It looks like I will be purchasing a D7100 DX DSLR Camera which comes in a kit with
AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR Lens
AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR Lens
or
would I get higher quality photos with something like a Tamron 16-300 mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD and not the kit lens? I really want to limit the price of the lens above the cost of the body to $600 which limits my lens selections.
Camera use for recreation and wildlife when I'm in the mountains/desert or traveling.
I appreciate your advice
:thumbup:
The new Sigma 18-300 is $579 and is supposed to be sweet.
I personally would purchase body and lens separately. You will probably end up with a better or more desirable lens
mcveed
Loc: Kelowna, British Columbia (between trips)
If it's your first DSLR get the kit lens. If you already know what lenses you will get eventually - do it now. Kit lenses are usually lower priced compromise lenses for those who don't know where they are going in photography. That is except, of course, the excellent 24-120 f4 Nikon is offering as a kit lens with the D750.
Don't let the term kit lens fool you. Both the 18-140 and 55-300 are very sharp lenses. All-in-one lenses, also called superzooms, like the Tamron 16-300 or Sigma 18-300, have their advantages, but they are not as sharp as the two lower ratio zooms especially at their long end. Some find them to be sharp enough, some don't.
If image quality is your main goal, go with the 18-140 and 55-300. If you like the idea of not changing lenses and not losing shots while changing lenses, and you don't mind losing some image quality, go for the Tamron 16-300 or Sigma 18-300. The Tamron is going for $599 after mail in rebate and the Sigma is going for $579.
if you are new to the camera game and your pockets are shallow, then go with the kit. if you know your way around, the buy camera and lens seperatly. the super zooms recommended are not fast lenses.
If image quality is the main goal , primes are still the way to go .
Erv
Loc: Medina Ohio
What Clint said!!! This will get you started and then you can go from there. You will always want different lenses for different things after you get the real bug.:) Micro-105, portraitures- 50 or 135, birding 80-400 Or 150-600.
Erv
The
dbeals wrote:
It looks like I will be purchasing a D7100 DX DSLR Camera which comes in a kit with
AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR Lens
AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR Lens
or
would I get higher quality photos with something like a Tamron 16-300 mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD and not the kit lens? I really want to limit the price of the lens above the cost of the body to $600 which limits my lens selections.
Camera use for recreation and wildlife when I'm in the mountains/desert or traveling.
I appreciate your advice
:thumbup:
It looks like I will be purchasing a D7100 DX DSLR... (
show quote)
I guess it depends how much reach you need. I have an 18-200mm Nikon lens on my D7000 body and it never comes off. Excellent lens which meets my needs. I would buy the body and lens separately. You will love the D7100 - it is a very highly rated body that really delivers outstanding results. Think about what you will be shooting and buy the lens that meets YOUR needs.
JCam
Loc: MD Eastern Shore
dbeals wrote:
It looks like I will be purchasing a D7100 DX DSLR Camera which comes in a kit with
AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR Lens
AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR Lens
or
would I get higher quality photos with something like a Tamron 16-300 mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD and not the kit lens? I really want to limit the price of the lens above the cost of the body to $600 which limits my lens selections.
Camera use for recreation and wildlife when I'm in the mountains/desert or traveling.
I appreciate your advice
:thumbup:
It looks like I will be purchasing a D7100 DX DSLR... (
show quote)
If you have any intention of shooting wildlife, you definitely want the 55-300mm, but I question whether you also need 18-140 or would you find something in the 18-80 range more useful. With both the -140 & -300, you are only getting =/- 150mm of additional reach as most all telephoto zoom lenses are "soft" at their of their maximum extension.
I have an assortment of lenses with my D7100, but the Nikon 18-200 VRII stays on my camera 90+% of the time. The best and cheapest way to purchase that lens is to get it as a kit with camera purchase. Depending on your needs, you can also add the inexpensive, excellent and very sharp Nikon 35mm or 50mm F/1.8. Fabulous camera! Enjoy!
Indi
Loc: L. I., NY, Palm Beach Cty when it's cold.
dbeals wrote:
It looks like I will be purchasing a D7100 DX DSLR Camera which comes in a kit with
AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR Lens
AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR Lens
or
would I get higher quality photos with something like a Tamron 16-300 mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD and not the kit lens? I really want to limit the price of the lens above the cost of the body to $600 which limits my lens selections.
Camera use for recreation and wildlife when I'm in the mountains/desert or traveling.
I appreciate your advice
:thumbup:
It looks like I will be purchasing a D7100 DX DSLR... (
show quote)
I bought the D5300 with the Nikkor 18-140 lens as a package. This is a really nice lens. Sharp and versatile. However, I'm saving up for the new Sigma 18-300, so the Nikkor lens will become redundant.
dbeals wrote:
It looks like I will be purchasing a D7100 DX DSLR Camera which comes in a kit with
AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR Lens
AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR Lens
or
would I get higher quality photos with something like a Tamron 16-300 mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD and not the kit lens? I really want to limit the price of the lens above the cost of the body to $600 which limits my lens selections.
Camera use for recreation and wildlife when I'm in the mountains/desert or traveling.
I appreciate your advice
:thumbup:
It looks like I will be purchasing a D7100 DX DSLR... (
show quote)
I am going to say that the D7100 and the 18-140 lens make a very nice combination.
None of the lenses you mention are good wildlife lenses unless the subject is in good light and pretty close to the camera. You could go with a prime or a zoom for wildlife and just to give you an idea, not a suggestion my favorite wildlife lens is the old 80-400 VR lens. The new version is superior but quite expensive as well.
If you have $10,000 to spend you cannot go wrong with the 500mm f4 VR for wildlife photography.
When I purchased my first dslr I did the package deal with two kit lenses. I used these lenses while learning my way around the camera. Now that I am more skilled the kit lenses are being sold as I have selected a better lens to proceed. I want a better lens that will match the capability of my camera. 8-)
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