So I'm going out west...

[jdwyer]

...and I have pretty much everything I need. Got my d90, have a good tripod, got a nice zoom lens, wide angle, flash, etc, etc.

Because I'm staying at camp grounds rather than hotels, i'm basically saving a few hundred bucks. So i figure...how can I spend this on my camera to help improve my trip/photos to remember.

I'm considering:

Nikon GP-1 to geotag my photos, or:
Mb-d80


suggestions? I leave in a week so I gotta make a decision quick

 

[Josh66]

Battery grip would be nice to have so you can just use AA's (will you be without electricity the whole time?).

Do you have enough memory cards to last till you get home?

Any filters you want but don't have yet?

Cleaning kit?

 

[jdwyer]

To answer questions in order:

1. No I won't be without electricity all week. I have 3 batteries for my camera

2. I have about 16 gigs of memory and my buddy is bringing a computer so i can periodically upload them.

3. I have some UV filters but don't use any color filters. Recommend any good ones?

4. No cleaning kit. definite possibility.

any others?

 

[Josh66]

3. I have some UV filters but don't use any color filters. Recommend any good ones?

CPL might come in handy. Possibly IR, if you like that.

You should definitely get a cleaning kit if you don't have one. You don't want to be cleaning your lens with a grubby t-shirt that hasn't been washed in a week. A good one will probably run you around $20 (more if you get one that comes with a blower).

I assume you already have a remote?

 

[Big Mike]

CPL for sure.

 

[Dwig]

...
4. No cleaning kit. definite possibility.
...

Ditch the "considering it" bit and get one, period. Include lens cleaning stuff (lens tissue or appropriate cloth and lens cleaning fluid), and a small screwdrive that fits the screws on you camera. Call me paranoid, but these have been crutial on trips for me in the past. In fact, my daily walkaround kit isn't without them.

I currently carry this for my "screwdriver":

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000FNFXQS/ref=ord_cart_shr?%5Fencoding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&v=glance]Amazon.com: Victorinox Swiss Army Rambler Pocket Knife: Sports & Outdoors[/ame]

The Phillips tip fits the screws on my Nikon CP8400 perfectly and the tool has many other uses.

 

[blash]

1) Cleaning kit - Lenspens are very nice.

2) CPL - doing any water or other reflective surfaces? Then you probably need one of these.

3) If you still have money left over... the geotagger can be nice. It's not going to add anything to the photo, it's more of a "we got lost and we want to be able to find this spot again when we come back in a couple years" tool.

 

[farmerj]

I would even recommend getting:

1. a sensor cleaning kit, That's the one I have.
2. Bulb blower
3. water filter, easier to filter water while you're out, than carrying it all with you.
4. Lens pen
5. 1" horsehair paint brush for brushing the dust off the camera
6. Your manual
7. 12 volt vehicle cord for your battery charger

 

[jdwyer]

well thanks for everyones help with this. as most people suggested, I went to the camera shop today and got myself a cleaning kit. got the blower clothes and a little spray bottle too.

I also invested in more batteries, the CPL fliter that most people seem to love, and i bought a remote so i can use the bulb setting on my d90. gonna try some star trails!

thanks for everyones help. i'll come back in 3 weeks and let you know how everything worked out. i'm especially anxious to try the CPL.

thanks again

 

[bigtwinky]

don't just let us know how it worked out, WE WANT TO SEE PEEEECTURES!