I've always had very good luck with Adorama's prices and service. I think you would find that most photographers would recommend either www.adorama.com or www.bhphotovideo.com
The two sites @jcrowley40 listed above are the best for finding the items. I will admit, however, that I've had very, very good success with eBay. I purchased all my strobes through auctions and never had a problem.
For a flash, I would look into the Nikon SB-80DX. For around $150 used, it's the best deal you'll find. Other models, from the SB-600 through to the SB-900, will costs hundreds of dollars.
The flash comes with a small diffuser built-in, but if you want something more look up Gary Fong. He makes a full range of accessories for strobes that cost around $30-50.
For a telephoto lens, there are only two brands to ever consider: Nikon and Sigma. Of course, Nikon is gonna cost big money, but Sigma is really good quality for telephoto. If you want a simple telephoto, look up the Nikon 180mm f/2.8. It's a fixed lens, but half the price of the 70-200mm f/2.8. It goes for around $900 ($2000 for the 70-200). Or, you can check out Sigma's lenses. They actually have more variety than Nikon, but their 70-200mm Macro is $1,200. Still expensive, but not so much as Nikon.
Whatever lens you get, just make sure you get one with a fixed aperture. Variable aperture lenses (such as 3.5-4.5 or 4-5.6) are never as sharp, fast, or good as the fixed aperture lenses. They cost more, but it's worth it.
If you want a good telephoto lens to start out with, I'd start with the 180mm f/2.8 which you can find used for around $700-900.
@meneluin Hi Tara. Jason has some good ideas for sure, but if you're wanting something a little less expensive, the Nikon 70-300vr is a great (and quite sharp) zoom lens that you can get on ebay for around 400$. It is a variable perture lens, so is not as fast or good in very low light, but the vr is very very good in my opinion, somewhat mitigating the downside. Cameta Camera is a reputable dealer on there, and they sell refurbs that are in just like new condition with a full year of warranty. I've bought several from them, and have been very pleased. If you're here in the US, you might look at your local Craig's list too.
Thank you all so much for these suggestions. I didn't realize the accessories were going to cost more than twice as much as the camera! I'm definitely going to have to try and track these down used. Thanks so much for these tips and recommendations!
@meneluin
flash: sb400 or sb600; you can also look up nissin's and sunpak's flashes
diffuser: no need to spend money--- you can always DIY one...a lot of tutorials on the web for that. :)
telephoto lens: the only one i can think of that will both auto-focus on the D40 AND be budget friendly is the Nikkor 55-200. great value and performance for its price and size: around $150. :)
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For a flash, I would look into the Nikon SB-80DX. For around $150 used, it's the best deal you'll find. Other models, from the SB-600 through to the SB-900, will costs hundreds of dollars.
The flash comes with a small diffuser built-in, but if you want something more look up Gary Fong. He makes a full range of accessories for strobes that cost around $30-50.
For a telephoto lens, there are only two brands to ever consider: Nikon and Sigma. Of course, Nikon is gonna cost big money, but Sigma is really good quality for telephoto. If you want a simple telephoto, look up the Nikon 180mm f/2.8. It's a fixed lens, but half the price of the 70-200mm f/2.8. It goes for around $900 ($2000 for the 70-200). Or, you can check out Sigma's lenses. They actually have more variety than Nikon, but their 70-200mm Macro is $1,200. Still expensive, but not so much as Nikon.
Whatever lens you get, just make sure you get one with a fixed aperture. Variable aperture lenses (such as 3.5-4.5 or 4-5.6) are never as sharp, fast, or good as the fixed aperture lenses. They cost more, but it's worth it.
If you want a good telephoto lens to start out with, I'd start with the 180mm f/2.8 which you can find used for around $700-900.
flash: sb400 or sb600; you can also look up nissin's and sunpak's flashes
diffuser: no need to spend money--- you can always DIY one...a lot of tutorials on the web for that. :)
telephoto lens: the only one i can think of that will both auto-focus on the D40 AND be budget friendly is the Nikkor 55-200. great value and performance for its price and size: around $150. :)