Bought a camera, what are must haves?

[bluecollar]

I've wanted a DSLR for a while, but just didn't have the cash to waste on one.

Finally picked up a Nikon D40 from a friend and I'd like to know the "must haves" when getting into this stuff.

I have the standard 18-55mm lens and a 55-200mm VR (what the hell does VR mean, and what happens when I flip it to 'on' on the lens??).

I've heard that a speed light is a must, but what else? Please keep in mind that I don't have tons of cash to spend on this, just want a fun hobby.

Thanks for the input.

[90GT50]

VR is vibration resistant, small motors inside to get rid of vibrations, like a small harmonic balancer sort of. If I remember right, you'll have to manually focus anything besides the kit lens, or something weird like that for the D40s.

[03trubluGT]

I've wanted a DSLR for a while, but just didn't have the cash to waste on one.

Finally picked up a Nikon D40 from a friend and I'd like to know the "must haves" when getting into this stuff.

I have the standard 18-55mm lens and a 55-200mm VR (what the hell does VR mean, and what happens when I flip it to 'on' on the lens??).

I've heard that a speed light is a must, but what else? Please keep in mind that I don't have tons of cash to spend on this, just want a fun hobby.

Thanks for the input.

VR: http://imaging.nikon.com/products/im...y/vr/index.htm

It means you can take hand held pictures at slower shutter speeds without getting blur.

Get an SB800 (or the newer SB900 as a master) and a couple of SB600 flashes (as slaves) for off camera stuff. I'm getting into portraiture and this stuff is very intresting.

[bluecollar]

VR is vibration resistant, small motors inside to get rid of vibrations, like a small harmonic balancer sort of. If I remember right, you'll have to manually focus anything besides the kit lens, or something weird like that for the D40s.

Ahh, cool.

So is the D40 a decent camera, or is it fairly worthless? I mainly want to be able to take nice shots of my family, cars, buildings, stuff like that.

[jakesford]

Ahh, cool.

So is the D40 a decent camera, or is it fairly worthless? I mainly want to be able to take nice shots of my family, cars, buildings, stuff like that.

The D40 is still a quality camera, and any AF-S lens will auto focus. AF lenses need an in body focus motor that is not on the D40. If you really get in to photography you will upgrade bodies overtime, but investing money into glass, flashes, and quality tripods is always good as you will continue to use those items.

You may want to pick up this lens: http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-35mm-AF-.../dp/B001S2PPT0

It is a fast prime, that is really sharp, and great for low light work.

[lonestar]

Extra memory card

[butt86]

The D40 is still a quality camera, and any AF-S lens will auto focus. AF lenses need an in body focus motor that is not on the D40. If you really get in to photography you will upgrade bodies overtime, but investing money into glass, flashes, and quality tripods is always good as you will continue to use those items.

You may want to pick up this lens: http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-35mm-AF-.../dp/B001S2PPT0

It is a fast prime, that is really sharp, and great for low light work.

We liked our D40 alot, and used it for 3+ years. it took the wife a while to convince me to get the 35MM but now that we have it i love using it to take pictures, here are a couple of random examples of the 35mm lense... oh and FWIW her camera is a D5000 that she traded in her d40 for.

[bluecollar]

Thanks for all of the input so far. Where are some good places to pick up lens, etc. relatively cheap other than ebay?

I've only had the camera for a couple of weeks, but I'm liking it. Oh, and I've got a 16gb mem card, and 4 - 2gb mem cards, so I've got the memory covered. lol.

Here's a couple of my attempts so far...