Help me pick out a new toy(s)

[wenrob]

Okay have some cash burning a hole in my pocket.

Here is what I have:
Nikon D90
18-105 VR
28-75 f/2.8 Tamron
30mm f/1.4 Sigma
SB 600
SB 400 I have thought about selling this but think it would be a handy light alternative for fill flash. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

Wireless remote
Op tech strap
Tamrac Lap Top/Camera Back pack
Crumpler 6 million dollar home
Slik Pro (um forget the whole name, step above the EZ) tripod

Lightroom2/CS4/PSP12

If you haven't noticed I'm a people shooter so the need for a zoom is not imminent. We have no sports or stage performances in the near future so I'm content to wait. I have a nice decent range for now.

Along the same line I'm not in the market for a more heavy duty tripod. Though I could possibly be talked in a ball head. Suggestions are more then welcome.

I'm thinking a nice little point and shoot to throw in my bag. Having the little ones I do not haul the D90 around for non events. There are those moments where I wish I had more then my iphone camera on me. I was really impressed with the Canon SX110IS. I am spoiled by RAW though. I think it was Groucho who said you can get software to make any Canon shoot RAW. Can anyone enlighten me?

While not a "need" I think investing in a couple filters while I have few bucks is a good idea. On those occasions when I'm not shooting people rotfl2 it would be nice to have what I need on hand. Please give me suggestions for a couple of nice ones and the reason they're handy.

Suggestions for things I may "need" are welcome! I have $500.

 

[annnewjerz]

You'd better make up your mind quick---I need a fix, the NAS is killing me.

What about using the money to bribe your models to sit still and behave??

I'm sorry, I have no good suggestions. Just tagging along to see what piece of awesomeness someone suggests you buy.

 

[wenrob]

LOL, Ann, glad I can help you get your fix!

Wanted to add, I'm open to other PnS suggestions as well.

 

[Steve's Girl]

For people shooting (that didn't quite come out right, but you know what I mean), the 85mm 1.8 looks awfully nice to me. It would be in your price range.

 

[Chikabowa]

Some fun little toys...

60mm f2.8 Macro is a great macro lens and a wonderful portrait lens. Sharp and fast. It is right in that $500 range.
Lensbaby is a fun lens to play around with and runs about $200.
The 85mm f1.8 is a beautiful portrait lens.
50mm f1.4 - the new version - is around $500 and a staple in anyone's camera bag.
You could spend the money on a The Flip video recorder. I absolutely love mine - they are so much fun! They run less than $250.

If you have your heart set on a PnS, then I suggest picking up this months Consumer Reports. It's all about cameras!

 

[Steve's Girl]

LOL, Ann, glad I can help you get your fix!

Wanted to add, I'm open to other PnS suggestions as well.

I bought a neoprene case thingy that just fits over my camera and smallish size lens (generally my 18-200 or I also have a Nikon 28-105 that works well too). Then I can pretty easily carry my camera in my purse (OK, I carry a good size purse). But, that is what I do for a P&S solution. Even with a "slow" lens and awful in your face pop-up flash, I can still get better snapshots than with the Fuji P&S we have.

 

[annnewjerz]

I bought a neoprene case thingy that just fits over my camera and smallish size lens (generally my 18-200 or I also have a Nikon 28-105 that works well too). Then I can pretty easily carry my camera in my purse (OK, I carry a good size purse). But, that is what I do for a P&S solution. Even with a "slow" lens and awful in your face pop-up flash, I can still get better snapshots than with the Fuji P&S we have.

Not to go too OT, but do you happen to have a link to the "neoprene case thingy" (by the way, is that a technical term?? ).

I was just telling someone today that I love carrying my camera in my purse everywhere but that I think I'm going to stop because I'm worried I'll end up breaking it when I forget one day that I have it in there. I know I'll regret it because the day I don't have it will be the day I see something I want to shoot.

At least the neoprene case would provide a little extra cushion and something to keep it from getting scratched.

 

[Todd_H]

Another vote for the Lensbaby

 

[Steve's Girl]

Not to go too OT, but do you happen to have a link to the "neoprene case thingy" (by the way, is that a technical term?? ).

I was just telling someone today that I love carrying my camera in my purse everywhere but that I think I'm going to stop because I'm worried I'll end up breaking it when I forget one day that I have it in there. I know I'll regret it because the day I don't have it will be the day I see something I want to shoot.

At least the neoprene case would provide a little extra cushion and something to keep it from getting scratched.

http://www.amazon.com/Digital-D-SLR...1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1243974386&sr=8-1

This is what I have. Not sure if it is this exact size, but I've had it for a couple years now and it works really well.

 

[kaffinito]

Must be nice to have little extra cash burning a hole in your pocket!

In all seriousness, you have two holes in your set up. I am in the process of moving from more "fixed" lenses to more all purpose lenses, and noticed you are missing a 50mm lens and a 35mm lens. The 50 mm would make a great addition to your kit, especially since you said you were moving in that direction. It takes incredible portraits, and last time I looked the AF-S version was around $500.00 and the MF version was under $200.00.

Keep us posted!

 

[kaffinito]

Forgot!

If you're looking for a good (really good IMHO) PnS, then check out the Panasonic Lumix Tz5. It takes really good shots in both bright light and low light, and has a good zoom feature too. You can pick one up for around $300.00 (or a little less by now).

There is a neoprene case for a D90 on eBay, It stretches and can fit the body and a lens for around 14.00. Is that the one?

 

[YesDear]

I have a slightly different approach. Download the 30 day trial of Capture NX2 from Nikon. It is truly an amazing program particularly with Nikon images. I use it almost exclusively for post processing of my images. I used Photoshop until I got NX2.. Try it! You may like it!

 

[wenrob]

I have a slightly different approach. Download the 30 day trial of Capture NX2 from Nikon. It is truly an amazing program particularly with Nikon images. I use it almost exclusively for post processing of my images. I used Photoshop until I got NX2.. Try it! You may like it!

It's on my my list. If nothing else it would be so nice to apply camera settings if I feel that's all it needs. Right now on Amazon it's $154 w/a book called "After the Shoot." One thing, when I had the trial my pics would look red in Windows. In Capture and PSP they were fine but viewing in Windows (on all my computers) red. Would you have any idea why?

 

[wenrob]

Must be nice to have little extra cash burning a hole in your pocket!

Heh, heh!

I should've known you guys would be a bunch of lens pushers! I know it sounds crazy but as tempting as it is I'm going to hold off any lens purchases for awhile. (unless someone makes a really, really compelling argument, lol) I'm not fully covered but I have a decent range and I'd like to learn the ins and outs of the lenses I have really well before I have to learn the quirks of a new(er) one.

Karen, going to check out the Lumix. I was browsing PnS and couldn't get past the tiny flash right over the lens. We'll see what happens.

Thanks for all the input so far everyone!

 

[YesDear]

It's on my my list. If nothing else it would be so nice to apply camera settings if I feel that's all it needs. Right now on Amazon it's $154 w/a book called "After the Shoot." One thing, when I had the trial my pics would look red in Windows. In Capture and PSP they were fine but viewing in Windows (on all my computers) red. Would you have any idea why?

My version is on my mac. Sorry no help here. Write support at Nikon, they are great to respond fast!

 

[kaffinito]

Karen, going to check out the Lumix. I was browsing PnS and couldn't get past the tiny flash right over the lens. We'll see what happens.

There's a flash? I didn't know it had a flash?

You can disable the flash in the settings, and while it takes a while to get used to shooting with a screen instead of a viewfinder, it really takes good quality shots. It's hard to tell what was taken with the Nikon and what was taken with the Lumix unless you look at the exif. data.