You've got your Nikon D3 or D3x: Now what?

One of the reasons you bought your Nikon D3/D3x instead of, say, the D300 or D700 or an amateur is because Nikon's flagship FX-format (full frame) camera offers top-of-the-line features, and 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. Or, you can add a WT-4a wireless transmitter for WiFi remote operation and direct transfer of your photos to a laptop or other computer. Want hi-res viewing? All you need is an HDTV and an HDMI cable. But, where do you start?

I will have lots of recommendations, including reviews of many Nikkor lenses in David Busch's Nikon D3/D3x Guide to Digital SLR Photography, available later this Fall. 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 expect some sexy new lenses to be announced around September, before Photokina begins. But right now I've got a few key must-haves here and 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 D3 or D3x.

Which to buy? I use both! I love my D3 for sports photography, especially indoors where its stellar performance at ISO 3200 really comes in handy. I also use it for fashion photography and portraits under "environmental" lighting conditions. In the studio, I prefer the super-high-resolution of my D3x, and it's a mainstay for my product photography, studio portrait, and fashion work. I also love it for landscapes. When I visited the Sedona red rocks/Grand Canyon area of Arizona this spring, I took along my D3x. I pressed it into service for some sports photography at MLB Spring Training in Phoenix, too. Choose between the D3 and D3x based on your own needs, but if you have some serious professional applications, you may find that you can justify both cameras.

My recommendations for Nikon D3/D3x must-have essentials:

(Click picture for a discount price)


My guidebook, natch! My books on the D700 and D3 won't be available until this Fall, so stay tuned for updates.	The Nikon SB-900 AF Speedlight I bought this the same day I got my D700, and it' works like a charm with my D3, too. Autofocus, and it recognizes when you use one of the included filters.	Nikon DK-17M Magnifier Helps you focus your macro shots manually for better control over depth-of-field.	Nikon D3 camera (body) Don't have your D3 in hand, yet? Order one here from a reliable retailer.

MC-30 remote release Never leave home without your MC-30 release! A must for HDR shooting on a tripod, or any relatively long exposures.	Manfrotto Monopod I own this, and the Manfrotto carbon fiber monopod. Super for sports, landscapes, wildlife.	D700 with 24-120mm VR lens Here's the perfect back-up camera for you D3. I own both! Equipped with a great walkaround lens.	Nikon GPS-1 I love my GPS attachment, which plugs into the 10-pin socket and records location information in your images.

Take advantage of your D3's 9-11 fps rate and get fast transfer to your computer as a bonus with this fast CF card.	8GB CF Card While the 4GB Sandisk card is great, I've standardized on 8GB cards. I can shoot all day on a single card for sports and travel photography.

More 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

	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 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!