Kit Lens: What is your opinion of kit lens. Are they going to produce good photos or do I need to sell them and get better lens? Thanks in advance. Bought a Nikon D7100 with two kit...

kfoo Loc: Arkansas

What is your opinion of kit lens. Are they going to produce good photos or do I need to sell them and get better lens? Thanks in advance. Bought a Nikon D7100 with two kit lens.

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

Might place a lit' more credibility on a seasoned professional here...
http://www.dslrbodies.com/lenses/lens-databases-for-nikon/thoms-recommended-lenses.html

You're not likely to get unbiased guidance i.e opinions on a hobbyist forum...

That said it is virtually impossible to get meaningful direction unless you share what genre you will be working in...
As for "Kit" lenses thoms' recommendation might shock many here but it is spot on... I have the Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR AF-P (product number 20059) and it's an amazing value... I use it for street and editorial genre... it's diminutive size allows me to shoot without being noticed... and it's excellent stopped down one stop... strong on the 55mm end...

btw, you'll certainly want to consider obtaining the amazing Nikkor 35mm f/1.8 (product number 2183) which is likely the finest worth/value DX lense Nikon provides...

Hope this helps...

wanderingbear Loc: San Diego

I have the same camera. I think you will find that they are very adequate for nearly all of your needs. After you master all the settings that those lens's and you can do; then you may want to explore various lens for the type of photography you have an interest in. Enjoy.

Bear

Leon S Loc: Minnesota

Very impressive pictures have been captured with kit lenses. Don't be afraid to use them and learn their strengths and weaknesses. Know what their sweet spots are and start taking pictures.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

kfoo wrote:

What is your opinion of kit lens. Are they going to produce good photos or do I need to sell them and get better lens? Thanks in advance. Bought a Nikon D7100 with two kit lens.

Kit lenses are optically fine. They are not very well-made, consisting mostly of plastic, not made to last. They are usually zooms - and are not known for offering wide maximum apertures. But you would be hard pressed to tell the difference between an image taken with a kit lens and a prime, or pro quality lens at F8. You will see a difference at F4, however. Most of your photography, unless you spend a lot of time shooting subjects in marginal light, will be well-handled with kit lenses. There is no shame in using them, and as long as they are working, you can expect to get great results.

JoAnneK01 Loc: Lahaina, Hawaii

I use the D7100 as my back up for my D810. My kit lenses usually meet 95+% of the time. Since I do shoot nature and sports I have added several long zoom lenses. But they are used for my specialty subjects. For walk around the kit lenses work extremely well.

repleo Loc: Boston

Go on Flikr and filter for your lens. That will give you a good idea of what can be achieved with your lens.

Ob1 Loc: Utah

Why not just buy the sharpest lens you can afford. There are enough variables in photography without adding in all of the issues a kit lens can add to the equation. It's your money and and your frustration just a thought.

bull drink water Loc: pontiac mi.

my only problem with one has been, when the gears striped after 10 yrs of use. many of the images were good, a few were great.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

wanderingbear wrote:

I have the same camera. I think you will find that they are very adequate for nearly all of your needs. After you master all the settings that those lens's and you can do; then you may want to explore various lens for the type of photography you have an interest in. Enjoy.

Bear

I agree wholeheartedly! Do not rush to buy more lenses and get all hyped up with forum GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome.) Learn to use what you have!

My D7100 with the 18-140 is still happily used and I have much "better camera and glass combos" as well. Maybe because it takes excellent pics and is a nice walk around combo for us.

tturner Loc: Savannah Ga

I use a Pentax K10D and I recently purchased a "kit" lens 18-55. I use it more than any other. here is a link that may help you as it did for me.

https://digital-photography-school.com/why-your-kit-lens-is-better-than-you-think/

adm

I find kit lenses (zooms) for my Olympus Pen to be surprisingly good and a good value. The only drawback is that they are "slow" at f 3.5 and f 4.0.

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

kfoo wrote:

What is your opinion of kit lens. Are they going to produce good photos or do I need to sell them and get better lens? Thanks in advance. Bought a Nikon D7100 with two kit lens.

Don't be in a rush to upgrade from the kit lenses.
Do invest in the 35mm 1.8 DX. As already mentioned, it will serve you well.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

kfoo wrote:

What is your opinion of kit lens. Are they going to produce good photos or do I need to sell them and get better lens? Thanks in advance. Bought a Nikon D7100 with two kit lens.

Education is more important than equipment hands down. That said, if you wish, you should look into some prime lenses. My favorite is the Nikon 35mm f1.8 G,AF-S, FX lens that you can still get for a song. Amazon has them new from $169.00. This lens is very, very, sharp and it would be an inexpensive start to your prime lens assortment.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

Ob1 wrote:

Why not just buy the sharpest lens you can afford. There are enough variables in photography without adding in all of the issues a kit lens can add to the equation. It's your money and and your frustration just a thought.

Just curious,what are "...all the issues a kit lens can add...?"