Camera Gear for upcoming trip

[BigRedDad]

OK. I have been pouring over photography sites try to learn how to use the controls within my camera. I am still very much a beginner, but I now know how to take a picture out of Auto mode and what settings to adjust to get a better picture. I am trying to get as much education as I can before my trip 49 days from today.

Have
Camera: Canon T1i
Lenses: EF-S 18-55mm, 55-250mm IS
Filters: UV protection filters
Tripod: Slik travel tripod (decent, but not great)
Bag: Lowepro - good for my needs to carry a laptop as well.
Remote: Shutter release remote for fireworks and other photos
Battery: 2 extra batteries and two chargers
Storage: 2x 8GB SDHC memory cards (laptop will be with me to offload cards each night)


I do not have a great amount of money with the trip coming. However, if there is something that will prove invaluable, it may be worth the investment before the trip. Any recommendations of what may be good to have?

What may be great to have in the bag?
Circular polarizing filter
Canon Speedlite 430EX II flash
Canon EF 50mm/f1.8 II lens
Something else?

 

[E P C O T]

Void.

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

However, if there is something that will prove invaluable, it may be worth the investment before the trip.

Knowledge and practice :shrug:

 

[wdwmagic]

OK. I have been pouring over photography sites try to learn how to use the controls within my camera. I am still very much a beginner, but I now know how to take a picture out of Auto mode and what settings to adjust to get a better picture. I am trying to get as much education as I can before my trip 49 days from today.

Have
Camera: Canon T1i
Lenses: EF-S 18-55mm, 55-250mm IS
Filters: UV protection filters
Tripod: Slik travel tripod (decent, but not great)
Bag: Lowepro - good for my needs to carry a laptop as well.
Remote: Shutter release remote for fireworks and other photos
Battery: 2 extra batteries and two chargers
Storage: 2x 8GB SDHC memory cards (laptop will be with me to offload cards each night)


I do not have a great amount of money with the trip coming. However, if there is something that will prove invaluable, it may be worth the investment before the trip. Any recommendations of what may be good to have?

What may be great to have in the bag?
Circular polarizing filter
Canon Speedlite 430EX II flash
Canon EF 50mm/f1.8 II lens
Something else?

Sounds like you have all the gear covered. You don't want so much stuff that it becomes overwhelming. Often the best photos just come from a body and single lens that the photographer knows inside and out.

 

[PhotoDave219]

Sounds like you have all the gear covered. You don't want so much stuff that it becomes overwhelming. Often the best photos just come from a body and single lens that the photographer knows inside and out.

Exactly the same thing i would have said.

Dont weigh yourself down with too much equipment. Don't over think it. Just have fun with it all.

 

[RiversideBunny]

Learn what every button and control on your camera does. You don't need to use them all but know what they do. Become totally familiar with your camera to the point where using it is a feflex action and you don't have to stop a lot and think about it.

Practice. Practice with bright sun, with low light, with moving objects in low light, with low light and no flash, outdoors, indoors, etc.
Wide angle and telephoto.

Good luck.

 

[celticdog]

Your gear list look really good. My only suggestion might be to get a cross filter or star filter for nighttime effects with lights.

 

[BigRedDad]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. Unless finances change drastically in the next few weeks, I am sticking with what I have now. I will see how things go in March, educate myself more, and determine what I need/want in October. My last spare bits of non-rainy funds just went to the Emergency room last week. Nothing serious, but $400 later, and payments due, I have nothing left until later in the year.

 

[PhotoDave219]

I guess our point is that you shouldn't need any more gear.

You should be good to go. Just focus on taking good pictures.