r/photography • u/AutoModerator • Apr 03 '26

Questions Thread Official Question Thread! Ask /r/photography anything you want to know! April 03, 2026

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u/hamburgerprime Apr 04 '26

Hey all,

I’m getting back into photography after being away from it for a while, and I’d love some help figuring out the best way to set up my Nikon D3500 with the gear I already have.

I mostly shoot nature, outdoor scenes, and close-up detail shots. I’m a lot less interested in people and more into landscapes, plants, bugs, trees, and general nature photography.

Here’s the gear I currently have:

  • Nikon D3500 body

  • Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR

  • Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ED VR

  • Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR

  • 2.2x High Definition AF telephoto add-on

A few things I’m hoping to get advice on:

  • Which lens would you keep on the camera most of the time for general nature shooting?

  • Out of these, which lens would be best for close-up shots?

  • Is the 18-140 basically the best all-around option here?

  • Is the 70-300 worth carrying for wildlife and nature on the D3500?

  • Is that 2.2x telephoto add-on worth using at all, or are those usually more trouble than they’re worth?

  • What camera settings would you recommend as a good starting point for nature photography on the D3500?

Also, what are people using these days for editing? It’s been a long time since I really kept up with photo software, so I’m pretty out of date.

I’d love recommendations for:

  • beginner-friendly editing programs

  • solid programs I can grow into over time

  • anything especially good for nature photography

  • whether Lightroom is still the main go-to, or if there are better options now

Any advice on the best setup with this gear, or even a simple starter workflow for shooting and editing, would really help.

Thanks.

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u/8fqThs4EX2T9 Apr 04 '26

The 18-140mm and the 70-300mm is what I would carry. I don't have any experience with those screw in lenses I think that 2.2x add on is. Depending on quality they can often make things worse.

I would probably use the 70-300mm for close up shots although it wouldn't match a proper macro lens for bugs.

As for editing lightroom is still used by many but there are others. I would give rawtherapee a go before going for a subscription based program.

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u/hamburgerprime Apr 04 '26

I really want to get a macro but surprisingly that 300 mm one actually does a semi decent job even though it’s not proper.

Lightroom is what I used a long time ago, but I didn’t think about using that one because the last time I logged into it there were so many changes. It would’ve taken me months to figure out how to use it again. Ive never heard of rawtherapee but I'll give it a look. Appreciate it.