Beginner DSLR Equipment Checklist

pk63015

Senior Member
I will be getting my D3200 in a couple of days and I know I have the essentials covered, but what about the Extras ? What in your minds should I not go without?

I picked up a 16GB Sandisk Ultra SD card. I will only use the kit lens for the time being, but I was thinking of getting the Think Tank Urban Disguise 20 (which will give me future room down the line) I also have a Black Rapid Sport Strap that I won in a Chinese Auction.

Here is a list of items I came up with, please tell me if you think I should buy some of these things sooner than later:


  1. Spare Battery
  2. Memory Card Holder
  3. Vello BG-N12 Battery Grip
  4. Benro Classic A0580F 4 Section Aluminum Tripod
  5. Benro BH0 Ball Head with Quick Release
  6. Tiffen 52mm Photo Essentials Filter Kit (3 filters UV,Polorizing,something else)
  7. Nikon SB-500 Flash
  8. Nikon 55-200 F/4 5.6g ED AF-S DX Autofocus Lens

I know this list is Manufacture specific, but if you have had bad luck or have heard negative things about any of these items please let me know.
 

Deleted

Senior Member
You don't need a UV filter, get a protecting filter by all means, but a DSLR has it's own UV protection.

Consider what software you will be using for PP (Post processing). Adobe has Lightroom on a monthly payment option.

You don't want to spend good money on high quality lenses just to put a cheap filter on the front? Look at Hoya HD, Nikon or B+W. I bought Hoya HD protector filters.

I'd just go with the single battery for the moment. See how you go with that.

About the lenses, what types of shots do you think you would like to take?

I can't really comment on Benro tripods, but get the best you can. Consider Manfrotto or Giottos.

I'd go with Nikon for grips, but that's just me. :)

Memory card holder? :confused:
 
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carguy

Senior Member
1. Spare battery
2. spare SD card(s)
3. tripod (buy as much as you can afford. Get one tall enough and light enough if you plan to carry it frequently)
4. TTL flash. Buy Yongnuo or Nikon SB0-600, 700 or 800. Whichever the budget allows
5. strap(s). Many (myself included) really like the cross body sling straps. A common style is the BlackRapid RS-Sport model. Others are out there. Handstrap is nice to have also.
6. Grip isn't a must, but can be nice.
7. Depending which kit lens you have now, consider a used 70-300 over the 55-200 if the budget allows.
8. Camera bag. Buy what you can afford, plan for room for future gear.
 

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
Here is a list of items I came up with, please tell me if you think I should buy some of these things sooner than later:


  1. Spare Battery
  2. Memory Card Holder
  3. Vello BG-N12 Battery Grip
  4. Benro Classic A0580F 4 Section Aluminum Tripod
  5. Benro BH0 Ball Head with Quick Release
  6. Tiffen 52mm Photo Essentials Filter Kit (3 filters UV,Polorizing,something else)
  7. Nikon SB-500 Flash
  8. Nikon 55-200 F/4 5.6g ED AF-S DX Autofocus Lens
Here are my thought's on your list...

Spare Battery: Good idea. Save some money and get a Wasabi replacement battery instead of the far more expensive Nikon version.
Memory Card Holder: Meh... No big either way.
Battery Grip: I've seen the Vello and I wasn't all that impressed. Just my personal opinion.
Benro Classic Tripod: Not a bad choice but there are better. My advice on tripods is buy the very best you can possibly afford and do it right the first time. Seriously, of all the photography related advice I've gotten over the years and, sadly, ignored; this was the best. Consider instead the Manfrotto 055 CXP Pro 3 if the budget allows for it. If it doesn't make adjustments until it does.
Benro Ball Head: The BH0 would not be my first suggestion but it seem like a decent ball head.
Tiffen Filters: Skip these for now and put your money elsewhere.
Nikon SB500: Pass on the SB-500 and get the Yongnuo 565EXN instead; a lot more power at a fraction of the cost.
Nikon 55-200mm: Again, it wouldn't be my first choice but it's a good little zoom and it's cheap. I'm pretty ambivalent about the 55-200mm personally.

....
 
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Pretzel

Senior Member
Of course, all just my opinion, offered up from someone that started with the D3100 before moving on the the D7100. IMO, I'd add the adobe PS/LR creative cloud ($10/month) to this. You have to sign up for a year, but if you're really into the photography thing, it's invaluable!!

I


  1. Spare Battery - can't hurt, although I've never exhausted a battery. I've shot at weddings, long outdoor treks, multi-hour jaunts around town, and have never depleted a battery, even with my D3100. Just charge it before you leave the house. I think it's rated for... 540 shots per charge? Closest I ever got was around 450, and I was still showing half battery life. Again, though, can't hurt. Better to be prepared, right?
  2. Memory Card Holder - haven't used one yet. My bag has spare spots for a few already. I regularly rotate 4 cards.
  3. Vello BG-N12 Battery Grip - haven't used one yet, and haven't had any problems. If you have larger hands, it's a bonus, and I'll say the heftier D7100 feels MUCH better in my hands than did my D3100, but the D3100 never really slowed me down. As of yet, I'm still ungripped. Having read reviews though, I'd stick with Nikon if you plan on putting your camera on a tripod regularly. There are just enough reviews of less-than-sturdy 3rd party grips to make me nervous, but that's just me. Although I often wanted one for the D3100, due to my own "larger" hands, I could never justify the cost as compared to my budget. With my D7100, it's not even a consideration.
  4. Benro Classic A0580F 4 Section Aluminum Tripod - a tripod is a GOOD thing, especially for low light shots. Which one you choose is your preference.
  5. Benro BH0 Ball Head with Quick Release - see above comments about tripods. The Mefoto travel kit (tripod and ballhead) seems to be popular for a low/mid price tripod as well. That's going to be one of my next purchases, as I fell for the $40 tripod deal... not to say it doesn't help me do what I want to, but I'm VERY careful and untrusting with it most of the time.
  6. Tiffen 52mm Photo Essentials Filter Kit (3 filters UV,Polorizing,something else) - I've only used one filter, UV, on my 70-300 thus far. A couple of times, I have wished for a good 10 stop ND filter for timed exposure shots during the day.
  7. Nikon SB-500 Flash - a good speedlight is VERY useful. I use the SB-700, so can't comment on the 500.
  8. Nikon 55-200 F/4 5.6g ED AF-S DX Autofocus Lens - unless you plan on staying with DX exclusively, I'd buy future lenses in an FX format. Having said that, I'd recommend the 70-300 VR over the 55-200 you have listed. Extra reach, better operation, can follow you to FX in the future. At the very least, if you're sticking with DX, get the 55-300. You won't regret having the extra reach, ever.

Oh... and get a bag! Plan ahead, for a few extra lenses, room for the flash and a diffuser, and... yeah, a bag. Lowepro makes some nice ones. :)
 
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aroy

Senior Member
I will be getting my D3200 in a couple of days and I know I have the essentials covered, but what about the Extras ? What in your minds should I not go without?

I picked up a 16GB Sandisk Ultra SD card. I will only use the kit lens for the time being, but I was thinking of getting the Think Tank Urban Disguise 20 (which will give me future room down the line) I also have a Black Rapid Sport Strap that I won in a Chinese Auction.

Here is a list of items I came up with, please tell me if you think I should buy some of these things sooner than later:


  1. Spare Battery
  2. Memory Card Holder
  3. Vello BG-N12 Battery Grip
  4. Benro Classic A0580F 4 Section Aluminum Tripod
  5. Benro BH0 Ball Head with Quick Release
  6. Tiffen 52mm Photo Essentials Filter Kit (3 filters UV,Polorizing,something else)
  7. Nikon SB-500 Flash
  8. Nikon 55-200 F/4 5.6g ED AF-S DX Autofocus Lens

I know this list is Manufacture specific, but if you have had bad luck or have heard negative things about any of these items please let me know.

1. Spare battery is not really necessary, unless you will be shooting more than 500 shots in day, or are going to remote places where a charging may not be feasible.
2. Memory card holder is not necessary, unless you have more than one, even if buy a spare the packaging comes with a neat case.
3&4. Desist from buying inexpensive tripods or heads, they are a waste of money. Buy a good rugged tripod and head, budget at least $500 and more like $1,000 for both. Many of us had got trapped by low price and regretted it later. Read up on tripods and heads on the net for details of what a good tripod is.
5. I prefer Hoya filters, they are much better and not all that much more.
7. Use your in-built flash initially. Once you get to know the camera and the flash, you will have an idea of what type of flash you need and how much range your photography style requires.
8. Again, use your kit lense for a month or so. In the mean time read up on zooms and primes. In case you need more reach or good IQ or low light capabilities, this zoom will not do.
9. Get an SD card which is rated at 45mbps or more.

In case you have yet not ordered the D3200, I would suggest that you evaluate the D3300 and compare it against the D3200. The D3300 is a more modern body with new processor and the sensor has no AA filter. What that translates to is sharper images, faster burst rates and faster movies, all at the add on a hundred dollars or so. The newer kit lense coming with D3300 is also a much improved one compared to what was being offered previously.
 

WayneF

Senior Member
Here are my thought's on your list...

Spare Battery: Good idea. Save some money and get a Wasabi replacement battery instead of the far more expensive Nikon version.
Memory Card Holder: Meh... No big either way.
Battery Grip: I've seen the Vello and I wasn't all that impressed. Just my personal opinion.
Benro Classic Tripod: Not a bad choice but there are better. My advice on tripods is buy the very best you can possibly afford and do it right the first time. Seriously, of all the photography related advice I've gotten over the years and, sadly, ignored; this was the best. Consider instead the Manfrotto 055 CXP Pro 3 if the budget allows for it. If it doesn't make adjustments until it does.
Benro Ball Head: The BH0 would not be my first suggestion but it seem like a decent ball head.
Tiffen Filters: Skip these for now and put your money elsewhere.
Nikon SB500: Pass on the SB-500 and get the Yongnuo 565EXN instead; a lot more power at a fraction of the cost.
Nikon 55-200mm: Again, it wouldn't be my first choice but it's a good little zoom and it's cheap. I'm pretty ambivalent about the 55-200mm personally.

....



I don't disagree with anything (you likely do not need the first three items, not at this early stage - you should sense some need first.). But I would add emphasis about the SB-500.

If you won't ever do more than point and shoot direct flash (as if it were a compact camera), which is true of many novice users, then OK, it should do that well.

And it offers bounce, but it won't do anything more sophisticated.

For example, if considering off camera use, like in an umbrella (which usually makes a day and night improvement in a fixed setting).

SB-500 does not even have a menu (no LCD panel) and has to use the cameras menu. That means it must be connected to the camera to even work as a flash, to work at all. This connection could be a SC-28 hot shoe extension cable, but which is short, and limited to one flash unit.

It can do TTL and manual flash, if on the hot shoe.
It can work as a remote with the Nikon Commander, but the D3200 has no commander.

Consider the Yongnuo Review of the Yongnuo YN565EX Speedlight

More power, and more features (works great off-camera in a few standard ways), does about anything the SB-500 does, and does much more, and only costs $98 (Amazon). Not perfect, but cheap, and it performs very well. No Chinese warranty in US, but the price makes it expendable. Amazon return protects against any early problem (get one shipped by Amazon).

The only things I see the SB-500 can do additional, is it can be a commander, but only if from the hot shoe of a D750 or D810 camera, which are the only models that know how to do it.
And it can do HSS flash mode, except the D3200 cannot.
 
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Bob Blaylock

Senior Member
I will be getting my D3200 in a couple of days and I know I have the essentials covered, but what about the Extras ? What in your minds should I not go without?

You will need to think about tools and materials for cleaning the sensor. With film cameras, the film is your sensor, and you get a new, clean sensor with every shot. Not so with digital. Dust will accumulate on your sensor, and you'll need to clean it off.

Different people will probably have different ideas of what products you should have in this category, but here's my list…

First, the large-sized Giottos Rocket blower. Accept no substitutes. This blower has a special valve to pull air in the back, so you aren't just sucking dust into it and blowing it back out on the same surface you were trying to clean.

Giottos.jpg


Second, for slightly more stubborn dust, you need this brush. Using your Giottos blower to blow air through it cleans off any previous dust, and creates a static electricity charge that causes it to attract and hold dust from your sensor.

41sMGTSiZzL.jpg


And once in a great while, you're going to have crud on the sensor that neither of the previous methods will get. For that, you need a wet-cleaning kit.

41V0h06qmOL.jpg
 

weebee

Senior Member
If you have large hands then I would recommend a grip. I couldn't imagine not having one on my 3200. The Vello grip works well. I have a Vello grip on my 7100 is very well made and I like it. The one on my 3200, meh. It's ok. But you might want to keep looking.
 

Deleted

Senior Member
Just a little point about the sensor cleaning. If the OP is going to have only one lens to start with, then there is unlikely to be a sensor cleaning requirement. Dust gets into the camera body when you change lenses.

Keeping the lens clean is useful though. I agree with the Giottos rocket blower, also the Lens Pens are excellent,
 

SteveH

Senior Member
There is lots of sound advice above - The main thing I would add is that if you swap the SB-500 for a Yongnuo 565, then I would suggest spending the saving on getting the 70-300mm lens rather than the 55-200 - Or at least upgrade the 55-200mm to the 55-300mm which I believe these days is maybe $50 more, and you will always miss that extra 100mm if you go with the 200mm.

The battery grip isn't essential unless you have big hands, even then I have big hands and lived with my D3100 for two years with no discomfort.
 

pk63015

Senior Member
Thank You to everyone who has replied so far for you insight and input. The List I initially posted was just a preliminary run down of things I had seen over the last 2 weeks on You Tube and such.
I made a wish list on B&H with those items but it is always flowing.
I nixed the Tiffen Filters and the Benro Tripod, I replaced the zoom to the one that was suggested ( but that will be farther down the line now) and I will have to rethink if I need the grip or not.
I will definitely look at the YN-565 EX Flash, My only question is beside Amazon where else can you purchase them? I looked at E-Bay and I see them but I am not quite convinced of the legitimacy of some of those. ( I try and avoid Amazon )
Thanks Again for your Help
 

SteveH

Senior Member
Thank You to everyone who has replied so far for you insight and input. The List I initially posted was just a preliminary run down of things I had seen over the last 2 weeks on You Tube and such.
I made a wish list on B&H with those items but it is always flowing.
I nixed the Tiffen Filters and the Benro Tripod, I replaced the zoom to the one that was suggested ( but that will be farther down the line now) and I will have to rethink if I need the grip or not.
I will definitely look at the YN-565 EX Flash, My only question is beside Amazon where else can you purchase them? I looked at E-Bay and I see them but I am not quite convinced of the legitimacy of some of those. ( I try and avoid Amazon )
Thanks Again for your Help

I think in the US, B & H are one of the most popular places to order from - Others will be able to confirm, but they seem to do good deals and service.
 

Pretzel

Senior Member
Just a little point about the sensor cleaning. If the OP is going to have only one lens to start with, then there is unlikely to be a sensor cleaning requirement. Dust gets into the camera body when you change lenses.

Keeping the lens clean is useful though. I agree with the Giottos rocket blower, also the Lens Pens are excellent,

Actually, with just about any zoom, lens aspiration will breathe in a bit of dust as well. It's just a natural thing, unfortunately. Granted, it won't need to be cleaned quite as often, but... :) And I second the mention of the LensPens and Rocket Blower!

I think in the US, B & H are one of the most popular places to order from - Others will be able to confirm, but they seem to do good deals and service.

Adorama and Cameta both are good sources too, to go along with B&H. I have all three on a favorites list! :)

One thing you might consider with your lenses, too... Look for factory refurbs on the aforementioned sites! It can, at times, save you quite a chunk o' change, and I know that Cameta (at least, probably the others too) still includes a 1 year warranty. I got my 70-300 VR for $210.00 less than new retail at the time... just sayin'.
 

Pretzel

Senior Member
Also, forgot to mention... BEST BUY.

Don't groan just yet...

You see, Best Buy will match the lowest online price for new items without much of a hassle at all. I often just pull up Amazon on my phone, show it to one of the folks on the floor, then get the same price. For the cost of tax (which we're supposed to pay anyway) you get INSTANT delivery! ;) ;)

That's one of my favorite places to buy, in fact. Then, if I have an "out-of-box" issue with something (which I haven't yet), I have a nearby place to get an instant exchange without having to wait on to/from shipping. They don't have a lot of the specialty items I want, but as far as DX camera bodies, and a lot of the popular Nikon lenses/flashes/accessories, they're pretty well stocked. I got my D3100 there, as well as my 50mm 1.8G and D7100, and I get all of my SD cards there as well.
 

pk63015

Senior Member
Also, forgot to mention... BEST BUY.

Don't groan just yet...

You see, Best Buy will match the lowest online price for new items without much of a hassle at all. I often just pull up Amazon on my phone, show it to one of the folks on the floor, then get the same price. For the cost of tax (which we're supposed to pay anyway) you get INSTANT delivery! ;) ;)

That's one of my favorite places to buy, in fact. Then, if I have an "out-of-box" issue with something (which I haven't yet), I have a nearby place to get an instant exchange without having to wait on to/from shipping. They don't have a lot of the specialty items I want, but as far as DX camera bodies, and a lot of the popular Nikon lenses/flashes/accessories, they're pretty well stocked. I got my D3100 there, as well as my 50mm 1.8G and D7100, and I get all of my SD cards there as well.

In fact I never forget them because they are only 2-3 miles up the road from where I live. In fact I was on their website today and I found they had a LowePro Event Messenger 100 bag in Gray for $29, which is $10 cheaper than I found anywhere else. Shipping was FREE ( so I do not mind the 5-7 day wait)
 

WayneF

Senior Member
I will definitely look at the YN-565 EX Flash, My only question is beside Amazon where else can you purchase them? I looked at E-Bay and I see them but I am not quite convinced of the legitimacy of some of those. ( I try and avoid Amazon )

Youngnuo is Chinese. You can buy Yongunu direct from Hong Kong - on Ebay and also on Amazon from vendors (some are in China, some import from China). In many cases however, Amazon does the shipping themselves, and they are a reputable dealer, and will honor returns if any problem. The no-names on Ebay... good luck.
IMO, Amazon are the good guys. :)

Again, realize Yongnuo has no US presence, and there is no warranty here. For only $98, it doesn't really matter, the flashes deliver performance.
But, if a concern, Amazon has some sort of deal where certain pages do give a US warranty on many Yongnuo items, for around $20 extra price. I suspect that is Amazon, or could be the vendors, enforced by Amazon. Dunno who.

Here is "with US warranty" (but not the best price)
Amazon.com: Camera & Photo: Electronics: Accessories, Bags & Cases, Lighting & Studio, Video Surveillance & More
 
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pk63015

Senior Member
Youngnuo is Chinese. You can buy Yongunu direct from Hong Kong - on Ebay and also on Amazon from vendors (some are in China, some import from China). In many cases however, Amazon does the shipping themselves, and they are a reputable dealer, and will honor returns if any problem. The no-names on Ebay... good luck.
IMO, Amazon are the good guys. :)

Again, realize Yongnuo has no US presence, and there is no warranty here. For only $98, it doesn't really matter, the flashes deliver performance.
But, if a concern, Amazon has some sort of deal where certain pages do give a US warranty on many Yongnuo items, for around $20 extra price. I suspect that is Amazon, or could be the vendors, enforced by Amazon. Dunno who.

Here is "with US warranty" (but not the best price)
Amazon.com: Camera & Photo: Electronics: Accessories, Bags & Cases, Lighting & Studio, Video Surveillance & More

I guess Amazon will be my best and only option, I just do not like Jeff Bezos (CEO of Amazon ).

On a brighter note this is a Memory card I picked up today16GBcard.png
$12 at Best Buy, also at PNY's website
 

hrstrat57

Senior Member
Have both 55-200 and 70-300.

Both are good.....the 70-300 VR is killer.

Local walmart had the D5200 kit cheap - cheaper then either of the D3xxx kits. Weird, some kind of clearance perhaps ?
 
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