New user to the D 5100. What are some must haves for my new camera?

KansanShooter

Senior Member
Hi everyone new here and new Nikon D5100 owner. What are some must haves for my new camera? I'm talking filters, polarizers ,and other essential gear. I don't have a lot of money to spend since I put most of it into the purchase of the camera its self. Just wondering what the first things I should get. Im looking for bag to protect it of course, any suggestions would be great. I know a lot of you suggest Lowepro. I have also read that having a UV lens filter is essential. Any tips or suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thanks to all in advance. I'm glad to be a new member of the site.
 

Marilynne

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Thanks. Any suggestions?

My D5100 came with a Nikon bag and two kit lenses (18-55mm and 55-300mm). That's all I've got. The only other thing I purchased was a spare battery. I swap between them. I'm sure you'll get lots of suggestions from the rest of the Nikonites family.
 

piperbarb

Senior Member
Welcome.

An extra battery is always worth getting. It really sucks when the only battery you have decides it is out of juice.
 

KansanShooter

Senior Member
Ok...looking at a bag. Well 2 actually. Lowpro hatchback 16l aw and the slingshot 102 aw. Like both..but the sling shot is smaller with only one strap. But it does have the tripod side mount straps as the hatch back does not. Hatchback is about 23 bucks cheaper. Hmmmmm.
 

Cowboybillybob1

Senior Member
If you plan on carrying all your stuff around than a dedicated bag is not a bad idea. You can use almost any bag as long as your stuff is not flopping around in it.

Forget the UV filter. It does nothing except to maybe ruin some otherwise good shots. Think about it..... the lens is carefully ground glass and you pay for that.Your UV filter is a cheap piece of glass not ground nearly as well as the glass in your lens. Unless of course you want to spend over a hundred bucks or more for a quality filter. It may bring you some piece of mind as far as protection from scratch's and smudges but unless you're an accident waiting to happen than you don't need it. I bought some when I first got my D3100 but have since taken them off. If I know I will be climbing through bushes (which I never do) then I may use one but the lens cap is more than enough protection.

A circular polarizing filter is nice to have. It will help block out glare on sunny days and also help bring out the details in clouds.

Best stuff to get is a decent tripod and a good flash (the pop up that comes with your camera is just a smidge away from useless. I have a Nikon SB-700 which is pricey (about $325.00) but worth every penny. There are others that are way cheaper ($100.00 or less), versatile, and do the job well. When you'reready, browse the flash forum first, and then ask questions.

Lenses---- you can never have enough of them. For around $200 bucks you should get a 35mm or 50mm prime lens. f1.8 and sharp as a tack. You should have at least one these if not both.

That's enough to think about for now. Have fun and post some pics when you're ready.
 
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§am

Senior Member
Forget the UV filter. It does nothing except to maybe ruin some otherwise good shots. Think about it..... the lens is carefully ground glass and you pay for that. Your UV filter is a cheap piece of glass not ground nearly as well as the glass in your lens.
A circular polarizing filter is nice to have. It will help block out glare on sunny days and also help bring out the details in clouds.

The use of filters is a very personal choice, some will swear by them, others detest them.
Bob - with reference to your post regarding cheap not as nicely grounded glass... Isn't a circular polarising filter the same thing - a cheap not so nearly nicely grounded piece of glass?!!!

Yes you will get what you pay for.
I personally see no difference when there is one on and when there isn't, therefore I use one to protect my lenses all the time (I have 2 kids who like to touch the glass, or knock the camera occasionally!
To that end, I pay a little extra and go for a decent respectable brand - Hoya, and more specifically their Pro-1 Digital series.

Get a spare battery if you can or need it - I've managed a few hundred shots in a single day with and without using the onboard flash, and the battery has just about reached 50% mark.

Lenses has been covered already, but I'll put my vote to the 35mm and 50mm f/1.8G lenses too - I have the later and it is an amazing lens (though you may find it a little too close when indoors). Set your 'kit' 18-55mm to 35mm and then 50mm and see the difference, it will help you decide towards one or the other.
Do you need zoom? Consider the 55-200mm or the 55-300mm (depending how far you need to reach). Most people on here will suggest the 55-300mm as it gives you that extra reach, but if you don't really need it, then don't get it. I have the 55-200 and rarely go over the 150mm mark so am quite happy with my choice.

A bag for your gear? Have a look at the LowePro flipside range (I noticed you said the slingshot only has one strap so assume you want two).

Oh and most importantly if you haven't already - a good SD card.
Sandisk Ultra or Extreme are good ones - both class 10 cards, and more importantly for your D5100, both are UHS-1 compatible cards :)
16GB is probably plenty depending on how much you shoot, what settings, and how often you backup those images off the camera/card.

Hope that's enough to keep you buying for the while, anything else, please let us know :)
 

Rexer John

Senior Member
The Slingshot 102 is an awesome bag, there's a second strap that goes around the opposite side of your waist so it feels secure.
Bigger slingshot bags carry more (obviously) and could end up being heavy so if you intend to carry a lot of gear 2 straps might be better for you.

On the slingshot, the ability to unhook the side strap and swing the bag to your front is an excellent feature.
You can have the camera out and ready to shoot in seconds, whist still wearing the bag so you can be on the move with both hands free very quickly. Unlike a double strap bag.

I can get the camera with kit zoom lens fitted and a Sigma 70 to 300 in the main section, there's room for another lens at the other side of the camera. Then there's a good space at the top section of the bag.

Look for review videos of the bags on Youtube.

Lowepro 102aw.JPG
 

ABN Panzer

Senior Member
If I could offer 1 thing, not necessarily related to the camera... An external USB hard drive for back ups. I lost about 3-4 months worth of photos when my Laptop crashed. Stupid part is... I had an external drive that I purchased for back-ups. I just kept putting it off.
 

stmv

Senior Member
I like the advice of not worrying too much about gear, but focus on the photography. My first SLR was a FM (besides one of my Dad's Nikkormats that I borrowed so much,, that now it is mine), and one 43-86 zoom lens. The zoom gives you just a bit of framing options but still a narrow range makes you move around a bit,, which is a good thing. I shot with that lens for 8 years, until eventually added 80-200 zoom.

So, essential gear:
1. tripods
2. remote release
3. 1 small zoom lens (18-55 is perfect)
4. Photoshop (elements to start)
5. time to take photos.

with the 5100 you have already the essential gear, a fantastic sensor, and ability to shoot manual)

after say,, a portfolio of say 500 keepers,, reward yourself with the a zoom,,

maybe a couple of primes after a 1000 keepers (about 1/20th of shots are keepers, so say 20K photos)

etc,, until it becomes a journey...

so enjoy and focus on the photos,, and post some of your keepers here, also, consider some photocritiq sites to get honest opinions.
 
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SkvLTD

Senior Member
Stroll through a couple of my posts- Search Results d5100 « SKVORA LIMITED

I'd personally say, any dual-battery grip to allow your to use aftermarket batteries is a must unless you seldom shoot long enough/away from outlets. The next essential would be the LCD cover unless you don't mind flipping it closed every time you put the cam away.
 

Cowboybillybob1

Senior Member
The use of filters is a very personal choice, some will swear by them, others detest them.
Bob - with reference to your post regarding cheap not as nicely grounded glass... Isn't a circular polarising filter the same thing - a cheap not so nearly nicely grounded piece of glass?!!!

The thing is that the polarizer has a tangible purpose in that it can improve a shot over not using one. It reduces glare and does great stuff to the sky and clouds. The harm it may cause because it is cheap glass is far outweighed by the benefit you get from using it in the proper circumstance.

I do agree the use of some filters are a personal choice I was just stating mine.

Oh by the way my name is Paul and the Cowboybillybob thing is a long story. I am no cowboy (from NYC and now Connecticut) and my name is not Bill or Bob. Too silly actually.
 

KansanShooter

Senior Member
Thanks again everyone. Wow.. there us a lot to learn about this camera! I got the blue crane video..intro to the nikon d5001. So many options to choose from! Mind is blown. This will take much practice and trial and error.
 

SkvLTD

Senior Member
Thanks again everyone. Wow.. there us a lot to learn about this camera! I got the blue crane video..intro to the nikon d5001. So many options to choose from! Mind is blown. This will take much practice and trial and error.

Good thing you didn't shell out for a D7000.... you mind would explode into a black hole consuming all reality. :D

Realistically, try to figure what rough direction you want to head in and gear your, gear, towards that. In my case, its photojournalism, so I need a good base range of reach and above ALL else- enough battery to last me through some of my crazy survivalist adventures. So if I know I can keep going on/off for say day and a half to two without having to worry about power, I'm a happy camper. To top that off, staying on a budget and not buying those awfully expensive official batteries (and ours are skinny, so you really don't get that 40-50$ worth in my opinion).
 
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