Newbie on the Block

[ratchet1981]

Hi, guys Just got into digital photography. Recently got myself a Nikon D40x. I am still learning thru the manual on how to use it.:embrass: :sweat:

Just to ask, is there any accessories e.g. lens, filter (which are important) that i should buy at this point of time?? and what are the prices. Although i have read thru some the DSLR newbie guide thread, im still not sure:sweat: Thanks very much

 

[Squid]

Welcome to the club!!!

First item to consider is a dry box or dry cabinet to keep the camera

 

[night86mare]

Hi, guys Just got into digital photography. Recently got myself a Nikon D40x. I am still learning thru the manual on how to use it.:embrass: :sweat:

Just to ask, is there any accessories e.g. lens, filter (which are important) that i should buy at this point of time?? and what are the prices. Although i have read thru some the DSLR newbie guide thread, im still not sure:sweat: Thanks very much

Depends on what sort of shots you are planning to do. But for now, kit lens will more than suffice if you ask me, my kit lens has served me happily for quite some time already. Should probably invest in some filters and tripod, someone else has already mentioned dry box/cabinet.

For filters, assuming that you actually take landscapes; can't really think of any other reason to get filters unless you like to lower your shutter speed for no good reason..

1) Circular Polariser
2) Graduated Neutral Density filters - Cokin or Tianya will do fine for a start until you feel that they are not good enough
3) Neutral Density filters

And of course due to a personal pet peeve,

4) Hoya R72 infrared filter (very optional, hehe)

Basically all these are the filters whereby no real form of PP will give you results as good as using them, especially CPL and ND (when it comes to flowing water galore).

Welcome, and enjoy your DSLR!

 

[ratchet1981]

Hi, guys, thanks for the replies .... Im sorry that i forgotten to add in my first post that i already have a dry box and a tripod:embrass: (got it for "free" when i bought my camera)....

Im actually thinking of getting:

1) an additional lens (currently only have a AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 lens)
2) a UV filter (read in the guide that it helps to protect the front of the lens and its essential)

 

[night86mare]

Hi, guys, thanks for the replies .... Im sorry that i forgotten to add in my first post that i already have a dry box and a tripod:embrass: (got it for "free" when i bought my camera)....

Im actually thinking of getting:

1) an additional lens (currently only have a AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 lens)
2) a UV filter (read in the guide that it helps to protect the front of the lens and its essential)

Lens - make sure you know what you want to shoot first, then get the correct range, etc. Doesn't make sense if you are going to shoot landscapes primarily but you get a 70-300 just to expand your range. =D Though of course, telephoto lenses have their uses in landscapes, just probably not so applicable in Singapore.

UV filter - totally optional, really, especially for kit lens - not that its a tank lens or expandable, but oh well you get what I mean. Also if you keep it on permanently and just stack other filters on top of it (applicable mostly when you do landscapes) you're going to get vignetting problems especially at the wide end. I never put anything over my lens, still fine, so long as you remember to happily put the lens hood on once you have it out, and don't go into sandstorms - which do not exist in Singapore, heh. Of course this is a personal belief and you should take it with a pinch of salt.

If you're new, resist the BBB virus (buy buy buy) that so strikes every person new to photography. There is a reason why a kit lens is traditionally 18-55mm, it's actually a very versatile range which can be used for a number of things, though of course after a while perhaps the puny maximum aperture becomes a little restrictive.

 

[deckard]

is your tripod ball head? if not, get a ball head one.

 

[night86mare]

is your tripod ball head? if not, get a ball head one.

I still preferred my old Slik Sprint 3-way head.

Let him decide what he likes!

 

[JillValentine]

Hi ! I m also using Nikon and a newbie too! :lovegrin:

 

[wing oscar]

i oso juz brought D40 on 30 june, after research so so long... :bsmilie:

i brought a D40 kits, 3rd party batt, uv-filter, upgrade to 2GB card, dry box (vacumm type dunno good anot), cheated to buy a nikon bag (haiz) n free me a screen protector n tripod (cheap cheap type)... :sticktong

 

[Galdor]

Hi, guys Just got into digital photography. Recently got myself a Nikon D40x. I am still learning thru the manual on how to use it.:embrass: :sweat:

Just to ask, is there any accessories e.g. lens, filter (which are important) that i should buy at this point of time?? and what are the prices. Although i have read thru some the DSLR newbie guide thread, im still not sure:sweat: Thanks very much

Welcome to the big family. Do shoot more. Do not worry too much about accessories first. The first item to get is probably the dry cabinet to prevent fungus from infesting your camera & lenses. Next is to get a good blower and camera cleaning kit.

If you have the extra moola, get a flash. It may come in handly although you may not use it everyday.

Do find out what you want to take most first, before getting the necessary equipment/accessories. For landscape photography, get a good tripod, a CPL filter and ND filters.

For portraits, get a nice 50mm prime lens and maybe a soft focus filter.

For Macros, get a dedicated Macro lens. Some people will use tripod and flash as well.

For general protection on your lenses, just get any UV or Skylight filters will do.