You've got your Nikon D200: Now what?

One of the reasons you bought your Nikon D200 instead of, say, a superzoom camera with an electronic viewfinder is because Nikon's popular DX-format camera is incredibly expandable. There are thousands of lenses, tons of add-on accessories, many electronic flash options, and a whole raft of things you can do to enhance the capabilities of your camera. But, where do you start?

I have lots of recommendations, including reviews of many Nikkor lenses in the Nikon D200 Digital Field Guide. But I've begun putting together this web page, which I plan to use to provide more up-to-date advice, specifics about new lenses and accessories as they are introduced, and even links to where you can purchase this gear at a discount. I've got a few key must-haves here, but will be expanding this page to include even more goodies and recommendations in the future. This page should grow into a good resource for those who want to get some of the same lenses and add-ons that I use to upgrade the capabilities of any Nikon D200.

Click to return to my Nikon D200 Page

My recommendations for Nikon D200 must-have essentials:

(Click picture for a discount price)


My guidebook, natch!	The Nikon SB-800 Speedlight	MB-D200 battery pack/vertical grip	Nikon D200 camera and lens -- New!

MC-30 remote release Never leave home without your MC-30 release!	Manfrotto Monopod I own this, and the Manfrotto carbon fiber monopod. Super for sports, landscapes, wildlife.	Tokina 12-24mm zoom. I love my Nikkor 12-24 DX lens, but here's a chance to save some money on a lens that is virtually as good (or better) at a lower price.	Nikon DK-21M Magnifier Helps you focus your macro shots manually for better control over depth-of-field.

Stuff I can't live without:

The New "Magic Three" Unless you're shooting close-ups or distant sports, you really don't need any other lenses. Sharp, fast, and expensive, these lenses do everything! They are full-frame lenses for both DX and FX formats, too.
	Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8G ED AF-S Nikkor	Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8G ED AF-S Nikkor	Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Zoom Nikkor

This 70-300 VR lens is a bit slower than the legendary 70-200 VR, but it has a longer range, is more compact, and costs less. Great for traveling light	The 80-400 VR gives you a bit more range for sports, and many photographers prefer it to the 70-200 VR for wildlife photography.	105mm VR Micro-Nikkor Vibration Reduction may be overkill for a macro lens, but folks said the same thing about autofocus. This one is great indoors or out.	Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX Nikkor Serious photographers usually replace their kit lens with this one after they've worked with their cameras for awhile. Sharp!

	Nikon 85mm f/1.4 "Cream Machine" Beautiful bokeh; this is the #1 portrait lens for Nikon dSLRs. Get one now before Nikon replaces it with something less. You can own a legend!	AF-S DX Nikkor 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR This versatile lens is the new king of the kit lens crowd for DX format dSLRs. It handles everything from architecture and landsapes to portraiture.