[jeffweese]

What I need:

Camera (DSLR), Lens(es), Tripod, bag


What I'll shoot:

Pretty much everything. I do websites and I'll use this quite a bit to shoot photographs of buildings, people, products, you name it.

I love landscape photos so I hope to have time to do that as well.


Experience:

Minimal. As a designer, I know what looks good. But beyond that, I have very little actual experience. As I've looked at photos on line, I always try to read how the shots were taken when that info is available and I've done some reading to try and learn the technical aspects. For all practical purposes, though, I'm a beginner.


Preferences

I am not stuck on anything per se. In my initial research, I've been leaning towards Nikon's D90. But I'm open for suggestions.


Other Notes

I, of course, don't need to spend $2,000.00. But I really don't want to spend more than that.

[Art]

I really like that you want a Nikon.

[redbaron]

i'd buy a nice condition used d200 and save the money over a new consumer level body for some better lenses.

[tht00]

+1 for the D200. I got mine a few weeks ago. Very capable camera, in spite of its age.

And in reference to the D90, the D200 is 1 generation older, and one step above. It can also meter with the older Nikkor lenses where the D90 won't.

As for lenses, that's really subjective to what you're shooting. If you specialize in shooting architecture and landscapes, I'd definitely pick up something capable of wide-angle (18mm for DX format, 28mm on film,FX) and perhaps even ultra-wide angle. And on the other hand, if you shoot sports, that $1000 ultra-wide isn't going to be incredibly useful (unless you like to get in the middle of the action ).

I'd kinda suggest getting in with a zoom or two, and perhaps a prime (non-zoom) or two. Depends on how much you want to spend. I've heard excellent things about the 18-200mm f3.5-5.6 VR (I'm pretty sure Rainer has one) which covers everything from wide-angle through telephoto, but it also carries a $700 price tag. I picked up the 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 VR for $150 (used) and it is adequate for my general purpose and landscape needs. Decently sharp too.

I personally really like prime lenses -- having larger apertures gives you better performance in low-light and the ability to get shallower depth of field, but can be inconvenient, depending in what conditions you're shooting.

You may want to invest in a few filters. Some people keep UV filters attached permanently to protect the lens (I haven't for a long time). Circular polarizers and neutral density filters can come in handy. I wouldn't bother with any others; the software (or in-camera) solution is usually better than the rest of the filters (B&W filters, color correction, etc.). Polarizers filter light in a unique way and ND filters allow for slower shutter speeds. Graduated neutral density filters (GND) may prove to be better than their software counterparts, but I've not used them myself.

Also, don't forget about what you're going to use for post-processing. I'm trying to learn Lightroom + Photoshop, as I can use both for free through my university. They are nice. I used Gimp before that which worked alright too. Unfortunately, Gimp (nor Linux) deal incredibly well with RAW files, so I do my processing in a Windows virtual machine.

And you may want a flash as well, perhaps some other lighting equipment if you're doing product shots. That's quite out of my experience, so I'm of little help here.

[Rainer.]

Lightroom is definitely a great program for improving workflow with shoots.

The Nikon 18-200 VR is a great walkaround lens, but is rather pricey, and (like most zooms) often won't top a good prime in the same range. But it's a zoom with a huge range, and works nicely as a single-lens solution. I'd pick up a 50mm 1.8 just to have handy, they're pretty inexpensive. I do like the looks of the Tamron 12-50 that ApparentlyNothing has. The Nikon 18-55 VR might be just a good, inexpensive starter lens, or try using it with the 50mm 1.8, just as you start getting to know your shooting habits and what other lenses you may want.

As for flashes... yes, you may want one eventually, but maybe not for a little while, as you get comfy with your DSLR for the first time.

[spyrotheleo]

Originally Posted by Rainer.

I do like the looks of the Tamron 12-50 that ApparentlyNothing has.

Isnt that the Tamron 17-50 2.8? I have heard so many good things about it and you can easily pick it up used for around $350

[jeffweese]

Thanks for the help everyone. So much to consider. I appreciate all of the advice...it really helps.

[jeffweese]

Alright...I decided to put all of my research and your good advice to action and went ahead and made my purchase.

I found a Factory Refurbished D200 at Adorama cheaper than I could find a used one so I went that route. I also decided on the Nikon 18mm-135mm lens which was also available factory refurbished for $199. I couldn't pass up that price. I figure if I don't like it, I haven't lost that much considering I could probably resell it and recoup most of that. I have a feeling I'll like it just fine.

All in all I bought:

Nikon D200
Nikon 18mm - 135mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S DX Versatile Autofocus Zoom Lens
Lexar 8 GB Professional 233x Compact Flash Memory Card
B + W 67mm UV (Ultra Violet) Haze Multi Coated (2C) Glass Filter #010
Op/Tech Soft Case SLR AF-Zoom for Autofocus SLR Cameras with 28-210 Zoom Lens - Black
Case Logic SLR Camera Case Fits up to 3 Lenses, Color: Black and Gray
Nikon EN-EL3e Rechargeable Li-ion Battery Pack and MB-D200 Multi-power Battery Pack
LCD screen protectors
Lens cleaning kit

Complete with shipping for $1,228.03

Not too shabby. I'm very happy with that number. It gives me plenty of room to expand once I get my feet wet.

Thanks again for all of the help.

[Rainer.]

Just so you know, that lens is probably gonna work best outdoors. It's got a pretty small max aperture, which may make indoor shooting a bit difficult. I might try to look for a fast (2.8 or 1.8) prime to have for indoor shooting; either the 50mm or maybe the 35mm.

[tht00]

Looks like you did alright.

I have the 35mm f1.8 DX which I like. Though it's been on backorder a lot. I picked mine up as soon as I found it at the MSRP of $200. It's a standard lens, with its larger aperture of f1.8, lets in around 4 times as much light as the zoom lens you bought (at its widest);

I'd like to get a 50mm f1.4 sometime too, which is faster yet, but it falls in the portrait range for DX...

By lens speed (faster/slower), we're talking about relative aperture size. Aperture is defined by (focal length / aperture size), so the smaller the number, the larger the aperture, and which lets you shoot faster shutter speeds.

[jeffweese]

Well I got my stuff yesterday. Except the camera was missing the battery and the charger. I called Adorama and they had me call Nikon. Nikon was very helpful and I should have both today.

Since I had purchased an extra battery, I was able to use the camera a little bit on the charge it had remaining. Thus far I'm very pleased. I'm very thankful for all of your help.

Thanks again.