INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Whether you're thinking about getting a Nikon DSLR, you've just got one or are a long time user, there's a wealth of accessories out there
to help transform your photography.That's not to say you can't use it straight out of the box with the bundled 18-55mm kit lens, but to take
the fact that some gear can be pretty pricey, you can build up the system as you go, allowing you to prioritise what's important and what
you need first.With so much kit and accessories out there though, it can be hard to know where to start, which is where we come in
Standard prime: Tamron SP 35mm f/1.8 Di VC USDWhile the 18-55mm 'kit' lens that was probably bundled with your Nikon DSLR is fine for
general photography, its relatively 'slow', in that the maximum aperture available is quite limited
Often offering a much faster maximum aperture, they let in more light, allowing you to shoot handheld in much poorer lighting conditions
Not only that, but the faster maximum aperture means you can achieve pro-looking shallow depth of field effects to isolate your subject.They
come in a range of focal lengths, but our pick to get started would be Tamron's SP 35mm f/1.8 Di VC USD; giving roughly the same field of
A must for any photographer.Read more:9 things you should know about prime lenses2
are an abundance of lighter (and much more affordable) 70-300mm zooms available as well.If you can stretch your budget a little bit more,
our pick would be Nikon's 70-200mm f/4G ED VR
More compact and lightweight than a 70-200mm f/2.8, you won't need to worry much about camera shake, either, thanks to a particularly well
wide enough for some subjects.An ultra wide-angle zoom lens can offer a field of view almost be twice as wide, making it perfect for cramped
have to trade this lens in as well.Buying guide:The best wide-angle zoom lenses for Nikon DSLRs4
do much more than that, which is why you need a dedicated flashgun (or Speedlight, as Nikon calls its own models).Not only do they have much
camera, depending on the model.Or for greater range you can trigger them via a radio trigger (bought separately)
Either way you can sculpt the light for a much more professional look, as well as combining multiple flashguns
Nikon offers a host of dedicated models like the Speedlight SB-700, but there are plenty of great third-party options, and one of our
favorites is the Metz 64 AF-1.Learn more: Flash photography made easy5
Flash modifier: Lastolite Ezybox Speed-Lite 2Whether you're going to shoot with you flashgun on your Nikon DSLR or positioned remotely, a
There's an array of options out there, but the Lastotlie Ezybox Speed-Lite 2 is a mini flat-pack softbox that fits on the front of your
flash to soften the light nicely, before easily collapsing down to pack away into your camera bag.Learn more:Essential one light portrait
Protective filters: Hoya HMC UV filterDespite the advent of digital, lens filters still have their place, and none more so than the humble
lens cap.Learn more:Protective filters7
Creative filters: Lee Filters DSLR Starter KitBalancing the exposure between a bright sky and a darker foreground can be tricky,
particularly in landscapes and sunrise/sunset shots
You can try and recover shadow and/or highlight detail in Photoshop or Lightroom, but you can get much better results in-camera with a
traditional optical graduated neutral density (ND) filter.Because you need to move the filter up and down to adjust the transition from
clear to dark, the square filter system is the only real option for ND grads, and our pick is from the brand favoured by professionals, the
Lee Digital SLR Starter Kit.You get a 100mm filter holder (although you'll have to get an adaptor ring for your lens separately), a 2-stop
hard grad for darkening skies, and a 2-stop neutral density filter to enable you to use slower shutter speeds, for example to blur movement
in water and clouds.Buying guide:Neutral density graduated filters8
Tripod: Manfrotto MT190XPRO3While you may not want to shoot with a tripod all the time (although some photographers never do anything else),
You can spend even more and get carbon fibre models, which are just as strong but lighter, while there are also specialist tripods for
It offers decent load-bearing capacity and a more than adequate maximum working height, while the centre column can also be positioned
horizontally for low-angle shooting.Buying guide:Best tripods and camera supports9
Tripod head: Manfrotto XPRO ball headWhile some cheaper tripods normally come with an integrated tripod head, or with a separate head
included (there are some pricier options that do as well), most photographers like to choose their own tripod head to go with their set of
are also dedicated video heads for videographers
more:21 landscape photography tips you'll never want to forget10
Camera bag: Domke F-803Once you've accumulated all this camera kit, you're going to need something to pack it all into to keep it safe when
