Recommended "First Lens" purchase for a Nikon 7100 (Page 3): + 1.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

jethro779 wrote:

I would suggest either the 18-105 or the 18-140 lens. Both are f3.5-5.6 G ED VR lenses and you can get your D7100 with either lens.

+ 1.

NJphotodoc Loc: Now in the First State

You might want to look at the Tamron 18-270 f3.5- 5.6 as a good all-around lens for your 7100. With the rebate, it becomes very affordable and I find the lens quality to be exceptional. There are tons of reviews on this lens and you can always try it at your local camera shop. Plus Tamron has a good rebate on this lens.
I have the SB-700 and it is a fantastic flash. You can look at places like Cameta Camera for a good deal on this this flash and they also have Nikon refurbished units with a 1 yr warranty. Bought both my SB600 and SB700 rebfurbished from them and have not had any problems but did save substantially.
Good luck and good pictures!

MarkD Loc: NYC

The guardian wrote:

More than likely it will be a "Body Only" set up.Most package deals seem to contain a lot of cheap stuff. I want to do this "right" from the start.

The D7100 can often be found packaged with an 18-105 VR, 18-140 VR, or 18-200 VR. All three of these lenses are very good. Depending on your needs, any of the three would be a very good choice.

You may decide on an other lens, but it would be a mistake to dismiss these three as "cheap stuff".

Mark7829 Loc: Calfornia

The guardian wrote:

Thanks for all of your wonderful input. I will get my 7100 in 2 weeks! Yay! But now the next haunting question...what should I get as my go-to lens. Of course others will be purchased along the way, but I am looking for the best lens to start with. I am trying to accomplish this for under $700. Let the suggestions begin! Oh yeah, and any speed light recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

What do you like to shoot? Three lenses a wide angle, medium telephoto or nifty-fifty and large telephoto. Macro lense at some point.

elwynn Loc: Near Atlanta, GA

Got the 18-105 refurb from Nikon for about $200.00 seems to be an O.K. lens.

skiman Loc: Ventura, CA

The guardian wrote:

Thanks for all of your wonderful input. I will get my 7100 in 2 weeks! Yay! But now the next haunting question...what should I get as my go-to lens. Of course others will be purchased along the way, but I am looking for the best lens to start with. I am trying to accomplish this for under $700. Let the suggestions begin! Oh yeah, and any speed light recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

I picked up a USA nikon 28-300mm like new on ebay for $760 and is full frame capable if I move to the D750. The DX 18-140mm is also a very good lens as well as the 35mm 1.8 for low light. As for flash, I love my sb700 and the new sb500 just announced also looks apealing for $250.

wingnut1956 Loc: chicago

I too have the 7100..got the 35 & the 50, both 1.8's, and rarely use them...have the Tamron 18-270 and it rarely comes off the camera..extremely versatile and to me, at least, the pictures are very good, plus the cost is very reasonable..I paid about 450.00 but I believe it is cheaper now that the 16-300 is out (also worth looking into). That almost leaves you with enough in your budget to get the flash.

amehta Loc: Boston

I think the "nifty-fifty as the first/only lens" is a mythical-meme we are decades past. Zooms make more sense for most photographers. Those who use only primes generally use more than one, and often the "50mm" (35mm equivalent) is not high on the list.

Video Vinny Loc: Pahrump

Photo.Jerry wrote:

I got that lens as my second addition after a 55-200 tele. I love the 35. Razor sharp, great ability to create out of focus backgrounds and the low light capabilities extend your shooting opportunities. Highly recommended

Jerry

I've been using the Nikkor 50mm 1:1.8 D prime and like it for portraits. What is the advantage of the 35 over the 50?

kitk

Nikon DonB has a good suggestion in his "thrifty Fifty". Nikon has a prime 50 in 1.4 and 1.8. the 1.8 was the older version and the cheaper model, every test I have seen liked the 1.8 better as the lens quality wasn't as good when they opened up to 1.4. I bought one for a $110. new. It is my go to portrait lens and the Bokeh is just fine. What lens is tough as you need to know what you are going to shoot. I have a D7100 and love it, and a bunch of lenses so I didn't have to choose. I am saving for a 70-200 2.8. Everyone I know has one and they say it is their desert island lens. Tamron has very good results in optics tests, but it goes for about $1400. You have a good camera, you might want to think about increasing the bottom dollar line and get good lenses, well worth the investment.

Mark7829 Loc: Calfornia

amehta wrote:

I think the "nifty-fifty as the first/only lens" is a mythical-meme we are decades past. Zooms make more sense for most photographers. Those who use only primes generally use more than one, and often the "50mm" (35mm equivalent) is not high on the list.

I would disagree: Physically moving closer to or farther from your subject changes things that can't be changed by cropping or zooming. As you move, you change relationships of foreground to background, you alter perspective, and you affect the appearance of space within your photograph. Physically, moving is also a learning exercise in composition and value of primes. The 50 mm is still a good place to start.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

The guardian wrote:

Thanks for all of your wonderful input. I will get my 7100 in 2 weeks! Yay! But now the next haunting question...what should I get as my go-to lens. Of course others will be purchased along the way, but I am looking for the best lens to start with. I am trying to accomplish this for under $700. Let the suggestions begin! Oh yeah, and any speed light recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

Save your money and wait until you have enough for either a 24-70mm f/2.8 or a 70-200mm f/2.8. I wouldn't buy a variable aperture lens because most people sell them at a loss to upgrade later anyway.

amehta Loc: Boston

Mark7829 wrote:

I would disagree: Physically moving closer to or farther from your subject changes things that can't be changed by cropping or zooming. As you move, you change relationships of foreground to background, you alter perspective, and you affect the appearance of space within your photograph. Physically, moving is also a learning exercise in composition and value of primes. The 50 mm is still a good place to start.

I'm not disputing the value of primes, look at my signature line.

While everything you say is true about moving and perspective, how important that is compared to zoom, frame, take the shot depends a lot on the individual's goals. And if someone wants to learn the stuff you mentioned, it is easy to say, "today I will only use the lens at 18mm". One does not need to buy a prime to learn the benefits of thinking with only a single focal length. Also, why 50mm instead of 24mm, 35mm, or 85mm?

Jackdoor Loc: Huddersfield, Yorkshire.

Nikon_DonB wrote:

Although you probably should start with a Zoom...If you are going the route of Prime Lenses, you can't beat a Nifty Fifty." The 50mmG f1.8 is a very good lens at a reasonable price. New about $200. You can find them used everywhere. Try Ebay. Make sure you get the "G" model

Agreed about the 50mm f1.8. But why the G model? Stats I've seen suggest that the D is the better lens.

wsa111 Loc: Goose Creek, South Carolina

The Sigma 18-250 is a great lens for the buck.
Its lighter than the Nikon & is a great travel lens.
I had a Tamron 18-270 & found it too slow to lock on & focus.
The Nikon is built like a tank 18-200, but if you drop anyone of them they are all going to damaged.
The Sigma also takes a smaller filter which will save you $$$.