DSLR people! HELP!

[lovebug1031]

My bfs birthday is coming up next month. He's VERY hard to shop for, but recently bought a Nikon D5100. He's really into HDR photography and usually take pics of archtecture and landscapes. I'd like to get him another lense (i couldn't tell you which two he has, but i think they're pretty general like 55-120 or something like that!) or some cool filters or SOMETHING cool for his camera - i don't want to spend more than $200.

 

[mogster]

How about a fisheye? FI shoots with manual primes and instead of getting technical and guessing what he might want, I got him a fisheye lens which is fun but not something he'd ever get for himself. A bit above your budget, but either the Rokinon 8mm or Zenitar 16mm would be fine options.

 

[lovebug1031]

Thanks! I'll check those out

 

[vc10um]

Does he have a nice gear bag? You can find really nice satchels with inserts that have super-padded sections to carry multiple lenses, along with the camera body, additional SD cards, etc. Something like this might be nice!

Or how about a monopod or tripod?

 

[kenny]

If you are considering a lens be careful about compatibility.
Nikon makes camera bodies that cost from $650 to $8,000 and the more you pay the more tolerant the body is on non-standard lenses and gadgets that separate the body from the lens.

I know from experience a D5100 will NOT work with extension rings, reversing rings or bellows.
The body's electrical contacts must be touching the lens' contacts, so make sure the lens you buy has electrical contacts that are compatible with the D5100, and only buy from a vendor with a good return policy in case it does not work.

Frankly, $200 won't buy you much lens.
I second the tripod idea or a nice camera bag.
Perhaps a flash, which Nikon calls Speedlights.
There are three genuine Nikon Speedlights under $200 that will be more flexible powerful and smarter than the on-camera built in flash.

I recommend buying from one of the 3 vendors below, but be sure you pick a speedlight with a USA warranty.
If you google around for the cheapest price it will probably be gray market and you'll have no warranty if it croaks.

If you decide on a tripod please spend the full $200, and also consider a used $500 one.
www.keh.com is a good source for used gear.
A good tripod is worth its weight in gold to a serious photographer.

http://www.adorama.com/searchsite/default.aspx?searchinfo=nikon+speedlight
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=nikon+speedlights&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma

 

[kenny]

FWIF here is a great site for tripod reviews.

http://www.dpreview.com/articles/2812431567/five-of-the-best-tripods-for-under-450

I'd really shoot for a used $500 tripod, from a place like www.KEH.com.....
They deal in pro camera equipment and they have a reputable condition-rating system.

I'd never buy a used camera body - too many electronics which even if they keep working have specs that are as perishable as a raw egg, but a tripod is just mechanical so if KEH says it's in excellent condition...there you go.
You'll save a ton of money and get a much better tripod than a $200 new one.

Also, if we're talking about tripods I'll mention weight.
I prefer a heavy one (aluminum, which is cheaper) for stability and vibration suppression, but landscaper guys like them for stability in wind.
Backpackers prefer a lighter one (carbon fibre or balsalt - very expensive)

 

[lovebug1031]

Thanks everyone for the feedback! He has a pretty nice tri-pod (a must for HDR) and a camera bag...but i may look into getting him a nicer one. I figured it was a stretch for a lense in the $200 range...this camera hobby of his is expensive!!! Are lens filters worth it at all, or is that just as easily done in processing?

 

[kenny]

Thanks everyone for the feedback! He has a pretty nice tri-pod (a must for HDR) and a camera bag...but i may look into getting him a nicer one. I figured it was a stretch for a lense in the $200 range...this camera hobby of his is expensive!!! Are lens filters worth it at all, or is that just as easily done in processing?

People vary.
Some want a clear UV or skylight filter on every lens to protect it.
I want no filter since I paid a zillions bucks for my Nikkor lenses and anything put in the optical path (even a horrendously-overprice genuine Nikon filter) can only degrade resolution.

That said I heard a rumor that Hoya makes the glass that Nikon puts into their filters... so save $$$ and buy Hoya filters.

IMHO a polarizing filter is the most useful filter for what he does.
A polarizer cuts through glare so you see the color underneath the glare.
If he does not have one it is the ideal gift.

http://www.nikonusa.com/Learn-And-Explore/Photography-Techniques/gl1uy3i0/1/Polarizers-Add-POW-to-Pictures.html

If you want to screw them onto the lens you have to buy the correct filter size.
When he's away take his lens caps off look on the inside of each lens cap to see what size his filters are, 52mm, 67mm? 72MM?
Hopefully both of his lenses had the same filter size.
One thing some photographers do is buy one single HUGE oversized polarizing filter and just hold it in front of every lens they own.