Accessories question

skiahh

Hi folks -

I just got my wife a Nikon D7000. We haven't had a nice (or any for that matter) SLR camera in a while, so we need to start over with building up a full kit; my old stuff is Minolta and hers was Ricoh, so none of the equipment we still have will work except the tripods! With Christmas and her birthday right around the corner, I'm thinking about a bag and flash for her presents (obviously the big one was the camera which we jumped on when the price dipped!) and I'll probably get a second card and maybe a second battery, too.

I'm looking for recommendations on bags and flash since it's been so long.

I'm also looking for any other suggestions from the assembled wisdom in here on some good accessories to get the kit built back up. What else will she need to maximize the use of this camera? Filters? A good reference book for using all the features on the camera?

Thanks!

time2smile

SB700 Speedlight

AH-4 hand grip
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Nikon-HAND-GRIP-STRAP-DSLR-Camera-AH4-AH-4-/280695169820?pt=US_Camera_Straps_Hand_Grips&hash=item415abc631c

Bags are a highly personal thing, alot to consider,
keep in mind if you will get stuck in the rain?
your want a weatherproof cover.

Does she prefer, sling, messenger, backpack ????

roakey

time2smile wrote: »

Bags are a highly personal thing, alot to consider,

Couldn't agree more, which is why I'll suggest a rather generic bag that's an excellent part of my kit, a Lowepro Slingshot AW all weather bag -- either the 101 or 202 at most. Its broad strap makes it comfortable, you don't have to take it off to get at your camera and it has a integral rain cover when the weather turns bad. I keep mine packed for average "grab and go" situations. I have more specialized bags, but this bag is an excellent starting point to figure out personally what you do and don't want in a bag, while remaining a worthwhile contributor once you do (for me, it's remained my primary bag).

Roak

skiahh

Thanks, guys. I don't know what kind of bag she'll want. I do like that Slingshot, though. That's a definite possibility! I'll keep an eye out for a flash, too. I think the grasp is probably down the road, but a good suggestion for later!

Keep 'em coming!

ceasley

I use a 202 slingshot if I'm just taking my 24-79 lens, but it won't fit my 70-200 lens, so think about what lens you plan to use before you invest in a bag. I agree that the SB-700 would be the best option for a flash. I also like my Neewer battery grip that I got from Amazon.com - a much better buy than the Nikon brand.


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paddler4

Bags are a very personal choice. People want different things functionally, and even more important, a bag that is comfortable for one person may not be for another. If you want to get a bag as a gift, I'd suggest a gift certificate, so she can try a bunch and decide what she likes.

As for what other accessories will be most useful: it depends on what she wants to shoot. A flash (with a bounce card and diffuser) is essential for some types of indoor shooting, especially candids of people. Additional glass is always good, but that too depends on what she will shoot. A tripod is important for several kinds of work (e.g., landscape and some macro), but choosing a tripod is even worse than choosing a bag.

I carry three CF cards, but the honest truth is that if I leave an 8GB in the camera, I virtually never have to swap. On my camera, that is about 300 RAW images. Still, a second card is essential in case the first one fails. I always carry an extra battery but rarely have to swap it out in a day's shooting. I now use B&H's store brand for them.

Circular polarizers are also essential, IMHO.

zoomer

What lens are you getting with the camera? Why not get her a 50 1.8, or an 85 1.8.
What type of subjects does she like to shoot?

skiahh

zoomer wrote: »

What lens are you getting with the camera? Why not get her a 50 1.8, or an 85 1.8.
What type of subjects does she like to shoot?

We started with a couple of the zoom lenses (18-55 and 55-200). We'll get dedicated lenses down the road as she gets more comfortable with the camera and decides which would be the best (i.e. 50 or 300!).

She's read the manual and refers to it as needed, but I was looking at some of the books out there. Are they just re-hashes of the manual or are there books that blend the capabilities of the camera with tips and suggestions on how to best make use of those capabilities? If so, which are the better ones. I've seen "D7000 for Dummies", "Mastering the D7000", "Nikon D7000 Field Guide", "David Busch's Nikon D7000 Guide to Digital SLR Photography" and many more.

Are there any that are recognized as the best or far superior than the others? Thanks.

roakey

skiahh wrote: »

If so, which are the better ones. I've seen "D7000 for Dummies", "Mastering the D7000", "Nikon D7000 Field Guide", "David Busch's Nikon D7000 Guide to Digital SLR Photography" and many more.

I have Busch's book for the 7D and I like it.

Roak