Recomendations?

[Pepo]

Hi!

I just bought a D5000, that included this:

Camera features: 12.3-megapixel 0.93" x 0.62" DX-format CMOS sensor; 18-55mm f/3.5 - f/5.6 DX Nikkor lens; 2.7" Vari-Angle TFT-LCD monitor; Face detection technology; Image optimization modes
Extra lens: NikonZoom-Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED AF-S DX VR Zoom Lens: Compatible with most Nikon digital SLR cameras; 15 lens elements in 11 groups with 7 aperture blades; ED glass elements reduce chromatic aberrations for lifelike images
Nikon Digital SLR Accessory Bag: Adjustable, padded internal dividers; Padded shoulder strap; Nikon School: Fast, Fun & Easy educational DVD included.
(from what i get is a camera and 2 basic lens, no clue about all those numbers hehe)


Thing is a friend of mine is bringing it from US, so my question is, should i get something else before he comes back? i just realized i need a Memory card that is not included (and asked him a 16gb scan disk)

Im asking this because i bet there's a LOT of things i might need later on (like 999 lens, and gear etc. but me being a newbie, what else do i need to get started? i heard from a friend i should get a UV protector? (no clue of what is that)

Thanks a lot!

-P.

[yelvertoft]

Pepo,

What you are getting is fine. You don't need much else to get started. I see from your other post that you will be taking pictures of fish, I would have said buy a tripod, but for fish photography, that may be more of a hindrance than a help.

Don't bother with the UV filter either, especially for fish photography, it's not needed.

The important point is to get out there and use what you've got and practice, practice, and practice some more. Equipment is no substitute for experience.

[Arthur53]

I agree with Yelvetoft. Use what you have, take photos in time add to the gear when you know what you want/need.
You dont need a UV filter. However a filter would help to protect your lens from damage,water splashes etc. Filters are cheaper to replace than lenses.
I have a UV filter on my lens all the time not to make my photos better just to protect the lens.

[surfg1mp]

Thats a pretty good kit to get you started.....better than what i started with. Id say buy 2 x 8gb cards rather than a 16gb card, if one fails you only lose those pictures and not the lot. I personally use 4gb cards as They hold over 200 Raw files and its easy to switch them over if i shoot something else, but thats just my personal preference. like people have said you dont need a UV filter, but I feel its good to have one to protect the front of the lens. I have broken a Uv filter by hitting the lens against the corner of a wall.....the cost of replacing the UV was a hell of alot cheaper than replacing the lens.

[Pepo]

ill get a uv filter to protect the lens then, and the 2 8gb cards instead 1 16gb is a good idea!

thanks everyone for the advise, very much appreciated

[yelvertoft]

If you really, really must buy a filter, do not buy a cheap one, it will seriously degrade the quality of your pictures. I speak from first hand experience here.

[Pepo]

oh, never thought about the degrade quality by filters.. was mostly thinking about the protection, so is not a must..

I guess ill get one and put it on when my fiance wants to use it. :P haha

[Alex1994]

for protection the lens cap does a great job. Always nice to have extra security, but it's not really necessary.

I would buy 2 good books on photography, one that explains the technical aspect and one that explains the aesthetic side.

[surfg1mp]

why not save the money and go to a library and borrow a couple of good photography books.

[Pepo]

hehe, well i was planning to take some classes about photography in the same U. im studing my master... but a book sounds like a good idea so i don't start in blank, got any recommendations?

i know zero as you might have realized..