D300 SLR Nikon camera

[peter_lawrence]

I would recommend the following accessories for your D300:

 

1. A carbon-fiber tripod with a quality ball-head that has an Arca-Swiss style clamp *PLUS* an Arca-Swiss compatible L-

Plate for your D300. The carbon-fiber tripod legs don't have to be a Gitzo, but can also be a high-quality Slik, Velbon, or

Manfrotto carbon-fiber legs. For the ball-head and L-bracket, both Really Right Stuff and Kirk Enterprises manufacture

excellent ones.

 

2. An MC-30 or MC-36 Remote Trigger Release Cord

 

3. Extra batteries and flash cards

 

4. A SC-29 Off-Camera AF TTL Cord for your Nikon Speedlight flash.

 

5. A bubble level if you're going to shoot landscapes.

 

6. A macro lens if your going to shoot close-up of flowers or insects.

 

7. A circular polarizing filter

[tom_barrance]

If you buy a VR lens you may not need a tripod - I've used one once since I've had the D300 (for shooting a time-lapse sequence). I've

been amazed at how versatile the camera and the one lens (16-85) is. (I use a 50mm as well when straight lines are important).

[peter_lawrence]

And last but not least (I inadvertently left this off my original post):

 

8. A translucent *AND* a white/soft gold Photoflex Litedisc 32" collapsible reflectors

[peter_lawrence]

Regardless if you use a VR (vibration reduction) lens, you still should own and use a tripod whenever it's possible. A

camera mounted on a sturdy tripod will always take sharper photos than a camera that's handheld, even one that has a

VR lens attached.

 

Also a tripod is useful for other things than keeping your camera steady. It's helpful for composing a shot and then fine-

tuning your camera settings while keeping the composition of your shot exactly the same. It's also helpful (along with a

bubble level) for keeping your horizons level when shooting landscapes.

 

A tripod is a necessary accessory for many types of photography.

[tom_barrance]

'Many' types of photography being the operative word. It entirely depends what kind of photography you are going to do. I'm

not doing huge prints of landscapes or studio portraits so I don't need razor sharpness: for me it's more important to have

the camera with me as often as possible and to frame and shoot quickly. The point I'm making is that you don't need a lot

of kit to use the camera effectively, and you should buy accessories as and when you find you need them.