jsenear Loc: Hopkins, MN.

I don't think Nikon manufactures a bad Kit Lens. I have the 18-55VR that came with my Nikon D50 and it has always produced good pictures.

photoman022 Loc: Manchester CT USA

Master the equipment you have before buying more. When you get ready to buy more gear know exactly why you want it ("because I want it" is not a valid reason). How will this equipment enhance and expand your photography? How will a new lens make you a better photographer? (yes, a new lens can make you a better photographer because an f/1.8 lens gives you more flexibility and options than an f/4.6 will). What will the news lens let me do that my present lens won't let me do?

Over the years I've bought two Tammies to add to my lens arsenal, but my kit lens is still on one of my cameras and it usually my go to combination for wide angle landscapes. It is an extremely sharp lens and I know its limitations (aperture-wise).

photoman022 Loc: Manchester CT USA

After my posting I came across this: http://www.iso1200.com/2017/02/why-i-love-cheap-kit-lens.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+PhotographyVideoBlogForPhotographersIso1200Magazine+%28ISO+1200+Magazine+%7C%29

dandi Loc: near Seattle, WA

Great video, I really enjoyed it, thank you.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

There is absolutely nothing wrong with kit lenses, one reason, they sell so good is people continue to buy them, because they work and they work fine. OK, most of them are not the best one can buy, but there are also very high quality kit lenses!! ( like 24-70/2.8L, 24-105/4L, 50/1.2L) and so forth!

therwol Loc: USA

I think they sell well because a DSLR is useless without at least one lens. They come up with something that will please most people, make it affordable, and bundle it with the cameras. I don't think that most people will need or want anything else, but if you do, that's available too.

canon Lee

There are so many factors in giving you an answer. But in a competitive market, with so many manufactures I'd say "You get what you pay for". "Nothing more nothing less". I get it that a manufacture needs to make cuts here and there in their products in order to compete. That is the nature of "kit lenses". When a photographer wants to upgrade, then its all about budget and specs. Its more about the type of lens that goes with the camera. Is it a wide angle, zoom, portrait or landscape types. I feel a good value for a kit lens would be a zoom with a range from 28mm~135mm or around that. What you are paying for in a lens is the quality. Obviously there is a difference between a kit lens and those that you buy independently. Kit lenses are there for the newbie. In time they learn what lens to buy to upgrade. As an example; first time buyer want pics of the family and vacations, then they are asked to shot a friends wedding and its then they discover the kit lens just isn't good enough. They discover what a "fast lens" is and how much that would cost. Or a fixed aperture lens.

deer2ker Loc: Nashville, TN

All I can add to this, after a long list of photographers with much more experience than me, is that about a month ago I purchased my D5500 with 2 kit lens: 18-55 and 55-200 knowing that these were the just the basics. I also purchased a Nikon 35mm (which is a great lens by the way) and went to the zoo. I handheld the 55-200 and took all my shots with it and was amazed how good the pics turned out for the first time! (you can see a few of them on my postings if you want) I would use the fire out of your kit lens, hone your craft, and then decide what you want to be focusing on to purchase at a later date. (at least that is what a number of these fine folks on here told me & I agree!) Nikon makes a really great product and I think you will be happy with your results - hope that helps!

Reinaldokool Loc: San Rafael, CA

And the 18-140 like the 18-105 has a really good reputation for good images and for longevity.

deer2ker Loc: Nashville, TN

This is really wonderful R'laine!

ken_stern Loc: Yorba Linda, Ca

I have read through all 4 pages of Hog Advice --- Now the very best advice -- based on those 4 Pgs. & my personal experience -- appears to be is "Do Absolutely Nothing" at least as from the standpoint of purchasing even more additional glass -- Save your money but spend your time --- Take 6/12/24 months & lots & lots of photos and allow your current "kit lenses" to be your personal instructional tools --- If they are optically deficient or angle of view wise don't meet your needs or are too slow or any other zillion likes & dislikes trust me you & only you will all by yourself figure all that out --- When that happens then you too can be part of the 4 pages of advice to the next guy with a "KIT LENS"

crazydaddio Loc: Toronto Ontario Canada

"Good" photos are based on your expectations.
Starting out, great photos with my kit kens....and then got into Lightroom and PS and started cropping, printing etc and noticed they werent perfectly sharp wide open...and now have FF cameras and pro lenses....incremental benefit for extreme cost :-) I do weddings part time and can justify the extra cost for the incremental benefit. I will say the "plastic fantastics" are awesome value. 35mm and 50mm 1.8 lenses for crop cameras. Would use them for anything except I replaced mine with a FF 50mm 1.4. Use the kit lens and buy a 1.8 so you can experiment with DOF artistry....then see if your spouse will let you blow the food budget on new lenses or a FF body when you are ready :-)

crazydaddio Loc: Toronto Ontario Canada

"Good" photos are based on your expectations.
Starting out, great photos with my kit kens....and then got into Lightroom and PS and started cropping, printing etc and noticed they werent perfectly sharp wide open...and now have FF cameras and pro lenses....incremental benefit for extreme cost :-) I do weddings part time and can justify the extra cost for the incremental benefit. I will say the "plastic fantastics" are awesome value. 35mm and 50mm 1.8 lenses for crop cameras. Would use them for anything except I replaced mine with a FF 50mm 1.4. Use the kit lens and buy a 1.8 so you can experiment with DOF artistry....then see if your spouse will let you blow the food budget on new lenses or a FF body when you are ready :-)

crazydaddio Loc: Toronto Ontario Canada

"Good" photos are based on your expectations.
Starting out, great photos with my kit kens....and then got into Lightroom and PS and started cropping, printing etc and noticed they werent perfectly sharp wide open...and now have FF cameras and pro lenses....incremental benefit for extreme cost :-) I do weddings part time and can justify the extra cost for the incremental benefit. I will say the "plastic fantastics" are awesome value. 35mm and 50mm 1.8 lenses for crop cameras. Would use them for anything except I replaced mine with a FF 50mm 1.4. Use the kit lens and buy a 1.8 so you can experiment with DOF artistry....then see if your spouse will let you blow the food budget on new lenses or a FF body when you are ready :-)

kb6kgx Loc: Simi Valley, CA

Why did you post the same comment three times?