Nikon d3100

[C2james]

Hey

For my birthday I'm getting a Nikon d3100, as this will be my first proper camera I was wondering what things I may need with it and what's things you guys may recommend? I'm looking forward to getting it.

Thanks

[Nuclearsquash]

Good choice, I got one last year for my birthday .

The only extra stuff I've got so far is a 55-300mm lens and a tripod. Although i have just ordered some welding glass, and i could do with a remote shutter release.

[jimmy156]

What kind of photography will you be doing? I guess the standard accessories people tend to get first are a more telephoto lens, a cheap and fast 50mm lens, an external flash and a tripod, but what you get first depends what you want to photograph!

[SWAT78]

jimmy156 said:

What kind of photography will you be doing? I guess the standard accessories people tend to get first are a more telephoto lens, a cheap and fast 50mm lens, an external flash and a tripod, but what you get first depends what you want to photograph!

And a bag! Very important! Remember to get a bag for the sort of kit you might have in the future (i.e. some / all of the above and maybe more) rather than just what you need now. Which was my first mistake as a DSLR owner...!

[Yellabelly]

My youngest son bought one before Christmas with the words "You are on a slippery slope!" ringing in his ears, so...in two months he's bought...

Manfrotto Carbon Fibre Tripod
Lowepro Backpack
Nikkor 55-300
Sigma 10-20
Cokin ND Grad Filter set
Nikon Remote release
PS Elements 10 or 11?

He loves the camera and is getting some great photos from it

BE WARNED!!! ;¬))))

[C2james]

Thanks guys, I'll probably just be taking photos at car events and maybe a few night/space type shots would be nice to do.

[SWAT78]

Choice on lenses is really down to how much you want to spend / carry / faff about / how concerned you are about image quality.

I've got a Nikon D60 with 18-55mm kit lens, relatively cheap 70-300mm sigma telephoto, and Nikon 35mm F1.8. And a big bag to put it in!

In contrast, my fiancee also has a D60 but just with a 18-200mm 'superzoom' so that she never needs to change it. Image quality is still pretty good, and she has the advantage of never being caught out with the wrong lens on the camera when a photo opportunity arises. And it all fits into a relatively small 'pouch' that she can then put into a largeish girly handbag with other important photography kit. Like an iphone, a Kindle and a large selection of pens.

[jimmy156]

C2james said:

Thanks guys, I'll probably just be taking photos at car events and maybe a few night/space type shots would be nice to do.

In that case you'll need a tripod and a bag, but you'll probably be okay with the kit lens until you get more serious and by then you'll know what you want.

I started photography around 3 years ago with my first camera, a Panasonic bridge camera. I now have 2x bags, 1x tripod, 1x monopod, 3x lenses and 1 more on order ( ), 1 x dslr body, 1x external flash and a selection of filters,

Once you're bitten by the photography bug, its a slippery slope.

[james_tigerwoods]

I got rid of the kit lens straight away, it's just not quick enough - look at an 18-70 as it's far better.

I've also added a 35mm 1.8 and it's just awesome, cheaper than the 50mm and better as you can stand closer and it's not come off my camera since before christmas.

Also, get an off-camera flash - I've only used the on camera flash to test it worked.

[C2james]

I'm going to London for my birthday so where would be best to buy the camera from? I'll have a look in a few different places like currys and harrods.

[Simpo Two]

Don't get confused or you'll end up with a Curry's Hamper...


Nikon fans with deep pockets get their shoes polished at Gray's of Westminster. Beano goes there too.




Or you can grope the goods in London and order from Warehouse Express www.warehouseexpress.com/Home/default.aspx

[C2james]

Had a look and grays charge more than currys so I may just go there but will be careful with what I buy.

[K12beano]

Simpo Two said:

Nikon fans with deep pockets get their shoes polished at Gray's of Westminster. Beano goes there too.

I used to go there to stand in the middle of the secondhand department and spin round like the 360 on their website. They sort of stopped me doing that, apparently drooling over the glass cabinet was upsetting their cleaners. There's a possibility I will be there on 22 March for them to give my wallet a good spanking. No shoe-polishing though, they know a street urchin when they see one and I usually have to use their tradesman's entrance.

[K12beano]

(PS - you need a Lowepro Fastpack and a 70-200mm conveniently located on an Ebay near you......)

[C2james]

Amazon are doing quite a good deal so I think I may get my camera from them.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00403MA4M/ref=pe_33041...

[raptor600]

C2james said:

Amazon are doing quite a good deal so I think I may get my camera from them.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00403MA4M/ref=pe_33041_29100581_pe_epc_dt3

Ooooo that is a good deal!

I think I may just have to get that as a little half way between Christmas and Birthday present!

Thanks for the heads up!

[C2james]

raptor600 said:

Ooooo that is a good deal!

I think I may just have to get that as a little half way between Christmas and Birthday present!

Thanks for the heads up!

That's ok, I think £418 is really good for the camera and an SD card with the USB stick thing.

[Gad-Westy]

K12beano said:

(PS - you need a Lowepro Fastpack and a 70-200mm conveniently located on an Ebay near you......)

Why did you have to say that? Now your 70-200 has another watcher.

In hindsight we probably could have sorted out a swap deal.

[K12beano]

Have a Nikon-user's Sweet Shop moment......


http://www.graysofwestminster.co.uk/tour/media/sec...


Should come with a health warning

[C2james]

K12beano said:

Have a Nikon-user's Sweet Shop moment......


http://www.graysofwestminster.co.uk/tour/media/sec...


Should come with a health warning

They do look great but charge nearly £100 more than amazon.