mcveed Loc: Kelowna, British Columbia (between trips)

The number of lenses in your arsenal will expand as the scope of your photography expands. There is no universal "right" number. The right number for you is the number that allows you to take the pictures you want to take. The day will come when you want to be able to blur the background more and you will 'need' a faster lens; or you will decide to take up bird or wildlife photography and you will need a longer lens. If you are 'into' landscape, macro, wildlife and portraits you will need more lenses than the next guy who just shoots casual family souvenirs. So there is no 'right' number. Don't buy what you don't need, and buy the best quality you can afford.

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

She is a body guard. Look at all of those potential weapons hanging around her neck - could you imagine the headache you'd have if she decided to swing one of them at you and clock you on the side of your head? And the girl's got biceps . . . that say "don't mess with me."

wmurnahan Loc: Bloomington IN

I think you will find a need for a wide angle in the collection.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

5 pages of responses and the OP hasn't replied to any.

MtnMan Loc: ID

The right number of lenses to have is one more than you own.

Macronaut Loc: Redondo Beach,Ca.

Scott, I can't quite decide if you are a collector or a hoarder.

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

There is NO TOO MANY, there is only, TOO FEW.

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

Ain't that the truth!

Floyd2 Loc: Littletown WI

cjc2, what other Nikon's do you recommend. I'm saving my nickels for a purchase later this year. Thinking D7200 or D7300.

wj cody Loc: springfield illinois

heck yeah! who else would design blue shoe boxes in this age of red bean shaped automobiles!

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

For sports, there are three 150-600 lenses and a 200-500 that might be helpful within that price range. WARNING, WARNING... Do not make the mistake that you can purchase a lens this long and use it properly out-of-the-box. All of these take experience which you will only get through practice, practice and more practice. Also, for any use of one of these, a monopod is a must! The lenses are: Tamron 150-600 and Sigma 150-600 Contemporary at just under $ 1,000. Nikon 200-500 @ $ 1,400 and the Sigma Sport 150-600 @ $ 2,000. I own the latter but might have purchased the Nikon had it been available at the time. Of all four, I would recommend the Sigma over the Tamron just for the Dock. If you have the $$, the Sigma Sport is better, but since you are a grandfather, as am I, you might want the Nikon for the weight savings. All this said, the Nikon 300 F4E PF is an exceptional, and light, lens. For comparison purposes please understand that I use my Nikon 400 F2.8 AF-S, usually with a 1.4TC for most of these shots. (That would be a bit pricey at just over $ 11,000 for the latest version!) Does this help? If you want more advice from me feel free to contact me via PM. Best of luck.

cambriaman Loc: Central CA Coast

For my D800e Nikon, I get by with a 16-35 WA, a 50mm f./1.4, a 24-120 midrange, a 28-300 and a 150-500 tele. The 24-120 and 28-300 are my walk around lenses depending on the day. If I could only have one lens it would be the 28-300.

Macronaut Loc: Redondo Beach,Ca.

Just a note: The Sport hasn't been $2,000 for some time now. It can be had for between $1,500 to $1,800, which does help some

sinatraman Loc: Vero Beach Florida, Earth,alpha quaudrant

great! now I have to clean my keyboard from all that drool.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

Sorry to tell you, but the $ 200.00 discount on the Sport has ended.