Necessary accessories for new camera

[CathJ]

So, I'm probably going to get the Nikon D3100, most likely with the 18-55mm and 55-200mm lenses (either soon, or in December).

What else do I need? Not as in nice to have, but really need? Obviously an SD card; and a camera bag. A spare battery would be nice, but isn't essential; what about a UV filter? A cleaning kit?

 

[bwana]

You might want to get yourself an external flash.

A micro fibre cloth (or better still a packet of king size rizzla papers) to clean your lens is also handy and a rocket blower to blow dust out of the mirror housing or off the sensor.

A circular polariser might come in handy if you enjoy landscapes as well as tripod.

I don't use (or recommend) UV filters. Lens hoods offer better protection and reduce lens flare.

An external card reader is preferable to using the built in port.

Spare cards and a spare battery are always a good idea.

 

[Jola]

4x4 ?

 

[mercurial]

A micro fibre cloth (or better still a packet of king size rizzla papers) to clean your lens is also handy and a rocket blower to blow dust out of the mirror housing or off the sensor.

I don't use (or recommend) UV filters. Lens hoods offer better protection and reduce lens flare.

Sorry to hijack, but where can I get a rocket blower? Also, if I want to take pictures of the sun setting, would that damage my lens? Would I need a filter for that?

 

[bwana]

Sorry to hijack, but where can I get a rocket blower? Also, if I want to take pictures of the sun setting, would that damage my lens? Would I need a filter for that?

SA camera stocks the LensPen Hurricane Blower which is probably pretty decent if their other items are anything to go by.

I don't use any filters when shooting sunsets but if you want to do long exposures a ND filter might be an idea.

 

[GforceD]

I've been playing around with bracketed shots for sunsets or shoot in RAW if your camera supports it. You can get some brilliant HDR stuff that way.

 

[mercurial]

SA camera stocks the LensPen Hurricane Blower which is probably pretty decent if their other items are anything to go by.

I don't use any filters when shooting sunsets but if you want to do long exposures a ND filter might be an idea.

Thanks bwana.

 

[rrh]

See the following URL for a good write-up on the 3100 - http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d3100.htm

As already recommended by bwana: an external flash, either the Nikon SB-400 or SB-600. The Nikon external flashes are best described as 'bloody amazing' (NB: the above write-up includes links to companion write-ups of the flashes)

Ditto bwana's recommendation for a polarising filter. Spend as much as you can afford - I have seen many a potentially good photograph ruined by the optical quality (or lack thereof) of a cheap filter.

In days of yore most photographers fitted their lenses with a UV filter in order to protect the lens, to the extent it was referred to as the 'invisible lens cap'. Unfortunately the UV filter, in taking the bashing, tended to become loose and mis-aligned, thereby ruining many a photograph.

A tripod is a necessity if you require really sharp pictures.

Re sunsets: the stories regarding the danger of shooting into the sun were mainly confined to the earlier cameras with fabric focal plane shutters where the direct sun, focussed to a point (like one did with magnifying glasses as a kid), was capable of burning a hole in the shutter.

These days you are pretty safe, unless you point your lens at the sun for extended periods of time.

 

[flarkit]

My accessory list for our baby (D3000):

- Lowepro backpack (tip, keep those bags of silicone that are included with new shoes and scatter them in your camera bag)
- spare battery (a must buy!)
- microfiber cloth for lenses, lens pen, plus the Rizzla papers after bwana convinced me
- 30MB/s high-speed SD card (cos you never know)
- zip-lock bags
- I do put UV filters on our lenses, although they're one of those contentious items. Some people like the slight bit of extra protection from dust/scratches and possibly a fall, whilst others prefer not having anything additional glass in front of their lenses.

then, when the funds allowed,
- Manfrotto tripod + ball head

The tripod has proven its excellent value multiple times over. We tried playing with a super-cheapie piece of junk that was bundled with our telescope, but can happily chuck that and use the Manfrotto with the 'scope too.

 

[koffiejunkie]

I'll second bwana's recommendation for Rizlas. Just make sure you don't use the sticky side I have a variety of cleaning kits but have never used any of them. I've never used any of the microfiber cloths either (except once to wipe my glasses). The built-in sensor cleaning has worked well for me so far (not sure if the 3100 has that), and Rizlas take care of the lens.

I also agree on lens hoods. Mine show enough scratches to prove the point.

 

[BigAl-sa]

@Cath: If you're wanting to do macro (as you suggested in your other thread), my #1 item would be an external flash with at least two sets of rechargeable batteries.
The items I always buy first with a new camera (I have enough flashes), is a spare battery for that camera. They are usually horrifically expensive, so look for a third party manufacturer.

@Mercurial: Outdoorphoto has rocket blowers and lens pens. For setting sun, providing the sun is low enough (or there's enough pollution), you don't have to worry about damaging your sensor. You'll prolly find you need a longer lens than you think. Here, Bigma between 400 & 500mm

 

[Dolby]

Software

Not as good as some of these guys, but I have Photoshop Elements and Photomatix for HDR shots.

 

[mercurial]

Thanks Big Al

 

[Quantum Theory]

Just to add, if you get a tripod, get a remote for the camera too. Otherwise you will have to use the timer to prevent movement. Can be frustrating.

 

[d7e7r7]

Just to add, if you get a tripod, get a remote for the camera too. Otherwise you will have to use the timer to prevent movement. Can be frustrating.

+1
And if you decide to get a tripod... rather get one that over compensates than one that just fits your camera weight... I did the latter and now am looking to buy a new tripod... the poor man buys twice

 

[bwana]

The problem with tripods are they're hellishly expensive if you go for gold right away. A cheap kit one (Hahnel makes some pretty decent ones) will at least give you a clearer indication of whether or not you actually need to drop a bundle on one.

And if you do decide that you want another one down the line the old one will make a fine stand for your flash, so it's not necessarily money wasted.

 

[undesign]

And if you decide to get a tripod... rather get one that over compensates than one that just fits your camera weight... I did the latter and now am looking to buy a new tripod... the poor man buys twice

+1

 

[x S1 x]

pretty much everything been said so im gonna go with Insurance, don't forget the all risk cover on ur items If u plan on buying ur items in stages, I would go for a tripod first over a flash unit. Perhaps a field guide specific to your camera might come in handy to you and lastly w.r.t the remote, I think the ML-L3 remote will be compatible, worth checking if it is.

 

[CathJ]

pretty much everything been said so im gonna go with Insurance, don't forget the all risk cover on ur items If u plan on buying ur items in stages, I would go for a tripod first over a flash unit. Perhaps a field guide specific to your camera might come in handy to you and lastly w.r.t the remote, I think the ML-L3 remote will be compatible, worth checking if it is.

Ah, thanks for reminding me! I had meant to phone my insurance company to find out how much the insurance will cost.

And thanks for all the other suggestions; I now have a very full christmas wishlist

 

[koffiejunkie]

pretty much everything been said so im gonna go with Insurance, don't forget the all risk cover on ur items If u plan on buying ur items in stages, I would go for a tripod first over a flash unit. Perhaps a field guide specific to your camera might come in handy to you and lastly w.r.t the remote, I think the ML-L3 remote will be compatible, worth checking if it is.

Excellent point! Looking down and finding your bag has disappeared is a pretty terrible feeling...