Quote:
Originally Posted by SebC
The one thing you might want to start with is a UV filter. Not so much for a kit lens though, they're not worth all that expensive to replace if you do damage it somehow and you might prefer shooting without it. I could be delusional but I swear my auto-focus works better with the filter off, which is particularly important if I'm tracking something moving like a car.
Some really high-end lenses have a coating that UV can damage, but I don't think you'd be looking at any of these. (Yet.  )
My best-value accessories for Nikon:
- Nikon wireless remote (if you're gonna shoot tripod, and it unlocks start-stop exposure mode)
- reflector (for outdoor portraits and such - you can even make you own with tinfoil if you're really cheap)
- pop-up flash diffuser (Gary Fong Puffer or generic version) |
I work on the weekends at one of the Camera retailers in town, and they'd LOVE for you to buy a UV filter because of the massive markup. Realistically,
most decent quality lenses are 10x more scratch resistant than the filters because of the better coatings on the lenses (I've seen Reps run their keys across higher end lenses); however, your best form of scratch protection comes from your lens hood. Most of the time the UV filters are of a much poorer quality than the glass of the lens, and your images will only be as good as your weakest link, your filter.
SebC, you're probably quite right in thinking that your auto-focus works a little quicker with the filter off. Filters don't pass 100% of the light through and the auto-focus, especially on a slightly slower lens, can be affected (not drastically though, unless your filter looks like you covered your lens in Vaseline).
I'd definitely go with the suggestion of getting the ML-L3 wireless remote if you go with the Nikon, as they are cheap like chips ($25), and reflectors are an awesome way of taking better portraits. If I ever use the pop-up flash though, I tape tissue paper to it instead of buying
anything made by Gary Fong.