Essential accessories to purchase with the 5d mark 2

[alitech]

Just about to pull the trigger on this one and wanted some advice on some accessories that would compliment the purchase.

So far I have the following items on my to buy list:

1. GGS 3 screen protector with eye piece protector all in one.
2. Extra batteries
3. Dslr bag possibly Bellingham.
4 . Ir remote
5. Body armour
6. Canon speed light (affordable used one with tilt swivel, suggestions?)
7. Leather grip
8. 16 gb sandisk cf (which one?)
9. Comfortable shoulder strap (saw a Carl zeiss one on eBay I'm thinking about)
10. Hot shoe spirit level
11. Make some suggestions please?

Cheers

 

[d2d]

A lot is going to depend on your experience. However, directly to the 5D I have heard great things about David Busch's Compact Field Guide.

I am sure you will get some great suggestions from the people here.

 

[Old Timer63]

Just about to pull the trigger on this one and wanted some advice on some accessories that would compliment the purchase.

So far I have the following items on my to buy list:

1. GGS 3 screen protector with eye piece protector all in one.
2. Extra batteries
3. Dslr bag possibly Bellingham.
4 . Ir remote
5. Body armour
6. Canon speed light (affordable used one with tilt swivel, suggestions?)
7. Leather grip
8. 16 gb sandisk cf (which one?)
9. Comfortable shoulder strap (saw a Carl zeiss one on eBay I'm thinking about)
10. Hot shoe spirit level
11. Make some suggestions please?

Cheers

Giottos screen protector
Op/tech strap
spare battery
Domke photo vest
Any decent card of 16G or above
Domke bag
Real Right Stuff tripod head

and if you really want to see what that sensor is capable of try to afford a couple of manual focus lenses with adapters (the old contax MM lenses are great and can be had quite cheap now that Ziess are making EF mounted ones).

Last but not least " take your time and try some narrow DOF field shots where the FF excels "

Enjoy
--
I feel so much better now that I've given up Hope

http://www.pbase.com/davechilvers/latest_images

 

[alitech]

I wonder if this is available as a PDF or Ebook so I can read on my Ipad on the way to work. Hate paperbacks now.

Any ideas?

 

[alitech]

Thanks for the suggestions. Really Right Stuff is TOOOOoo expensive.

 

[1Balance]

1. GGS 3 screen protector with eye piece protector all in one.

never used it

2. Extra batteries

5DII battery life is great, start with one extra battery unless you're shooting lots of video

3. Dslr bag possibly Bellingham.

I have several bags, for many of us it's a bit of an issue. many good ones, but never the perfect bag.

4 . Ir remote

good call, you may eventually add a remote timer release as well

5. Body armour

why, where are you taking it?

6. Canon speed light (affordable used one with tilt swivel, suggestions?)

430 EX (or EXII)

7. Leather grip

Good call

8. 16 gb sandisk cf (which one?)

Lots of good ones, you don't need extreme speed, just get the slowest UDMA from SanDisk or similar top tier mfg. Also, get 2x8 GB rather than 1x16 GB

9. Comfortable shoulder strap (saw a Carl zeiss one on eBay I'm thinking about)
10. Hot shoe spirit level

Doesn't hurt

11. Make some suggestions please?

Get it with the 24-105 'kit' lens.
Pardon my French, but RTFM, twice.
Syl Arena Speedlighter's handbook.

--
Lyin' Pete used to do this all by touch...

 

[JackM]

n/t

 

[gipper51]

Just about to pull the trigger on this one and wanted some advice on some accessories that would compliment the purchase.

So far I have the following items on my to buy list:

1. GGS 3 screen protector with eye piece protector all in one.

Never used a GGS, but they are good. I've been a fan of Zagg protectors.

2. Extra batteries

Yes, two extra is plenty unless you plan on shooting thousands of pics a day.

3. Dslr bag possibly Bellingham.

Maybe it's just me, I can't see spending this much $$ on a bag.

4 . Ir remote

Or a wired shutter release.

5. Body armour

Might be overkill.

6. Canon speed light (affordable used one with tilt swivel, suggestions?)

430 EX2. Buy several sets of good rechargable AA batteries and charger.

7. Leather grip

Never used one, can't comment.

8. 16 gb sandisk cf (which one?)

I'd go for several 8gb ones. The Extremes will work fine.

9. Comfortable shoulder strap (saw a Carl zeiss one on eBay I'm thinking about)

I'm a believer in the Black Rabid straps, best I've ever used.

10. Hot shoe spirit level

Not sure, the grid overlays in live view work pretty well.

11. Make some suggestions please?

Do you have editing software? PHotoshop Elements is good for $100.

--
Check out the new site:
http://www.gipperich-photography.com
Or the portrait gallery:
http://www.pbase.com/gipper51/portraits

 

[alitech]

Thanks for your suggestions.

Is there any reason why I should buy 2 8Gbs instead of the single 16GB?

I was also thinking about using my very fast SD cards with a SD to CF adapter, any ideas why this idea would not be ideal?

As I want to keep costs down right now, I cannot afford the 24-105 kit lens. I was thiking of getting a used 28-105 3.5-4.5 USM Mark ii lens that was launched in 2000. This I have heard is a good alternative and can be bought for £100. As I already have the following lenses that I plan to use with a Rayqual adapter, I think I should be good no?

Contax Zeiss 28 2.8 Distagon MMJ
Contax Zeiss 50 1.7 Planar MMJ
Contax Zeiss 35-70 3.4 Vario Sonnar MMJ
Olympus OM Zuiko 55 1.2

 

[d2d]

Thanks for your suggestions.

Is there any reason why I should buy 2 8Gbs instead of the single 16GB?

I use two cards to spread out my images on more that 1 card. Keeping all of your eggs out of one basket.

 

[d2d]

not text

 

[quadrox]

Just about to pull the trigger on this one and wanted some advice on some accessories that would compliment the purchase.

So far I have the following items on my to buy list:

1. GGS 3 screen protector with eye piece protector all in one.

Not really necessary I think, but if you want to it doesn't hurt.

2. Extra batteries

Absolutely!

3. Dslr bag possibly Bellingham.
4 . Ir remote

Get one of these instead - much more useful:

http://www.dpnotes.com/phottix-cleon-canon/

5. Body armour

Might be useful, my 5D II survived a drop from 2 feet on hard concrete. But you don't want to gamble. Just make sure that the body armour actually works.

6. Canon speed light (affordable used one with tilt swivel, suggestions?)
7. Leather grip

What for?

8. 16 gb sandisk cf (which one?)
9. Comfortable shoulder strap (saw a Carl zeiss one on eBay I'm thinking about)

There are alternatives to shoulder straps that you may or may not prefer. There are all kinds of belts, straps and similar things. You should look around a bit before you decide you want to go with a simple shoulder strap.

10. Hot shoe spirit level

Won't hurt.

11. Make some suggestions please?

Good sturdy tripod, but this will be expensive.
Lens cleaning and sensor cleaning kits. You will need them at some point.

 

[Swordfish]

1. Timer remote or third-party battery grip with built-in timer
2. Grip strap
3. Angle finder
4. GGS LCD loupe for video
5. TTL cable or flash trigger for off-camera flash

6. Eneloop AAs for flash and grip plus Maha C9000 smart charger or La Crosse B1000
7. Filters!!! (circular polarizer, UV, ND400)

--

Canon 5D Mark II | 14mm 2.8L II | 15mm fisheye | 17-40mm | 85mm 1.8 | BG-E6 | OM-1n | OM-2n | 24mm 2.8 | 50mm 1.4 | 50mm3.5 macro w/ EOS adapter



Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/landscapist
MULTIPLY
http://swordfish2.multiply.com

 

[upsetter]

I am surprised nobody has suggested a grip. I believe the most important accessory is a battery grip. The first time I used one made portrait orientation so much easier and I found that I used it more often for different composition.
It also balances the camera well.
Buy this first.

 

[Marcus Beard]

...to justify the magnificent sensor you will have. i got a Zeiss 35mm F/2 and it is wonderful - I can't take the thing off the 5D MkII

Battery life is astonishingly good so not worth getting more than one spare IMHO.

Marcus
--
http://marcusbeard.zenfolio.com

 

[Old Timer63]

I took my grip off because (although it gives vertical shooting and extra battery life) it makes the camera just that heavier and the genuine item is far inflated price wise IMHO.
--
I feel so much better now that I've given up Hope

http://www.pbase.com/davechilvers/latest_images

 

[CodewizPT]

1. GGS 3 screen protector with eye piece protector all in one.
2. Extra batteries

Useful. I have one, but not Canon.

3. Dslr bag possibly Bellingham.

I have a Kata Bag and love it

4 . Ir remote
5. Body armour
6. Canon speed light (affordable used one with tilt swivel, suggestions?)

430II and remote triggers (in my case Yongnuo RF-602)

7. Leather grip
8. 16 gb sandisk cf (which one?)
9. Comfortable shoulder strap (saw a Carl zeiss one on eBay I'm thinking about)

Think tank

10. Hot shoe spirit level
11. Make some suggestions please?

EF 135mm f2!
Giotto's Blower
UV Filter
Tripod (in my case Hama Star 63)

Cheers

Hope to be usefull

http://raimundinha-jr.blogspot.com/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mfvpt

 

[digital4dummies.com]

The Compact Field Guide is a condensed version of the first few chapters of Busch's "big book" on the 5D Mk II, with settings and controls information. If you're going to be reading it on your iPad, you might want to go for the full book in Kindle format instead to get some additional information.

Amazon's Kindle app for the iPad is free, and works well.

David

I wonder if this is available as a PDF or Ebook so I can read on my Ipad on the way to work. Hate paperbacks now.

Any ideas?

 

[alitech]

Is this the Contax Zeiss 35 f2?

...to justify the magnificent sensor you will have. i got a Zeiss 35mm F/2 and it is wonderful - I can't take the thing off the 5D MkII

Battery life is astonishingly good so not worth getting more than one spare IMHO.

Marcus
--
http://marcusbeard.zenfolio.com

 

[alitech]

I think I would agree. I dont plan to do a lot of porttrait shots and for anything requiring precision, ill use a tripod.

I took my grip off because (although it gives vertical shooting and extra battery life) it makes the camera just that heavier and the genuine item is far inflated price wise IMHO.
--
I feel so much better now that I've given up Hope

http://www.pbase.com/davechilvers/latest_images