Nikon d300 SLR camera help!

Question

Ok... I'm going to buy the Nikon D300 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S VR DX Nikkor Zoom Lens

I'm also going to get a case, a tripod and a flash because they're important to have.

Now I need help regarding filters, polarizers and certain lenses.

I definitely want to get a good UV filter and colored filters which I can use when taking pictures of the sky or beach.

I'd like to get a micro, macro, telephoto, and panoramic lens. But would I need these 4 lenses considering that the camera comes with a 18-200mm lens?? Is telephoto the same as panoramic?? Isn't panoramic the kind where the picture is really elongated?

and if it turns out that I can buy these 4 lenses.....what should I type in the search bar if I buy them from amazon.com?

Thank you!!!

Answer 1

No one else has mentioned this so I will.  From the tone of your questions, I get the impression this will be your first SLR camera digital or otherwise.  The D300 is a fantastic camera.  But, like most semi-professional or professional tools there is a catch.  The menu system on these things are complex and would be very daunting to a novice.  No worries,  I am not trying to discourage you from buying the camera.  You will need lots of help to get a grip on it though.  Make sure to swing by http://www.nikonians.org and spend some time in the D300 forum there.  The D300 is my fifth DSLR by Nikon and I could still use tips and pointers on the camera.  I read there often.

Just my 2 cents

Answer 2

Don't just get any tripod ... save your pennies and get a good sturdy one (over $200 will get one you can depend on)

The Nikon SD600 is probably the best moderatly priced dedicated flash for your camera.

Hoya, Tiffen and B&W filters are good.  All lenses need a UV to protect their front elements ... A polarizing filter is only necessary for standard zoom lenses.  Since colour correction is handled onboard your camera, you don't need colour correction filters.

Telephoto is the opposite of what you are calling "panoramic".

The 18-200 mm lens is a medium wide angle to telephoto lens.

Shooting amazing landscapes, you may want to eventually get the 12-24 mm lens.

Macro lenses are a specialty lens so if you want to shoot macro, you will need to buy either the 60 mm or 105 mm VR Nikon lenses.  They are lenses that will shoot subjects with an subject to image ratio of from between 1:1 to 1:2.

Micro photography is done using a microscope.

Answer 3

Filters: UV to protect the lens, polarizer to darken skies/reduce glare, maybe an ND to help with too-bright subjects.

I've got the 18-200mm VR...macro is not too bad (the Leica lens on my Panasonic FZ30 kicked @ss). Panoramic isn't zoom. Zoom brings distant objects closer, a panorama is several shots stitched together to make a wide shot.

Go to http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/recommen...

He's got some good articles on what you want to know.