Looking at purchasing my first DSLR and need help deciding a few things.

[4hams]

Hi folks I am in the market for a new DSLR. Got it narrowed down to the Nikon D5100 I think.

Standard kit comes with a 18-55 lens. http://www.henrys.com/64742-NIKON-D5...5-VR-LENS.aspx

Upgrade 1 is NIKON D5100 W/18-105 VR LENS. http://www.henrys.com/64743-NIKON-D5...5-VR-LENS.aspx

Upgrade 2 is NIKON D5100 W/18-55 VR & 55-200 VR LENS. http://www.henrys.com/64744-NIKON-D5...55-200-VR.aspx

Upgrade 3 is NIKON D5100 W/18-55 VR & 55-300 VR LENS. http://www.henrys.com/64745-NIKON-D5...55-300-VR.aspx

Upgrade 4 is NIKON D5100 W/16-85 VR LENS. http://www.henrys.com/64746-NIKON-D5...5-VR-LENS.aspx

I am starting to see some deals on the D90 but not good enough to buy it over the D5100. I have been told the D5100 makes far better use of light than the D90 due to the sensor.

Can someone please explain what all these different lens do, and what would be the best choice in packages to give me the best variety of shooting on initial purchase. I don't want to be buying expensive lenses after the original purchase. Or should I say the wife will not allow me to be spending alot on the camera after the initial purchase. LOL

So what combination of lenses would give me the most versatility? And what do the lens all do?

Thanks in advance!

[Kallenator]

You should go down to the store and try them out. Given that the size of both is different.

I would get the Upgrade 1. That lens is pretty damn nice, great reach. And fooling around with just one lens in the beginning phase is just fine.

My choice would fall on the D90 for being a better camera in many areas. Like bigger viewfinder, grip, battery, controls/buttons, built in screw-AF.
I think you would out grow the D5100 far faster than the D90.

[Chaserjzx100]

upgrade 4 is nice... like the 16-85, not really fan of zooms and telephotos but upgrade 1 and 4 are good.

if you could get that lens combo with d90 that would be much better... in body AF is still a lot to consider

[1ke]

I'd buy the D5000 Refurbish for around $500 and then get lenses you want. I suggest:

35 Prime
50 Prime
Sigma or Tamrom Zoom for wide focal length (50/18-200+)


Not having a lens will cause you to miss a photographic opportunity. The camera (for the most part) is irrelevant.


Of the choices you have provided, I'd vote for Upgrade 3.

[4hams]

Thanks for the replies and suggestions folks.
I have been to the store and played a little bit with the D5100 and the D90.

I am really leaning toward the D5100. It has all the newest technology built into it and is not to difficult a camera to learn. The D90 is a great camera with far more options for tweaking the shot before it is taken but I don't know if I will ever be able to figure them all out and it is a 3.5 year old camera now.

Keep the suggestions coming folks as i will read them all.

[BeepBeep2]

Things that matter:
Aperture
ISO
shutter speed
focal length
skill...


I have "upgrade 3", I'm more than happy with it other than wide angle in low light situations and bokeh in a few, I plan on getting a 35mm and 50mm f/1.8 in the future.

[4hams]

Hi BeeoBeep2, and thanks for the reply!

A buddy of mine suggested the kit with the 18- 105 VR lens. he said it is his favorite all around lens as it does most shots very well. I am leaning this direction as the initial kit and probably adding a inexpensive telephoto and a macro lens? any suggestions?

[BeepBeep2]

Hi BeeoBeep2, and thanks for the reply!

A buddy of mine suggested the kit with the 18- 105 VR lens. he said it is his favorite all around lens as it does most shots very well. I am leaning this direction as the initial kit and probably adding a inexpensive telephoto and a macro lens? any suggestions?

The 18-105 VR is a flexible lens, no doubt. Do I think it's worth the price? Maybe.
It's noticably sharper in the corners than the kit 18-55 at wide angle from f/3.5 to f/5.6, by f/8 each lens is dead even. Where the 18-105 shines is ~40-75mm, where it's almost perfectly sharp across the whole frame from f/5 to f/16.

HOWEVER
The 55-200 is just as sharp in that range, in fact slightly sharper...and it stays that sharp all the way until you get to ~135...f/5.6-f/16. It is still decent at 200 as well.

Going for an inexpensive telephoto though, would completely offset your "good glass" purchase, the cheap sigma and tamron lenses are just awful.

As for the 55-300...less sharp than the 55-200 or 18-105 at f/4.5 (minimum), though stop down to f/5.6 at 55 and up to f/8 at full telephoto through f/16 and its equal to the other two.

For future reference,
http://www.slrgear.com/reviews/showcat.php/cat/13
It may help you make your own decision

The main "problem" if you can call it that, that I have are those moments where you have both lenses on hand, need to shoot around 55-70mm, and have the 18-55 installed...its easy to get lazy and shoot with the 18-55...but the difference between the 18-55 and 55-300 at 55mm f/5.6 is a no contest.

[weston]

What do you shoot? You might be better off with just the 16-85mm lens, then maybe pick up the 35mm 1.8 down the road once you master the camera. The D5100 gives much improved image quality over the D90, so I'd say go for it. The in body AF would help in some cases, but newer lenses are adopting the AF-S silent wave motor. Wouldn't be a deciding factor to me.

It sounds like you want simplicity, and upgrade 4 gives you just that. I'd go with the 16-85 over the 18-105 having used both myself. It's a better lens in every way. 16mm gives you more dramatic wide angle shots and you can always crop to get extra reach with the D5100 sensor being so nice.

[4hams]

Thanks weston!
I love taking landscapes and closeups of birds and flowers, but want the ability to take decent sports shots as my kids play soccer and Rugby. Also like taking pics at car shows... A little of everything.

[4hams]

Thanks for the link BeepBeep2!