Everyone has been giving really good advice, especially on learning and improving your skills...

...so let's talk gear.

1. I think based on your description, a good next lens will be the 18-135mm STM. It's a good all rounder, plenty sharp and goes for around RM600+- used.. For around the same price, the wider angle 10-18mm STM is also fabulous for the price... check kldslr's used list. The great thing about the genres you mentioned, I don't think you need wide apertures.... yet. hehehe... of course, this is just based on your posts which shows you have a tight budget. I was using that 18-135mm for a looooong time and it served me well for many purposes.... before.... aih... the inevitable buying

In fact, I will find a reliable camera store in KL that allows you to trade in your lens (won't be much... but who knows) to further cut down your lens trade in price. If you still long for a telephoto later on, the 55-250mm STM ain't that expensive AND is also damn bargain+sharper than your current lens if you're not desperate for wide aperture lenses.

2. I think then, the next simple purchase for your genre would be a nice tripod. Many china brands now make 'decent' tripods with good load bearing as long as it's not those huge telephoto lenses. for a simple setup like 40D+18-135mm lens, many tripods will suffice. Just double check if the tripod head and mount is NOT plastic. I think for <RM200 you could get a simple tripod with very basic metal ball head + arca swiss style plates.

3. The trick about talking about gear is to resist getting too deep into GAS territory. I always feel having the right gear or sufficient gear helps a lot, but like architectural photography for instance... if you start talking about TS-E lenses, tall tripods, etc.. it can really end up being an expensive hobby.

Cheers mate, and look forward to your photography journey~

Hey, what's a fellow forumer for?

Haha... You'll be surprised, many kit lens offerings have 'decent' MFD. NOWHERE near macro levels, but if your products aren't too small, then a kit lens can do wonders... Which reduces your initial spending of course. In fact, when it comes to product photography, lights become more important. Only if the item you're Photographing is tiny or you're doing REALLY close up photography, then a macro lens is indispensable.


hey, if you end up taking this seriously, then I guess investing in your hobby isn't bad right? Like how some prefer watches, gundam, or even cosplaying.... You will always invest/spend on things you care for.

Cheers bro

This post has been edited by Dark_Angel85: Jul 9 2022, 02:08 PM