Hey everyone! I finally pulled the trigger and bought my first Canon DSLR (an EOS Rebel T7) after years of just using my phone. I'm super excited to start taking higher-quality photos, but browsing the 'accessories' section online is honestly a bit overwhelming. There are thousands of filters, tripods, and gadgets out there, and I really don't want to waste money on stuff that’s just going to sit in my closet.
Right now, I only have the standard 18-55mm kit lens that came in the box. I’m mainly interested in shooting some local landscapes and taking portraits of my family during our weekend trips. I’ve heard people mention that an extra battery is a lifesaver, and some friends swear by the 'nifty fifty' lens, but I’m not sure if that counts as an accessory or if I should prioritize something like a high-speed SD card or a sturdy neck strap first. My budget is a little tight after the initial camera purchase, so I want to be smart about my next few buys.
I’m curious to hear from those who have been shooting with Canon for a while. If you had to narrow it down to the absolute essentials, what are the top three must-have accessories for a new Canon DSLR owner to help them get the best start?
Late to the party but seriously, welcome to the Canon fam!! When I started with my first Rebel, I thought I was totally set, but then I tried shooting a sunset and everything was sooo blurry cuz I didnt have a way to keep the camera still. Ngl, it was super frustrating! Since the previous reply mentioned the lens and extra juice, here is what actually saved my life when I was starting out: * Manfrotto Compact Action Aluminum 5-Section Tripod with Hybrid Head – This is literally a game changer for those landscapes you wanna shoot. It keeps things sharp and doesnt weigh a ton during hikes.
* Giottos Rocket Air Blower Large – Trust me, you will eventually get dust on your sensor and this is the safest way to blast it off without touching anything sensitive.
* Hoya 58mm UV G-Series Multicoated Filter – It is basically a cheap insurance policy to protect your kit lens glass from scratches. Honestly, just having a way to stabilize my shots made me love photography way more. Good luck with the T7, it is a fantastic beast! 👍
Quick reply while I have a sec!! Honestly, keeping your T7 SAFE is priority #1 cuz repairs are so expensive!! 1. Peak Design Slide Lite Camera Strap SLL-BK-3 (~$50) vs basic straps. Pro: way more secure so u dont drop it!!
2. Amazon Basics Large DSLR Camera Gadget Bag (~$25) vs regular backpacks. Pro: padded safety. Con: looks boring.
3. ULBTER Tempered Glass Screen Protector for Canon EOS Rebel T7 for scratches. Safety first!! good luck 👍
over the years i've tried many things, but you highkey need the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM first cuz it's literally a game changer for portraits. also, grab a spare Canon LP-E10 Lithium-Ion Battery Pack and a fast SanDisk 128GB Extreme PRO UHS-I SDXC Memory Card so you dont run out of juice or storage mid-trip. basically the only essentials you gotta have right now!!
ugh i am in the exact same boat and it is honestly so frustrating. i have been obsessed with photography for a long time but since getting my t7 i still cant narrow down which three things are the absolute essentials versus what i can just diy. i have been looking for an answer for weeks and i am still totally stuck on what to actually buy first...
My buddy told me the exact same thing last week. Guess he was right lol.
Honestly, after years of shooting, I’ve realized that being able to do things yourself saves so much money in the long run. Like, for those family portraits, you don't really need fancy studio lights yet. I really recommend getting a Neewer 43-inch 5-in-1 Collapsible Light Reflector. It’s basically a DIY way to bounce sunlight onto faces so they aren’t all shadowy. It’s soooo helpful for outdoor trips and way cheaper than a flash!! Also, something I wish I knew earlier is that you can actually clean ur own sensor. Sending it to a pro for a service costs a fortune, but using something like the Altura Photo Professional Sensor Cleaning Kit is pretty easy if you’re just careful. It’s like, a must-have for when you start seeing those tiny black spots in your sky photos from dust. And for those landscapes, maybe check out a remote shutter like the Canon Remote Switch RS-60E3. It lets you take the photo without actually touching the camera, which is reallyyy important for keeping things sharp when ur on a tripod. Plus it means you can actually jump into the family photo instead of being the one stuck behind the lens lol. Do you think you'd feel comfortable cleaning the sensor yourself or does that sound too scary?