I am ready to purchase my new D90. However, I wanted to see what accessories you feel are most important for this camera. Filters...good carry bag...high performance SD card...flash...extra battery...protection plan etc... Thanks for the help!
What accessories would you consider "must haves" for a new D90 - excluding lens
(36 posts) (14 voices)-
Posted 3 years ago #
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I'd say just an extra battery or a good bag if you don't already have one. All the other stuff you can get as your skills improve over time. They aren't as necessary as the extra battery and bag.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Which bag would you recommend NikoDoby? Thanks for the help!
Posted 3 years ago # -
It depends on what you plan to shoot, but an extra battery and SD card are essential, the Remote is cheap and fun, a right angle finder is great for macro and a tripod is essential for support. I'm a fan of the SB-400 since it's small, cheap and bounces. Don't get caught up in bag selection until you know what you'll be carrying. Have fun, the D90 is a fantastic camera.
Posted 3 years ago # -
I assume you already have at least one SD card so I wouldn't recommend you get another one of those expensive high performance cards. As for camera bags it really depends on you. Over time you'll end up with several different bags for different needs. I recommend you try them out in person and see which you like the best for YOU. It's a very personal choice. Some people like small compact everyday bag while others want big bags to hold all their gear in one place.
The only thing I'd recommend is that you NOT get a bag with large NIKON or other camera logos on it. You don't want to attract attention that your bag has an expensive camera inside. So the less your bag looks like a camera bag the better. I've used bags from Lowepro, Tamron, Think Tank, Crumpler, and even some cheap Walmart stuff. Haven't had any problems.
Once you know for sure what type of bag you like and if your budget is tight I suggest you take a look at the Used camera section of BHphoto. They sometimes have brand new discontinued name brand camera bags for cheap.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Thanks NikoDoby!
Posted 3 years ago # -
Flash, tripod, and bag. Ditto what Niko said about your bag being discreet. Might as well not advertise you have expensive gear in there. I love my Kata dr-467 and I used to use a lowepro AW5. It just got too heavy because it's on one shoulder and it's not convenient on a bike.
Posted 3 years ago # -
I've been a fan of the Domke F2 for years. The Think Tank bags look great too. I'm planning on getting one of their smaller Retrospective bags when they become available.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Thanks everyone checking out all of the advice...this is wonderful!
Posted 3 years ago # -
Yeah I like Kata and Domke too. However the Domke F2 bag was usually worth more than the camera I had inside! :^)
Posted 3 years ago # -
I don't think anyone specifically said it, maybe it is assumed. But the absolute first thing I would get is a lens filter to protect the front of the lens. IMHO, you should not leave the store without it when purchasing the camera. Then a small protective carry bag, second battery, and second memory card in that order. I agree with other that you should not invest too much into a carry bag until you find out how you will use it, what you will carry, and so on. I am sure we all have several.
Personally, I just ordered a circular polarizing filter, as I did not have one that would fit the lenses that came with my D90, and I know I will use it. I don't have a flash, and don't have plans to get one soon. Money has to stop flowing. :)
The other thing that I already have, and used within a day or so of getting the D90, is a reasonably good tripod. Whether or not you would use one depends on what you will photograph. I like to do landscape, and late evening, low light stuff. My experience is that getting a 'good' tripod the first time you get one is difficult. Latches that are tough to operate, baseplates that won't stay locked at exactly the right angle, inability to tilt the camera straight up or other interfering angles, legs that are hard to adjust for uneven ground, all take experience to recogonize as 'issues'.
I guess my idea is you need three things at first, the protective lens filter, a protective bag, and spare battery. Then I think the fourth item is cost free, study the manual and learn your camera, and practice until you can control it reasonably quickly.
Posted 3 years ago # -
I agree with you about filters Sandpiper. When I budget for a lens, I make certain I add an appropriate UV or A1 filter, as well as a Nikon lens cap (for non-Nikon lenses). I also have a spare finder eye piece and lcd protective screen cover. Neither are expensive, and either can cause grief if lost, misplaced or inadvertently knocked off.
I also like the op tech straps. They don't scream with Yellow and Black "steal me", don't slip and stretch to reduce strain.
Posted 3 years ago # -
SB600 for sure. It can be used as both on camera and off camera on the D90 and is relatively inexpensive. I also immediately get a new camera strap with any body. I agree with Ted about Op/Tech. I was using a Lowepro strap and just switched for an Op/Tech. Much more comfortable.
You may think about a battery grip if you are going to be taking a lot of pictures with the camera in portrait configuration.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Circular polarizer maybe. I want to get one, but I might need it in both 52mm and 67mm.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Skip the second battery. You'll be hard pressed to run out of battery power, even on vacation shooting all day.
I love my Giottos Rocket Blower and Walmart microfiber clothes.
Bag: Kata Anything
Filter: Hoya anything
Remote Release
Tripod: Bogen anything
Flash: Nikon anything. You can even pick up older Speedlights and use them in Non-TTL auto for very consistent exposure. I picked up an SB-24 from craigslist for 40 bucks. Pivot, bounce, and zoom head and a GN in the SB-900 Range for less than an SB-400.
Posted 3 years ago # -
I think its nice to know what to look at, so here is are a couple of things ...
Do not get the Nikon remote, bloody useless IR, instead look at the wireless Phottix Plato.
Hand Grip from Camdapter uses a variety of tripod plates, stunning item, beautifully made and will outlast your D90. I have this and an op/tech strap fitted at the same time so I can sling it or hand carry it.
A Bag...look at the Kata DR461. Very inexpensive, well made and you do not look like a ninja turtle. Holds an amazing amount of gear. I replaced my crumpler 6-million with it. Shoulder bags turn you into a quasimodo, backpacks are more flexible and you can sling it over a shoulder anyway. Have a look, you will see wide straps, well padded and a low heat and dry back. Look at the other models if you want to carry more or a laptop.
Batteries: To advise against an additional battery is lunacy. If the D90 could take AAs then I'd agree but unless you get the MB-D80 grip then another battery would be good. Recharge frequently and rotate them. I use Manual lenses and so a battery can last me weeks, I have 3.
The MB-D80, dont bother, the thing about the D90 is that its light, the added grip is a contradiction, even for portrait shooting. With a hand strap like the camdapter, it becomes even more pointless. I sold my MB-D80 in the same week I bought it.
The D90 is a ripper, have fun.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Hey, Exit, it's been a while. Nice to see you around again and I think you've got sound advice here. Thanks for the tip on the phottix plato. I've been missing my RF remote that I had for my D300 because the IR one for the D90 is so limited (specifically, you have to be in front of the camera to use it! Who takes most of their pictures from in front of the camera?!).
Posted 3 years ago # -
I agree with exit here. Second battery comes in handy. While you use one all day, you leave the second charging to use the next day. Your batteries will last longer too since you're not constantly draining and then charging the same battery over and over.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Hey Jonny. I always keep an eye out for you. Hey Niko, good to see the forum going well. Think I better stick around a bit. Ive actually visited you guys every day for a couple of months, if I said Im looking at D700 then you would understand what I am waiting for.
On the Zeiss front, well the zf line was just recently discontinued but the zf.2 line continues, me Im 21,28,35,50/2 & 100/2 and desperate for a body that meters them. If I said I was happy then it doesnt even come close. I can now look at buying some AF lenses but in the meantime hands up everyone (besides me) that has their FF lens plan completed. I might just get AF (with VR) for above 100mm and maybe a 35 but otherwise Im done.
But for the OP ...
Take that blasted plastic screen off the rear monitor and replace it with a GGS screen that fits both the monitor and upper LED screen. There are others but just believe me, this one is what you want. I carry my D90 every day, I go nowhere without it. Its not in a case its in my hand ready to use. Im about to sell the D90 and can tell you Ive well used it but it still looks new. I'll get my dollars back and they will go towards my new body.In a few more minutes there should be a 1000 more posts saying ...yea that plastic screen, chuck it. Anyone that says otherwise, you're a nut.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Essential -
1. Filter - Hoya or similar, tho' they're surprisingly expensive.
2. Spare battery - Go for genuine Nikon.
3. Bag - My personal preference is Lowepro slingshot.
4. One (or two) high-speed, high-capacity SD cardsDepending on your type of photography -
5. Tripod or monopod
6. FlashPosted 3 years ago # -
I'm waiting for the D700 replacement, too, oneANT. So are you saying you've got ZF.2 or ZF lenses? It's probably not worth the upgrade once you've got the ZF ones, is it?
I ordered a phottix plato, BTW.
I ought to mention that I actually like the grip for the D90. I've got an off-brand one (zeikos) and I like having the option to use AA batteries in a pinch. It's also nice for two other (small) reasons: it gives my pinky finger a comfortable place to be and it improves my technique standing—it might sound silly, but the extra two inches on the bottom of the camera let me rest my left elbow more comfortably against my body. I agree that it does make the camera big, but that's usually outweighed by the fact that I can get 2500-3000 shots without changing any batteries. It's worth the $60 I paid, anyway.
Posted 3 years ago # -
I would recommend a grey card or some other type of white balancing accessory such as an Expodisc.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Awesome suggestions guys and whole-heartedley agree on all fronts!
I just sold my d200 to "upgrade" to a D90 because of these rebates and will be combing through all the comments...
In so far as a bag goes, I sport a domke f-3x for shoots and a kata 467 for air/ground transport...
I would suggest a sb900 and an or filter for some cool off camera shooting as wellPosted 3 years ago # -
oneANT said:
Batteries: To advise against an additional battery is lunacy. If the D90 could take AAs then I'd agree but unless you get the MB-D80 grip then another battery would be good. Recharge frequently and rotate them. I use Manual lenses and so a battery can last me weeks, I have 3.Huh? If one battery charge can last you 3 weeks, why do you need three batteries? Buying a spare battery isn't about preserving the life of the cells, it's about having the extra power on hand when you run out. Lithium batteries discharge a whopping 8% per month in a 70 degree F environment. No need to anally recharge them, that only makes their life shorter. They also have no memory so letting them deplete is perfectly acceptable.
Now if your battery starts to lose it's capacity, that's a different story, but until that happens, why drop 40 bucks on a battery simply to swap it around. Buying one because your shooting style needs more than one charge per outing makes sense. The D90 tells you when your battery is losing capacity, check that regularly and you should be good. Buying a spare just because you want one on hand but never deplete a full charge in one outing is a waste. Spend 40 bucks on gas and drive to a cool location.
Posted 3 years ago #
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