Equipment Few Questions:

1) f/number means the size of the apenture right? What does it exactly translate to?

2) I've been looking for a tripod all day, something light and very quick release legs but the review sites are all **** and the pictures online don't seem to go into any detail. There are tons of them available but I can't find something that isnt stupidly expensive. The Gitzo's look good but are chuffing expensive. They had some twist release ones in Jessops but they were only two section so only came up to my chest.

4) Are ebay batteries any good? EDIT: Nm: 2 batteries on 7dayshop for a tenner = job done.

 

Re: 1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F-number has everything you need to know.

 

1) Yeah f-number related to the size of the aperture. From what I understand of it, "aperture is expressed as f-stops, which represent the focal length (f) of the lens divided by the diameter of the aperture (the number following the slash). The notation f/2 therefore represents an aperture diameter that is 1/2 the focal length of the lens." Quoted from the book 'Shooting Digital' by Mikkel Aaland.

2) No idea about tripods, but from what I've read about them, Gitzo & Manfrotto make some of the best & most stable tripods around. What I can say from experience though is that a cheap tripod is a PITA to use and you'll end up hating every minute of it.

3) No idea, sorry.

4) Most 3rd party batteries are as good as or better than the official ones, and often cost a fifth of the price or less. However, you might run into trouble with Canon if one explodes and destroys your camera, and you want some new gear.

 

Check out these wikipedia links -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F-number
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aperture

(Doh! Beaten by Rich)
[edit]... and Nath - I really should refresh before posting[/edit]

For a tripod, the best known/respected are Manfrotto and another which I forget (think it begins with a c...).
I have a Sony tripod which I'm pretty happy with (but then, I have a Sony camera too), the VCT-D680RM, in case you have a Sony digicam too.

 

Damn you wiki. Why don't I ever think of that.

I've used Woo's Manfrotto one and it was great for quick release but heavy. He also had a carbon fibre one which was great but took ages to setup lol. Finding a Crumpler to fit is also a job and a half Gotta get something before CeBit.

 

tripods are a ****ing minefield. it're ridiculously annoying finding one that seems decent.

i got a manfrotto 055MF4 for the same reasons you specify. it's not particularly fast opening (flip locks) but it's not bad at all. although i haven't really used it outsied of my house yet so i'll tell you when i take it on a proper outing (my degree is killing me, but hey, its over soon!!)
benro make decent heads (check em out on ebay)

as for batteries, i have used hahnel ones for a while and they're pretty good. i do believe they come with a lifetime warranty too. (hahnel also make a battery grip for some cams which is a fair bit cheaper than the canon one and comes with batteries. i don't really see the point, but if youre inclined that way check it out)

 

Thanks peeps

 

I have a Jessops tripod (was purchased for me) and it came with a bag and stuff and in all fairness it's not fantastic, the head is adjustable up to a 90 degree bend and this really is its failing point, its pretty floppy and doesn't really take the 300D's weight, every shot leans one way no matter how its adjusted.
Definitely buy the best you can afford/justify imo

 

Ditto, parents bought me a jessops tripod, it's 3 section and does the job but doesn't hold the weight of my 300d + 150mm macro very well

 

I've posted this before, but here we go again: A Tedious Explanation of the f/stop. Read it.

Ages? Pffffftt, lies.

That's why I have both, though. Neotec's awesomely quick, but more of a boot (trunk) tripod due to size and weight. The Gitzo's tiny, weighs nothing, and isn't much longer to set/pack-up but is much harder to fine-tune.

I used to have one of those Jessops-esque alu tripods. They don't weight much but really can't cut it. If you've only got a 350D + kit-lens then you might be alright but you'll outgrow it as soon as you add a wider or longer lens. Mine got demoted to flash tripod then relegated to girlfriend after I bought the Gitzo.

Warning
To all those using these small light Jessops affairs; the missus is (was) using one for a 350D + kit and last week the whole lot fell over forwards straight on to the lens and shifted the element within the barrel == dead lens. Make sure you lock those fellas down with something.

 

It was lovely and light but fine tuning is a mare, however the bigger one you had was great and quick but weighed a ton in comparison. Im gonna go have a look at the Gitzo's again I think.

 

My tripod fell over with my 150mm macro onto a thin cork floor from the kitchen worktop, luckily it was fine - a well built sigma

 

I bought a Crumpler Pretty Boy XXXL which has space for my Nikon D40 + 18-55 attached, a 55-200 and an old flash unit, with space for at least one or two more lenses. Plus there's a handy seperate pocket on the front. Quite comfortable to carry and supposedly very weather proof, it (as all Crumpler bags) comes with a lifetime warranty. Looking around, you can pick one up for about £50-ish.

edit: not sure if you're after a seperate Crumpler bag just for a tripod.