Building a D7200 system, need advice

[ilugo]

Hello all,

I'm going to buy a D7200 towards the end of the month, as my first DSLR, and would appreciate some help building my system.

I'm buying the 18-140 kit, as I've read good things about that lens. Seems to be a nice and versatile zoom, with decent quality. I'll probably want to buy more glass sometime in the future, maybe a fast prime or so. But I don't want to spend all the money at once

I'm a novice enthusiast. Right now I have a Sony HX200V superzoom. I like to take my camera on weekend trips, shoot landscapes, small town streets, castles, fairs, stork nests, portraits, vacation portraits... a mix of street and travel photography. I'll usually go somewhere by car, hang the camera on my neck, and walk around sightseeing and taking pretty photos.

What do you think I should buy now to start using the camera? I'm thinking I'll need some kind of backpack, big enough for the camera+lens, and maybe a future 2nd lens. Maybe a good strap? How's the stock Nikon strap?

I think I'll need some filters. One or two NDs? Would a polarizer be useful? Perhaps an UV to protect the glass from scratches? The 18-140 uses 67mm filters.

I've read in a thread here about a filter system where you can use larger (square?) filters, fitted on an adapter to screw on the lens. Would this be worth it? It would help if I ever want to buy a lens with a different filter diameter. That way I can reuse the same filters.

I would appreciate your advice. I'm probably forgetting something useful, and maybe am considering stuff that I won't really need. I'd like to not spend too much money for now apart from the D7200 kit itself, so it would be nice if you could help me a bit with some priorities. That way I can buy a few accessories for now, and more later.

Thank you,

Israel

 

[Brian From WI]

Congrats! D7200 and 18-140 will keep you good through a lot of what you are saying. Their have been a few times I wish I had an ND filter. I have a cheap polarizer that produces ok results. You need to spend some money for good filters. I don't believe in UV filters so I'm going to say skip that.

Sounds like you could use an ultra wide angle and or inexspensive prime (35 & 50) I would chose lenses over filters at first, but that's just me.

 

[Kerry Pierce]

I'd guess that the d7200, with appropriate care, will last you for years and give you plenty of great photos.

As for advice, I'd advise against buying any filters, especially cheap ones. FWIW, I haven't had a filter on any of my lenses for many years.

I'd also advise buying a small, fast prime, like the 50 f/1.8 and/or one of the 35 f/1.8, to go with your zoom.

Lastly, I'd also advise buying one of the cheap flashes that are now available. I recently purchased a Neewer nw-565, on Amazon for $66, found here. I've read good things about the Yongnuo line of flashes that are also found on Amazon. With a good flash, meaning one that does iTTL with Nikon's CLS, you can really enhance some of your lower light photos with bounce flash. I'd recommend reading Strobist, found here, for ideas/instructions on using flash.

good luck

Kerry

 

[Kaso]

D7200 body + 18-140mm lens, plus

two SD cards (Sandisk Extreme Pro 32GB), and

an extra battery.

That's all you need to go out and create images. That lens will enable you to experiment with different focal lengths for various scenarios before you decide to invest in certain lenses.

You'll find out what you really need through practical experiences.

 

[cbay]

That's a nice combo. Like has been said, a couple cards, extra battery and go enjoy your new toy! You'll get a better idea of what you want after using it for a while. I got a 9 stop nd filter and like the results for smoothing out water. I also keep a uv filter on for protection. Maybe consider a decent tripod if you find situations where it could help you out. Also a ml3 remote is a cool tool!

 

[relie]

The 18-140mm is a great carry around lens. I just started using mine on my D7100 and it's about all I use now. The only lens you might want is a tele. 70-200 or 300. Go have some fun and good luck!

dave

 

[Mario Giannini]

Good luck with your purchase. In regards to what you should buy in addition, other than a memory card and maybe a UV filter and a decent microcloth, I say nothing. Keep it simple and run with what you get. Any backpack will do the job, the camera comes with a strap, battery, etc.

Learn to use the camera, and have fun. You have a lifetime to buy accessories and options that can very often go unused.

 

[robulater]

2 battery's and a remote make sense but not a uv why pay big money for good lens then put a crappy filter on it and do not by a cheap filters get a BW FILTER they have come down in price the 2 i would re amend are a polarize and a 3 stop nd and look at the art lens from Sigma they are very good and go and take some nice shots

 

[Sunshine_boy]

The only thing you'll need to buy (except from the obvious cards/batteries etc) is a good flash gun. Gives an extra dimension to your shooting indoors which you could not do very well otherwise. I'd say you'll be better off with a Nikon flash in the long run, either one of the small ones or preferably the sb-700 for around $280-300. I think it will be a worthwhile next investment. In due course, you'll want to buy the 35mm 1.8 prime which is excellent and very affordable.

Having said that, don't buy anything for the next 2 months. You'll soon be able to determine your needs yourself. But start budgeting for a flash!...

 

[charley425]

After you get the camera and lens; take about 3000 pics. You will find out what you need by the pics you miss. Save your money and by quality filters, tripods etc

 

[RRowlett]

You already have a good camera lens combo. Enjoy it. I'd get a second battery, some extra memory cards, a CPL and ND filters along with a tripod. Any money left? Think about a 70-300 VR or a 35 1.8 prime. Still more money burning a hole in your pocket? Add a 10-24 or 12-24 DX or a micro lens. The "extras" depend on what kind of images you typically make.

 

[Blue Guitarist]

Buying the camera with the kit lens only is what I did 5 years ago when I bought a D90 as my first dSLR. As I learned more, I added the gear that let me do what I wanted when I learned that I needed it. I have no regrets.

 

[BillyBobSenna]

Since you mentioned backpack I would recommend ThinkTank. I have multiple ThinkTank bags and could not be happier.

ThinkTank Backpack

I am a fan of the Black Rapid strap. This is very comfortable when walking around.

BlackRapid Strap

After you by an standard fast prime like a 50mm, a great lens for walking touring and landscapes is the Tokina 11-16mm. I regret every day that I sold it. You can get used for under $400.

Tokina 11-16 mm

Do not get cheap memory cards. Always buy at least 95 mb/s.

Sandisk

Insure your equipment. Insurance is cheap. About $12 per year per $1000 dollars of equipment. No deductible and covers new replacement cost. Theft, drop, etc.

-- Bill - Beverly Hills, MI
https://www.flickr.com/photos/wgulker/albums

 

[Wally Brooks]

lots of good advice. the one thing that will make your pics better is a Tripod. heaver the better. also shoot with the remote shutter release and configure the mirror up delay. these suggestions go a log way toward avoiding camera shake and is very inconvenient as it adds bulk, weight, and stops run and gun shooting. it will make for sharpe pictures.

 

[ilugo]

Hi everyone,

Thank you all for the advice! I hadn't thought of the second battery, that's a good idea indeed.

I'm on the road right now, using a very slow 3G connection, but didn't want to leave you without a reply. I'll write some more individual replies tomorrow when I'm back home.

I remember a thread here comparing SD cards and their performance. There were some interesting offers from other vendors apart from Sandisk, with nice value for money. I'll search better for it tomorrow and post here for your opinions.

Regarding filters. I've played with ND on my current camera, it has an internal ND filter that can be activated by software. I've used it e.g. on beach locations, where the sun is very harsh, to get slower speeds or larger apertures. I would like to get some ND filters for my system, to have this ability. Not sure how many stops would be useful to start with. What do you recommend? A 3-stop and a 9-stop? I don't really have the feel yet, and I understand that will come to me later on with experience, but I would like to have at least 1 or 2 to start with.

I'm curious about the polarizer, and would like to experiment with one.

I've seen a thread here linking to a filter system that lets you adapt to different diameters. The filters themselves are quite larger than the lens, and you place them in an adapter slot that screws to the lens. I'll search for it tomorrow as well, to see what you think. I'm not sure if I'll find it here in Portugal, but I can always look for delivery options.

I'll reply to some of the other suggestions tomorrow. Thanks for the help!

Regards,

Israel

 

[JeffryZ]

D7200 body + 18-140mm lens, plus

two SD cards (Sandisk Extreme Pro 32GB), and

an extra battery.

That's all you need to go out and create images. That lens will enable you to experiment with different focal lengths for various scenarios before you decide to invest in certain lenses.

You'll find out what you really need through practical experiences.

I agree with this. Wait on more lenses until you see what you feel you are missing- wider angle, more telephoto reach. Filters- I sometimes use polarizer but not any UV filters. ND is also something you may wait on to see if you actually feel the need for one. I do have a ten stop but don't actually use it that much. A bag you can comfortably carry everything in. You are getting a very nice camera.

 

[robulater]

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/459623-REG/Cokin_CBP40077_P_Series_Filter.html

if you go to this site they have what you are after Cokin system they some times will give a color cast if that happens reset the black point if you are not shore how to do it just google it good luck

 

[seanEE]

the batteries are very good, ''SO much better than a super zoom'' that was one of the first things i noticed when i got my d7000, but you be right in saying yule need a backpack, because it is a big camera, and lenses are big to, so make sure your ok with caring a bag around with you all the time.

if your doing a lot of traveling, i might suggest looking at a omd em5, or some thing like that, its small, and the lenses are a lot smaller, you will lose some IQ, but that 5 axis image stabilisation, sounds cool.

 

[Wally Brooks]

i just upgraded from a D7000 to D7200. to view the images you may need to download the latest NEF codec to view the images. Also if you use Lightroom you may need to upgrade to verson 6 for the images to be visible.

 

[robulater]

with the D7200 is download a copy of www.faststone.org and you will be able to view your shots and delete the ones you do not want and get DNG converter for the keepers


Robert McNeil