Help me choose some kit!!

charlottemarie · Jan 9, 2011

Hello!

I've just graduated with my degree in marine and natural history photography, therefore I have no more access to all the university kit! So theres a few things I'd like to buy but theres so many options....any advice?

Current camera; Nikon D80, however I'd like to upgrade in the next few years to a pro DSLR, so kit needs to be able to handle and work with heavier camera body...

I'm after;

a tripod- mainly for macro and landscapes, so probably carbon fibre- no idea whats the best head for these (whether to get a ball head or 3 way etc- I used to just use what was available!) Wouldn't mind purchasing a bigger telephoto lens in the future for more wildlife (currently using a 70-300) so needs to be light but stable!

wide angle lens- currently using a 28-70mm second hand lens, but with the aspect ratio its more like 42mm aprox (?) Looking for more wide angle, quite fast but has to be reasonably affordable, maybe like a 10-20/12-24?

macro lens- currently using the macro setting on my 70-300 but its not real macro. Was using the 105mm nikkor lens at uni which was pretty good but I think a bit too expensive....

And I've just purchases the marumi ring flash as a cheaper alternative to the nikon macro flash kit i was using at uni but it seems so automatic, anyone got any good results with it? Any tips?

Price wise- well I've just graduated so still in the student funds situation, but I'm trying to make a career of it so I'd potentially rather save for better quality if my photography would really benefit...

I know, I've been very fussy, but any help would be great!

Thanks!

tirediron · Jan 9, 2011

Camera body: Nikon D300 or D700(preferred). Both are magnesium chassis, and weather-sealed. The D3/3s is nice, but for the extra $2-3000 most people don't get a lot of benefit.

Tripod: Giottos or Manfrotto legs and ballhead. Figure out what the heaviest rig you'd mount is and look for a combination that is rated for about twice that. I prefer ballheads (get one with a panning base and separage friction control knob) as they're a lot more versatile than 3-way heads.

Wide-angle: Either the 14-24 2.8 or the 16-35 f4. I've recently purchased the 16-35 f4 and am very pleased with it. You can read my informal review of it here.

The gold standard is Nikon's 105mm macro. You can buy the older 'D' version used for about $500, or the 60mm for around $400. The new AF-S 105 is a great piece of glass, but I'm not convinced you get a lot for the extra money.

All of this is a big pile of money, something in the order of $4000 - 5000 USD depending on what options and whether you buy new or used. I always buy my bodies new, but prefer to buy used glass and tripods whenever possible.

KmH · Jan 9, 2011

The language you use in your post indicates that like many TPF members you are not in the USA.

Putting your general geographic location in your profile instantly negates several paths to information that likely does not apply outside the US.

Overread · Jan 9, 2011

If you want a pro tripod solution I would suggest forgetting manfrotto and focus on a set of Gitzo carbon fibre tripod legs. Keep in mind you future considerations of using longer telephoto lenses and try to choose a set of legs that will support a heavier lens option for when you get it. Tripods are tricky beasts and even if you buy the pro choice you'll probably end up owning a few over time - going for a pro choice early on however makes for a much more usable and enjoyable result.

Tripod head wise for macro and landscape I would strongly recomend the Manfrotto Junior Geared head (Don't let the junior in the name fool you its a very pro head). This head is fantastic for macro and landscape work (esp macro) because it allows you to make ultra fine adjustments in each of the 3 axis one by one - it is also rock solid and suffers no dip or creep (which can happen with other head types and is especially noticable with macro work).
The only downside to the head is that its mostly useless for action or any form of photography where you need to make fast adjustments to the head position - you can make quick changes in each axis; but effectivly only in one axis at the time.

Wide angle lens wise are you considering using fullframe or crop sensor in the future (your interest areas suggest to me that you'll stick to 1.5crop). If you are considering crop you can consider options such as:
Budget option (but still very good glass): Sigma 10-20mm
Slightly less budget option: Sigma 8-16mm
Nikon also has a range of good wide angle lenses though I'm a canon shooter so I don't know them well enough to recomend.