Does This Shopping List Seem Like a Complete/Appropriate List...

[mtread]

I've long been interested in taking up photography, but haven't gotten beyond the point and shoot cameras. I'm ready to buy soon. I'd like a DSLR and accessories to use for taking swim meet and baseball pictures (kids), landscape and travel, basic family memories, some wildlife, and on which to learn and develop my interest and skills. I tend to be someone who likes his toys, but have competitive interests and other people in the family to think about. So, I'd like something that I can be happy with for several years as my skills grow (hopefully). I plan to take classes community college and what the store offers.

I've read some threads here, other fora, and the verge article on buying a camera. I've visited a couple of camera shops as well. Here's what I've come up with:

Nikon D600 Kit (includes 1 lens - 24 - 85 MM as I understand it)
70 - 200 MM lens
SB 700 Flash
600X Memory Cards (4)
Grip & Additional Batteries
Monopod
Case/Bag

Does this seem like a decent list given my goals/interests? Am I missing anything? Do you recommend insurance and extended warranties?

Thanks in advance for any advice you can share1

 

[Overread19 7]

Which 70-200mm are you looking at - there are a few on the market,

 

[joshua_]

I ended up needing a new computer and a program. Not sure if that would apply to you or not.

Only other thing I can think of is filters - like a ND, GND, polarizing.

I use my tripod quite a bit so far and I really like the little remote shutter release. I actually use my tripod more than my monopod, but that's probably just relative to what I choose to take photos of.

I would imagine you would do fine with your list. These are just a few of the other things I didn't originally buy but wanted pretty quick.

Maybe some good books.

 

[mtread]

Which 70-200mm are you looking at - there are a few on the market,

Sigma F28

Thanks for your input!

 

[mtread]

I ended up needing a new computer and a program. Not sure if that would apply to you or not.

Only other thing I can think of is filters - like a ND, GND, polarizing.

I use my tripod quite a bit so far and I really like the little remote shutter release. I actually use my tripod more than my monopod, but that's probably just relative to what I choose to take photos of.

I would imagine you would do fine with your list. These are just a few of the other things I didn't originally buy but wanted pretty quick.

Maybe some good books.

Embarassingly, I'm not even sure what the filters do (filter, I assume - but why needed, etc.) - I'll research that.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[412 Burgh]

Look into the 80-200 2.8 by nikkor. I'm not a nikon fanboy, but I don't think I would ever buy a 3rd party lens.

 

[joshua_]

I ended up needing a new computer and a program. Not sure if that would apply to you or not.

Only other thing I can think of is filters - like a ND, GND, polarizing.

I use my tripod quite a bit so far and I really like the little remote shutter release. I actually use my tripod more than my monopod, but that's probably just relative to what I choose to take photos of.

I would imagine you would do fine with your list. These are just a few of the other things I didn't originally buy but wanted pretty quick.

Maybe some good books.

Embarassingly, I'm not even sure what the filters do (filter, I assume - but why needed, etc.) - I'll research that.

Thanks for the advice.

Well..... I'm a new guy too so take all of that for what it's worth :mrgreen:.

I am glad to have the filters so far though. I haven't made as much use of the ND as the other two so far.

I could explain them, but you'll be able to search what they are pretty easy and maybe some of these folks who have been at it for a while can jump in and say how often they use their filters.


I've gotten a good amount of help here and by reading some good books, so I think you're in a good place asking good questions. Lots of good and helpful people here. I'm trying to give back where I can, but being new I like folks to know who they're hearing from.

 

[SCraig]

Personally I would also replace the Nikon neck strap with something a bit more comfortable. The heavier it gets the more uncomfortable it gets. I personally prefer the Black Rapid R7 shoulder strap, and when I use a neck strap it's a padded one by Tamrac I think.

 

[TCampbell]

Personally I would also replace the Nikon neck strap with something a bit more comfortable. The heavier it gets the more uncomfortable it gets. I personally prefer the Black Rapid R7 shoulder strap, and when I use a neck strap it's a padded one by Tamrac I think.

Carry Speed also makes great straps. I own the same Black Rapid strap that Scott has, but a buddy of mine picked up the Carry Speed and I confess it is a pretty nice strap. I daresay just a little better than the Black Rapid.

As for the original question: Is it complete?

Oh... GAWD NO! It's _never_ complete. Photography gear is a black hole that will just keep sucking you in for one more thing.

BUT... that's a fairly good starting point. You left out a tripod (I see you included a monopod). I would add a tripod to your list. I have two tripods... one is fairly beefy. It's absolutely rock-solid, but it's also heavy so you wouldn't necessarily want to haul it along on a nature hike when taking nature & landscape shots. The other is extremely light but it's not as solid. It's no problem to bring along for long walks and hikes but I do have to protect it from vibration and use a remote release when using it. Speaking of which... you may want a remote release. Everyone should own a circular polarizing filter to cut reflections and enhance contrast and color. Neutral density and gradient neutral density filters are nice but you should learn the basics before you start on those so I might delay buying those.

I always have a gray card and a couple of collapsible reflectors (again... something you can always pick up later but these are very cheap accessories.... the reflectors let you softly bounce some light into dark shadowy areas to help balance the lighting without requiring a flash (of course you can also use them with flash) and having a gray card can save you having gray hair when dealing with white balance issues.

 

[mtread]

Thanks for all of the input! I appreciate it. I'll definitely look into a better strap, tripod, filters, gray card, and some books. On the Sigma versus Nikkor. The camera store guy told me he normally wouldn't recommend 3rd party lenses, but this particular one is very good and would save $1,000. I'm sure he'd sell me the Nikkor, but any specific thoughts on what the downside of the Sigma would be? Thanks!

 

[bratkinson]

Unless you are made of money, you might want to learn to walk before you try to run. Dropping $3000 or more ""up front" seems like an awfully big leap as a first step into digital photography.

May I suggest starting with a couple of steps above "cheapest" into the entry-level cameras Nikon or Canon makes with a kit lens and go from there. There are numerous books and online tutorials available to get you started. That way you'll learn the "ropes" first, with a few "stumbles" and useless underexposed/overexposed/blurry/composition-less photographs, before you jump in with both feet.

 

[Animonster]

Unless you are made of money, you might want to learn to walk before you try to run. Dropping $3000 or more ""up front" seems like an awfully big leap as a first step into digital photography.

This. As fun as it is to drop a couple grand on photography equipment, I think your best bet is to really get started on a less expensive set and work your way into your preferred niche... For example, I started out with just a kit lens and a Canon XS And decided I really liked portraits, so I bought the totally awesome nifty-fifty, and have since upgraded to a 60D body for the funz. But, I think I would have totally regretting just jumping in with a 60D and 70-200mm not knowing that I was super into portraits.

Then again, I would totally kill for a nice 70-200mm so it's your call...

 

[Tony S]

No no no, buy the most expensive gear you can to start out with. That way when you are not happy with it you can post it here for sale at a great price.

One thing I see that I would want in a basic kit is at least an off camera cord for the flash without having to go to the expense of full wireless. It's surprising what getting that flash arms length away from the camera can do.

 

[nathfromslg]

D3? or maybe D4 with a 600mm lens?

 

[ceeboy14]

I started with a D40 but only because I was forced by my school to also teach digital and bought a classroom set. At one time my photo program was fueled by so many Dual Enrolled and AP funds, I made up to $3000 per class (3 per day, 6 per year) and it bought a lot of camera gear. Case in point, when I left, they dropped the film part of the program and allowed me to donate the cameras and enlargers to another school. 22 enlargers and 50 Nikon FM2's with tons of other "stuff."

Unfortunately, I didn't know S from Shinola about digital and maybe even know less now...hard to tell, but to go to that high end without first going with a less expensive setup seems a bit over the top to me. I upgraded from the D40 to the D90 and now my personal camera is the D7000. Unless of course, as someone mentioned, money is no object. The learning curve you are about to embark on is not going to be helped by a better camera, the best glass, or best of anything else. I'd invest in a good library of books and read everything photographic, starting with the teachings of Henri Cartier-Bresson and working up from there. Technical is as important as artistry so also read how the camera works. Learn about aperture, shutter, light, composition and the elements and principals of art before you ever put an eye to the viewfinder.

Go out and buy a Nikon D5100 with a 18-105 kit lens and start your learning here ($600 +/-) plus a decent Oben or Manfrotto ball head tripod. Forget the speedlights, the reflectors, filters, etc until you have a very good grasp of all the mechanics..then you can add to this camera or sell it and move up. Money or not in your pockets..seems like a waste to me. Think of it terms of learning to drive then buying a Formula 1 car to drive to work.