Help Request - Kit for Holiday

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mdodwell

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Hi All,

Firstly thank you for taking the time to read my post and any comments you make.

I am new to DSLR photography after moving up from typically holiday point and click compacts. My wife and I are going to Antigua at the end of July for a holiday. We have saved up for our delayed honeymoon and splashed out on the holiday so I really want to get some nice photo's from it.

I have a D3000 with std Kit lens, 18-55mm VR, and a std tripod but I am wondering what else would be essential to get the most from my shots in the climate of Antigua?

I am guess the types of shots I want are nice landscapes (scenery & beach), people shots, evening bar and activities, sunrises, sunsets etc etc. All the usual but of better quality. Mostly to be as memories of our holiday, but I would also like to use it as a learning experience for photography and maybe get some nice non-holiday type shots.

I am assuming that with the climate there, the sun is going to play a major factor but unsure how to best plan for this with sunrise, sunset, in the day shots etc.

I am looking for some advise if there is any kit I should consider getting to help me on get the best shots possible on this holiday. I am not looking to spend a lot of money on say other lens, but I might try and save for the Nikon 50-200mm lens.

Please feel free to ask me any questions or send me a pm via the site.

Thanking you in advance.

Matt
 
Initial thoughts are a polarizing filter to make the most of those lovely blue carribean skies.
Maybe a shutter remote to help avoid camera shake during the sunrise/sunset shots.

Are you planning on doing any of the water sports at the hotel? Sailing, windsurfing etc...? A longer lens might help for those.

For the evening stuff, have a look for a 50mm f/1.8 lens. The large aperture will help when there's not as much light.

Oh, and it's your honeymoon... don't spend all your time looking at it through your viewfinder ;)
 
Jim.R said:
Initial thoughts are a polarizing filter to make the most of those lovely blue carribean skies.
Maybe a shutter remote to help avoid camera shake during the sunrise/sunset shots.

Are you planning on doing any of the water sports at the hotel? Sailing, windsurfing etc...? A longer lens might help for those.

For the evening stuff, have a look for a 50mm f/1.8 lens. The large aperture will help when there's not as much light.

Oh, and it's your honeymoon... don't spend all your time looking at it through your viewfinder ;)
Click to expand...

Hiya Jim.R

Thanks for the advise.

I will defiantly invest in a polarising filter as reading some information on them they sound like they will really help in sun light I will be getting.

In terms of lens I will have to decide on which way I want to go, i only really have the money to buy 1 so I will have to think about what I would be taking more shots of. As the D3000 requires the autofocus motor to be in the lens I'll have to have a look at the 50mm lens options in AF-S as required by the D3000. Not sure I'm ready for using the old eyeball for focusing.

Matt
 
Totally agree with Jim on the filter and nifty for low light.
May be worth taking a small tripod for the sunrise/set shots too?

Have an awesome time matey :thumbs:
 
mdodwell said:
In terms of lens I will have to decide on which way I want to go, i only really have the money to buy 1 so I will have to think about what I would be taking more shots of. As the D3000 requires the autofocus motor to be in the lens I'll have to have a look at the 50mm lens options in AF-S as required by the D3000. Not sure I'm ready for using the old eyeball for focusing.

Matt
Click to expand...

Looking into it, it looks like Nikon don't to a AF-S 50mm lens unless I got a 50mm f/1.4 AF-S which looks to be over £300, a little out of budget at the moment. So a manual 50mm f/1.8 for £100 looks to be the way to go and to practise manual focusing.
 
Don't get too carried away buying new lenses before you've got to grips with the one you've got.
I'd say for what you want, the kit you have now is fine at your level of experience.
Remember it's a Honeymoon!!!
You should be busy at night and too tired to go out during the day!
 
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