JPL

Before buying filters you should set your camera at ISO100 and the lens at f/22 and try to capture the waterfall with those settings in low light either early in the morning or late just before sunset to get the slow shutter speed you want. Just to experiment. You can stable your camera by laying it on a bean bag or on a rock or something near the waterfall. Not always necessary to bring a tripod.

But a ND filter should work fine on this lens if you find one that fits.

ebbote Loc: Hockley, Texas

Welcome to the Hog Andy, enjoy.

jackinkc Loc: Kansas City

Primes can be outstanding, no doubt about it! Way, way back in time - when bandicoots roamed freely over most of the Earth - it may have been true that prime lenses were superior to zooms. But that was then and this is now. Modern technology has developed zoom lenses that may only be distinguished from primes by strict laboratory tests. For now, I wouldn’t concern myself about which kind of lens is “best”. Just go take pictures.

BudsOwl Loc: Upstate NY and New England

I am not a Nikon user, but from experience with a Tamron 18-270 lens on a Canon 60D I don’t believe you made a mistake. I have produced and sold 24X16 pictures with that setup. I have a friend who uses the 16-300 on his Canon 3ti and I have been impressed with his bird photos. Whoever has been telling you that it was a mistake and that you can’t use ND filters is not a person you should listen to for your photography needs.
Bud

ORpilot Loc: Prineville, Or

Welcome to UHH. You have a decent starter system. Too many here are not educators and want to make everyone an instant National Geographic Photographer. I am a retired College Instructor in Photography. It isn't the equipment that makes the photographer it's the artist behind the camera that makes the photographer. ND filters will work on your lens. But you may not need them at all. Try setting ISO as low as it will go. Then go to shutter priority "S" on your Nikon. Set the shutter speed to 1/30 sec. You may wish to try several shots slower than 1/30 all the way to 2-5 sec. The camera will automatically adjust the f-stop up to the point you run out...may be f-22 or higher. Be sure to use a tripod. Most people cannot hand hold a shot slower that 1/60sec. If that doesn't give you the results you desire. Then try the ND Filters or a Polarizer. I have used 2 linelier Polarizers and rotated one until it got dark enough. Sometimes having slow shutter speeds is not the most interesting depiction of a waterfall. Sometimes a very fast shutter speed will capture it in a more interesting way. Try a 1/4000 of a second. That should freeze the water droplets into diamonds. Play and practice. Your all-in-one lens is fine. You will be able to do many things with it that "primes" cannot do and won't have that high $$$$ price either. You will be I recommend that you check with your local college or adult education or Camera store for classes. All the books and DVDs cannot replace the one-on-one learning in a class. Happy Shooting.

Kfallsfotoman

If you're just starting out this is a GOOD combo for you.
The lens will give you an opportunity to see the various perspectives at each focal length and then make a decision on where your "sttyle" is and where you want to go from here.
I have used this lens and it's fine - the best? - no - but very far from the worse!

Next learn your camera and all its controls - PLAY PLAY PLAY- with shooting then review the results.
Waterfalls - fun to shoot -assume you're trying to capture the soft flowing cotton look. Basics are; tripod , lowest iso your camera will handle (mine is 200, many are lower)- largest-number aperture (f32 )- then see where the Sutter speed is let that dictate a neutral density.

frankie c Loc: Lake Havasu CIty, AZ

Hi Andy, welcome to UHH :) You may have already noticed we are not short on opinions here. So guess I will share mine too. There is no reason that I can think of which would make the system you already have incapable of taking a picture of a water falls. Maybe you could help us by telling us why you considered your attempt a failure or perhaps showing us the shot. You may need a little more practice and understanding of how but going out and buying stuff just cause some peeps say you needs to (maybe just cause they think they have a shortcut on how to get to Carnegie Hall) I don't think will help you in this stage of you photography adventure. If you must buy something,,, maybe get a new watch :) the time of day maybe part of the problem :( I remember when people told me I couldn't go to the sun but I just went at night. Good luck and again welcome to the HOG.

cambriaman Loc: Central CA Coast

Photography has so many variables involving the camera parameters and the accessories used that there is rarely a "one-size-fits-all" answer to any question. Keep this fact in mind when investigating a situation and especially before you spend serious money.

rwww80a Loc: Hampton, NH

Welcome! Time to get some books and a take a photo course or two. Reading a camera instruction manual will tell you what a button or knob setting does but you need to learn what the effects of changing a setting does to a photo. Anybody can take pictures, photographers make photographs. Each setting variable will effect how a finished photo will look.