Buying some accessories...thoughts?

Tu13esTu13es Registered Users Posts: 7 Beginner grinner
edited July 31, 2007 in Accessories
I bought my first DSLR a few weeks ago and am having lots of fun with it.
It's a Nikon D40 with the 18-55mm kit lens.

Here's what I'm looking at:

Nikon 55-200mm VR:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000O161X0/

I'm pretty much set on that lens - I really like the idea of VR and it has great reviews. I'm a bit pressed on cash so I'm not going for the 70-300 VR, plus I don't think I'll really need that much extra zoom.

Hoya 52mm UV Super Multi-Coated Glass Haze Filter:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=cart&A=details&Q=&sku=23738&is=REG

Hoya 52mm Circular Polarizer (S-HMC) Super Multi-Coated Glass Filter - Ultra Thin:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/129970-REG/Hoya_016751_52mm_Circular_Polarizer_S_HMC_.html


Thoughts? Is this more than I need? Should I be looking at different filters? Am I forgetting other filters?

Thanks!

:)

Comments

  • ZanottiZanotti Registered Users Posts: 1,411 Major grins
    edited July 30, 2007
    Good luck with all that! Being a Canon guy, I cant comment on the lens, but I will make two points.

    You can never have enough zoom, but long zooms take skill to use effectively.

    If you are pressed for cash, skip the filters. They interfere with the light and dont really provide that much protection. Many here, myself included, dont use them except in specialty cases.

    Z
    It is the purpose of life that each of us strives to become actually what he is potentially. We should be obsessed with stretching towards that goal through the world we inhabit.
  • ian408ian408 Administrators Posts: 21,949 moderator
    edited July 31, 2007
    The CP would be something I would consider. The haze filter? Might let that go until later.

    I don't know about the lens though. But if you're thinking about the 70-300, why not wait a bit and get that if it's what you're set on?
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  • Tu13esTu13es Registered Users Posts: 7 Beginner grinner
    edited July 31, 2007
    ian408 wrote:
    The CP would be something I would consider. The haze filter? Might let that go until later.

    I don't know about the lens though. But if you're thinking about the 70-300, why not wait a bit and get that if it's what you're set on?

    Nah, I can't justify 2x the cost for 1.5x the zoom. I ordered the 55-200 yesterday and it will be here today. :)
  • Art ScottArt Scott Registered Users Posts: 8,959 Major grins
    edited July 31, 2007
    Tu13es wrote:
    Nah, I can't justify 2x the cost for 1.5x the zoom. I ordered the 55-200 yesterday and it will be here today. :)

    Experience (over 30yrs photohtasphically) has taught me a couple of things regarding euipment.....

    1- no such thing as enuff zoom or tele.....amybe too much a particluar instant ( a deer walked into my blind and was about 3 feet to close for my lens to focus)

    2- never settle for what you may be 2nd best for you.....save a little longer and get the lenght of lens you really want......

    3- there are many good forums that offer great used equipment for sale.......there are those groups on yahoo: There is at least one nikon group if not more on yahoo groups......also remember there is Ebay, if one is careful and use only sellers that take paypal your chances of getting fleexed is much narrower .........

    Down the road you will want a longer lens.....also to save money take a look at Sigma, Tamron and Tokina.....I personally have shot Sigma for over 20yrs....I was a 70-210 shooter and when I decided to go from concerts, portraits and weffings to wildlife I found I was lacking somewhere around 300mm of needed lenght and no converter is going to be as good as a lens..........

    You may want to consider saving for an 80-400......I have heard some really good things about different them and that would be an extra 100mm over the 70-300.......

    Lastly.....a decent to Good tripod (if used) can help save some bucks on lenses....meaning that VR maynot be so important as it seems.....it was not so long ago that the only VR,IS,os system was a tripod and look at the results that were turned out by the people that used them.....mwink.gif
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  • Tu13esTu13es Registered Users Posts: 7 Beginner grinner
    edited July 31, 2007
    Art Scott wrote:
    Down the road you will want a longer lens.....also to save money take a look at Sigma, Tamron and Tokina.....

    Well, I really only started getting into photography when I got my D40 a few weeks ago. I have a hard time justifying nearly $500 on a lens when I don't even know if I'll still be snapping pics in six months or a year.

    That said, if I do find out down the road that I am still loving photography and can justify more expensive stuff, then I won't have as much issue spending more on lenses and whatnot.

    As far as third party lenses, I did look into them but as the D40 only autofocuses with AF-S lenses, which greatly limits my choices. I know I could buy a lens and focus it manually but I'm not comfortable with my skills to do this for anything but a macro or fisheye lens.

    If I'm still really into photography a while from now, I'll probably sell my gear and buy a bit nicer body which I don't need to buy AF-S lenses for. Also by then I'll be out of college and have a _real_ job, where buying a $500 lens won't be the death of me. :P

    :)
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