addFieldToFilter not returning attribute values

Question

I have a product attribute called remote_image_link. When I retrieve a product using this code:

$mageProduct = Mage::getModel('catalog/product')
                ->getCollection()
                ->addFieldToFilter('sku',"1234")->getFirstItem();

And then try and get the value of the attribute RemoteImageLink,

$mageProduct->getRemoteImageLink()

Nothing is returned. But when I add this code:

$mageProduct = Mage::getModel('catalog/product')->load($mageProduct->getId());

Then it works and I can get a value for the remote_image attribute.

How come I have to call load, aren't I loading using the addFieldToFileter

Answer 1

First of all use addAttributeToFilter instead of addFieldToFilter. It's cleaner that way.
And retrieve your product like this:

$mageProduct = Mage::getModel('catalog/product')
            ->getCollection()
            ->addAttributeToSelect('remote_image_link')
            ->addAttributeToFilter('sku',"1234")->getFirstItem();

When getting a collection not all attributes are added to the collection. You need to add manually the attributes you need.
If for some reason that doesn't work, set the attribute remote_image_link to be Used in product listing.