You've got your Nikon D300: Now what?

One of the reasons you bought your Nikon D300 instead of, say, a superzoom camera with an electronic viewfinder is because Nikon's top 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 David Busch's Nikon D300 Guide to Digital SLR Photography. 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 D300.

For example, you can add the MB-D10 Multi-Power Battery pack (which integrates much more solidly with the camera than did the MB-D200 pack for the D200 model.) That gives you a longer-lasting power-source, a convenient vertical grip/shutter release for portrait-orientation shots, and the potential to fire off 8 frames per second with 12 megapixels of resolution.You can now add a WT-4a wireless transmitter for WiFi remote operation and direct transfer of your photos to a laptop or other computer. That capability was previously solely within the realm of Nikon’s top-of-the-line pro cameras. Want hi-res viewing? All you need is an HDTV and an HDMI cable.

Click to return to my Nikon D300 Page

My recommendations for Nikon D300 must-have essentials:

(Click picture for a discount price)


My guidebook, natch! The most comprehensive and accurate guide to the D300.	The Nikon SB-800 Speedlight If you can't wait for the new SB-900, this is the one to get. Powerful, flexible.	MB-D10 battery pack/vertical grip Adds 8 fps shooting to the D300 and much longer battery life!	Nikon D300 camera Don't have your D300 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.	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.

Take advantage of your D300's 8 fps rate with the MB-D10 and 8 alkalines, and get fast transfer to your computer as a bonus with this fast 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.

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.