I have been considering the concept of obtaining a 70-300mm AF-S lens for my D60 to extend my range for several weeks. Adding the lens to my system would extend my range out an additional 150mm (since 300mm is equivalent to 450mm for me), allowing for a wide variety of coverage of situations. Recently I have been looking at a 50mm lens that has an f/1.8 aperture. The difficulty between these two lenses is that one will give me greater focal length range, while the other one will allow me to get much faster pictures (meaning sharper, and less blur). The f/1.8 lens is the Nikon 50mm f/1.8D AF Nikkor. At this point I am considering a purchase of both lenses.

Next, a speed light. I have been looking to have a “bounce-flash” on my camera, since my main flash unit does not bounce. I am considering the SB-400, since it is small, light and cheap (by Nikon’s standards). It meets all of my needs NOW, but the more I think about it, I could see my needs changing and I would rather obtain the bigger flash now than have to buy it later and already have another lens. The SB-600 is the other flash unit I am looking at. It is somewhat more spendy, but might be worth it, as a future investment.

Finally, a much lesser issue, the thought of a backup body for my D60. The only model I will consider as a backup is the Nikon D40, but I am not sure how much I really need it. The body would not be for “in the event of failure” of the D60, but instead, as a hot spare that I can attach an additional lens to if the situation were to arise. For the moment I don’t have a need to go around with two Nikons hanging from my neck, but I could see the potentiality for it later. This will probably happen later in some form or fashion, but it could be simply the D60 becoming backup when it is eventually succeeded (which would be when I am actually a professional photographer).

Once I obtain my new hardware, all I have to do is find willing subjects to be photographed.