The answers all may say something slightly different but all seem to have the same meaning. CataList yours or otherwise was unnecessary unwarranted and I needed. And like most said basically beauty is in the eye of the beholder her if you like it do it if you don't don't do it. As long as it's not illegal of course . But don't tell me or anyone else what's right or wrong, or what they should or shouldn't do with their photography. I've always felt there was one simple question when she asked himself when doing photography who am I doing it for me or someone else. And if you're doing it for yourself anyway enjoy it you can never really be wrong except in your own eyes perhaps. But if you do it with the expectation of pleasing others chances are you will please no one, including yourself

Sorry I'm new at this I thought it showed the Thread from the original poster JC something was the original initiator to whom I was replying

May I add one cliché number 26 that you forgot, avoid all who who choose pontificate their unsolicited opinions and or points of view. And feel, and or believe they know what is the Best, and right or wrong things for others to do.

Ive asked that question many times at many camera stores and almost universally the answer is. What feels best in your hand and is most comfortable and intuitive for you to use. But that being said and I've never had a problems with my Nikon, but if you do expect or 6 to 8 week turnaround time for repairs on your Nikon and a week or less for a Canon. And possibly a few other technical aspects frames per second what do you want to shoot landscape sports etc.

Texting The best and easiest way to be misinterpreted and misunderstood

If you're not in a hurry you might try renting a some lenses preferably equal to equal at the same time from a company such as borrow lenses take some shots compare and print and make your decision based on actual conditions and comparisons same subject same day different lens

It sounds to me like you are very careful and not accident prone, that being said we all make mistakes and it sounds to me like Nikon did so with this specific camera and it subagent repairs and perhaps it was a lemon from the onset? And like you I have considered switching to Cannon and or another Manufacture for future camera needs. For one reason or another, not to mention that to get a Nikon Camera repaired requires sending it to Nikon with a 6 to 8 week turnaround time. unlike Cannon with a week or less. I have an apple computer and have had many problems with it, but most people I have spoken to swear by their apple products, I too may have just purchased that 1 bad one made that day? best of luck

Like some of the others have said put both in your hand see what you like what feels best for you. As I understand the controls for Nikon and Canon have some differences. But I've also been told Nikon canon Sony whatever the manufacture do you like Ford Chevy Chrysler they're all about the same other than Canon most manufacturers all use the Sony sensor, so bottom line how does it feel in your hands, does it accomplish what you want for the type of photos you prefer shoot most. And do the controls and buttons act in a way that's comfortable and intuitive to you.

The choice will depend on what you're primarily going to shoot, The 18 to 55 would be good for indoors, portraits, lowlight applications, and wide angle landscape photography. But if you're going to shoot primarily outdoors in the daylight hours and you want to get closer to things once in a while the 18 to 135 is a bit more versatile for that kind of photography.

Here's one from Duracell that I purchased about 40 bucks I think

Yes. I purchased a power strip that goes into the cigarette lighter that has two outlets and two USB ports you can get them With more or less of each. You can then plug your battery charger into this strip just like you would the outlet in your house, and utilize the USB outlets to charge your phones etc. as I recall they're all about 2.1 Amps designed not to overcharge or heat most common items, you can get them at Ace or other hardware stores if not you can get them at an RV supply store and there you can get in with much higher amperage if needed.

You could always try a service like borrow lenses.com and rent each of the cameras and see what you prefer. Because I've always been told Nikon, Sony,
Canon, do you like ford Chevy Buick whatever feels best and works best for you.

I also shoot the D 5300 and have used the kit 18 to 55 lens it's a plastic body very light shoots good pictures might just keep it at 18 and call it good just has a slightly slower and variable aperture. The prime lenses if steel body and better glass can be a bit heavier. It sounds like you're just looking for the quick photo so set your camera to landscape and shoot away

The human eye sees at 43 mm and because your DSLR is a crop sensor a 35 mm has a 52.5 mm point of view equivalent to that of the human eye perspective. I suggest a prime lens of 35 mm with a minimum of a 2.8 apeture and based on the fact that it appears you take mostly landscape photos and the softnes and focus issues you might incur with the close-ups would not be an issue.

I want to thank all of you for your thoughts and responses, but I do print a number of my images and have found some to be dramatically different from what I saw on the monitor to what was produced from my printer