consider? Are there other filters that she should have or other important accessories?

Thanks

[maxjj Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close maxjj]

the uv filter is a good idea to protect the lens, a polarizing filter for her kit lens may also be useful. Just for those landscape shot during sunny days. Think of putting sun glasses on.
A cleaning cloth and a lenspen to keep it all clean.

The Canon 70-300 is usm is a good lens, but would seriously look at the 70-300 SP Di VC from Tamron , its similarly priced and a bit better all round.

[Snaga Wishing I was lost Find all posts View Profile Close Snaga]

Tripod and cable release are good fun for someone keen to experiment with night photography, long exposure, light painting etc...
A good tripod is also essential when it comes to more refined landscape shots so could be a good aground present.

[Shan Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Shan]

x2 for tripod and remote/cable release.

[smakb Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close smakb]

Thanks for the ideas. Hope she gets some good shots for the next PP calendar


Steve

[winniliss Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close winniliss]

Macro lens tubes of ebay, cost about 10-15 dollars, very good.

Wireless remote of ebay (JVC copy) about $17, also very good.

[Bankrupt Member Find all posts View Profile Close Bankrupt]

I'd back the tripod and polariser.

Be sure to get a solid tripod (Manfroto, or similar) and don't be fooled by thinking a skinny light one will be lighter for her to carry and therefore better. Flimsy tripods have more flex and can introduce shake in the wind...exactly what you're paying to get rid of.

Also note that there are different polarising lenses so check what the lens/camera requires. Again buy a decent one, your lens is only as good as the filter you put on front of it. Cheap filters negate the effects of good lenses.

[Jus10 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Jus10]

+1 for the Circular Polarising Filter, but like others have said don't buy cheap - it will peel and introduce reflections back into the lens. Spend at least $80-$100 if you can. As an extra trick, buy a good polariser that is bigger than the lens size and then buy a step ring. That way if she upgrades lenses you won't have to buy a new polarising filter every time, just change it from lens to lens.