Just bought a Canon 7d today!!!

[Phoxxie]

Hey people! This is my first post on this forum and I'm so excited! I've been saving my paychecks and coming to this site everyday reading the blogs. Now I have finally purchased my 7D today at work! It will probably arrive in 2-3 days. It's also my first SLR ever. I have so many ideas of pictures I want to take. I bought Understanding Exposure book by Bryan Peterson. I've read that backwards and forwards so many times. I think I have a very good understanding of Shutter speed, aperture sizes etc. Just a little worried when I get the camera in front of me I wont remember a thing! What are some must-have accessories and attachments?

[RichardTaylor]

Welcome to the forums and congratulations on your new camera.

The only must have accessory is something to keep the lens clean.

However some other ones you may want to consider is:
(1) Lens hood to reduce flare and possibly keep fingers away from the front of the lens.
(2) A spare battery.

After that let your shooting needs dictate your next purchases.
Always ask your self how will this purchase expand my shooting opportunities or possibly help improve my photography.
For example a tripod, and remote release, may help when shooting shooting ''scapes etc in low light or when you want to use long exposures.

[Saralonde]

Hi Phoxxie! You'll love the 7D (I have one, too). It will be a bit of a learning curve if you've never had a dslr before, but read the book that comes with the camera backwards and forwards, too.

I wouldn't worry too much about accessories and attachments at the moment. Get to know your camera first and pretty soon you'll have a good idea of the extras you want.

[Phoxxie]

Hey thanks for the advice! I definitely need a tripod! I will add those to my list of things to buy, a good lens hood, tripod and remote release. Not too sure on what I would need to properly clean it.

[Izzy]

Originally Posted by Phoxxie

Hey thanks for the advice! I definitely need a tripod! I will add those to my list of things to buy, a good lens hood, tripod and remote release. Not too sure on what I would need to properly clean it.

Make sure you spend a few bucks for a UV filter and a lens pen. Even a cheap UV filter is better than none at all.

[Niresangwa]

Originally Posted by Izzy

Even a cheap UV filter is better than none at all.

Yep, gotta stick that $20 piece of glass on the front of your $500 lens

[Izzy]

Originally Posted by Niresangwa

Yep, gotta stick that $20 piece of glass on the front of your $500 lens

Something is better than nothing. Unless you like smashing the front of your $500 lens. I use a $35 filter and have zero IQ issues. I suppose it is always easier to just blame it on the gear rather than the skill level.

[nickbedford]

I tried a UV filter on my 50mm F1.8. Took it off. Maybe it was a crap one, who knows, but all it caused was flaring and other issues.

If I was going to stick some glass in front of my $1,100 lens, it would have to be darn good. The other reason is that I'm pretty damn careful with my gear and don't have a great need for one.

[faeriegodess612]

I would suggest more books, but I'm a book worm/nerd. And the usual tripod, remote release, extra battery, and good lens cloth, and good glass protection. But you can't go cheap with the UV filter, or your image quality will suffer.

If you want to do studio work, or even simply to understand light, and how it really works and can affect your photography. Light: Science & Magic: An Introduction to Photographic Lighting is a good one.

For general knowledge. I suggest The Digital Photography Book Series by Scott Kelby. And The Moment it Clicks by Joe McNally.

And anything else that you can get your hands on that you think will help you. I peruse my used books stores for photography books too. Don't discredit some that are older and for film, the same rules generally apply. Composition guidelines dont change no matter what its shot with.

[Phoxxie]

Thanks everyone! I was looking around amazon for some filters. I added to my wishlist this one set that has 3 filters by Tiffen. It has a polarizing filter, UV protector and color warming. Is Tiffen a good brand? Just because something is more expensive doesnt mean its the best.

Adding lens pen to my list.

Faeriegodess - I will order those books when I get paid again. I will also look around Barnes and Noble for some photography books. I'm a bookworm as well and love to read on the train. I have my sights set on the National Geographic: Complete Photography book thats coming out in Sept. as well! Thank you.