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My Expensive Photography Journey with Nikon
By an Amazon.com customer
Nikon D200 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)Nikon D200 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)
Buy new: $799.98 / Used from: $698.00
Nikon's 10.2 MP DSLR. Prior to this I had a Nikon D70s. Though D200 is a semi-pro camera, it is much easier to use then the D70s
SanDisk 2GB ULTRA II CompactFlash Card (SDCFH-2048-901)SanDisk 2GB ULTRA II CompactFlash Card (SDCFH-2048-901)
Buy new: $14.98 / Used from: $9.95
I keep two of these and along with a Hard-disk based storage with a CF II slot, I can take plenty of shots. It is better to have two of 2GB rather than 1 4GB for redundancy sake.
Nikon DK-21M Magnifying Eyepiece for Nikon D200 Digital CameraNikon DK-21M Magnifying Eyepiece for Nikon D200 Digital Camera
Buy new: $21.94
Helpful when you want to carefully compose the photograph. The photgraph posted here is todally wrong. DK-21m Looks more like the DK-21 Eyepiece
Nikon MB-D200 Multi-Power Battery Pack for the D200 Digital CameraNikon MB-D200 Multi-Power Battery Pack for the D200 Digital Camera
Buy new: $149.93 / Used from: $49.00
Must have for D200. Allows you to put two EN-EL3e batteries for your D200 and hence doubles the time for which the camera will run. Uses one battery at a time. Switches to another battery only when one drains out. It uses first the battery with the least remaining time. If both batteries are equally charged it starts with the battery in Slot 1.
Nikon MH-18a Quick Battery Charger for the EN-EL3e Battery compatible with Nikon D80, D200, D300 and D700 Digital SLR CamerasNikon MH-18a Quick Battery Charger for the EN-EL3e Battery compatible with Nikon D80, D200, D300 and D700 Digital SLR Cameras
Buy new: $46.95 / Used from: $29.99
Charges EN-EL3 and EN-EL3E batteries. Comes with camera. You can buy one more so that you can charge two batteries simultaneously
Nikon EH-6 AC AdapterNikon EH-6 AC Adapter
Buy new: $79.24
Power adaptor for Nikon D200. I use this whenever I need to do lot of experiments with camera. This avoids the use of battery. Also this can helpful for astro-photography where you would want to take very long exposure shots.
Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 G ED-IF AF-S VR DX Zoom-Nikkor LensNikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 G ED-IF AF-S VR DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens
Buy new: $629.95 / Used from: $530.00
A versatile Lens. Stays on my body most of the time. The VR allows you to hand hold the camera in situations where you would otherwise have required a tripod.
Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM Lens for Nikon Digital SLR CamerasSigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras
Buy new: $449.00
A real useful wide angle for my D200. I use this whenever I go on vacations for taking family portraits and street shots.
Sigma 150mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM APO HSM IF Macro Lens for Nikon SLR CamerasSigma 150mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM APO HSM IF Macro Lens for Nikon SLR Cameras
Buy new: $605.71
Good Lens for Macro Shots. The 150mm allows you to take shots from a distance. With Sigma 1.4x convertor this becomes 210mm and you still can do AF. With Sigma 2x this becomes 300mm with Manual Focus
Sigma 170-500mm f/5-6.3 DG RF APO Aspherical Ultra Telephoto Zoom Lens for Nikon SLR CamerasSigma 170-500mm f/5-6.3 DG RF APO Aspherical Ultra Telephoto Zoom Lens for Nikon SLR Cameras
Buy used from: $699.00
Low cost lens which enables to to take wildlife photos. If you are not a Pro, you might not feel the need for > $ 2000 lenses.
Nikon 10.5mm f/2.8G ED AF DX Fisheye Nikkor LensNikon 10.5mm f/2.8G ED AF DX Fisheye Nikkor Lens
Buy new: $586.94 / Used from: $479.00
Extreme Wide Angle. The distorton can be corrected with software. Fun to use. I use it often when there is the need to capture as much as possible (e.g. historical places, group photographs with plenty of people).
Nikon 50mm f/1.4D AF Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR CamerasNikon 50mm f/1.4D AF Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras
Buy new: $289.00 / Used from: $285.00
An excellent prime lens for Portrait and other situations
Nikon 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G ED IF AF-S DX Nikkor Zoom LensNikon 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G ED IF AF-S DX Nikkor Zoom Lens
Buy new: $399.00 / Used from: $214.00
Got it as Kit Lens for D70s. I use it as a general purpose lens.
Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG APO Macro Telephoto Zoom Lens for Nikon SLR CamerasSigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG APO Macro Telephoto Zoom Lens for Nikon SLR Cameras
Buy new: $159.00 / Used from: $144.44
Was my first telephoto lens. Very cheap and gives macro too. I have been able to take good photos of butterflies, flowers, etc.
Kenko Teleplus PRO 300 "DG" AF 2x Teleconverter for Nikon AF DKenko Teleplus PRO 300 "DG" AF 2x Teleconverter for Nikon AF D
Buy new: $206.43
An Average Teleconverter. But good for people on a budget. If you are ready to use Manual Focus, you will be satisfied.
NIKON FM10 35mm Camera KitNIKON FM10 35mm Camera Kit
Buy new: $369.00 / Used from: $158.00
A good Camera to learn basics of Photography. Very easy to understand what is aperture, shutter speed, dof, etc. Very good camera to teach your kid the basics.
Nikon DR-6 Right Angle Viewfinder (Rectangular Slip-On)Nikon DR-6 Right Angle Viewfinder (Rectangular Slip-On)
Buy new: $184.95
Like the zigview, it allows you to compose in difficult positions (e.g. waist level, ground level photos).
ZigView-S2 Type B Digital Viewfinder, 300° Rotating & 180° Flipable 2.5" Color Display with Video out Jack for Canon 10D, 20D, 30D, 1D, 1D Mark II, 1D Mark II N, Nikon D2X, D200, Pentax *ist Series & Minolta 5D, 7D, Fuji S3 ProZigView-S2 Type B Digital Viewfinder, 300° Rotating & 180° Flipable 2.5" Color Display with Video out Jack for Canon 10D, 20D, 30D, 1D, 1D Mark II, 1D Mark II N, Nikon D2X, D200, Pentax *ist Series & Minolta 5D, 7D, Fuji S3 Pro
Buy new: $399.95
Good addition if you want to take difficult low angle shots. The plastic is very cheap and the construction of this device doesn't give you confidence. In low light situation, it is difficult to use.
Nikon SB-800 AF Speedlight Flash for Nikon Digital SLR CamerasNikon SB-800 AF Speedlight Flash for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras
Buy new: $358.95 / Used from: $319.00
You will not require any other flash with SB800. I didn't find the original Nikon manual very helpful. I have learnt how to use it better by reading information on the net.
Nikon SC-28 TTL Coiled Remote Cord Camera Flash AccessoryNikon SC-28 TTL Coiled Remote Cord Camera Flash Accessory
Buy new: $46.90
I use to connect my SB-800 to D200 off camera
Vivitar 5000 Macro Ring FlashVivitar 5000 Macro Ring Flash
I still have not used it. Plan to use it with my FM 10 in my next vacation.
Delkin SensorScope System Complete Digital Slr Sensor Cleaning SystemDelkin SensorScope System Complete Digital Slr Sensor Cleaning System
Buy new: $99.99
Have not used it to clean till now. Just ordered it and should be arriving any moment.
Nikon MC-DC1 Remote Cord for Nikon D70S & D80 Digital SLR CamerasNikon MC-DC1 Remote Cord for Nikon D70S & D80 Digital SLR Cameras
Buy new: $24.23 / Used from: $18.75
I used it for my D70s. After moving to D200 I have cut the cable and connected it to a 10 pin plug for use in D200. You will use a remote shutter if you want extra sharp photos. A remote shutter like this will prevent camera shake when you click the shutter button on the remote instead of the camera.
NIKON MC-36 Multi-Function Remote Cord ( 33.5 inches )NIKON MC-36 Multi-Function Remote Cord ( 33.5 inches )
Buy new: $123.42 / Used from: $120.00
A sophisticated Remote cord. I use it with my Nikon D200. You will use a remote shutter if you want extra sharp photos. A remote shutter like this will prevent camera shake when you click the shutter button on the remote instead of the camera.
Nikon ML-3 Compact Modulite Remote Control SetNikon ML-3 Compact Modulite Remote Control Set
Buy new: $165.49
You can remotely trigger the camera upto a distance of 8m. You can further extend the IR range by using a cheap IR extender.I use this with D200. You will use a remote shutter if you want extra sharp photos. A remote shutter like this will prevent camera shake when you click the shutter button on the remote instead of the camera.
Manfrotto 679B Monopod 3-Section Replaces 679 (Black)Manfrotto 679B Monopod 3-Section Replaces 679 (Black)
Buy new: $45.00
Very Convenient when you don't want to carry a heavy Tripod. If you are dead against using a tripod, you might want to consider a monopod. I have been able to get sharp pictures with my D200 & Sigma 170-500mm lens using just this monopod.
Manfrotto 3021BPRO Professional Tripod without Head (Black)Manfrotto 3021BPRO Professional Tripod without Head (Black)
In low light conditions the shutter remains open longer for proper exposure. Any camera movement due to body movement/unsteady hands, you loose sharpness. Fixing a camera to tripod fixes this problem. In good daylight too, it is good to use tripod especially when you use a long telephoto lens. Hand-holding a camera with a long lens is next to impossible.
Manfrotto 804RC2 Basic Pan Tilt Head with Quick Release Plate 200PL-14 - Replaces 3047 (Black)Manfrotto 804RC2 Basic Pan Tilt Head with Quick Release Plate 200PL-14 - Replaces 3047 (Black)
Buy new: $70.00 / Used from: $64.99
As it is amatuers hate carrying tripods.
Macally Compact External Lithium-Ion BatteryMacally Compact External Lithium-Ion Battery
Buy new: $29.45
I use it for powering my External GPS Receiver (GPS tagging of my photos)
Nikon MC-35 GPS Adapter Cord for Nikon Digital SLR CamerasNikon MC-35 GPS Adapter Cord for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras
Buy new: $59.95 / Used from: $69.95
Connects GPS receiver to D200. Just ordered this and Garmin OEM PC version. I am planning to cut the cable at the cigarette lighter and and connect a 9 Pin serial connector. Will update this when I do. I also plan to power the Garmin GPS using Compact External Li-on battery from Macally
Garmin GPS 18 GPS PC/Serial Interface Sensor for OEM ClientsGarmin GPS 18 GPS PC/Serial Interface Sensor for OEM Clients
The cigarette lighter has to be cut and power supplied by external battery. The DB9 connector can be attached to MC-35
National Geographic NG 2475 Earth Explorer Medium Shoulder BagNational Geographic NG 2475 Earth Explorer Medium Shoulder Bag
Buy new: Too low to display / Used from: $79.00
Lowepro CompuTrekker AW Camera Backpack (Black)Lowepro CompuTrekker AW Camera Backpack (Black)
Buy new: $149.95
John Shaw's Landscape PhotographyJohn Shaw's Landscape Photography by John Shaw
Buy new: $16.47 / Used from: $5.10
Understanding Exposure: How to Shoot Great Photographs with a Film or Digital Camera (Updated Edition)Understanding Exposure: How to Shoot Great Photographs with a Film or Digital Camera (Updated Edition) by Bryan Peterson
Buy new: $17.13 / Used from: $12.45
Learning to See Creatively: Design, Color & Composition in Photography (Updated Edition)Learning to See Creatively: Design, Color & Composition in Photography (Updated Edition) by Bryan Peterson
Buy new: $16.47 / Used from: $10.72
John Shaw's Closeups in Nature (Practical Photography Books)John Shaw's Closeups in Nature (Practical Photography Books) by John Shaw
Buy new: $16.47 / Used from: $6.14
The A-Z of Creative Photography: Over 70 Techniques Explained in FullThe A-Z of Creative Photography: Over 70 Techniques Explained in Full by Lee Frost
Buy new: $16.47 / Used from: $4.45
The Digital Photography BookThe Digital Photography Book by Scott Kelby
Buy new: $11.99 / Used from: $13.86
Just reading this book. This is a book for beginner. Very simple to read and easy to understand. Found one tip which I didn't find in lot of other books (i.e. turning of VR on nikon VR lenses for sharper photos). I have not finished reading. This books is especially good if you either have Nikon or Canon Gear.
The Photoshop CS2 Book for Digital Photographers (Voices That Matter)The Photoshop CS2 Book for Digital Photographers (Voices That Matter) by Scott Kelby
Buy new: $31.49 / Used from: $14.98