General help/Advise. Nikon D5100 - Lenses, equipment and other handy stuff.

HarryB2996

New member
Hi guys. what lenses would you recommend. Nikon branded or other (Tamron, Stigma, etc..) Also what other equipment do you recon i would need. the type of photography i will be mainly doing is; Basic sport photography (Mainly Rowing) general photography of people and objects. Would be appreciated if you could let me know where you would by these from aswell. Thankyou for your help. :encouragement::encouragement:
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PS: - I already have a Bag and a 18-55mm lens. :pride:
 

N_Addy

Senior Member
You are going to get so many different answers your head will spin. What kind of budget are you on? That will help to narrow things down a bit.

Sport photography typically requires fast glass (i.e. low 'f' numbers) and fast auto-focus but that is going to cost you some coin. For rowing you can probably get by on a consumer-grade lens. Again, it depends on your budget. Reach would be just as important as speed. Take a look at one of the long zooms like the Nikon 70-300VR. Sigma also makes a few in the 300mm to 400mm range that are well thought of. I'm sure you'll get a dozen different lens suggestions from others (head-spin time).

Here are two good sites for lens reviews and info:
1) Digital Photography Review
2) Thom Hogan

"Other equipment" is a deep question. In my opinion there are three "essentials": 1) a bag (you already have one, but only one?), 2) a sturdy tripod, and 3) cleaning gear. Beyond that there are several hundred other "essentials" that you never knew you wanted until you read about them in the various catalogs and magazines. It's a deep hole. :p

Other bags are something you will discover the need for on your own. I have a bag for different needs (i.e. around-town, travel, hiking, etc). My wife says I have more bags than she has purses. I think she only says that because she wants more purses.

A good sturdy tripod is an absolute essential but be prepared for sticker shock. Good tripods are NOT found at Best Buy or Walmart. My tripod and ball head cost more than my camera body but they were worth every penny ten times over.

Which tripod to buy depends on several factors:

1) What is the total weight of your camera and heaviest lens you plan to support? Will the tripod EASILY support them? You don't want to start off pushing its capacity limits.
2) What is the maximum height you need (i.e. how tall are you at eye-level)? 'Nuff said.
3) How do you plan to use it? For example, will you be carrying it a lot (i.e. hiking or traveling) or is it primarily intended for a fixed location (such as a studio)? For studio work you can use just about anything as long as it's stable. If you plan to carry it around town you may be better off with carbon fiber legs. They are usually lighter and easier to carry. Also, if it is to be stored in a suitcase then you probably want it to collapse down to 22" or less.

IMHO a good tripod is the number one most important accessory you can buy. Getting it right the first time can save you a bundle in the long-run. Wrong choices just sit in the closet. Do some research and ask a lot of questions. Again, budget is a huge factor.

Cleaning supplies is an entire topic in itself. One product I highly recommend is a Giotto Rocket. I have several sizes and always carry one with me. Great tool.

Sorry so long winded. I'll get out of the way and let others chime in.
 
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eurotrash

Senior Member
I recon you'd need something long and fast.
You could always look at the Stigmata lenses, they make good stuff if you pay enough (in my experience anyway, YMMV) The semi-pro lines are a good place to start looking, around $500 or so per lens.
 

N_Addy

Senior Member
On my Nikon, I will only use Nikon products.. Just staying loyal..
I understand brand loyalty but you are limiting your world view to one tiny little island. Nikon is not the only company who makes great lenses.

Still, to each his own.
 

Phillydog1958

Senior Member
I understand brand loyalty but you are limiting your world view to one tiny little island. Nikon is not the only company who makes great lenses.

Still, to each his own.


:)With all due respect, I can appreciate your logic, but brand loyalty is not a bad thing, either. As long as the brand is a good brand. My father was a Chevy loyalist until the day he died. I'm not sure if Chevy makes the best cars, but that's what he always thought. He never had any problems with his Chevy cars. Think about this: You're loyal to Nikon cameras. A Canon camera loyalist could use the same "Tiny island" argument against you. Would he be right?
 
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stmv

Senior Member
its more an investment loyalty than a brand loyalty, I got so much invested in Nikon, that it would be a pain to switch to say Canon, and now the cameras a so neck and neck in image quality that it hardly matters. Luckily, Nikon makes fine gear. Can you suppliment with say Sigma or Tamron, of course, but except for some nitch lens, I am not convinced that you are saving much in the long run, versus having Nikon lens that will last 50 years or more.

Only the most cheapest of Nikon crud has failed me over the years. If you stick to decent level gear from Nikon, you are ensured of years and years and years of great service.
 

silvercreek

Senior Member
I have owned several Canon cameras. Canon makes a great camera and fine equipment but I decided to try Nikon for the first time. I've never used a Canon digital camera.
 
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Phillydog1958

Senior Member
I have owned several Canon cameras. Canon makes a great camera and fine equipment but I decided to tryNikon for the first time. I've never used a Canon digital camera.


Yep. I had a Canon AE-1, film. I also had a SX30is, which I gave to my son. But, as one poster implied, once you go DSLR, it's economical to stick with one brand due to the investment of equipment to support that camera.
 

N_Addy

Senior Member
Hehe! No worries. I'm not knocking it at all. Like I said, I totally understand brand loyalty. I have a few interests where I would never buy anything but "Brand X".

In fact, I felt that way about Nikon lenses at one time. But I'm glad I broke my own rule and tried the Sigma. I love that lens!
 

Eye-level

Banned
I'm actually thinking about giving $160 (good deal) for a mint Canon F-1 with motor drive and a fast fifty that turned up a couple days ago at the local antique store in a booth. I had put the word out to the owner I was looking for cameras. She delivered. I have a Canon rangefinder.

It is the snap folks...not the camera...that means everything...

An aside...and you don't have to spend a million dollars to get a great snap. Of course if you are like me it may take you a million actuations... lol :)
 
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