Newbie looking for accessory advice

paumurp

Hi,

I'm new to DSLR world having moved from a Panasonic FZ45 to a Nikon 5300 (a wonderful gift). I have the 18-55mm lens that came with it and purchased myself a Tamron SP AF 70-300 F/4-5.6 Di VC USD Lens.

I figure that will be more than enough to keep me happy for a good while while I try develop some skills and learn my way around something other than auto-focus.

I've enjoyed photography within the limits of the camera I had for a number of years without ever being able to afford a DSLR, and am looking forward to making some creative steps forward in what I can achieve.

However, as I was looking for my second lens, there seemed to be so many other accessories I can get, but I have no clear idea about what I need to be looking to buy both in the short term, and then invest in for longer term use.

I was hoping the good people on this might be able to help with some basic tips on filters, tripods, lenses I might consider looking for in future..basically the basic kit an amateur photographer might collect to develop their hobby.

Many thanks in advance

twowheelsonly

Unfortunately there's twice as many answers as there are questions.
A lot will depend on what type of photography you want to get in to (Sports/Portrait/Landscape etc) and the budget that you'll have.

Regardless of that I'd recommend a 'nifty fifty' lens, a tripod and a flash as your next 3 purchases - in any order depending on which you'll use most (But you will use all of them!!) .
Like anything, you can spend 20 quid or 200 quid and generally you'll get what you pay for.
It's hard to judge right now but try to figure what you'll get the most use out of and don't be afraid to buy the higher end stuff for that. If you think you'll use a tripod once every 4 months but a flash 3 times a week then scrimp on the tripod if you have to and splash out on the flash.

I say a nifty fifty lens (50mm f1.8) but either a 35mm or 85mm would also do - bang for buck though the 50 mm is the way to go. It's not just a great lens but also a great learning tool. You'll learn more about DOF, shutter speed etc in two days of using it than in 2 months of using the kit lens, basically because it gives you instant results - great photos and great control over DOF. This can be hard to achieve with a kit lens. Not impossible, but for use round the house, where most people practice, it's just not always possible to create the ideal scenario or space to achieve a decent result.

Filters, I wouldn't go rushing into, but that's just me. I don't do landscape/seascape stuff but if I did then filters and a decent tripod would be top of my list and a flash would probably be way down..

Look around at 2nd hand gear as well. There's a lot of stuff out there and a lot of it is in top class condition. Because some of this gear is expensive it tends to be well looked after. I've also found that second hand prices here are on par with most European and American prices, in particular on the top end stuff. That 50mm lens BTW goes 2nd hand for usually around 100 quid.

The shopping list unfortunately is never ending but as you learn a bit more you'll start to find out what you need rather than what you want. I want a 14-24mm f2.8 but I don't actually need it as I wouldn't use it a lot so it's well down my list of priorities. I still want it though!!!

Whatever you do, enjoy it. Use what you have as much as you can, get used to handling it, take loads of shots at different settings. You can read or watch Youtube videos all day but having the camera in your hand and using it is the fastest way to learn.

almorris

Canon Close up lens for the 70 - 300. Hours of fun for a relatively cheap purchase.
50mm lens on a crop sensor works out as near 85mm on a full frame camera. Ideal for portraits.
If you buy a tripod, get a decent one with a good ball head. I found the cheaper ones are very plastic and limiting to adjustment. Manfrotto are very good and will last a lifetime.
Yongnuo flash's are cheap and well built, but lack the automated features of nikon flash's. Plus quality rechargeable batteries for it.
Second battery, but don't buy a cheap one. It will let you down.
A high capacity external hard drive.

Photography gear is addictive as hell. But it's only a tool. Look at what photographer's from years ago achieved with very little in terms of gear.

And take LOADS of photos. It's ok if 99 out of 100 are crap. Seriously. Not every photo has to be competition quality. but DO shoot a LOT.

paumurp

Thanks for that. Budget won't be big. Need to save before thinking of lenses. So I'm thinking of the smaller items that I'm likely to make regular use of.

Live in Bray, so mostly I'll be practicing around seafront, Bray Head or up in Wicklow Mountains, with a holiday in California coming up in the summer to get to use it on.

Type of photos I've taken in the past I have on flickr. Not sure if I have a type, but I think usually scenery, plants etc. Probably usual amateur fare where people just capture on a day out. As I'm new to Boards too, I can't post a link, but they're visible under username kilgarron

twowheelsonly

Here's your link...

https://www.flickr.com/photos/kilgarron/

Some lovely shots there..


For that type of photography my next step would be a tripod, followed by a set of filters. You can build up the set piece by piece as you go along. Lee filters would be the at the top end (and most expensive ) whilst the likes of Cokin would be the standard decent and popular type that are a bit cheaper.
For the moment you'll get away with nearly all types of lenses so I'd bide my time with those. If you look through Flickr at photos that you like a lot of them will tell you what kind of camera/lens combo was used as well which should point you in the right direction for future purchases.