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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Just got a D3000, and have a few hundred $ left
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10/06/2009 11:52:19 AM · #1
I'm very new to photography. I just got a D3000 and its 18-55 kit lens. I also have a tripod, and a light-bulb umbrella. I also have some incidentals like a UV filter and a bag. However, I have a little money left over (a few hundred).

Is there something specific I should/need to buy? Or should I save up for something else?

I'm looking at the new Nikon 35mm f/1.8 lens. (Apparently everyone needs a "standard" lens.) I'm also looking at an SB-400 flash. (The dinky on-camera flash is mostly useless.)

Should I consider a different lens? A different flash? Maybe some "necessary" software? Maybe plane tickets to an exotic location?

Basically... in what order should I build my equipment set?
10/06/2009 11:55:35 AM · #2
Plane tickets to the exotic location. :-)

Seriously, though, play with what you have for now and put the extra money aside until you get more of a feel of what you're looking for. You may find your kit lens isn't long enough and that you'd like more reach (and will probably need to save for that). You may find that studio is where you want to expand and you'll need a couple of flashes. But until you know more of what you want to do, hang onto the money. Play for awhile first!
10/06/2009 12:21:33 PM · #3
Originally posted by dustingooding:

I'm also looking at an SB-400 flash.

Sounds like a good choice. That, and another lens. Together, should cost a few hundred.
10/06/2009 12:40:53 PM · #4
The SB-400 is not much different then the on camera flash apart from you are able to point it upwards to bounce it off the ceiling. Not alot of control over it otherwise. Don't get me wrong it is still better than the onboard flash because of the fact that you can bounce it, But really that is the only thing that makes it better. Another good thing about it, is it is compact and fits nicely in your camera bag without taking up alot of space. The SB-600 and SB-800 are quite a bit larger and the SB-900 is a monster.

If you want to spend your money wisely. Think about getting a nikon 50mm 1.8 and grab some extra batteries and memory cards with the money left over.

10/06/2009 12:48:42 PM · #5
Originally posted by Bugzeye:

The SB-400 is not much different then the on camera flash apart from you are able to point it upwards to bounce it off the ceiling. Not alot of control over it otherwise. Don't get me wrong it is still better than the onboard flash because of the fact that you can bounce it, But really that is the only thing that makes it better. Another good thing about it, is it is compact and fits nicely in your camera bag without taking up alot of space. The SB-600 and SB-800 are quite a bit larger and the SB-900 is a monster.

If you want to spend your money wisely. Think about getting a nikon 50mm 1.8 and grab some extra batteries and memory cards with the money left over.


Before you buy a 50 f1.8, just make sure if the D3000 can auto focus on AF lenses. I don't think so, but I'm not sure. If you're not worried about autofocus, then the 50 f.18 is great bang-for-buck. On a DX camera, like the D3000, the 35 f1.8 af-s is a good option for a standard lens (pretty much like a 50 on a FX camera).
10/06/2009 12:53:42 PM · #6
Ooops, Didn't think about that. Did Nikon Cheap out again and leave out the motor in the D-3000? I didn't even know there was a D-3000 until I seen this thread, Now I have to go read the specs.

Originally posted by prperold:

Originally posted by Bugzeye:

The SB-400 is not much different then the on camera flash apart from you are able to point it upwards to bounce it off the ceiling. Not alot of control over it otherwise. Don't get me wrong it is still better than the onboard flash because of the fact that you can bounce it, But really that is the only thing that makes it better. Another good thing about it, is it is compact and fits nicely in your camera bag without taking up alot of space. The SB-600 and SB-800 are quite a bit larger and the SB-900 is a monster.

If you want to spend your money wisely. Think about getting a nikon 50mm 1.8 and grab some extra batteries and memory cards with the money left over.


Before you buy a 50 f1.8, just make sure if the D3000 can auto focus on AF lenses. I don't think so, but I'm not sure. If you're not worried about autofocus, then the 50 f.18 is great bang-for-buck. On a DX camera, like the D3000, the 35 f1.8 af-s is a good option for a standard lens (pretty much like a 50 on a FX camera).
10/06/2009 12:54:51 PM · #7
@Bugzeye

I was looking at a 50mm, but my D3000 is a DX camera and needs AF-S lenses for auto-focus.

I understand that a 35mm on a DX is very similar to a 50mm on a full frame camera. When you say "think about getting a nikon 50mm", do you mean literally the 50mm, or the 50mm-equivalent for a DX (the 35mm)?

And since I'm on a D3000, if I want auto-focus, I have to use an AF-S lens (and that forces me to the 50mm f/1.4 at over 2x the price of the 35mm f/1.8 AF-S). Is the 50mm f/1.4 worth that much more than the 35mm f/1.8, to a novice?

Extra batteries... yes. I need those, for sure. Thanks for reminding me.
10/06/2009 12:56:50 PM · #8
Originally posted by prperold:

Originally posted by Bugzeye:

The SB-400 is not much different then the on camera flash apart from you are able to point it upwards to bounce it off the ceiling. Not alot of control over it otherwise. Don't get me wrong it is still better than the onboard flash because of the fact that you can bounce it, But really that is the only thing that makes it better. Another good thing about it, is it is compact and fits nicely in your camera bag without taking up alot of space. The SB-600 and SB-800 are quite a bit larger and the SB-900 is a monster.

If you want to spend your money wisely. Think about getting a nikon 50mm 1.8 and grab some extra batteries and memory cards with the money left over.


Before you buy a 50 f1.8, just make sure if the D3000 can auto focus on AF lenses. I don't think so, but I'm not sure. If you're not worried about autofocus, then the 50 f.18 is great bang-for-buck. On a DX camera, like the D3000, the 35 f1.8 af-s is a good option for a standard lens (pretty much like a 50 on a FX camera).


Right, the D3000 is the latest in the D40/60 line. AF-S only, DX.
10/06/2009 12:57:10 PM · #9
I just read that, Sorry for misleading you. Definately look into the 35mm instead.
10/06/2009 01:00:14 PM · #10
The Nikon 50mm 1.4 is an awesome lens. I do not own a 35mm so I have not compared to the two side by side, However there must be someone here who can, More than likely they will chime up in this thread and hopefully you will have an answer to that question soon.

Originally posted by dustingooding:

@Bugzeye

I was looking at a 50mm, but my D3000 is a DX camera and needs AF-S lenses for auto-focus.

I understand that a 35mm on a DX is very similar to a 50mm on a full frame camera. When you say "think about getting a nikon 50mm", do you mean literally the 50mm, or the 50mm-equivalent for a DX (the 35mm)?

And since I'm on a D3000, if I want auto-focus, I have to use an AF-S lens (and that forces me to the 50mm f/1.4 at over 2x the price of the 35mm f/1.8 AF-S). Is the 50mm f/1.4 worth that much more than the 35mm f/1.8, to a novice?

Extra batteries... yes. I need those, for sure. Thanks for reminding me.


Message edited by author 2009-10-06 13:00:30.
10/06/2009 01:24:39 PM · #11
Congratulations on the purchase of your new camera.
As melethia mentioned, you should get a feel for the camera that you bought before making any other purchases.
It's tough to hold onto money when you see so many new lenses and other goodies that you have the money to pay for.

Which ever path you choose to go down, take the time to at least familiarize yourself with your camera.
Do a lot of research and talk to other photographers who own the products that you are thinking about purchasing.
It may save you the expense of buying something that will only add to the weight of your camera bag, but may rarely be used.
10/06/2009 01:32:36 PM · #12
I didn't know there was an AF-S 50mm f/1.4. If it does exist, it's probably a great lens, like the previous 50mm f/1.4. A "normal lens" on an APS-C sensor would be a 35mm, so if a "normal lens" is what you're looking for, get the 35mm. I had a 50mm on a film SLR before (equivalent of a 35mm on your D3000 and my D40), and it was all I needed.

Batteries are a good idea. Extra memory cards? I find I never need more than one physical card, so whatever is cheapest per GB works for me.

Message edited by author 2009-10-06 13:34:53.
10/06/2009 01:33:50 PM · #13
Originally posted by phase3:

Congratulations on the purchase of your new camera.
As melethia mentioned, you should get a feel for the camera that you bought before making any other purchases.
It's tough to hold onto money when you see so many new lenses and other goodies that you have the money to pay for.

Which ever path you choose to go down, take the time to at least familiarize yourself with your camera.
Do a lot of research and talk to other photographers who own the products that you are thinking about purchasing.
It may save you the expense of buying something that will only add to the weight of your camera bag, but may rarely be used.


I'm beginning to getused to my camera by taking pictures everyday, and entering every open contest here at DPC (such a cool site, wow). And I'm researching and talking to other photographers right now!

Thanks for the advice, to you and Melethia!
10/06/2009 01:35:56 PM · #14
Originally posted by dustingooding:

I'm beginning to getused to my camera by taking pictures everyday, and entering every open contest here at DPC (such a cool site, wow).

Seems you're already doing well, with a 5.3636 average according to your profile.
10/06/2009 01:38:37 PM · #15
Do you shoot raw or jpeg? I am guessing jpeg?

Originally posted by george917:



Batteries are a good idea. Extra memory cards? I find I never need more than one physical card, so whatever is cheapest per GB works for me.
10/06/2009 01:41:05 PM · #16
Originally posted by george917:

Originally posted by dustingooding:

I'm beginning to getused to my camera by taking pictures everyday, and entering every open contest here at DPC (such a cool site, wow).

Seems you're already doing well, with a 5.3636 average according to your profile.


That average is a lie. I've only entered 2 contwsts (Straight and LowKey) and neither have finished voting. :) So if a 5.3 is a good score for a first submission... Yay!
10/06/2009 01:50:43 PM · #17
Originally posted by Bugzeye:

Do you shoot raw or jpeg? I am guessing jpeg?

Originally posted by george917:



Batteries are a good idea. Extra memory cards? I find I never need more than one physical card, so whatever is cheapest per GB works for me.

I don't think you understood what I meant. I was saying to get whatever the cheapest per gig is, and get enough to cover the amount of gigs you use. So if you need 16GB but the cheapest per gig is 4GB, you get 4x4GB. If the cheapest is 16GB, no sense in getting "extra memory cards" when your first 16GB one was enough.
10/06/2009 01:53:52 PM · #18
Originally posted by dustingooding:

That average is a lie. I've only entered 2 contwsts (Straight and LowKey) and neither have finished voting. :) So if a 5.3 is a good score for a first submission... Yay!

Well, I'm sure it's not quite "a lie." I didn't know only one of your images was in voting, so I assumed the 5.3636 was your average including both challenges (your user page says "Challenges Entered: 2 [...] Average Vote Received: 5.3636"). Anyway, there are many of us that started out with less than that on our first entry - the first is kind of a hit-or-miss in a lot of cases, because you don't know what appeals to DPCers yet...

Message edited by author 2009-10-06 13:54:14.
10/06/2009 02:04:56 PM · #19
I guess I only half understood what you were saying. I use 8 gig cards I carry at least 3 or 4 with me always. For 2 reasons.

1.I never know how many pictures I might end up taking

and

2.There is always the chance of one of them becoming corrupted in which case I always have a back up on hand.

Originally posted by george917:

Originally posted by Bugzeye:

Do you shoot raw or jpeg? I am guessing jpeg?

Originally posted by george917:



Batteries are a good idea. Extra memory cards? I find I never need more than one physical card, so whatever is cheapest per GB works for me.

I don't think you understood what I meant. I was saying to get whatever the cheapest per gig is, and get enough to cover the amount of gigs you use. So if you need 16GB but the cheapest per gig is 4GB, you get 4x4GB. If the cheapest is 16GB, no sense in getting "extra memory cards" when your first 16GB one was enough.
10/06/2009 02:09:59 PM · #20

Originally posted by dustingooding:
I'm beginning to getused to my camera by taking pictures everyday, and entering every open contest here at DPC (such a cool site, wow). And I'm researching and talking to other photographers right now!

Then you will probably do just fine picking out the proper lenses and other equipment for your camera.
Sounds like you are going about it in the right way.
Enjoy your new camera.
:)

Message edited by author 2009-10-06 14:11:56.
10/06/2009 02:29:47 PM · #21
Originally posted by Bugzeye:

2.There is always the chance of one of them becoming corrupted in which case I always have a back up on hand.

Ah, good point. I still only carry one, though.
10/06/2009 06:45:16 PM · #22
Camera Armor

Maybe put your money aside. When you need it, you'll know what to buy.
10/09/2009 10:33:14 AM · #23
Well, the money was burning a hole, so I had to get rid of it.

I went out and got the 35mm AF-S. Haven't taken any real test shots with it yet (probably do that today at lunch). It's a tiny little thing, though. Super light, rather short and stocky. The M/A focus ring is nice. I'll post a sample soon.
10/09/2009 11:15:53 AM · #24
Originally posted by dustingooding:

Well, the money was burning a hole, so I had to get rid of it.

I went out and got the 35mm AF-S. Haven't taken any real test shots with it yet (probably do that today at lunch). It's a tiny little thing, though. Super light, rather short and stocky. The M/A focus ring is nice. I'll post a sample soon.


Got a test shot. Nothing fancy. Background is my roommate's cube. Focal point is the button. Nice bokeh, right?

Same shot, second is cropped in. Wide open aperture.

//www.flickr.com/photos/dustingooding/3995752492/
//www.flickr.com/photos/dustingooding/3994997045/
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