Lux Investing - What should i invest in next as a beginner photographer?

What should i invest in next as a beginner photographer?

I bought a nikon D40 and a tripod but now i want to get more into photography and i was wondering what i should inest in next? I was thinking lenses, umbrella lights, ect. and be specific like which kinds of lenses or whatever should i get first? thanks!

Public Comments

fish-eye lenses are fun it you want to experiment with a different style
A prime 50mm lens. It will help you become a better photographer
First, before buying anything, decide what it is you like to photograph If you're into portrait photography then umbrella lights might be a good investment. Of course that is assuming you know how to use them. If photographing flowers and insects is what you enjoy then perhaps a true macro lens would be a good purchase. Don't be mislead by zoom lenses with "macro" in their description. They are really close-focusing. A true macro lens is a single focal length and is designed to perform best at close distances, has minimal light fall-off from center to edge and maximum sharpness from center to edge. Plus, a true macro gives you a 1:1 (life size) image. Close-focusing zooms seldom exceed a 1:4 (1/4 life size) image. If you're into sports photography then a long zoom, perhaps 100-400mm, would be the obvious choice. Of course, such a lens can also be used for nature/wildlife photography. IMO, you should fully exhaust the capabilities of the lens you own and determine what type of photography you do the most before rushing out to buy anything. For now, settle for a good UV/Haze filter and a good circular polarizer for the lens you own. Heliopan, Singh-Ray, B+W, Hoya and Tiffen are all good brands. The UV filter will protect the front element of your lens. The circular polarizer can be used to darken a blue sky and remove glare/reflections from snow, glass, water and painted metal - but not polished metal. Add a lens cleaning cloth to your shopping list.
I suggest a course, and then some books on whatever aspect of photography interests you the most. An dedicated external flash unit would be first in equipment on my list. That will make the one single biggest difference to your photography once you learn how to use it. A circular Polarizer next. Then a 50mm f/1.8 or f/1.4 lens. After that, whatever lenses you feel you are missing. A macro for closeups, a fast WA zoom for street shooting, etc etc. A fisheye is something that I wouldn't usually recommend, they are interesting but pricey, and IMHO hard to learn how to use wisely and effectively. Have fun with your D40. Have you ever heard of NAS? You will :-)
What kind of lens is on your D40? I would get something that offers a telephoto perhaps? Or a macro? It depends on what kinds of things you like to photograph? If you want to take portraits- then maybe try outdoor portraits. I did senior pictures but, not the studio kinds we went to landmarks and parks etc.. and I took posed outdoor senior pictures. They were unique- and it really cut down on the "props" I had to buy.. I would take a roll of film 36 exp. and for $30 get them developed... *You could keep the negs. and make your own prints... I would get an free 8x6 enlargement of the best one for my portfolio. *It also helped that I worked for a one hour photo lab and got discounts on film,processing and enlargements! With digital it would be easier- since you could see what you were taking.... Good luck
I too like the fish eye lens. However, they are not for everybody and expensive for a decent one. Get a nice wide angle lens, or even a long range lens. Maybe even a flash like the SB-600 or SB-800. I know the D200 and D300 allow you to use the flash off the camera with out it being attached. That allows you to be able to move the flash anywhere. I'm not sure if the D40 offers that. You could also get a deflector for cheap if you want to do portraits outside. Mostly I would invest in the best lens you can, because you don't want to have to use cheap ones and keep interchanging. Lastly, and ultimately "Photoshop" if you don't already have it.