emoss28

Hello everyone,
I am FINALLY able to get some of the equipment I want, and would like input from those of you Nikon DSLR lovers who have experience with any of the following equipment;

List of items for Saturday morning purchase:

1 Nikon D810 Camera Body with 24-120mm f4 VR Lens
Plus Nikon Lenses:
16-35 f4 VR
200-500 f5.6
1 Extra battery EN-EL15 Lithium-Ion
1 Compact Flash Card: 64 GB
1 SD Card
1 Flash-SB5000
1 Cable Release MC30
1 Polarizer filter plus adapters for the lenses (I know I can't use lens shades with adapters, but have to price out Polorizers for all 3 lenses.
ND filters plus Variable ND’s by Tiffen 2-8 stops
GPS Unit GP1A Versus Solmeta...Solmeta is cheeper! Anyone with experience here?

Is there anything you can think of that I'm missing? There are tons of packages out there in cameraland, but the items that come with them (I've been told) are generally lower quality. I realize that with the items listed here that I'll be without a NEW lens to cover between 120-200mm, but I have an older Nikkor lens that can be used: Nikon ED AF Nikkor 70-300mm 1:4-5.6 D It's not nearly as sharp as the newer lenses I'm told, but I could use it in a pinch. I used to shoot advertising images, but am selling my 4x5 view camera. It's a Toyo View D45M...all metal with a great bellows, and a Rodenstock Sironar 210mm lens, metal case, extension rail, Poloroid Back, cable releases, extension lens shade (bellows), perfect ground glass etc. Glazer's Camera has offered me all of $50.00 for these items. I also have a Gitzo tripod for it...heavy duty...goes up to 16'! I've been offered $65.00 for it, and I have a Nikon SB28 Flash, for which I've been offered $25.00. It's HEARTBREAKING!! I also have a Nikon D90 35mm camera that they won't even take! They tell me that no one wants these any more. Does anyone out there know otherwise?
Any opinions would be greatly appreciated!

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

I won't comment on the Nikon stuff, but personally, I'd skip the variable nd filter. I've not see a single one that I like. Instead I'd opt for a Haida ND standard filters or a filter system (lee also makes one).

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

All this stuff and one SD card?? I'd be tempted to slow down on lens purchases and at some point work in a 70-200 2.8. I don't care for the
Nikon MC-30A I recently acquired,clumsy and overpriced. I'd think about my usage before loading up on filters. Step rings,like B&W,are pretty good,but again,depends on you and your use. Good luck and enjoy!

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

Sandisk extreme pro...don't skimp.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

It sounds very good. My main camera is the Nikon Df so I can't speak to the D810, though I have read many good comments on it here on UHH.
I have the 24-120mm f/4G ED VR and it spends most of it's time on my Df, I think you will be very happy with it.
I don't know about the 16-35mm, but I do have the 200-500mm f/5.6G ED VR and I really like it. It is pretty much married to my Nikon D7200. I have used the 200-500mm handheld with good results, but it is probably better suited for use with a tripod.
I am not one who feels it is necessary to have all focal lengths covered so for me having the 80mm between 120mm and 200mm covered is not important, though some feel it is.
An extra battery is important and it is my opinion that the CP filter is the most important filter to have and you've got both of those taken care of.
A lens I suggest you consider is the 50mm f/1.8G (or f/1.4G) for indoor/low light photography and for shallow Depth of Field when needed. The 50mm f/1.8G is small, light and relatively inexpensive. The f/1.4G is a little more expensive.
Happy shooting, enjoy your new gear.

bdk Loc: Sanibel Fl.

I have a D810 and I LOVE it, so glad I bought it, my memory cards are 32 instead of 64 and I find them large enough for what I do. I use the release everytime the camera is on the tripod. Then lenses dont sound like good lenses . They are good for a start but your images may suffer. ( or may not ) If your buying these as a package then ok. IF your buying them piece meal I would skip on a lot of the lenses. keep us posted on how you make out.
or maybe you can buy a refurbished d810 from Nikon and a few good refurbished lense from nikon and save some bucks The Referb cameras come with same guarantee and you cant tell they were referbs.

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

Nice gear. Make some images!

Rob Almeda Loc: Gaithersburg, Maryland

Let me see. So that I can get all those stuff you were buying, I have to buy a lottery ticket and hope I will win tomorrow night.
Anyways, all those on your list are all okay except that you need to add more cards. The 16-35mm is good. The 70-300 is just average. I would put the 70-200 on your list. Have a nice shopping day on Saturday.

Haydon

Have to agree with the VND filter avoidance. Mostly complaints than raves...

Missing? How about a substantial tripod for that heavy gear?

srherrmann Loc: Baton Rouge, Louisiana

You might consider a 1.4 Teleconverter for the 200-500, the extra reach comes in handy at times and it works great on this lens. I have both and can verify that there is no distortion when using it, the only thing is that you'll be shooting at f8.

emoss28

Wow! Thank you all for your kind thoughts and info! I'm surprised at how many responses I got so quickly...that's great because I'm itching to get going. I will definitely look at the cost of Haida and Lee filters...not sure they are sold at Glazers in Seattle, but I could order them online I suppose. I live a ferry ride away from Seattle, so it's a journey to go to the city for me. I was going to get the 70-200mm lens, and then realized I could save some $ if I bought the "package"-810 body w/the 24-120mm lens. I guess I'm going to have to look at them and how much I'd really save. I have a bunch of SD cards already, just no new ones. I usually use my 16 GB SD card with my little Nikon P90. Regarding the MC30A Cable Release: Is there another good choice that works with the D810? I have cable releases, but I'm sure there would have to be some kind of adapter to make them work. I'm planning on getting GPS that works remotely, so maybe it's not necessary to get a cable release, just more convenient! I am definitely going to look into the 50mm lens; thanks for the suggestion. I'll just have to see how much they are. Thank you BDK for the refurbished idea....I'll take a look online and see what I can come up with! I didn't know the warrantees were the same as when you buy brand new. That's great info!
Does anyone have an opinion on the used gear prices I've been offered?

emoss28

I have about 10 SD cards already, and I have a great tripod already.
Thank you DaveO and Rob Almeda! I've decided I'll go with the 70-200 mm and skip the package lens, following your advise.
SRHerrmann, I LOVE the teleconverter idea. I used to have one....forgot all about them! They come in handy when there is bird or a bear you want to shoot!
All right everyone...you've really gone all out for me, and I thank you all for your input. I can't wait to post some new images!

SteveR Loc: Michigan

Nice selection. I do see that you're lacking in the 120-200mm area. I am also going to suggest an all-around lens that comes in very handy on vacations. The Nikon 28-300mm. It doesn't have a gold ring, but it does a very good job.

Have fun!!

mongoose777 Loc: Frisco Texas

I would think you should get an L-bracket for your tripod.
Might want to consider a battery grip for portrait shooting if you do any.
I love my D810.
The 24-120 is a great walk around lens.
It appears to be a sharp lens until I compare it to my 24-70.
Why buy a the SB-5000 ($600) flash?
I've heard of great things about that flash, but the SB-910 and even the SB-800
are adequate enough to get the job done.
Save some coins there to purchase other items.
Which 64gb CF cards did you get?
Don't get Transcend or other lower end cards bc many will not work with the 810.
I personally use Lexar Professional series CF & XQD cards.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

I favor the 32gb SanDisk Extreme Pro. Also quite pleased with the Feisol Elite Ct-3372 or the Ct-3472 if you want a four section. Excellent bang for the buck.

http://www.feisol.net/tripods/elite-tripods.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=sandisk+extreme+pro+32&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma&Top+Nav-Search=