Camera Labs

After weeks of researching I took the plunge and got a shiny new D90 with the DX VR 18-55mm lens

Next mission is to find a 300mm plus lens.
I´ve been looking at the

Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G AF-S VR NIKKOR. Which is on sale at 350pounds
Suggestions?

I´d also like a good book, something along the lines of the canon D90 for dummies. Any recommendations?
Also, anyone know where I can download the manual from?

Any tips-warnings for new comers?
Now to finish waiting for the battery to charge to go and play

The D90 is an excellent camera. Congratulations. I can recommend the 70-300mm lens (EDGVRII). Unless maybe you are into rare birds and safaris or other big wild life parks where animals are really far away. Then maybe you want longer range. But 300mm is enough for me in most situations.

I would just read the manual how to operate the camera and rather spend money on books on how to make great compositions or stunning photos in general rather then how to operate a D90. It basicly comes down to aperture, ISO and shutterspeed settings. I think you can figure that one out for yourself and buy a book on which shutter speed to use in which situation rather then how to operate the camera.

Look in the Camera labs tutorials sections in the top menu of this website, there are some nice movies there to get you started.

Second the 70-300mm AF-S G VR ED, just picked one up today.
Thing is you can heavily crop at 300mm and its sharp, try that with some of the cheaper 3rd party lenses.
Ive got a D90 and its great for my use. Would be nice to be able to meter on the manual prime lenses i have but its not a problem as you have to think about what settings your using.
D90 manual can be download off the web.
Have a look at the picture control settings, things like saturation and contrast will help to get more vibrant photos straight out the camera, though with the Nikon glass you won't need to tweak things too much
Something like Thom Hogans Complete Guide to the Nikon D90 might be worth a read but all of what Nikon freak said really.

The 70-300VR is an excellent companion for your 18-55. Even if you ultimately want longer-range, more specialised lenses, it's still a very good buy.

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HCC
Nikon DSLRs, film cameras from Leica to Linhof

If I look at myself I probabaly have enough range with 300mm 95% of the time.

Maybe you can buy one of those duplicating focallenght lenses you can put in front of the 70-300mm if you need longer range. so it becomes a 140mm-600mm lens.

Thanks for the info all,
Just wondering, when you are leaving your camera overnight or travelling to take pictures do you leave the lens connected or do you always take them off?

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Nikon D90 + AF-S 18-55mm + AF-S 70-300MM F/4.5-5.6G IF-ED

I just leave the lens on and I keep everything in my Nikon Camera bag (Nikon rugsack).

Lens on all the time.

With DSLRs, I try to keep the swapping to a minimum (dust).

And the camera's always ready.

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HCC
Nikon DSLRs, film cameras from Leica to Linhof