These items aren’t necessarily the cheapest items in my collection of equipment and they aren’t necessarily the best. They are, however, the ones that I feel I’ve had the best value for money from. They are certainly items I’d recommend. Obviously there’s Canon bias here because that’s the brand that has snared me, but I think there are equivalent items for many of the other brands.

Remote controller RC-1
Current Amazon Price £16.56 (equiv. $26.97; €28,93)

No need for camera shake. You can trigger your beast without touching it. This comes in very handy for macro work and is essential if you want to take pictures of your own hand.

Canon 50mm f/1.8 Lens
Current Amazon Price £75.99 (equiv. $123.76; €132,75)

Canon do a more expensive 50mm prime which is more robust, has seven diaphragm blades instead of 5 and opens up to 1.4 - from what I’ve seen of test shots the bokeh on the upmarket model is a little nicer as you might expect, but here’s the rub: It’s four times the price. If I were a professional, or a rich man, or even a professional rich man I’d chose the 1.4 every time. But sadly, I’m none of those things so here I am with the 1.8 and very happy with it indeed. It is sensitive enough to take pictures by candle light, the image quality rivals anything other than real top of the range glass and it works a dream with my extension tubes.

Kenko Extension Tubes
Current Amazon Price £124.95 (equiv. $203.49; €218,29)

These just put a bit of space between the lens and the camera. I have used these for nearly all my macro shots and am very happy with the results. They work with all my lenses, though best of all with the 50mm. For the price of a single Canon tube you get three different ones which can be used in any combination, so you’re getting far more flexibility for the price.

Not to brag, but I actually have all these things in my repertoire also I would have a hard time working without them. I would also nominate a tripod, or monopod. smbunation · 2009-06-22: 20:29

thanks for the heads up; I use Canon too but don't do the the expensive stuff!! urmysunshine · 2009-06-22: 21:45

Yup...have the first two and totally agree. First shot is cool! Am unfamiliar with the extension tubes....will have to check that out. Thanks for the info, Jon. lookagain · 2009-06-22: 21:53

Much agreed with the assessment. I love my extension tubes, very useful tools. I have the f1.4 50mm but the 1.8 at 1/4 the price seems like the smart move. I only have a wired remote and it seems the wireless would be a good upgrade. etodd80 · 2009-06-22: 22:29

Impressive! jet28 · 2009-06-23: 03:40

The 50mm is something i have been considering for a long time slowpete · 2009-06-23: 06:48

Interesting post, Jon; it's all too easy to think that "pay more = get better pictures". Although I live in one of the cheapest countries in the world for new Canon lenses, I've often been horrified by the price of my hobby. You didn't mention the 50 f1.2 L is goes at twelve times the price of the f/1.8... These are my favourite cheapo tools: * Cigarette papers (€0.50) Excellent for cleaning lenses and use the gummy sticky part to attach over a flash unit (especially the pop-up unit if your camera has one) to attenuate the harsh contrasts * 5-in-1 reflector dishes (about €30) Cheap, effective, bloody useful * Dustbin liner bags (practically free) Vital for protecting your expensive camera and lenses in dusty environments. For people like etodd80 thinking of buying the RC-1: check compatibility, it doesn't work with xxD or xD bodies. And now for the utter rip-off: * The Sto-fen flash diffuser: fits like a cap on top of your flash unit. Standard hard plastic, single injection mold, absolutely no design. Cost: €25, value €0.02. Grrrr! revenant · 2009-06-23: 07:49

Good in formation !! ????? · 2009-06-23: 08:24

great shots.... And thanks for the info..... ;) Rasadesign · 2009-06-23: 08:26

cOOl! Excellent shots! Thanks for sharing. davidcardona · 2009-06-23: 08:38

Nice shots. The remote and a 50mm1.8 are next on my list and hope to get them in a not to distant future (together with some other studio equipment to hang up the backgrounds and proper lighting) The extension tubes i have and am very happy to have them :-) Not to expensive, but very useful and versatile. But i only paid about €119 for my set, made by soligor :-) (and if i'm not mistaken, they are the same ones as the kenko set) eternity65 · 2009-06-23: 11:40

It's nice to see a happy man!!! ;-} ????? · 2009-06-23: 15:17

i have to look into that extension set (for a nikon), i'm working now with a raynox add-on macro lens (€35) and it isn't bad at all but it doesn't fit on my new lenses..... Have to get a 50mm 1.8 for nikon aswell (about €100) but that will be manual focus for me.(d40x) and i do have aremote controle cant live with out it... eljapa · 2009-06-23: 15:22

you still always amaze me with the information you put :) onlyricky · 2009-06-24: 05:12

Interesting infos, great composition! somogyvari · 2009-06-24: 17:10

I can't afford the better lenses yet, but I couldn't take pictures without my remote clicker....shakey hands! ????? · 2009-06-25: 00:06

Tagged: photographic equipment remote control 50mm lens extension tubes