Bits and pieces to get for someone about to start with a dSLR?

[Rhys W]

My sister's bought her husband a D40 for Christmas, so I thought I could get some stuff to go with it. I've already got the Magic Lantern book for that model (recommended by two work colleagues), how about some other stuff I could get him? I was thinking of a LowePro case, a couple of SD cards... what's that filter people use mainly just to protect the lens - skylight filter?

 Any other ideas for dSLR kit I could get?

[JT]

How about a Nikon 70-200 zoom lens with VR? I've got one going spare.

Or a Giottos Rocket dust blower (or the Jessops copy) for under a tenner.
A spare battery (cheap on Ebay).
A GorillaPod tripod.

[mike]

a flash with swivel head to fit on the D40 or a decent tripod?

[hellymedic]

A BIG SD card and a LowePro case are a good idea.
Other gifts depend on the sort of photography he will do.
Does he have a digital photo frame?

[Biggsy]

what's that filter people use mainly just to protect the lens - skylight filter?

UV filter is better than a Skylight for digital, there are also clear glass protectors - but better still is no filter, keep the hood on and be careful.  With a filter there is another two surfaces to keep clean, and a filter may shatter more easily than the lens, damaging the lens in the process.

Lens Pens are handy for cleaning lenses.

4GB Sandisk Extreme III SD card(s) from www.Play.com, with card reader:
http://tinyurl.com/67atdm

Spare batteries definitely.

Spare lens caps.

Bag or case yes, though different people like different sorts of bags.  On the other hand, no one can have too many bags!  On second thoughts, bag not a good idea unless you know what sort is wanted.

[Rob S]

A good high speed SD card is ideal...I'd also consider a digital photo frame.
I would personally not get a bag as I know if it was me needing one I'd want to look at all the different options and consider what I will be carrying in it....and then there's the colour!!

[pcolbeck]

A tripod. Even a cheap one is better than not having one.

[Ivo]

A tripod. Even a cheap one is better than not having one.

Disagree. If I use a pod I use a monopod or a shoulderpod. A tripod is far too cumbersome for me.
Caps are a good one, you'll allways loose a few. A decent polafilter is a good extra.

[pcolbeck]

A tripod. Even a cheap one is better than not having one.

Disagree. If I use a pod I use a monopod or a shoulderpod. A tripod is far too cumbersome for me.
Caps are a good one, you'll allways loose a few. A decent polafilter is a good extra.

Maybe its because my camera has no image stabilisation and I have shaky hands I need a tripod for any kind of long exposure.

[David Martin]

A tripod. Even a cheap one is better than not having one.

Disagree. If I use a pod I use a monopod or a shoulderpod. A tripod is far too cumbersome for me.

Maybe its because my camera has no image stabilisation and I have shaky hands I need a tripod for any kind of long exposure.

How about a bean bag? takes a lot of hassle out of findingth eright sort of fence post to lean on..

..d

[Ivo]

Maybe its because my camera has no image stabilisation and I have shaky hands I need a tripod for any kind of long exposure.

Image Stabilisation takes away the need for a shoulderpod, it gives you the same gain in stabilisation. I still use a monopod, mainly to give my arms a rest when working with heavy telelenses.

[Biggsy]

Not everyone wants to carry a tripod around, or even a monopod (which doesn't really stabilise the camera very much anyway).

A Gorillapod would make a nice little part of the kit.  It can be used on walls, fences, etc.

Maybe its because my camera has no image stabilisation and I have shaky hands I need a tripod for any kind of long exposure.

A tripod is helpful/needed for long exposures even if the camera does have image stabilisation or shake reduction, but you might decide not to do any long exposures if you don't want to carry a tripod, and use high ISO settings instead sometimes.

[Jaded]

The Nikon remote control. If he will be taking family groups.