Can't Wait...I'm buying my Nikon D5100 today!!!!!!!!!!! So, i found a price at Costco for $999, it has the following in the kit: Nikon D5100 Digital SLR Body 18-55mm Nikkor AF-S DX VR...

beegal Loc: Pennsylvania

So, i found a price at Costco for $999, it has the following in the kit:

Nikon D5100 Digital SLR Body
18-55mm Nikkor AF-S DX VR Lens
55-300mm Nikkor AF-S DX VR Lens
Nikon System Case
4GB Class 10 30MB/s SDHC Card
Nikon School D5100 DVD "Explore New Techniques"
Nikon School "Guide to Digital SLR Photography"
Rechargeable Li-ion Battery
Quick Charger
USB Cable
Audio Video Cable
Camera Strap
Nikon ViewNX 2 CD-ROM

Any views on this????? I'm sure the lenses are not "fast" but i am REALLY new to this and have a lot to learn. I am upgrading from a point and shoot Nikon P100.

Any suggestions as to what other items i should purchase along this the above?????

I value all of your input. Can't wait to take some photo's and send them in.

Tuccij Loc: New England

Brenda,

Congratulations. It is a great camera.
I did not see filters on your lists but:
2 UV filters- one for each of the lens

Other options maybe to look at after you play with your camera
Polarizer Filters
Tripod (if you don't have one already)
Nikon External Flash
If you like portrait work, a Camera Bracket (Alzodigital one is pretty good).

You will be happy with that Camera.

Regards,

John

bobmielke Loc: Portland, OR

beegal wrote:

So, i found a price at Costco for $999, it has the... (show quote)

Good beginning. You can learn a lot with that kit. If you haven't already done so consider a circular polarizing filter and two clear UV filters for your lenses. The UV filters protect the heavy investment on the lenses and the polarizer will greatly aid in outdoor photography. Before you buy tripods or camera bags put a post asking for advice. Any experienced photographer has at least 5 camera bags. LOL

My Favorite Bag
My Favorite Bag...

Mike C

Brenda

I agree with all that John had mentioned and would add a backup battery if it only comes with one. Nothing worse then getting shut down due to power loss. I keep 3 in total.

I just got done reading Bryan Peterson's "understanding Exposure" and would recommend it to anyone. its a fantastic read and commonly rated in the top 10 photography books.

Get out and shoot and lets see some of those photos!

Have fun,
Mike C

LEWISHINE

Just got one. Still learning it. I will not give up the F4s however. But this lets me take a lot more pics without the intermediate cost of film. It also gets me to obsess a lot more about images that I am creating from scratch. I am still working on a simple light bulb... three days now... and I still don't totally like what I am getting. But that's part of the game. One thing, I am learning quite a bit... like what the changes are in the background as you change the intensity of the bulb. The colors change too!! Interesting stuff. Perhaps in the next few months I will get it "right"..LOL

bobmielke Loc: Portland, OR

Mike C wrote:

Brenda

I agree with all that John had mentioned and would add a backup battery if it only comes with one. Nothing worse then getting shut down due to power loss. I keep 3 in total.

I just got done reading Bryan Peterson's "understanding Exposure" and would recommend it to anyone. its a fantastic read and commonly rated in the top 10 photography books.

Get out and shoot and lets see some of those photos!

Have fun,
Mike C

A side note, on vacation in July I packed two spare batteries for my D7000 just to make sure I had enough firepower while in a desert. I barely had to get into my second battery after shooting over 900 frames. Nikon batteries really perform well.

jdtx Loc: SA, Tx.

it has been mentioned but an extra battery, the CPR, and neutral density filters will help in bright light, most of all just enjoy it..as you go along you'll find out what you "need" for your particular situation..congrats

beegal Loc: Pennsylvania

Thanks everyone...You are all sooo helpful. Can't wait to go out today and shoot.

lindann

This is the one I got a Costco too. I really do love it so far. I have only had it for a week and a half. I want to buy filters an extra battery and a 50mm lens. That is on the short list.

The best thing about Costco if in 30 days you don't like it or something is wrong they will take it back no questions ask. They are great like that. That is why I went there.

bobmielke Loc: Portland, OR

lindann wrote:

This is the one I got a Costco too. I really do love it so far. I have only had it for a week and a half. I want to buy filters an extra battery and a 50mm lens. That is on the short list.

The best thing about Costco if in 30 days you don't like it or something is wrong they will take it back no questions ask. They are great like that. That is why I went there.

Certainly nothing wrong with Costco, or Sams in other parts of the country. If they have what your looking for their kit prices are hard to beat. They exception are some privately owned camera shops that offer the extras, like a cleaning kit or a small camera bag to entice you away from the big box stores. Costco's warranty is about as perfect as they come.

I'm sure you're thrilled right now, and should be. New toys are always fun. Enjoy! :)

josoIII

you already know the term "fast" when referring to a lens. what does that mean, "fast"?

Please let the poster respond in his/her words.

I find it a disturbing trend, that people feel the equipment will not fill their needs for taking photographs, and they don't have the equipment to do research.
One more thing, when looking at a lens chart, you can see how well the lens is made, on the other hand, I have never photograph a lens chart at a wedding...

Jaime Loc: Los Angeles

bobmielke wrote:

quote=beegal So, i found a price at Costco for $9... (show quote)

Yeah... very nice. Check out Krumpler bags... and of course Lowepro Slingshots. As far as UV filters go, be very careful. The glass on your new lenses is amazing, and if you put a cheap filter on the front of your lens... it could degrade your image. No point in getting great equipment if everything that enters the lens is degraded somewhat. B+W filters are the best... but they are pricey. I stopped using UV filters, even the B+W, because I was told that even if you have a little dust or a small scratch on the FRONT element, it does not effect the image. Only if the scratch is on the rear element, is the lens trashed.

Take a shot with the filter... then one without. The same shot... then compare. It's a personal choice. But above all... HAVE FUN with your new stuff. I LOVE getting new stuff!!

Jaime Loc: Los Angeles

josoIII wrote:

you already know the term "fast" when referring to a lens. what does that mean, "fast"?

Please let the poster respond in his/her words.

I find it a disturbing trend, that people feel the equipment will not fill their needs for taking photographs, and they don't have the equipment to do research.
One more thing, when looking at a lens chart, you can see how well the lens is made, on the other hand, I have never photograph a lens chart at a wedding...

Fast glass means that you get a large aperture... f1.2-f2.8 are considered fast because you can shoot at a faster stutter speed as more light is getting in because of your large aperture.

And photographing a chart sets a standard. If the image from the chart is clean and undistorted, then the images you capture at the wedding will be clean and undistorted, too. If a lens can't focus properly on a chart... it never will at a wedding.

Fran Loc: Northeast, United States

bobmielke wrote:

quote=beegal So, i found a price at Costco for $9... (show quote)

josoIII

[quote=Jaime][quote=josoIII]

Please let the poster respond in his/her words.

you did not see were I was going with this comment?
I have talked to people who know more about a camera then you or I do, you look down at their camera settngs, and it is in AUTO...

This was the point I was trying to make...