Yesterday, I took a giant leap forward and ordered my first DSLR. After much deliberation, reading review after review, accounting with my own not so great Canon PnS experiences, and testing several different DSLRs out in the store, I went with the Nikon D5100. The camera and a book on exposure should be here late this week. I'm excited to try it out.
Since I didn't get anything, but the camera and kit lens, do you have any suggestions for additional gear to make enhance my experience? I like to take close ups, the sky, forests, animal shots, some portraits. Typically, I'll be close to home or in a park. Please specify if the item(s) you recommend are a must buy now or when you get a chance.
If you like taking close ups but can't afford a macro lens, a set of macro filters is a cheap way to experiment. I have a Canon, but if Nikon do a 50mm f1.8/1.4 that will be amazing for portraits :)
Okay, um, welllllll... an external flash is great and I'm with Karen, you don't need to commit to a macro lens straight away when you can just try out extension tubes / macro filters instead. Unfortunately, I can't give specifics because I shoot Canon, not Nikon, but make sure to read up on a lens (reviews, samples and such) and decide for yourself before investing in one! Oh and happy shooting :)
@susan365 I would STRONGLY repeat Laceys' comments. I dropped my new Nikon d90 on hols. The UV was completely shattered , but without it the lens would have suffered. A new UV was way way cheaper than a new lens!
Congratulations! I shoot with a D5100 and have thoroughly enjoyed it! For some good, practical advice on lenses, you might visit www.kenrockwell.com. He is a Nikon guy and tells it like it is. Good luck and have fun!
Choose between the 50mm1.8 or the 35mm1.8. Ken Rockwell prefers the 35mm 1.8. I have this lens and use it way more than my kit lens of 18-105mm. Btw, I have a D90. Although I believe 50mm 1.8 is better for portraits... 35mm is still suitable for all around. Check out his reviews. Peace. :)
a memory card :)
also, other gadgets i would suggest... good tripod, UV filter, extra batteries (number and date batteries and memory cards, it makes it easier tracking them later) 50mm prime is a great lens, if i had to have one lens i would go with a 18-200VR for the versatility. an external flash is a big thing. i don't they are not made anymore, but the SB800 is an awesome flash. as far as camera bags, there are so many choices, i would suggest going to a camera pro shop and poke around with them, also keeping in mind expansion later, but not going too big and weighing you down. i think those are a good few things for starting, definitely get a filter for the front of the lens, if for nothing else other than protection.
good luck, have fun shooting
@susan365 happy to help, the battery and card dating is not as critical now, but as you start getting more cards and batteries it will become quite handy. a small memory card reader that you can throw into the bag is helpful as well, just in case you need to dump images right away into another computer. backup cards can be quite helpful as well. i have gone through at least 20 bags trying to find a good camera bag (i am a sucker for various bags and cases for some reason, usually going back to a domke bag each time).
What @indiannie_jones said. An external flash will serve you well. You can bounce it off ceilings and walls, to avoid those ugly shadows behind your subjects.
If you are intent on animal captures, you will need a good lens of at least 300mm. I do not know about compatibility with your camera, but with the D700 full frame sensor I have looked at, I like the 24-70 f/2.8 G and the 80-400 f/4.5-5.6D ED. I am not a professional, but one of those that are here (@raebell) has said she ALWAYS uses a tripod OR monopod. I chose the Vanguard models with ballhead quick release leveler device. So if I were on a reduced budget with your stated goals, I would buy the tele and the monopod with ballhead.
My D90 has a mini-usb port so I can connect right to my computer from the camera provided I have a mini usb to USB cable...that way I don't have to take the memory card out and then forget to put it in. Your should have one too, try to keep a cable handy, it helps out.
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Okay, um, welllllll... an external flash is great and I'm with Karen, you don't need to commit to a macro lens straight away when you can just try out extension tubes / macro filters instead. Unfortunately, I can't give specifics because I shoot Canon, not Nikon, but make sure to read up on a lens (reviews, samples and such) and decide for yourself before investing in one! Oh and happy shooting :)
also, other gadgets i would suggest... good tripod, UV filter, extra batteries (number and date batteries and memory cards, it makes it easier tracking them later) 50mm prime is a great lens, if i had to have one lens i would go with a 18-200VR for the versatility. an external flash is a big thing. i don't they are not made anymore, but the SB800 is an awesome flash. as far as camera bags, there are so many choices, i would suggest going to a camera pro shop and poke around with them, also keeping in mind expansion later, but not going too big and weighing you down. i think those are a good few things for starting, definitely get a filter for the front of the lens, if for nothing else other than protection.
good luck, have fun shooting
@june You put the fear of broken glass in me! The UV filter is on order, and should make it about the same time as the camera.
@cchambers Thanks tips shopping for a camera bag and numbering and dating the SD cards and batteries.