dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

I understand that the lens would increase the profile. However, the benefit of having the variable reach and also not having to change lenses between shots or carry extra lenses makes up for the issues of size/weight. Also, the OP is in Montana, I doubt that they have anything but a western saddle. I grew up in Oklahoma and I didn't have anything but western saddles. And yes, I had 3 horses and I carried a Mamiya Sekor 35mm SLR with 3 lenses. (had the camera on the saddle horn and the lenses in a saddle bag.
The alternative would be to get a good Rugard or other brand shoulder strap so that the camera would hang over your neck and shoulder down to your hip. The key is to have easy access to the camera without obstruction. I would also have a lens hood so that you didn't have to deal with putting a lens cap on and off.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

What that implies is she wants better iQ than her current P&S is capable of - and from the back of a horse - while the camera is attached to her body - and she THINKS that a DSLR might work but is unsure of the bulk carrying aspects - especially with any zoom lens.

Again, my recommendation is to forget the DSLR and get a better 1 inch P&S with a small zoom lens built in and enjoy the ride !

If you do not mind the bulk, weight , inconvenience and distractions of carrying the DSLR, then the sky is the limit as to ANY lenses to use !

Am I missing something ??

photoman022 Loc: Manchester CT USA

Just offering my opinion. I'm assuming that you don't want to change lenses on horseback. So, like others before me, I would get a wide-range telephoto lens, like an 18-200 (or longer, if possible). I took a road trip from Connecticut to California this past year; the bulk of my photos were taken with a wide angle lens but there were those times (quite a few) where I was glad I brought my 70-300 with me for some long distance landscapes.

linelink

Cindy, I am a novice shooter and operate on a slim budget. The advice you are receiving with regards to the DX Nikon 35mm 1.8 lens is very good advice. It is one of the best bargains in the industry. It is a wonderful lightweight lens that provides great photos for multiple situations. Best feature is that it can be had for about $180. The next piece of advice is the Nikon DX 18-300 lense. You have a lightweight DSLR already. The DX 18-300 is pretty lightweight compared to most zoom lenses with a 300 reach. Perhaps you may want to invest in one going forward. There are FX lenses available for full frame Nikon cameras, which are heavier and more costly,(the cameras and lenses). Those that own them are striving for perfection, and most likely have the experience and ability to achieve it. They have my utmost respect. Also they are quite experienced with post production programs to produce amazing photos, that they may want to profit from. I admire them and respect them. However, you may or may not be on that level as yet. If you already are a pro, then I apologize for any assumptions to the contrary. Until then keep it simple, practice with what you already have,(5300), and have tons of fun.

Reinaldokool Loc: San Rafael, CA

Nikon used to use an 18-105 as the kit lens, later an 18-140. These are usually available used on eBay or from our preferred sources, ABC. Newer zooms have gotten even better, but these were actually pretty good. Since you will be aboard a horse and therefore have limited mobility, a prime will leave you out of position for many shots.

While I own two primes, I have my 18-200 mm on my camera 98% of the time.

TucsonDave Loc: Tucson, Arizona

Only that she has purchased the DSLR already and would have to return it if she can or resell it a loss. Than she could purchase a better 1 inch P&S. Too bad she asked us the question AFTER she had already purchased the D5300. Only money, hey?

Lazorsnipes

I agree. I spent 6 years in Montana and shot a ton with my 35mm lens. Great lens while backpacking. If you are planning on mostly landscape and want something wider the DX 10-24mm is a great lens, but costs more than the 35mm. Personally, as a newer shooter, I would play around with your kit lens until you really find out what you need. Also many places allow you rent a lens and try it out to see if you like it. Learn your camera first, then figure out which lens or lenses you will get!! (I know you will end up but more than one over time!!!). Enjoy the rides!!! I miss Montana!!

lmTrying Loc: WV Northern Panhandle

Cindy, listen to linelink. To keep things short and light, the 35mm 1.8 lens sounds really good. If you shoot from the horse's back (which is ALWAYS in motion), any kind of long lens, prime or zoom is going to be hard to focus unless you dis-mount. Also you want that fast 1.8 lens because you are on a moving platform. Image stabilization is a GOOD choice if available and not out of your budget. Because of their physical size, you could carry one or two Prime lenses in you pocket. Given a choice, underexpose a photo. It's amazing what details post processing can pull out of the shadows. There are several post processing programs available on line free of charge. Keep your P&S in your pocket. Ride, enjoy, shoot when you can, but above all else, have fun!

KLaRue Loc: Gurnee, Illinois

Cindy,

I have the D5500 which is very similar to your camera. If a single focus lens is satisfactory for you, the Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G is an option. This lens is very solid--now you can't scope out any further than the 35mm which is more like a 50mm on our crop sensors.

The lens is less than $200 at B&H Photo, so I am sure you can find it for a similar price at other retailers.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

She can certainly still use the 5300 in many useful ways ! !

TucsonDave Loc: Tucson, Arizona

Yes she can.

blackest Loc: Ireland

I think the 35 is a good choice, because it is a normal lens on that camera. Which means really that when she lifts the camera to her eye she will be looking pretty much at the same scene without it. That's a pretty good viewpoint undistorted by technology.
A lens hood and a cp filter on the lens may be useful to improve contrast and saturation and reduce glare and protect the lens from dust (that might be problematic with a zoom)

There seems to be a practical concern here also, how to carry it securely and comfortably and easily accessible while on horse back. A good solution might apply for the rest of us on ground level.

dyximan

The human eye sees at 43 mm and because your DSLR is a crop sensor a 35 mm has a 52.5 mm point of view equivalent to that of the human eye perspective. I suggest a prime lens of 35 mm with a minimum of a 2.8 apeture and based on the fact that it appears you take mostly landscape photos and the softnes and focus issues you might incur with the close-ups would not be an issue.

dyximan

I also shoot the D 5300 and have used the kit 18 to 55 lens it's a plastic body very light shoots good pictures might just keep it at 18 and call it good just has a slightly slower and variable aperture. The prime lenses if steel body and better glass can be a bit heavier. It sounds like you're just looking for the quick photo so set your camera to landscape and shoot away

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

I used to ride some, and a decent pocket camera with a zoom always worked best for me. I didn't like carrying an SLR when on a horse. If you do go with the SLR, I'd suggest you carry it in a saddlebag or use one of those harnesses that strap it to your chest so it won't bounce around. Having it swinging around on your chest is no fun. I'd use a 35 or 50 mm lens. A 50 always worked well for me, and once in a while I wished I'd had a 35.