Lens Hoods & Bags & Stuff

[Spoolio]

Hi guys, I'm after yet more advice as all this SLR stuff is a steep learning curve (well more of a vertical line actually but...).

I've been told that I should get lens hoods for both my lenses to stop flare. The fittings are 73mm (on the 17-85 IS USM) and 65mm (on the 70-300 IS USM). Now, whilst I don't want to spoil the ship etc, it galls me to see that the cheapest I can find the Canon fitments (EW-73B and ET-65B) are £23 & £25 respectively. This does seem flippin expensive for a couple of bits of plastic. I have seen a Marumi version of the ET65B for £15 which is better. Has anybody got any opinions or alternatives?

Also, I got a free bag with my Eos but it is only a diddy one that will only comfortably hold say a Nikon D60 with a short lens . Any recommendations for a nice reasonably priced 'sack that'll hold the camera with the 300mm zoom fitted, and that can take other personal stuff as well?

Finally, I have already got a Sandisk Ultra (x66 speed) 4gb CF card off fleabay but have been told a card with a read/write speed of x100 or more would be noticeably better for burst shots. Is this true or am I being fed a line?

Thanks for any advice you can give.