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K8, Junie or any others interested in photography!
Other than lenses, is their any other "accessories" that you use regularly when taking pictures? I just recently bought a polarizing filter, lens hood and a grey/white balance card but was wondering if there are any other must have accessories I don't know about or don't have. I wonder if I am missing out on anything. LOL.
I got the OK to buy a new lens from my H, but I just can't decide on what I want. I think I am going to wait a bit on that purchase. Right now I want to focus on learning how to use the camera itself before I make the jump to a new and better lens. Plus, I am not really educated on which lens would be the best for me, I just feel the pressure to buy one because everyone says the kit lens is crap! I would like to be knowledgeable about what I am purchasing.

Baby Macy is here!
12/09 - Macy (daughter) | 4/10 - Began TTC Baby #2 | 12/10 - Chemical Pregnancy | 1/12 - Miscarriage at 14 weeks | DX - PCOS & Hyperthyroidism
Re: K8, Junie or any others interested in photography!
My next lens is going to be either the Nikon 50mm f/1.8D AF or the 35mm f/1.8 DX. I really want a faster lens that has better optics and works in low light. Both are $200 or less.
I honestly don't have many accessories at this point. I want to focus on improving my pictures before I invest much more money. However, when I do I want to get a diffuser for my internal flash and eventually a speedlight.
Do you shoot Nikon? Because now may not a good time to buy anyway due to the whole "supply and demand" thing. Nikon's production has been affected by the disaster in Japan.
For example, my next lens is going to be the 50 1.4G. It used to be around $400/$450. Right now, I can only find it available at one obscure place for $650. I've also seen that the 35 is about $100 more than it used to be. (COP is right, it should be around $200, but I'm seeing it in excess of $300.) So that gives you a valid reason to give it some thought and time before making a jump
That said, I flove my speedlight. I have a cheapie remote for the shutter and that helps me pop in the picture from time to time. Do you have any post-processing software?
My silly Lily is almost 4.
Yeah, I was briefly looking at lenses and I was like "hmm, I thought they were cheaper". Good to know that in normal times, they are! I think I will be holding off for a while then. I wonder when the prices will go back down?
But maybe I will look into a speed light and a flash diffuser. I have been trying to figure out how to use my flash out side (as a fill flash) and I haven't mastered the technique yet. Everything gets washed out
As for photo editing, I have Photoshop, but I have yet to use it. Right now I use iphoto, which I am embarrassed to admit. It's just so user friendly compared to Photoshop!! I really need to FORCE myself to use it, like shooting in manual mode!
Baby Macy is here!
12/09 - Macy (daughter) | 4/10 - Began TTC Baby #2 | 12/10 - Chemical Pregnancy | 1/12 - Miscarriage at 14 weeks | DX - PCOS & Hyperthyroidism
Ok, I found this flash and the price is good, but other than that I don't know much about what I am buying!
http://www.google.com/products/catalog?client=safari&rls=en&q=speedlight&oe=UTF-8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=3927362438259578678&sa=X&ei=s6-lTd-nCdG1twf13O28Ag&ved=0CFIQ8wIwBQ#ps-sellers
Is this a waste of money? Should I save up for something better (i.e. more expensive) like this....
http://www.google.com/products/catalog?client=safari&rls=en&q=speedlight&oe=UTF-8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=14792476738606288889&sa=X&ei=s6-lTd-nCdG1twf13O28Ag&ved=0CFYQ8wIwBg#ps-sellers
Or should I wait until I figure out what I am actually buying? LOL. Plus, the prices of these items are probably jacked up too. What about buying an off brand? Good idea or bad?
Maybe I should post this questions on the photography board? Are they biitches over there? Ha.
Baby Macy is here!
12/09 - Macy (daughter) | 4/10 - Began TTC Baby #2 | 12/10 - Chemical Pregnancy | 1/12 - Miscarriage at 14 weeks | DX - PCOS & Hyperthyroidism
The diffuser should help with the washing out and shiny effect. Here's one for $10.
http://www.amazon.com/Opteka-Diffuser-Olympus--Camera-Flashes/dp/B002XMP7K6/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1302709032&sr=8-9
$10? I can handle that. LOL!
Well good news, I just emailed my dad (who's hobby for the last 30 years has been photography) to ask about the speed lights. He said he had an extra SB600 lying around and will loan it to me indefinitely. Yay! Now, if only he will "loan" me some of his lenses.......
Baby Macy is here!
12/09 - Macy (daughter) | 4/10 - Began TTC Baby #2 | 12/10 - Chemical Pregnancy | 1/12 - Miscarriage at 14 weeks | DX - PCOS & Hyperthyroidism
Take the sb600 and skip the 400.
C&P'ing this link that someone posted on the photog board, but my guess about Nikon's production might be way off. According to this, Nikon might be releasing a new 50 1.8 that would autofocus on the entry level bodies. Hmmm.
My silly Lily is almost 4.
Thanks for the link. I guess we will have to wait for an announcement!
Can I ask for one more opinion.....
Do you think it's worth buying new lenses for the D40? Or should I save my money, spring for a better camera, and then start adding to my lens collection? I would just hate to get further down the road in photography and hate that my camera isn't capable of doing everything I want it to. I haven't reached that point (I still have a ton to learn!) but I am interested in hearing what you have to say. Especially since you have been at this longer than me and are much more knowledgable.
Baby Macy is here!
12/09 - Macy (daughter) | 4/10 - Began TTC Baby #2 | 12/10 - Chemical Pregnancy | 1/12 - Miscarriage at 14 weeks | DX - PCOS & Hyperthyroidism
The rule is glass before body
i.e., your lenses are more important than the camera body. I'd invest in lenses first so that when you do upgrade you'll have a better idea of what you want and why, y'know?
Any lens you buy right now (assuming you stick to Nikon) is going to work with an upgraded camera -- but there is a difference between crop and full sensor. I'm clueless about this, and all I really know is that it's something to consider/research.
That said, an upgraded body would have some immediate advantages like giving you more options for lenses. Certain lenses won't autofocus on the D40/60/3000/3100/5000/51000, but they will on a D90/7000 and up. You can still use them, you just have to manually focus. I can't manually focus to save my life, so it's not an option for me, lol. So I have to stick to lenses that are AF-S.
It's a good idea to ask questions on the photog board, because a lot of those ladies really know their sh!t and are willing to share. My advice is always sprinkled with doubt,and frankly, I really have no idea WTF I'm talking about, even if I think i do
My silly Lily is almost 4.
From what I've read, most of their cameras and lenses are manufactured in Thailand now.
I agree with this rule! Collect your lenses first, just make sure you're getting lenses that would work on upgraded body.