d3100 what flash, tripod and prime lens!

glaw89

glaw89

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i currently own a d3100, 18-55VR kit lens and a nikon 55-22VR. I need a flash, tripod and want to experiment with a prime lens so looking for recommendations.

i dont have a huge budget, wont be buying all three at the same time but if i add them to my wishlist you never know what the hubby may bring home from work ;)

is it ok to use 3rd party flashes? if so what is recommended? or is a SB400 the better option (ideally wanted a swivel lens)?

thanks in advance :thumbs:
 
also i know the d3100 is pretty reasonable in price but wanting recommendations for a cheaper back-up unit. preferably one that takes the same lens as the d3100.
 
Tripods - the world is your oyster quite frankly but if you're looking for cheap and good, take a look at red snapper's range.

Flash - Third party are fine as long as they're Nikon fit. I'm a big fan of the Nissin Di622. It's quite powerful, fully swiveling head will work off camera. The mark 2 version has wireless TTL but I don't think the D3100 has built in flash commander so probably not worth paying the extra for.

Prime lens. If you just want cheap, it's hard to knock the 50mm 1.8 AFD but it won't autofocus on your camera. I would take a look at either the 50mm 1.8g AFS or 35mm 1.8 AFS, my preference being the latter.

And as for a cheap spare body, I would have though that either the D40 or D3000 might be most suitable.

Hope that's a start.
 
Same as above, Nissin Di622 Mk1 or mkII is great and super easy to use.

I had a redsnapper and didnt really like it. I bought a barely used carbon Fibre Gitzo off ebay for not much more than the redsnapper cost. You cant get much better than a Gitzo tripod, although I was lucky to get it so cheap.
The Manfrotto 190 series is pretty cheap and good quality.

Prime, a 50mm f/1.8 or the 35mm f/1.8 which will AF on the D3100

Any nikon body in made in the last 50 years will take any nikon lens made in the last 50 years, so take your pick.
D40's can be had for about £150-£200, maybe consider a D50 as that has a focus motor so you can AF with non AF-S lenses.
 
I'd reccommend a 35mm 1.8 for your D3100.. the 50mm 1.8 won't auto focus unless you go for something like a D50 or D70.. the 35mm would also be a much more versatile lens on a crop body.
 
AF-S 50mm f/1.8G will autofocus but will cost more than the AF-D 50mm f/1.8.
 
thank-you very much, is there not an issue with the fx and dx lens or is it just preference. do they both work for the camera?
 
glaw89 said:
thank-you very much, is there not an issue with the fx and dx lens or is it just preference. do they both work for the camera?
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On DX anything works, on Fx they all work, but designated DX Lenses will cause vignetting, or force the camera into a lower MP crop mode.
 
flash gun: nissin DI622 mkII or SB600 (used)
Prime: 35mm f1.8 AFS (more usable range in DX format for multi purpose use)
Tripod: depend on budget but Redsnapper is good.
 
I put this thread up the other day with some shots using the d3100 and 35mm 1.8 (in case you need convincing just how important this lens is for that (and any dx) camera!
 
db247 said:
I put this thread up the other day with some shots using the d3100 and 35mm 1.8 (in case you need convincing just how important this lens is for that (and any dx) camera!
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i saw it & loved the pics .. i am quite happy to purchase a 35mm. so both dx and fx work for the d3100 with no complications - thats good to know! thanks guys! x
 
badboy1984 said:
Prime: 35mm f1.8 AFS (more usable range in DX format for multi purpose use)
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I'm afraid I just can't agree that it's a more usable range. On DX it's too long for most landscapes, too short for most portraits and won't focus closely enough for high reproduction ratios. I actually found the 35mm DX my least usable lens.

However it is damn sharp and focuses super fast and accurately.
 
redddraggon said:
I'm afraid I just can't agree that it's a more usable range. On DX it's too long for most landscapes, too short for most portraits and won't focus closely enough for high reproduction ratios. I actually found the 35mm DX my least usable lens.

However it is damn sharp and focuses super fast and accurately.
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what would be your recommendation as looking to purchase a 35mm very soon. i am into weddings and portraits. :)
 
If I was getting paid to do weddings? I'd have a minimum if the following kit, two FX bodies, one body with 24-70 or 35 1.4, and the other body with 70-200 or 85 1.4.

But then I don't think your budget is going to cover that. If you are dead set on getting a 35mm for DX you can't go wrong with the Nikon f/1.8, it's an awesome lens.
 
glaw89 said:
i saw it & loved the pics .. i am quite happy to purchase a 35mm. so both dx and fx work for the d3100 with no complications - thats good to know! thanks guys! x
Click to expand...

I've posted this elsewhere, dont know if you seen it, similar thread I vaguely recall
Anyway, I love the 35mm afs f1,8, around 170quid, and these were taken with it on a d3100, highly recommended, if you like the shots :thumbs:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/74880469@N06/sets/72157629266243234/
 
glaw89 said:
what would be your recommendation as looking to purchase a 35mm very soon. i am into weddings and portraits. :)
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Despite what I said earlier, for weddings and portraits, maybe 50mm might be a better length than 35mm...

Easy way to decide. Leave your kit lens at 50mm for a couple of days and then 35mm. See what you prefer.
 
gad-westy said:
Despite what I said earlier, for weddings and portraits, maybe 50mm might be a better length than 35mm...

Easy way to decide. Leave your kit lens at 50mm for a couple of days and then 35mm. See what you prefer.
Click to expand...

I tried that.... Couldn't help twidling :lol:
And it's hilarious the positions I've found myself in using the legs to zoom, but it's a lot of fun :thumbs:
 
don't forget the metz flash 50 af-1 for nikon - its a good one - take a look at the specs.
 
don't forget the metz flash 50 af-1 for nikon - its a good one - take a look at the specs.
 
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