For $130 I would buy.....

[abarickman]

I have $130 of gift certificates for a local photography store (Calumet Photographic) and cannot figure out what to buy. It's not enough money to buy something major sooo what would you buy? I am hoping your ideas light my fire for something.

Thanks!

[OsmosisStudios]

What do you have, what do you shoot, what would you like to shoot?

[kirbinster]

Very interesting number, and what a coincidence, I am looking to buy this item which is exactly $130:

Black Rapid RS DR-1 Double Strap - For Two Cameras

http://www.amazon.com/Black-Rapid-DR...3692547&sr=8-4

[abarickman]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

What do you have, what do you shoot, what would you like to shoot?

I am asking what you would buy for that amount of money at the moment.

Originally Posted by kirbinster

Very interesting number, and what a coincidence, I am looking to buy this item which is exactly $130:

Black Rapid RS DR-1 Double Strap - For Two Cameras

Amazon.com: Black Rapid RS DR-1 Double Strap - For Two Cameras, With 2 Quick Release Plates for the Manfrotto RC2 Rapid Connect Adapter.: Electronics

Interesting. I don't have two cameras at the moment but when I do I think I will be buying this strap. I thought about the single strap but I actually prefer to not have a strap on my camera.

[ravncat]

If you shoot in raw you might look into the xrite color checker passport. At 100 and have 30 left for cleaning supplies or a memory card or reflector or flash diffuse or some such

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by abarickman

I am asking what you would buy for that amount of money at the moment.

Well it depends on what I already had. Hence the question.

I'd likely sink it into a new bag that I dont need, or drop it on another lightstand or a softbox for my flash.

[zona5101]

calumet tripod and head
a monitor calibration device (spyder III or equilivent)
a calumet softbox
a beauty dish
a reflector, stand and arm
snoots, gells, grids...
...
i can keep going all day

[candleman]

variable ND filter (but you would need to chip some more $$ in to get one)
monitor calibrator

umm...

[tinton14]

tripod or monopod, possibly memory card

[ravncat]

To the OP; A little bit of an aside because of previous advice, If you are very serious about image quality - (your equipment suggests that you are) I think, with the weight of the 40D and either the 24-70 or 70-200, a 100 dollar tripod is unlikely to really be really stable. I`d invest in a better tripod - go higher end right away and avoid spending 100 on tripod A then 250 on tripod B and just jump straight into spending 700 on Tripod C with Head B - and save the 500 dollars spent on the build up through the lower gear. It can be hard to sell tripods.

The best test for a tripod: if you can tap the end of the lens and there`s no movement whatsoever through the viewfinder - you`ve got a good stable tripod. If there is movement - wind, mirror shake, pressing the shutter and ground vibrations (nearby cars) can all become a problem in exacting works - such as telephoto shots or macro work - especially as approaching the 1/15th - 1 second range.