Camera lens for Nikon D3200: I am considering a Nikon D3200 AR-S with 18-55mm VR lens but some reviews regard this lens not justifying the camera's potential. Should I buy this package...

morris cowley Loc: australia

I am considering a Nikon D3200 AR-S with 18-55mm VR lens but some reviews regard this lens not justifying the camera's potential. Should I buy this package and buy a separate lens, if so, which lens?, or, buy body only and buy a separate lens? Your comments greatly appreciated. Comparing a Nikon D3200 to a Nikon S6100 point and shoot 14mp. how big a comparison is photo quality? As can be seen I am new to digital photography.

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

The D3100 is a GREAT camera with superb quality so the D3200 is better still.

My son has the D3100 and 28-300VR but it is NOT a cheap lens

Bret Loc: Dayton Ohio

What do you plan on shooting?

morris cowley Loc: australia

I have joined a camera club and with strong competition I want to improve. Interest is mainly black and white but also trying for "impact " colour shots. I guess photos from a Nikon D3200 should be better than from Nikon S6100?

morris cowley Loc: australia

Should also have mentioned I would like a coment on whether I should look for an alternative lens to the one supplied on the Nikon D3200

Bret Loc: Dayton Ohio

Consider this....would you buy the maytag Z700 stove for 800 dollars or the maytag X900 for 3000 dollars? I'm not sure about the S6100...IQ and all that....however a good cook can make use of a camp fire if needed....just a thought.

Bret Loc: Dayton Ohio

Have a look at this lens...60mm 2.8D.

Lynnabelle Loc: Pigs Eye, Minnesota

Back in the film days, I shot with Nikon exclusively. When digital came out, I switched to Canon. Long story short, I've just come back to Nikon and bought a new D3200. (The cherry red version, I'll have you know!) Love, love, love it! I've got small hands, and the fit and weight are perfect. I think Nikon has a deal right now where if you buy the body and kit lens (18-55 you're talking about), you can also buy oher lenses at a substantial discount. I got an additional 55-300 f/4.5-5.6 zoom (the good zoom, not the plastic one) for $249.00. They are selling for $399.00 on Amazon right now. IMHO, the D3200 is not only a good entry level camera, but one that you would be happy with for a very long time.........

wilsondl2 Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska

The 18-55 Is a good lens for most pictures. 30 years ago it would have been one of the great lenses. Many photogs want a faster lens (one that has a larger aperture) for use in low light situations or to limit the depth of field (this is why I have them) or they want a macro for photographing small objects. Just starting out and learning the "kit" lens is great. Work with it and note when it will not do what you want then when you get ready to buy another lens look at your notes and you will know what lens to buy. - Dave

martinfisherphoto Loc: Lake Placid Florida

The 18-55mm is probably the best "cheap" lens Nikon sells. So what if it's mostly plastic, it takes Great photos

HumDinger Loc: Louisiana

I purchased the D3200 with the 18-50 lens kit. Love both but found the 18-50 a bit limiting for distance shots. Purchased a 70-300 Tamron and a friend let me borrow his 18-105 Nikon. The 105 stays on the camera. Great walk-around lens. It was one of Nikon's lens kits too. You can't go wrong with the D3200!

Sreejib Loc: Calcutta, INDIA

morris cowley wrote:

I am considering a Nikon D3200 AR-S with 18-55mm VR lens but some reviews regard this lens not justifying the camera's potential. Should I buy this package and buy a separate lens, if so, which lens?, or, buy body only and buy a separate lens? Your comments greatly appreciated. Comparing a Nikon D3200 to a Nikon S6100 point and shoot 14mp. how big a comparison is photo quality? As can be seen I am new to digital photography.

You are absolutely right, the supplied kit lens is not justified the camera. Because the higher mega-pixel sensors magnifying the lens diffraction more rather than the lower mega-pixel sensors. So, always consider the good optics for this kind of higher mp cameras.

Wabbit Loc: Arizona Desert

morris cowley wrote:

I am considering a Nikon D3200 AR-S with 18-55mm VR lens but some reviews regard this lens not justifying the camera's potential. Should I buy this package and buy a separate lens, if so, which lens?, or, buy body only and buy a separate lens? Your comments greatly appreciated. Comparing a Nikon D3200 to a Nikon S6100 point and shoot 14mp. how big a comparison is photo quality? As can be seen I am new to digital photography.

Hey Doc ..... there's more to it besides picture quality but to answer , yes there is a big difference in picture quality .....

.....I suggest you go with the 18-55mm vr, you won't be sorry .....

..... I also recommend a 50mm 1.8 ..... it will become the one you love the most .....

..... don't buy more glass until you know what you need .....

morris cowley Loc: australia

Thanks for all the replies to my question about a Nikon D3200. Received worthwhile info.

Nikon_DonB Loc: Chicago

I started with a D3100 with the kit lens. Don't let anybody tell you it doesn't take sharp pics. It does. With the better sensor in the D3200 you'll get great images. Remember you have to walk before you can run.