alexander_mcleod

Oops. Make that an EOS 5. I was chewing gum while typing and you know whatsome guys are like. At least I got the F-1 right.

F-1 and EOS 3.

The Tamrac Adventure 9 is excellent but it doesn't hold as much as you might want. I looked at at REI and found backpacks that had more space but were not built specifically to hold camera gear, as the Adventure 9 was. The Downhill(?) is very good for $80 and fits the carry-on guidelines but I ended up buying the Kelty Redwing 3100. REI has it for $100. It, and its slightly smaller sibling, has an aluminum insert to help carrying loads and is large enough for a 17" laptop plus a lot of other stuff.

 

Sandy

There might be something for you in Geoff Dyer, The Ongoing Moment: New York, Pantheon Books, 2005. It may not give you exactly what you want as far as feminist postmodernism is concerned but it is worth a look for the material on the photographers and Dyer's take on their view of the female form.

 

Having gone through the dissertation experience, although not in your field, I understand your search for perspectives.

 

Sandy

FANtastic! Gotta love it.

Sandy

You might be interested in either one of these: Rob Sheppard, Canon EOS 30 D (Magic Lantern series) or Charlotte K. Lowrie, Canon EOS 30D Digital Field Guide. The latter is larger format than the former and is full color with ideas for shooting particular subjects.

I looked at a number of backpacks (and solicited advice here, too) and finally ended up with a Kelty Redwing 3100 which I bought at REI, although there are other outlets, of course. In my case I wanted a variety of things: something I could ski in, use as a carry on for flying (marginal here, especially if loaded heavily), and rugged. I also looked at cost. I ended up with the Kelty although REI has a nice bag of their own. I think it boils down to which is most important, a camera bag or a backpacking bag. They are not mutually exclusive but your desires may make them so. Mine did.

Lowepro gloves are available from B&H in three sizes (medium, large, and extra large) for $19.50. I'm sure there are other sources, too.

There are lots of good ideas presented here so what I'm going to say may not sway you much one way or the other. I bought the 30D body only with the grip because I have two lens from my EOS 5 which suit me fine now. Of course, I need another. Or three.

 

That said, the lens kit looks fine but it really depends on what you want to do down the line. The kit is not a huge investment but you can invest in what you want to do now or you can buy what you wish to do later. With a minimal background you might invest yourself in photography now and find out what works best for you. (Lots of "invenstment" here, I know.) Photography gives one huge options; when you first dive in give yourself as much space, financially and aesthetically and educationally, as possible. First things first.

For what it's worth,

Sandy

Mai tai. Thank you for sharing your very fine shots.

Sandy