Kit to compliment my D90

the_local_jacko

the_local_jacko

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Martin
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I recently purchased my first DSLR (D90) and so far I have the 18-105 kit and a half decent camera bag. My interests are mainly people photography (portraits, family events and shots of my 11 month son as he plays etc) and I'm enrolled on a college course in a few weeks that will cover many aspects of photography.

In terms of equipment. What would be your recommendations for my next moves if you had say £250-300 to spend?

Based upon discussion in this forum I was thinking maybe a Redsnapper tripod, a Di 622 MK 2 flash gun and the Nikon 50mm 1.8 would get me started with the basics.

What are your thoughts?
 
Hi Martin,

Welcome to TP! :)

In addition to your list I might suggest a spare battery, spare memory card and possibly a battery grip to assist with your portrait type photography.
 
spare battery - definitely!
speedlights - try and get two secondhand ones on here, really great for getting drama into your shots
(and have a look at http://strobist.blogspot.co.uk/2006/03/lighting-101.html and http://lightenupandshoot.com/ )
if you decide to get a couple of flashguns, you'll need stands to put them on (try here : http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb...konig+light+stand&sprefix=konig+light,aps,194 )
and possibly some shoot through umbrellas to modify your light (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Umbrella-Pr...t-reflector/dp/B001UAVE68/ref=pd_rhf_se_shvl3)
and a spigot attachment thing to put the two together (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Holder-Swivel-Bracket-Olympus-Flashgun/dp/B001C1WO5K/ref=pd_bxgy_ce_img_c)
Tripod - I've never used one taking pics of people but it's useful to have for other stuff
more memory is always useful
I'll stop there, because I've probably spent a good portion of your money for you now :lol:
 
What benefit does the battery grip offer? Is it just a case of making the body bigger so you can hold it in a more sturdy fashion?
 
I bought a DI622MK2 and I think its brilliant. Bought it for £95 from onestop digital.
 
I personally wouldn't bother with a spare battery (unless you can see it sinking rapidly that is).

I'd look at the 35mm f1.8 - but its most of your budget (perhaps used?) as I find I use it more than the 50mm. I find with the 50 I am too close... Links in sig to 50mm and 35mm :D

Only other one might be something towards 18mm or 10-20mm siggy? So you can get the whole family in. But only if you like wide pics... might be worth borrowing for an event/get together if unsure.

Flash gun and a diffuser set, oh and a remote trigger (30ukp or so on ebay for the one in my sig - acts either as a camera remote or off camera flash...).

Enjoy! :)
 
Thanks to everyone for taking the time to reply.

On the debate between the 35 and 50 I think I'll spend a bit of time with the try trying both ranges on my kit to see which one I'm more inclined to use. I had seen some example portraits with a nifty 50 on a D90 and was impressed hence my original idea of going for the 50mm 1.8.

A battery grip had not even crossed my mind until posting this thread but given I'm a bit of an ogre it would prob be something I'd find useful. I'll maybe pop into the local camera dealer and see if I can try a body with one on.

Some lighting is something that almost certainly interests me down the line but I think I need to get the basics under my belt before I enter that world. The links provided are excellent reading however.
 
Digifrog said:
Looking at your desired subject matter I would recommend the Nikon 50mm f/1.4G
http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-nikon-50mm-f1-4-g-af-s-lens/p1028370?cm_mmc=GoogleBase-_-camera-lenses-_-nikon-fit-_-nikon-50mm-f1-4-g-af-s-lens_1028370&utm_source=googlebase
Click to expand...

Yes that would obviously be the ideal but the question is - would the f1.4 really make that much difference to someone like me that is a total amateur as compared to the f1.8? I know lens is an investment which will be with me for years. I just wonder how long it's gonna take me to get the most out of a f1.8 never mind a f1.4. Is that kind of money not better used elsewhere at this stage?
 
Depends if you want to go with Nikon CLS, I've got the SB700 and couldn't be happier with it, I use the 50mm 1.8 and find it amazing. Add in a tripod and its a good setup for portrait with minimal cost. Obviously a pro lens would be great but this is a good setup as I find the flexibility of the wireless SB700 awesome. Di622 is also very good for the money
 
the_local_jacko said:
A battery grip had not even crossed my mind until posting this thread but given I'm a bit of an ogre it would prob be something I'd find useful. I'll maybe pop into the local camera dealer and see if I can try a body with one on.
Click to expand...
I got a Meike grip after a recommendation from this thread and its been great on my D90 - and a lot cheaper than the Nikon one. I've had it on my camera since I got it (in fact just took it off the other day to fit camera into holster bag for a walk and it feels strange without it now! Link here
 
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the_local_jacko said:
Yes that would obviously be the ideal but the question is - would the f1.4 really make that much difference to someone like me that is a total amateur as compared to the f1.8? I know lens is an investment which will be with me for years. I just wonder how long it's gonna take me to get the most out of a f1.8 never mind a f1.4. Is that kind of money not better used elsewhere at this stage?
Click to expand...

If £300 is the budget, I think you'd end up with a far more useful/versatile set of gear by spending it on a 50mm 1.8, a flash and a tripod than blowing the lot on a 50mm 1.4. The 1.4 is a nice lens (I have one myself) but not so much better that you should buy one at the expense of everything else.
 
gad-westy said:
If £300 is the budget, I think you'd end up with a far more useful/versatile set of gear by spending it on a 50mm 1.8, a flash and a tripod than blowing the lot on a 50mm 1.4. The 1.4 is a nice lens (I have one myself) but not so much better that you should buy one at the expense of everything else.
Click to expand...

That was sort of my thinking to be honest. The recommendation is still valid and useful and no doubt I'd get to that in time but given I literally have a body, bag and kit lens I suspect there are other priorities.
 
gad-westy said:
If £300 is the budget, I think you'd end up with a far more useful/versatile set of gear by spending it on a 50mm 1.8, a flash and a tripod than blowing the lot on a 50mm 1.4. The 1.4 is a nice lens (I have one myself) but not so much better that you should buy one at the expense of everything else.
Click to expand...

I totally agree with this too. I also have the AF-S 50mm f/1.4, and I love it but you would be better of going for the 1.8 plus some other goodies! :)
 
Neilc28 said:
Depends if you want to go with Nikon CLS, I've got the SB700 and couldn't be happier with it, I use the 50mm 1.8 and find it amazing. Add in a tripod and its a good setup for portrait with minimal cost. Obviously a pro lens would be great but this is a good setup as I find the flexibility of the wireless SB700 awesome. Di622 is also very good for the money
Click to expand...

+1 for this, just got an SB700 and it works brilliantly with my 50mm 1.8
 
Neilc28 said:
Depends if you want to go with Nikon CLS, I've got the SB700 and couldn't be happier with it, I use the 50mm 1.8 and find it amazing. Add in a tripod and its a good setup for portrait with minimal cost. Obviously a pro lens would be great but this is a good setup as I find the flexibility of the wireless SB700 awesome. Di622 is also very good for the money
Click to expand...

As a cheap alternative what about one of these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/YN-565-i-...ories_CameraFlashUnits_JN&hash=item4cfe1e6813

A fella I work with got one recently and it works perfectly with Nikon CLS
 
I did look at them when I was shopping around for a flash, the version you have posted was not available at the time, just the Canon version was, seems I missed it by a few weeks but too happy with my SB700 now to bother changing.
 
Soda Farl said:
As a cheap alternative what about one of these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/YN-565-i-TTL-Flash-Nikon-D3100-D3000-D3s-D3-D40-/330680920083?pt=UK_CamerasPhoto_CameraAccessories_CameraFlashUnits_JN&hash=item4cfe1e6813

A fella I work with got one recently and it works perfectly with Nikon CLS
Click to expand...

So how is this comparable to the Nissin flash as they are both in the same price bracket? I've heard many recommendations for the Nissin on here and this is the first time it's been posted but given my limited knowledge it looks pretty decent to me.
 
I use the 50mm 1.8 with my Nikon D80, this is also my first DSLR camera and although Im still starting out the portrait pics I get with this lens are pretty good, especially with the DOF blur in the background!!!
 
Get the nifty fifty! Cracking wee lens to get "arty" with

And the best thing I ever got for mine was a GGS screen protector. A hard plastic protection that has saved my screen twice, not just glorified cling film :thumbs:

Well that's until tomorrow when the postman arrives :nikon:
 
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