New Nikon D5100 DSLR Owner - Getting Started Advice Please

richardirv · 19 Apr 2012 at 11:50

Hi all

I have just ordered my first DSLR, The Nikon D5100 with the 18-55mm VR Lens Kit.

I also own a Sony HX9V which is the main reason for going for a DLSR as it can take some surprisingly great images but now want to take it to the next level.

As it stands, I have no bag, no Tri-pod, no UV or Polarising filter. I do have a Transcend class 10 SD card in my tablet which I am hoping will work while I wait for a 64gb Sandisk Extreme card which is on pre-order.

I know I will want a zoom lens, maybe the 55-300 VR at some point but I am on a tight budget to start with so I need to hold off as long as I can for that.

I would just like some pointers on a budget tri-pod, filters & anything else you think I might need.

Main initial photography will be pets, people, landscapes. Bit of everything really.

richardirv · 19 Apr 2012 at 12:54

Thanks for the info, I will look at the lens map.

As for the tri-pods, for the moment £100+ is still a little expensive for me, I know its probably not expensive in the world of photography but at the moment I think I need to start lower maybe £40 for a tri-pod. Need to keeps the costs down as much as possible.

richardirv · 20 Apr 2012 at 18:02

Thanks for the sound advice so far chaps. Camera got delivered today but I'm still at work, will spend the weekend getting used to it.

richardirv · 20 Apr 2012 at 18:15

K.C. Leblanc said:
Unless you're doing video a 64GB Sandisk Extreme is probably way more then what you need. I use 4GB cards, it's not very often have to go to a second card.

For tripods RedSnapper are probably the cheapest grown-up tripods. My dad has a £40 generic tripod from Jessops, a lot of the key components are plastic.

If you're buying a tripod also get an IR remote (I had a brand X one from Ebay, it cost £3 and I can't really see how the £20 official version could be any better).

On of the biggest advantages you can give yourself is to understand how exposure works, watch this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnVzXVsKdXU&feature=relmfu

To be honest I pre-ordered the 64gb for my tablet as it was only £45. thought it was a good deal. I do have other SD cards but I am not sure if they will be fast enough.

I have found the Nikon Remote for around a tenner and was already thinking about getting one. Still looking at tri pods but I will look at some red snapper ones.. Cheers