Best budget-friendly accessories for a Canon EOS Rebel T7 beginner?

Question

Just got a T7 for my kids graduation next week and Im kinda panicking because the kit lens feels so basic and limited. I spent hours reading stuff and half the people say get the 50mm f1.8 nifty fifty while others swear a tripod is the only way to get sharp photos at the party. Im so confused on what actually matters first for a total newbie.

budget is capped at $150 max for now

need it by this Friday since we leave for the ceremony

mostly doing portraits and indoor shots

Is there like a specific kit or maybe a certain brand of extra batteries that wont explode or fry the camera? I really dont want to waste money on junk...

Tiffany Rose Roberts · Accepted Answer

Just saw this and honestly, dont overthink it. Over the years, Ive found that for graduations you really just need these:

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens is the gold standard. Pros: amazing bokeh and low light. Cons: its fixed focal length... gotta move your feet.

Wasabi Power LP-E10 Battery 2-Pack is way better value than OEM. Pros: cheap, solid life. Cons: none really, they just work.

Darren Eucalyptus · Answer

Congrats on the new camera! Honestly, most of those 'everything included' accessory kits are total junk, so you're smart to avoid them. Graduations are tough because the lighting is usually garbage and you're fighting for space with a million other parents. Before you spend that $150, I have two quick questions to help narrow it down:

How far from the stage are you actually sitting? Like, are you front row or stuck in the bleachers?

Are you going to be handheld the whole time or can you actually set up somewhere? If you're stuck way back in the stands, your needs are way different than if you're on the floor. Also, don't forget that a fast memory card is basically just as important as a lens if you don't want the camera locking up while you're trying to snap photos. Let me know the seating layout and I can tell you what's actually worth the cash.