D60 companions

[alyssa]

I am a photojournalism student and am planning on buying a D60 when (hopefully) the price drops (though I've noticed there already has been some drop). Here's a chance to wank: I want to know what's best, no matter the price. What flash, flash accessories, lenses, doodads, whatever, do you recommend?

I know the D60 has some trouble with flash. Is there a specific flash that works better than others?

I have a canon ef 16-35 mm now. What do you recommend for a telephoto? (Though I'll be the first to admit I'm about to be broke.)

Also, what sort of insurance do you recommend? A specific company?

I'll revealed my ignorance, sure, but please help me out here.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

PS: Do you think I should spend the extra cash on the rumored D80 if it moves from rumor to news?

[robertwgross]

Alyssa, your question is difficult to answer, since you have not stated what you intend to photograph. Even if your answer is "everything", that is not much of an answer.

A newspaper photographer will have one set of needs. A sports photographer will have a rather different set.

It is rather crazy to ask what is best, because somebody will have some ideas that cost a king's ransom. There is no sense in somebody recommending an expensive solution if all you have to spend is peanuts.

If you stated that you need specific recommendations on a wide-angle lens or a long-zoom lens, then that would be easier to deal with.

The standard flash unit of choice is the Canon 550EX.

Maybe try to flesh out your requirements a bit and come back. This is not the sort of thing that is easily answered in a minute.

---Bob Gross---

[alyssa]

Well, I guess we have the same problem then. I don't really know what I want. I shoot all matters of assignments because I work at a big 12 university paper and have great access to almost all sports and most any features.

I'm mostly interested in things like, yeah, that the standard flash unit of choice is the Canon 550EX. I want to know these things, but I don't have very many specifics. So maybe I should hold off on questions, but still would appreciate any answers that are available now.

Thanks.

[andycampbell]

The best thing to do is get yourself a vivitar 283.
It has none of the problems of 550ex, with the money you save you can buy the focus emitter.

Use it on a bracket with a bounce card if possible or some kind of diffuser.
Not very fancy, but it works wonderfully