Nikon D3300, Lens advice?

D.P. said:
I would skip the standard 18-55 unless you get it basically for free and instead go for a better kit lens like the 18-105mm VR or 18-140mm VR as long as you get these as a kit with a reasonable saving compared to individual retail. These lenses will also typically appear second hand at a low price. I recommend these because they have a better zoom range and image quality. The 18-55mm is fine but it has a very slow aperture f/5.6(doesn't let much light in) and a very short zoom range so is not very attractive. My recommendation is to either go for a lens that still has the slow aperture but gives you a long zoom range like the 18-140mm or 16-85, OR you go for a lens that has a short zoom range like 17-50,m but has a much faster brighter aperture (f/2.8) such as the Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8. The kit 18-55mm is the worst aspects of both types of lenses so it not that useful IMO, but the photos it produces are fine for general photography.

Then I would add the Nikon 35mm f/1.8 DX (there is a similar lens that is not DX but that is more expensive and not needed)- this will be great for portraits.


And I would probably stop there for the time being with an an eye to buy some kind of telephoto zoom, 55-200, 55-300, 70-300 etc.
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Above advice is sound and solid . It's the way I went with purchase.

I grabbed the 18-105 and picked up the 35mm 1.8dx after seeing what focal length I was using most.

Then use the kit lens to learn what focal lengths you enjoy shooting at.

Some people swear by 50mm , whilst I found it very 'tight'. Whereas the 35mm was wider and felt comfortable for me. The kit lens allowed me to figure it out. (Yes I know 35mm on dx is approx 50mm, but a 50mm prime on a dx is a 75mm approx... See I'm learning)

These days, my 35mm doesn't leave my camera.however, you may find the 50mm prime more to your liking. Hence the 'figuring' out with the kit lens.

Although that 2nd hand d7000 is a good deal.
 
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You can often get a good deal on older primes if you're that way inclined, though you may well have to learn to manual focus :D

Have you had a chance to try anything out yet?
 
cwgk91 said:
You can often get a good deal on older primes if you're that way inclined, though you may well have to learn to manual focus :D

Have you had a chance to try anything out yet?
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I had a quick look at the D5300 on Saturday but they didn't have the lenses in stock. Will probably go back on Friday.
 
Beggs74 said:
Can anyone offer an opinion on the Tamron AF 18-270mm F/3,5 -6,3 Di II VC PZD?
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DP Review:

Conclusion - Pros
Remarkable 15x focal length range
Impressive image quality in the normal to short telephoto range
Excellent resistance to flare
Effective vibration correction system, at least 3 stops benefit
Reasonably compact despite the long telephoto range

Conclusion - Cons
Slow and occasionally indecisive autofocus
Geometric distortion across much of the zoom range
Significant chromatic aberration at wideangle and telephoto (especially 270mm)
Macro performance rather compromised (very soft at F6.3, focus shifts on stopping down)
Uneven zoom action, zoom creep when not locked
Slightly sub-par build quality
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I'd go with an 18-140mm as DP said, with a 35mm 1.8 prime. Whatever you do, you need a prime, as you'll then understand what DSLRs are all about and why people spend £1k plus on a lens that has just one focal length.

If the budget allows, get an 18-200mm and a prime. I'd be wary of the 18-270mm due to what I've quoted above.

It looks like a D5200 is about £450, 18-140mm is £350 (more expensive than I thought actually - 18-105mm is only £180) and a 35mm 1.8 is £145. £775 for the 18-105mm option, £945 for the 18-105mm option.

Another £170 for an extra 35mm of reach I don't think's worth it to be honest, so I'd actually go with the 18-105mm. That'd buy you bags, SD cards and extra batteries.

Another option if the budget is there is to stay with the cheaper 18-105mm and prime option, then get a 70-300mm @ £360 and you'd be up to £1135. If your budget is still up at that end. I know when I first started looking my budget rapidly dropped as I became a bit more realistic about what I could afford.
 
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Id be careful about buying third party lenses - if youre going to have nikkor lenses as well. Theyre good but tend to give different colours each other - had a sigma 18-35 and that came out very green compared to the nikon own ones. not a problem on its own but meant that when I went on holiday with that and my 70-200, depending on what picture I was taking, I would have a different colour cast. The other thing to bear in mind is that they often like different exposure compensation - another camera setting to change when changing lenses which can often be forgotten.

Before recommending the 35 prime, I would definitely go and try it first, or use the kit lens to begin with to make sure its a focal length you like/are going to use. I have a 50mm f1.8 on my D700 (so the same effective length as the 35mm on your soon-to-be camera) and I never use it, much prefer using a wider lens or my slightly longer 70-200. Nothing worse than spending money on something you dont use. Having said that, most people love a standard lens and I am the odd one out :D
 
After trying a number of cameras I got a D7100 + 18-140 kit a few days ago, I preferred the build quality and ergonomics over the cheaper options. Also picked up a 35mm f/1.8 DX today.
Very happy so far, thanks for all the advice.
 
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