Newbie to DSLR photography, looking for accessories and tips.

dccradio

New member
I am new to DSLR photography and recently purchased a used D40 with the help of a friend. The camera came with the AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm kit lens. My friend was going to help me find the necessary accessories for the camera but he moved away. My question is this, I am struggling finding what I need because I do not yet understand the terminology used in trying to buy accessories, since I am a newbie. I don't know what will fit and won't fit the lens I have. When buying accessories, I want to buy something knowing it will work with my D40 and that I won't have to return, or be stuck with the item. With that said, I know I need/want some sort of strap for the camera. I do have a disability and walk with a bit of a limp, so something that if I were to fall, the camera would have the best chance of survival. Not sure if a neck strap or a over the shoulder strap would be best? I also need a UV filter for the D40 and a lightweight easy to use carrying case. Any suggestions on the items that will best suit my needs would be appreciated. I would also appreciate any assistance in knowing a good source for purchasing new or used accessories for the camera and any other tips/help would be appreciated. I'm not afraid to purchase used equipment as long as it does as described, is reasonably priced and is compatible with my camera. Thanks in advance.
 

RocketCowboy

Senior Member
Howdy and welcome to Nikonites!!!

For the strap question, you picked one of those topics that tends to have every possible answer as the right answer and it all just "depends". Neck strap vs sling strap is kind of like potato vs potato. It ultimately comes down to what works best for you, and most of us end up with a few straps from our testing to see what ends up working. I can see where a sling strap could help, particularly if you could have the camera stay on your strong/dominate side, but also not sure how that would fair in the event of a fall.

For filters, modern digital cameras really don't need the UV filtering that film cameras did, but there are still two camps that debate whether a clear protective filter is needed or not. I tend to use them, particularly when shooting in environments where things will tend to get dirty, but then I also tend to remove them when doing things like studio portraits. Your kit 18-55mm lens should have a 52mm filter. You can usually verify this by looking on the lens itself ...

2017-08-26 11.51.33.jpg


I don't have your specific lens, but this is the bottom of my AF-S 35mm f/1.8 prime. This lens has a 58mm filter size, as shown on the right hand (top side with how the picture got orientated by the website) of the label. 52mm is a fairly common size. I prefer Hoya HD filters, and the filters will be re-usable as you buy new lenses ... assuming you stay with common sizes like 52mm or 77mm.

Hope this helps, and again, welcome!
 

Marilynne

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Welcome!

I like an over the shoulder strap since my shirts don't have collars. The neck strap makes my neck sweat in the summer.


 

dccradio

New member
Welcome!

I like an over the shoulder strap since my shirts don't have collars. The neck strap makes my neck sweat in the summer.


Thanks, I have used some bridge cameras before the DSLR and have only used the neck strap. I am tempted to try an over the shoulder.
 

lokatz

Senior Member
Hi dccradio, welcome to the forum. I generally agree with what has already been said by others. Lots of options here. Since your camera and lens are fairly lightweight, one option to consider may be a chest harness, something like this. The advantage is that if you fall, it keeps your hands and shoulders free to catch the fall.

As far as bags go, there are too many to recommend any specific one, but as a general category, a sling bag may be a good option (here is but one example). These things can stay on your back for walking but are easy to pull to the front of your body, so you can take out the camera (and maybe hook it up to the chest harness) without having to put the bag down.

Personally, I don't use UV filters any longer since they are nowhere near as sturdy as the glass they are supposed to protect. I had one that broke, but the lens did not suffer at all though the filter was destroyed.

Happy shooting!
 

dccradio

New member
Hi dccradio, welcome to the forum. I generally agree with what has already been said by others. Lots of options here. Since your camera and lens are fairly lightweight, one option to consider may be a chest harness, something like this. The advantage is that if you fall, it keeps your hands and shoulders free to catch the fall.

As far as bags go, there are too many to recommend any specific one, but as a general category, a sling bag may be a good option (here is but one example). These things can stay on your back for walking but are easy to pull to the front of your body, so you can take out the camera (and maybe hook it up to the chest harness) without having to put the bag down.

Personally, I don't use UV filters any longer since they are nowhere near as sturdy as the glass they are supposed to protect. I had one that broke, but the lens did not suffer at all though the filter was destroyed.

Happy shooting!
Thank you, some great suggestions. I am not familiar with the chest harness. I wonder would the chest harness get rather warm if outside for a long period of time?
 

theregsy

Senior Member
I am new to DSLR photography and recently purchased a used D40 with the help of a friend. The camera came with the AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm kit lens. My friend was going to help me find the necessary accessories for the camera but he moved away. My question is this, I am struggling finding what I need because I do not yet understand the terminology used in trying to buy accessories, since I am a newbie. I don't know what will fit and won't fit the lens I have. When buying accessories, I want to buy something knowing it will work with my D40 and that I won't have to return, or be stuck with the item. With that said, I know I need/want some sort of strap for the camera. I do have a disability and walk with a bit of a limp, so something that if I were to fall, the camera would have the best chance of survival. Not sure if a neck strap or a over the shoulder strap would be best? I also need a UV filter for the D40 and a lightweight easy to use carrying case. Any suggestions on the items that will best suit my needs would be appreciated. I would also appreciate any assistance in knowing a good source for purchasing new or used accessories for the camera and any other tips/help would be appreciated. I'm not afraid to purchase used equipment as long as it does as described, is reasonably priced and is compatible with my camera. Thanks in advance.

Hello and welcome.
Any Nikon F Mount lens will fit, basically any late 35mm lens onwards will fit and work with your D40 (my first Nikon DSLR btw, but a little compact for my taste) However the tricky bit is that on lenses with AF-S listed will autofocus with the D40. Part of the reason its so compact is that the focus motor was removed and placed into the lens, so AF will work properly but only in manual focus so AF-S for the full monty.

As for straps I have a double shoulder strap, which places the camera around your hip, its out of the way and easy to grab, although I do sometimes use twin bodies on the system if carrying one I can clip the opposite side into a belt loop that just makes it feel more secure. In all honesty I have a bad back and the neck strap was causing issues the rucksack strap like system takes a log of weight of and my back is far happier.
 
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Danno

Senior Member
Welcome to the forum.

Bags and straps are hard for me to figure out. I prefer sling over the shoulder because I walk with a cane and I can put the camera on the opposite side. I can also protect it with my free hand because I am a bit unstable.

The bag I have ended up with after trying to many has been a ThinkTank. But I encourage you if you have a brick and mortar store to look at bags to see what you think will work.

Welcome to Digital Photography. I started right after I was disabled. It is great fun.
 

jay_dean

Senior Member
I use a Black Rapid strap (other cheaper manufacturers are available), they take all the weight away from your neck, and you'll know about it at the end of the day if you use a neck type strap, but with a over the shoulder type of strap i just feel naked all day!;). As to whether it would be better in a fall, i wouldn't know really
UV filters? well i sit in the 'waste of money' camp on them
Bags? theres millions of them out there from good manufacturers such as Lowepro who make a bag for everyone and their specific needs. Always have a look at the second hand market for everything as it'll save a bit of cash
Welcome along..
 
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