Just Ordered the Nikon D5100

[popsicletrees]

Well, as the title suggests I just ordered the Nikon D5100! This will be my first time using a dslr camera, but I'm eager to learn all of the ins and outs of it. I do have a few questions for other dslr users out there:

1) What kind of tripod should I look at buying?

2) Does anyone have any suggestions on good SDHC cards?

3) My next trip is in October and I don't expect to have any additional lenses by then. However, I have another trip planned in May, and I do want to have at least one more lens in my possession. I would like to have a lens that will be good for low light use. A friend suggested that I look at the Nikon 50mm, but I am also considering the Nikon 35mm. Any suggestions?

 

[wdwmagic]

Congrats!

Are you looking to take the tripod to WDW?

 

[popsicletrees]

Congrats!

Are you looking to take the tripod to WDW?

Yes, definitely. I'm sure that makes quite the difference. So, I would need something lightweight.

 

[NowInc]

Congrats! Its a great body!! (very nice sensor!)

To answer a few of your questions: Unless you are planning on taking "burst" photos (meaning a series of photos one after another at 6 frame per second), any SDHC card should do you just fine.

Low light lens? I say it all the time and I say it again..the Nikon 35mm 1.8 is AMAZING! Its a prime lens (meaning not able to zoom), but its very fast and wide. Its the lens thats on my camera bodies 90% of the time.

Are you planning on doing low light RIDE photography? If so..heres a nice blog post about the process!

http://www.wdwphotography.com/categ...1-teaching-series/shooting-disney-dark-rides/

 

[popsicletrees]

Congrats! Its a great body!! (very nice sensor!)

To answer a few of your questions: Unless you are planning on taking "burst" photos (meaning a series of photos one after another at 6 frame per second), any SDHC card should do you just fine.

Low light lens? I say it all the time and I say it again..the Nikon 35mm 1.8 is AMAZING! Its a prime lens (meaning not able to zoom), but its very fast and wide. Its the lens thats on my camera bodies 90% of the time.

Are you planning on doing low light RIDE photography? If so..heres a nice blog post about the process!

http://www.wdwphotography.com/categ...1-teaching-series/shooting-disney-dark-rides/

I really don't plan on taking "burst" photos at any time. So, thank you for clearing that up. It will save me some money.

I am leaning towards the 35mm. I do want to be able to take low light ride photos, as well as landscape photos in low light.

Thanks for the link to the blog! I cannot wait for it to get here so I can try some techniques out.

 

[joanna71985]

quick question- are there low-light lenses that are able to zoom?

 

[CP_alum08]

quick question- are there low-light lenses that are able to zoom?

Sort of None will be as fast as the 35mm mentioned above and they will be substantially more expensive. As far as I know the fastest (Nikon) zoom lenses are f/2.8. There are three of them and they are considered the Nikon Holy Trinity and will run you $1,500+ each.

 

[NowInc]

Like CP_alum08 said, there ARE, but you're going to have to pay...a lot. (this isn't only the case with nikon lenses, all companies have the same price ranges for this).

You don't necessarily need a "fast" lens to take good dark shots. This, and I know I will get a few arguments on this, is where a better camera body comes in. There are some that focus a lot faster in low light (tho honestly, low light pictures should be done in manual if at all possible), and have much much better low light sensors and better high ISO performance (for example: Take a 3200 ISO picture on a D3100 and then a 3200 ISO picture on a D7000/5100 and you'll see a substantial difference in the amount of "noise" in the shot).

Other things to help with dark photography:

Tripod! (not really useful on rides...I know).

A remote shutter release or use your cameras timer to about..3 seconds. This (in combination with a tripod) will allow you to take longer exposure shots without "camera shake" being a factor.

And most importantly, familiarization with your camera! It is pretty much the best "tool" you can utilize. The better you know what buttons do what and where they are, and the faster you an switch settings, the better chance you have of getting the shot you are looking for.

 

[joanna71985]

Thanks for the info! I'm just trying to figure out which lenses would be best for dark rides, but also for indoor shows (especially for DCL).

Also, sorry for the thread steal

 

[popsicletrees]

Thanks for the info! I'm just trying to figure out which lenses would be best for dark rides, but also for indoor shows (especially for DCL).

Also, sorry for the thread steal

Quite alright. I still have plenty questions myself about lenses, especially the best ones for low light photography.

The camera came in two days ago. I'm still trying to familiarize myself with even the basic functions, but so far, I'm really impressed with it.

 

[Vtlsgns2]

I'm a D5100 owner....

I have the 35mm and the 50mm... The 35 stays in the bag 90% of the time! Personally I love my 50mm. I really can't say enough about it... Sharp/Crisp, amazing Bokeh.

The new AF NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8D has the SWM, so it will autofocus on the D5100.

I am truly disappointed with the 35mm. I find the field of view to be restrictive. I def don't find it to be superior to the 50mm.

Tripod... As with any camera equip choice this is really personal preference. I take my tripod to the parks a lot (Luckily I live within 2 hours). What I have learned for my self... Even a light one can become "heavy" to carry around. I usually keep the legs extended, just fold them and carry it that way if I'm shooting a lot. Looks silly, but I find it easier than collapsing it all the way each time.

Two big considerations in my opinion... A quick release mount. Makes it super easy to pop the camera off and stow it or shoot without the tripod. The other is a "ball mount head". I actually had no idea how awesome that was until I got it! Makes composition super quick and easy.

I have a "Vista Voyager Lite", got it at Adorama for about $69.

Just my opinions...

 

[joanna71985]

thanks for the info!

 

[popsicletrees]

I'm a D5100 owner....

I have the 35mm and the 50mm... The 35 stays in the bag 90% of the time! Personally I love my 50mm. I really can't say enough about it... Sharp/Crisp, amazing Bokeh.

The new AF NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8D has the SWM, so it will autofocus on the D5100.

I am truly disappointed with the 35mm. I find the field of view to be restrictive. I def don't find it to be superior to the 50mm.

Tripod... As with any camera equip choice this is really personal preference. I take my tripod to the parks a lot (Luckily I live within 2 hours). What I have learned for my self... Even a light one can become "heavy" to carry around. I usually keep the legs extended, just fold them and carry it that way if I'm shooting a lot. Looks silly, but I find it easier than collapsing it all the way each time.

Two big considerations in my opinion... A quick release mount. Makes it super easy to pop the camera off and stow it or shoot without the tripod. The other is a "ball mount head". I actually had no idea how awesome that was until I got it! Makes composition super quick and easy.

I have a "Vista Voyager Lite", got it at Adorama for about $69.

Just my opinions...

Thanks for the information! I've hinted around to my husband for the 50 mm for my birthday. We'll see how well he took it.

I found a tripod on amazon with a ball mount head that I am considering. It is described as professional grade, and the reviews are positive. It extends up to 72'' and holds up to 17 lbs. While I don't have 17 lbs worth of equipment, I want a good, sturdy tripod that I can keep for several years.

 

[ddbowdoin]

sorry for joining the part late...

Here is my .02 cents. Take it for what it is worth.

1.) always shoot RAW, maximize the capabilities of the camera. JPEG is useless.
2.) You went out and spent X amount on the 5100, don't cheap out on cards. It's like buying a high end vehicle and using cheap oil. Faster cards are more reliable and have lower fail rates. Aside from performance reasons, faster cards unload faster onto your PC saving you some time. The cards are also typically waterproof, dust and shockproof, and magnet proof. I use the Sandisk Extreme Pro UH1 cards, picked up two 8GB cards for 100 total. This gives me roughly 350 shots on 14 bit RAW on my D7000.
3.) Tripods are expensive, make sure it has a quick release and that's about all you need. Anything that can hold 10+ lbs is golden.
4.) In terms of glass, you could go on for days. Don't let an aperature figure dictate the speed of a lens. The 70-200mm VRII is a 2.8, but it would smoke the 35mm or 50mm in terms of focusing accuracy and speed. Lenses are more than just their aperature speeds, optical quality and build quality is truly professional on the Holy Triumpheriate (12-24mm f2.8, 24-70 f2.7 and 70-200 f2.8)
5.) Do not discount third party lens makers... Tokina makes fantastic lenses with amazing build quality. In fact, Tokina and Hoya (same company) make most of the glass in all Nikon and Cannon professional lenses.

Dream Arsenal:

12-24mm f2.8
24-70mm f2.8
70-200mm VRII f2.8
85mm f1.4 "cream machine"

= 6800 bucks... yowsers

 

[Vtlsgns2]

...Tokina makes fantastic lenses with amazing build quality. In fact, Tokina and Hoya (same company) make most of the glass in all Nikon and Cannon professional lenses...

Fact: Tokina does NOT make Nikon lenses... Nikon/Nikkor manufactures their own lenses. Most of the production is done in Thailand now.
Tokina (Hoya) is a third party manufacturer, not directly affiliated with Nikon.

 

[ddbowdoin]

Fact: Tokina does NOT make Nikon lenses... Nikon/Nikkor manufactures their own lenses. Most of the production is done in Thailand now.
Tokina (Hoya) is a third party manufacturer, not directly affiliated with Nikon.

There's a lot of mystery here... Hoya commands a 40% market share of optical glass in the photography world, yet Tokina lenses do not even come close to that figure... so do the math, someone is using Hoya ID glass in their lenses. It's not reported which Nikon and Cannon lenses use Hoya glass though, so its up to us consumers to speculate. I never said they were officially affiliated with anyone.

 

[WDWFigment]

^It's sort of like how Nikon and Sony shroud the fact that Sony makes Nikon's sensors in about as much secrecy as the gov't hides UFOs...

 

[popsicletrees]

sorry for joining the part late...

Here is my .02 cents. Take it for what it is worth.

1.) always shoot RAW, maximize the capabilities of the camera. JPEG is useless.
2.) You went out and spent X amount on the 5100, don't cheap out on cards. It's like buying a high end vehicle and using cheap oil. Faster cards are more reliable and have lower fail rates. Aside from performance reasons, faster cards unload faster onto your PC saving you some time. The cards are also typically waterproof, dust and shockproof, and magnet proof. I use the Sandisk Extreme Pro UH1 cards, picked up two 8GB cards for 100 total. This gives me roughly 350 shots on 14 bit RAW on my D7000.
3.) Tripods are expensive, make sure it has a quick release and that's about all you need. Anything that can hold 10+ lbs is golden.
4.) In terms of glass, you could go on for days. Don't let an aperature figure dictate the speed of a lens. The 70-200mm VRII is a 2.8, but it would smoke the 35mm or 50mm in terms of focusing accuracy and speed. Lenses are more than just their aperature speeds, optical quality and build quality is truly professional on the Holy Triumpheriate (12-24mm f2.8, 24-70 f2.7 and 70-200 f2.8)
5.) Do not discount third party lens makers... Tokina makes fantastic lenses with amazing build quality. In fact, Tokina and Hoya (same company) make most of the glass in all Nikon and Cannon professional lenses.

Dream Arsenal:

12-24mm f2.8
24-70mm f2.8
70-200mm VRII f2.8
85mm f1.4 "cream machine"

= 6800 bucks... yowsers

Thanks for the advice! I ordered a Sandisk Class 10 16GB card. I read several reviews on the card and found it on sale. I understand that it is not nearly as fast as the Extreme Pro line, but I need to start with something.

I ordered a tripod the claims to have a 17 lb load capacity. It also has a quick release button and received a good rating on Amazon.

As far as a lens, my husband got the 50mm f/1.8 for me for my birthday. I am really excited to have an extra lens. I do plan on expanding my lens arsenal, and I consider the 50mm to be a decent place to start for a beginner. Also, considering how expensive a good lens can be I took into consideration my skill level, as well as the money that I just spent on a tripod, SDHC card, and a camera bag (Lowepro Fastpack 200). So, I am looking forward to expanding the arsenal eventually and will keep your advice in consideration! :wave:

 

[celticdog]

Thanks for the advice! I ordered a Sandisk Class 10 16GB card. I read several reviews on the card and found it on sale. I understand that it is not nearly as fast as the Extreme Pro line, but I need to start with something.

I ordered a tripod the claims to have a 17 lb load capacity. It also has a quick release button and received a good rating on Amazon.

As far as a lens, my husband got the 50mm f/1.8 for me for my birthday. I am really excited to have an extra lens. I do plan on expanding my lens arsenal, and I consider the 50mm to be a decent place to start for a beginner. Also, considering how expensive a good lens can be I took into consideration my skill level, as well as the money that I just spent on a tripod, SDHC card, and a camera bag (Lowepro Fastpack 200). So, I am looking forward to expanding the arsenal eventually and will keep your advice in consideration! :wave:

Get yourself a couple of extra memory cards, just in case something happens to one, you have a backup. I keep several 2 and 4 gb that do just fine. I shoot mostly in jpg because I can't stand doing post-processing. You can get way more pictures on a card if you use jpg and for most vacation pictures, jpg is more than adequate. RAW is only needed if you plan to do a lot of photoshopping. Also protect your card, they are not indestructible. Consider keeping them in an old film canister.

Congrats on the Nikon 50mm. I have the same lens, but without the autofocus. I rarely use AF, so there really was no need to pay the extra for it. The lens is very fast and works really well in low light. The depth of field is fantastic.

Due to size limitations and awkward bulk with a full size tripod, you may want to consider a gorillapod for DSLRs. It's easier to carry around the parks, you can attached it to railings, post, trees, etc.