Accessories??

[garnetgirl]

Outside of the starter kit and one additional lens, I have not bought any accessories for my D40. I'm curious about polarizing filters, or filters in general. I'm completely clueless and have no idea what is a good buy and what is a waste of time. I've considered a remote switch as well. Will filters help better expose a shot? I've noticed that I have a hard time getting my skies to be properly exposed, so I tend to take two shots, one focused on my subject and one focused on the sky and merge them photoshop to get a properly exposed image. Would a filter eliminate the need to do that?
What are step up & step down rings and do I need one?? Anything else I don't know about that I should look into?

Thanks!

[OsmosisStudios]

Different filters do different things: that's the point of filters.

The most common three types are protective, Circular Polarizer and Neutral Density.

Protective filters are usually Skylight or UV filters and are used to protect the front element of a lens from damage. Their use is contested: some claim theyre not worth their cost/image degradation; others argue that they're an invaluable asset.

Circular Polarizer (C-POL): used to change reflections in NON-METALLIC surfaces. They also help to deepen the colour of skies, but not darken them. Theyre designed to be adjustable by turning the filter itself.

Neutral Density (ND) filters come in two types: standard and graduated. The standard ones are a flat neutral density coating and simply block light: like wearing sunglasses. These come in 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9 and 10 stop varieties that block more or less light. The graduated ones offer stopping power at one end and taper down to clear on the other. These are what you would use to darken the skies in your images but keep your landscapes properly exposed.

[Shokinen]

This will not help you with sky exposure but have you considered a tripod or even an external flash ?

A tripod is a must for any low light situation. It's also useful for many situation when you have a slow shutter speed. I purchased my first one at futurshop for 40$ and manage to get some very nice pictures. I'm now using a Manfrotto 190XPROB and I never go out without it.

An external flash like is also very fun for low light situation. You can "mimic" normal light with bounces and they have far more options then the built-in one. I use my SB600 mostly inside but sometime I pull it out for fill-in.

Just some ideas

[garnetgirl]

Thank you for the filter info! I think I definitely need to look for those ND graduated filters. Are there filters that help liven the colors in a shot without making it look fake?

When I bought my D-40, Best Buy had a sale, so I got an extra battery, a case big enough for the camera body and 2 lenses, and a tripod.
I use the tri-pod, but I find it a bit cumbersome to take along on hiking trips, which of course, is my favorite photo taking time & when I run into the blown out sky problem. LOL...I need to get myself a backpack that can carry all this stuff easily.
I haven't bought any external flashes. The closest I've come to that is by playing with my desk lamp when photographing objects. It did give the effect I wanted at the time.

[Shokinen]

Originally Posted by garnetgirl

I need to get myself a backpack that can carry all this stuff easily.

That was my problem with my old Slign 200AW. I could carry my camera gear but no food, no extra clothes, etc.

I have been using this bag since last summer and I'm very please with it. I can carry all my camera gear inlcuding my tripod, plus all I need to spend a nice day outside.

Lowepro - Primus AW

Another idea

[garnetgirl]

That looks like a nice bag, but a bit too expensive right now. I wonder if I could find a less expensive, similar bag locally. If not, I'll wait until I have more money to spend.

Thanks!

[Shokinen]

Actually, I got it half-price at Henrys so 100$ CND. It comes on special from time to time.

[garnetgirl]

nice! I'll keep a look out for sales. Maybe someone will have a nice Black Friday special going.