Body only vs kit: Nikon D7100 DSLR Camera with 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR DX Lens VS Nikon D7100 DSLR body only I keep seeing posts recommending NOT to purchase a camera with a kit...

HEALS3113 Loc: PENNSYLVANIA

Nikon D7100 DSLR Camera with 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR DX Lens VS Nikon D7100 DSLR body only

I keep seeing posts recommending NOT to purchase a camera with a kit lens. Doesn't it save you money to purchase body and a lens? Why not a kit lens?

The above 2 examples I have been looking at

legion3 Loc: Deer Park Long Island

they are not the best quality, good glass is not cheep you are better off buying the best glass you can afford so when you upgrade your camera you will still use the lens

HEALS3113 Loc: PENNSYLVANIA

So, how do I know if it is "good glass"? What do I look for?

creativ simon Loc: Coulsdon, South London

HEALS3113 wrote:

Nikon D7100 DSLR Camera with 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR DX Lens VS Nikon D7100 DSLR body only

I keep seeing posts recommending NOT to purchase a camera with a kit lens. Doesn't it save you money to purchase body and a lens? Why not a kit lens?

The above 2 examples I have been looking at

Buy body and lens seperate, will cost more but you can choose the glass that suits your needs

jeryh Loc: Oxfordshire UK

HEALS3113 wrote:

So, how do I know if it is "good glass"? What do I look for?

Good glass is usually F2.8 aperture, and unless it is s/h, it will be considerably more expensive than a kit lens; for example, try selling a kit lens in excellent condition; you would be alarmed at the miniscule amount offered- usually in two figures.

legion3 Loc: Deer Park Long Island

canon uses an L on its better glass. Also the price difference will tell you

gerald Loc: Georgia

The kit lens for the Nikon d7000 is a quality lens, but it is not a fast lens comparing to a Nikon 70 -200 f2.8 and the pro rated lenses are more durable.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

HEALS3113 wrote:

Nikon D7100 DSLR Camera with 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR DX Lens VS Nikon D7100 DSLR body only

I keep seeing posts recommending NOT to purchase a camera with a kit lens. Doesn't it save you money to purchase body and a lens? Why not a kit lens?

The above 2 examples I have been looking at

If you have no lenses, then you will obviously need a lens with the body. The 18-105mm has gotten good reviews. Just because it's affordable and it's called a kits lens, that doesn't mean it's junk. If money isn't a concern, I'd get the D7100 with the new Nikon 70-200mm f/4. It's gotten great reviews, and it's smaller, lighter, cheaper, and more modern than the f/2.8 equivalent. If you're the type who uses a magnifying glass to examine for sharpness, you'll be doomed to spending thousands on lenses.

If your goal is to have a nice camera and lens and spend your money wisely, the D7100 with 18-105mm is a good place to start.

Lens Reviews
http://kenrockwell.com
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/
http://lens-reviews.com/
http://photozone.de/
http://dpreview.com
https://www.google.com/search?q=nikon+50mm+1.8+vs+nikon+50mm+1.4

Info:
http://photonotes.org/articles/beginner-faq/lenses.html

Lens Comparisons
The little arrow above the graphic toggles back and forth between the lenses youre comparing.

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=476&Camera=474&Sample=0&FLI=0&API=0&LensComp=490&CameraComp=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=0

http://www.dpreview.com/products/compare/lenses

winterrose Loc: Kyneton, Victoria, Australia

HEALS3113 wrote:

Nikon D7100 DSLR Camera with 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR DX Lens VS Nikon D7100 DSLR body only

I keep seeing posts recommending NOT to purchase a camera with a kit lens. Doesn't it save you money to purchase body and a lens? Why not a kit lens?

The above 2 examples I have been looking at

You will undoubtedly be getting replies advising you to buy very expensive 2.8 pro zooms such as the Nikon 24-70 and Nikon 70-200. These are indeed top grade professional quality lenses. The D7100 is the best DX body available, I have one and it deserves good lenses to be used with it but you will be spending around $1,000 on the body so do you have a further $4,000 to spend on two lenses? My D7000, when I bought it, came with an 18-105 and I tried it out once before selling it. It's a good lens and I would have kept it except that I already had an 18-200 VR. Can you come back with a bit more information regarding the type of subjects you wish to shoot and any Nikon compatible lenses you may already have? Cheers, Rob.

BrettOssman Loc: near Tampa, Florida

What level photographer are you? A lot of it depends on what you shoot and your plans for your photos.

If you are just starting out that kit lens may well benefit you for some time. IMHO, you will get your money's worth out of it, so it's not wasted.

Have somebody show you the same photo with the kit lens vs. one of the higher end lenses. Can you tell the difference? Have them explain why it matters to YOU, not why it matters to a pro.

For example, somebody told me once I just had to get one the Canon L lenses. I told them I primarily display photos on the computer screens and electronic photo frames. Suddenly, they deemed the L lens was probably overkill.

RLKurth Loc: I'm from NY, but live in north Florida

The 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6 is a really good lens, but it is in no way a PRO lens. But then if you don't know that much about lenses you are in no way a pro photograper (just like the majority of us aren't pros either) I would suggest getting the 18-105mm and learning with it, then get better lenses as you grow with your D7100. Just my .02 cents worth!

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

RLKurth wrote:

The 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6 is a really good lens, but it is in no way a PRO lens. But then if you don't know that much about lenses you are in no way a pro photograper (just like the majority of us aren't pros either) I would suggest getting the 18-105mm and learning with it, then get better lenses as you grow with your D7100. Just my .02 cents worth!

:thumbup:

Db7423 Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

Every comment above is a good one Heals. Now that you understand what the commenters mean when they say "body only" you have everything you need to make up your mind about which way to go- kit or not. Good luck. ;)

Brenda IS Scottish Loc: GOLDEN Colorado

RLKurth wrote:

The 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6 is a really good lens, but it is in no way a PRO lens. But then if you don't know that much about lenses you are in no way a pro photograper (just like the majority of us aren't pros either) I would suggest getting the 18-105mm and learning with it, then get better lenses as you grow with your D7100. Just my .02 cents worth!

I find nothing wrong with my kit lens. Are they considered
"Pro Lens" no. But they are a great way to get started and to give you some education on what type of lens you will want to put your money into at a later date. I still use some of my kit lens and have no problems with them. I have gotten some really great pictures with them.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

I'm inclined to say go for the kit lens; not that it's so good, but you will spend your first year learning how to shoot, and what you like to shoot...

THEN you will have a better idea of what lens you need.

Take it from some who's wasted THOUSANDS of dollars on lenses that he ultimately didn't need. :(