(Part 2) Top products from r/Nikon

If it were up to me, I would get a Rode Video Micro, which is around $40 cheaper than the Video Mic Go, (I'm going USD because that's where I am, not sure if you are GBP or what, but the price ratio should be around the same) and from most of the reviews out there seems to be a bit better all around, and it comes with a dead-cat wind breaker, which you would have to pay extra for if you got the Go. If you are shooting in a forest you'll want that to help break any wind noise coming in through the trees.

Here is a review comparing the Video Micro with the Video Mic Go and the Video Mic Pro:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSfDWCpRUk8

So case 1 is get a Video Mic Go for around $100 (https://www.amazon.com/Rode-VMGO-Lightweight-Microphone-Super-Cardio/dp/B00GQDORA4) and get a dead cat wind screen for around $30 (https://www.amazon.com/Rode-DDCGO-DeadCat-Artificial-Shield/dp/B00JG8IBW6/ref=pd_bxgy_267_img_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=X6C0TJQWT1W5RK1TW680) because you will absolutely need it if there is any kind of wind. That would be around $130-140 depending on shipping/tax/etc.

Case 2 is get a Rode Video Micro, which I personally own and really really like, and that is $60 AND comes with a wind screen, so for the money you have saved you could get a Zoom H1 as well and come out pretty close to the same price!
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1183909-REG/rode_videomicro_compact_on_camera.html
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1260111-REG/zoom_h1b_h1_ultra_portable_digital_audio.html
$60 for the mic + ~$80 for the recorder puts you at $140, so like $10 more. Not bad in my opinion. And it gets you the peace of mind of being able to monitor your audio, make sure that you don't have any weird interference or background noise since it has a headphone jack. Yes, you have to sync audio in post, but it is totally worth it in the huge jump in audio quality. This is basically the setup that I used for quite a while (H1+ Nikon ME-1 mic for me, so this setup is probably even better) and it is a really cheap option compared to what is out there (now I am using a Zoom H4n Pro + Sennheiser Lavalier Mics + Rode Video Mic Pro and some other gear as well,) and there probably isn't a massive difference between the two setups.

Just my opinion, but I think that you would end up with better audio the second way, and the audio really makes the movie. Bad audio and a good video image/story still generally is a bad video.

Just starting to dip my toes into the world of photography (more like just looking at the water at this point) but it seems like people online and personal friends are recommending the D5500. This might sound like a dumb question, but which of these three options is the best value? Are cameras products that are fine refurbished or is there anything to be wary of? Is there a better, but reliable, site to buy cameras at than Amazon?

New (18-55mm & 70-300mm) $730 Is a new camera plus an additional lens worth the price increase of ~$100 from the one below?


Refurbished (18-55 mm) $620

Refurbished (Body Only) $540

For macro this flash is all you will need "below", "there a cheaper alternatives out there, Amazon will give you a list, make sure they work with the camera you have before purchasing", it's on my macro lenses all the time, it does not mean though that I fire it off all the time "I set up one of the camera buttons that when pressed to dissable the flash from firing" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNUH5dCaLMU&list=PLDWvA0qQrZ290b_1j0f_t9Jfnu34TRJKx&t=0s&index=118 , if natural light is right there is no need, but if you want a nice sharp shot the more light the better "but don't overdue it". In the camera flash compensation settings your camera is set by default at 1/250s of a second, which means that you shutter speed will not exceed 1/250s of a second, I don't use this option, since I shoot in manual mode and like to control my shutter, f-stop, and EV settings myself, what you do is go into the Bracketing/flash exposure settings in your camera customs setting menu and change the Flash sync speed setting from 1/250s of a second to 1/250s (Auto FP), this will give you more creativity and help freeze the subject, which is crucial with insects that constantly move "the black wasp was shot at 1/500s shutter speed with no flash used", if you are new to using a flash just stick to 1/250s, then just experiment with the Auto PF mode until you figure out the right settings for the shooting conditions.

Sigma Ring Flash.

https://www.amazon.com/Sigma-EM-140-Macro-Flash-Cameras/dp/B00064XR64?crid=PZ3KQIEG7QCA&keywords=sigma+ring+flash&qid=1540808499&sprefix=sigma+ring%2Caps%2C127&sr=8-5-fkmrnull&ref=sr_1_fkmrnull_5

​

You can also use a regular flash with a small soft box "flash diffuser" attached.

https://www.amazon.com/Altura-Photo-Universal-Collapsible-Speedlight/dp/B01ERRQ802?crid=3SV90PE13KBH8&keywords=softbox+for+speedlight&qid=1540810590&sprefix=soft+box+%2Caps%2C135&sr=8-5&ref=sr_1_5

Facts. Looking at the Nikon version, $2000 is way too much for me. I was looking more around the $1000-1250 range.

Like this would be pushing my budget. This
is more reasonable but doesn't have image stabilization, and it's lower on my budget scale. This seems like an average between the two.

Like I said, I'm not really a professional photographer. I've covered shows at regular venues and music festivals alike, but it's more of a luxury of being able to get photo passes. A lot of times it goes "I'm covering this, but I might as well cover that while I'm here", like SXSW this year. I'm mainly an entertainment journalist, hence the media press conferences (which are usually well-lit)

I'd love to get a faster tele lens, but honestly in most photo pits I'm so close that I need something lower than a cropped-to ~100mm. And while I could have a second wider lens to fill that gap, I just hate having to swap lenses on a dime. That's my worry.

What to do...

If I might recommend one more thing to spice up your macro world, it would be a reversing ring. Stick it on your fast 50mm (or 35mm) and it's pretty neat. Definately leaning more in the artsy/lomo world doing this, as the DOF is super tiny, and you basically have to get 'right on top' of your subject, but, hey, it is cheap, cool fun. I have been using a pair of cheap LED flashlights to illuminate whatever it is I'm messing with.

The Tokina 100mm macro is stunning.

You wouldn't have any autofocus with a D3200 because the D3200 has no screw motor. You don't need it as most macro shots are leaning in or away by a millimeter.

It would give you good working room. You can get the flash around the front of the lens pretty easy. Bugs wouldn't be too sacred of you because your not right in their faces. Set it at f/22 and shoot away. It goes down to f/64 but f/22 has been my favorite for macro on this lens.

So no autofocus, no IS/VR, great macro glass. If you upgrade your camera later to one with a screw drive this can be a strong portrait lens as well as a macro.

I recommend the TAKSTAR SGC - 598 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E58AA0I/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_n4HFzbPQPT5RG (as said in another comment)

For Film, your best bet is to invest in a follow focus so that you can manually focus on various subjects with precise focus and so you have full control. I often times end up using my ZOOM H1 with a hot shoe to tripod adapter piece and just use my Zoom an external mic since you'll need one anyway to record external audio. If you would like to use autofocus while filming, my advice would be to invest in a quiet lens. I've heard that the popular Sigma 18-35mm f1.8 is really quiet and has stunning results. That's just my 2 cents.

I'm getting the Camera for my birthday soon. You can get I think it's 67mm lens. Someone recommended this for Micro? shots:

https://www.amazon.com/Polaroid-Optics-Piece-Close-Filter/dp/B003UHY7D6

TBH My mother wants to go all out on me oddly as long I use it and go outside haha. After so many years shes still trying to save me.

I don't know what other filters I should get amazon should have batteries I would get a x2 with x2 charging slots as well so you can charge them at the same time. SD Card Maybe x2 also if you are doing something where maybe you need to swap them before the police take the camera LOL.

> a big comparison list to show how 'on balance' it's better than the previous generation camera

That's literally every incremental hardware upgrade ever. iPhone 6 vs 6S, even 6S vs 7 (headphone jack gone—but people still bought it by the millions), 7 vs 8, etc. Or Galaxy S7 to 8 to 9. The D7500 is massively appealing to people coming from the D7000 or D90, rather than people who have bought the D7200 or even the D7100.

> The D500 is about $300 more than the D7500

I dunno where you get your numbers from.

D500 new: $1896.95.

D500 refurbished: $1549.

D7500 new: $1146.95.

D7500 refurbished: $949.

The D500 is always $600–700 (that's twice as much as what you've quoted) more expensive than the D7500. Even if you want to compare refurbished D500 vs new D7500, that's still $400 more.

For an amateur/semi-pro shooter, that $600–700 is better spent on good glass like any of the f/1.4 primes or a third-party f/2.8 FX zoom, rather than 10 FPS shooting, 153-point autofocus, dual cards, the full-fledged 'pro' layout and battery grip support, because the D7500 is at its core a D500: both have the same metering and image sensor; they also have the same ADC, if SOOC images are needed.

To each their own. TBH I don't have any experience trying to get the kit lens to do macro with a filter or tube but have had success with a filter just fine on my 35mm (which costs ~$130 used). Linking a couple of shots below as well as the close-up filter I use below as reference.

https://flic.kr/p/2gncoU7

https://flic.kr/p/2giTPdB


https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004E54LBQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It's totally perfect! Here's a $9 one I have, works great.

link

I use the Kapaxen EH-5/EP-5B for my D810 and it works great, never had an issue with it and it's a great price at $40. Here's the EH-5/EP-5A which works with your D3300:

http://www.amazon.com/Kapaxen-Adapter-Coolpix-Digital-Cameras/dp/B00A98R0QU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1459187995&sr=8-1&keywords=kapaxen+eh-5

Rokinon 8mm f/3.5 fisheye, fantastic lens for the money. It's relatively sharp past f/5 and offers great contrast and color. There is also a cheaper version that won't meter and uses a manual aperture ring for $50(usd) less.

Here is a shot I took with my friend's Rokinon 8mm on my D7000. As you can see from the EXIF data I used a version that doesn't meter, so it's a little tricky to get exposure correct at first.

C'mon, don't be a pansy. Just go all the way and get a Rokinon 8mm F3.5 fisheye for $250.

More seriously, I've used the Tokina 11-16 and it was awesome. Here's my favorite shot with it

Okay. It really helps to understand what your needs are; you mentioned that you wanted to use it as a gag, and weren't really clear whether you needed a wide FOV or just the fisheye effect.

Neewer sells a $25 fisheye lens that threads into anything that takes a 52mm filter. This includes the 18-55 and the 35mm f1.8.

If you want something higher quality, Rokinon makes some very respectable manual focus fisheye lenses that are modestly priced.

> You can't capture a wider angle in post.

You can stitch a panorama in post.

You are strong in resisting the gear acquisition syndrome! :-)

I'm not sure if you've read this page, but it has a list of lenses suggested for the nikon dx cameras:

http://www.dslrbodies.com/lenses/lens-databases-for-nikon/thoms-recommended-lenses.html

​

Specifically for a mid-range f2.8 zoom, it looks like the recommendation is for the Sigma 17-50mm f2.8 HSM lens

​

As for mid-range zoom or a wide fast zoom (like the sigma 18-35mm f1.8), it comes down to what you want to shoot, and if you want to change lenses. The 18-35 f1.8 could be a great lens for you because it doesn't overlap any of your existing lenses, you get that constant f1.8, and they're $675 new. But if you want a zoom that can stand-in for your 35 and 50mm lenses, then the mid-range zoom may be just what you need.

Place a softbox attachment on your external flash to soften the light and make it easier on the people you shoot. I know you don't want a flash but this seems to help.

https://www.amazon.com/Altura-Photo-Universal-Diffuser-Speedlites/dp/B01ERRQ802/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1468882130&sr=8-10&keywords=flash+softbox

You can do either, just bear in mind that the minimum focusing distance at full extension (2000mm equiv.) is something like 5 metres. At maximum width is more like 20cm, which is more reasonable. If you're really into macros I would probably recommend a cheap screw-on lens, maybe something like this. That size should screw on the P900 with no issues.

Thanks! Do you think this set is worth the $600 price tag? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XVTT5PL/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_pREjzb3XGHDYG

Amazon prime, overnight shipping, under $100. It'll be better than the internal mic on your camera.

https://www.amazon.com/Rode-VMGO-Lightweight-Microphone-Super-Cardioid/dp/B00GQDORA4/ref=sr_1_1?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1524162067&sr=1-1&keywords=rode+external+microphone

I used to use commander mode when the only flash I had was a SB-700. When I got more into flash photography I bought two of these flashes and two of these triggers. I've had zero issues with the flash or triggers. They have ttl triggers also

The advantage the radio triggers have over commander mode:

• do not need line of sight
  
  
• have much longer range
  
  
• work well in sunlight
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Well the best regardless of price for crop lenses, everything else I can find in that focal range is, at best, f/3.5.

If you don't want to get as wide as that there's also the $800 Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 Art. It's sharpest DX lens from what I've read, but I've also heard issues with focus calibration with it.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01JG6QWUA/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1520070417&sr=8-4&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=nikon+d7200+battery&dpPl=1&dpID=41XAK6H91fL&ref=plSrch


Highly recommend

Look into [this] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00BXA7N6A/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1418076641&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SY200_QL40) one. I own two and I think they work marvelously for the money you pay.

Also, "my husband, (male, 26)" made me chuckle.

I have a D5100 and I was on the same boat as you. I wanted to be able to do macro shots, yet found that a whole macro lens is terribly expensive. As an alternative, I got macro filters from Amazon which have worked very well for me. If you're adamant about getting a full lens, I don't have any suggestions for you, but...



Here is a picture I took of a doorknob center with maximum magnification when I was using the filters Note: the image was cropped to be narrow


This is what it looks like using the normal macro settings on my camera without any filters


Lastly, here is a +18 magnification of the keyhole in its full image size

Comment edits for formatting

I only advise that if time is an issue, maybe buy the ring from a reputable shop rather than an ebayer in china. they come up with the goods but it can take upwards of a month to get to you. Here's one on amazon for 9 dollars or adorama for 12. Otherwise the product is identical.

If it means anything to anyone here, the D7500 is $100 off at Amazon today.

https://www.amazon.com/Nikon-D7500-DX-format-Digital-Body/dp/B06Y5ZCFHX/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1522615649&sr=8-3&keywords=d7500

The prism housings on (many) bodies with pop-up flashes aren't big enough to support the same kind of porthole-style viewfinder they put on bodies that don't have them.

I bought one of these for my D750 to see if it would at least get me halfway there, because I don't like the clip-on cover they supply with the camera. It did, but the rubber part was forever getting brushed against things and slipping off the plastic mount. I left it off and found that the plastic part was a decent-enough substitute. I may put a coat of Plasti-Dip on the rear (eye-facing) edge to make it a bit softer.

You could get something like this for power https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A98R0QU/ref=psdc_2516700011_t2_B000KVPSNI
and use the HDMI out to an external video recorder (PC?). Heres nikons description: http://www.nikonusa.com/en/learn-and-explore/article/hojlp4ee/using-an-hdmi-recorder-and-external-monitor-with-your-hdslr.html

Edit: spelling mistake

I have a D3100 and use a Rokinon 8mm fisheye, It has an Auto Aperture Chip so you only have to manually focus. Also get the one with the removable hood.

Amazon link

Look at the Tokina 100 2.8 macro. It also doubles as a portrait lens. Used is under $400.

I use this one from Pixel. It's not tied to my phone, but I don't mind that since I can use it wired or wireless. It has multiple options from bulb, to time lapse.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01IJPG6MS/ref=mp_s_a_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1497026559&sr=8-6&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=intervalometer+nikon+d810&dpPl=1&dpID=51zdbGZLyHL&ref=plSrch

My macbook (late 2013) has USB 3.0 ports, and it's directly connected to the XQD card reader (https://www.amazon.com/Sony-MRW-E90-BC2-XQD-Reader/dp/B01IRRI5CC). Sony's XQD cards tout up to 400 MB/s both read and write. 41GB took a half an hour to transfer to my laptop.

Love my 600. Noise is well controlled and it's extremely sturdy. Mine's been wet, cold, dirty and still does the job. I can't imagine you'd regret making the purchase.

Stay away from DX lenses on FX sensors. Vignetting is horrible. (Good image examples here.) For less expensive lens alternatives, check out older Nikkor AF lenses. I have several D series from years gone by that work just fine on my 600. For comparison, I looked up a 50mm 1.4 D on Ebay. It's $180 vs the new 1.4 G on Amazon for $350. Since the 600 has an in-body focus motor, pretty much any Nikon AF lens will work.

Sorry, I can't comment on the video side.

You can also use a rig/hotshoe adapters to lift the mic further from the camera/lens.

Also I chose these over the Rode mics and have no regrets but lots more money in my pocket:

TAKSTAR SGC-598 Interview Microphone for Nikon/Canon Camera/DV Camcorder https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E58AA0I/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_n4HFzbPQPT5RG

Link https://www.amazon.com/Tamron-70-200mm-Digital-Cameras-A001NII/dp/B0012GDOQS

Edit: I accidentally linked the non vr version, here is the right one https://www.amazon.com/Tamron-70-200MM-Telephoto-Nikon-Cameras/dp/B00A34GP52

https://www.amazon.com/EN-EL15-RAVPower-Battery-Compatible-Batteries/dp/B01JG6QWUA/ref=sr_1_3?gclid=Cj0KCQjw_OzrBRDmARIsAAIdQ_LjiUvqf4qXxUkAsvabWrCs_hJNgamjwhs575J28OepVl934aqVynoaAs1AEALw_wcB&hvadid=214068500283&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9022861&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t2&hvqmt=e&hvrand=8936383252072150661&hvtargid=kwd-336030622204&hydadcr=18444_9455433&keywords=ravpower+nikon&qid=1568405347&sr=8-3

​

I got one of these. 2 slots, usb powered cheaper than official and come with 2 batteries.

​

edit: I'm an idiot the D3000 doesn't take those batteries.

Its an F mount for FX and DX http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-AF-S-NIKKOR-Focus-Cameras/dp/B001GCVA0U