Nikon D5100 + Twin VR Lens Kit - Is this a good deal?

Associate
Joined
16 Mar 2011
Posts
824
Location
Leeds
I am a complete beginner (DSLR wise) looking at my first DSLR, I purchased a Sony HX9V last year and its ability to take really nice shots without too much knowledge has spurred me into looking for a DSLR to try to get into photography a bit more professionally.

Found a brand new Nikon D5100 with Nikon AF-S DX 18-55mm and 55-200mm VR Lenses for £583. It seems very cheap compared to other prices online that I can find.

Is that a good price?

Do you thing the D5100 is too much as a first DSLR? I was considering the D3100 too.

Cheers for any advice.. ;)
 
Last edited:
I have just realised the shop I was looking at has duty added in the checkout so the price shoots up to £699 which is way out of my budget. Bit confused about the duty as its based in London.
 
Last edited:
Its on slrhut.co.uk Just googled and there seems to be links to the US so they might be imported but very annoying not to to be upfront about the price. Reviews seem good though. It may be they its just the VAT worded different. Hate sites that display ex vat and dont state ex vat next to the price.
 
Last edited:
Yeah, just had a look. I'm not sure what to do. I don't really have tons of money to throw at this but I'd like a capable DSLR that will last me a while, I'm not gonna be able to replace every few years & spend fortunes on Lenses, unless I get good make some money out of it!! LOL. I also don't want to out grow it to quick.

Been looking at the 500D as I like the look of the Canon more but most people say the Nikon's have better image quality.

I'm just wondering at my level of competence would I really see the difference between the Nikon & Canon coming from a high end compact.
 
Last edited:
Horses for courses.

These days its more about handling than image quality. Either system will give excellent results and provide a lot of shooting flexibility.

If you are on a tight budget don't discount the used market because it can often offer very good value for money.

My advice is before committing to any purchase go into a Jessops or Jacobs and get your hands on various models, see which you prefer and take it from there.

Thanks for the advice, I have been looking at the 2nd hand market but nothing has stood out price wise to me yet, maybe I'm not looking in the right places, not even being decided on a model make it even more difficult.

Been doing some more browsing and I quite like Jessops D3100 Bundle for £469.95. + I can get 4% extra cashback too..

Nikon D3100Nikon
18-55mm VR Lens
Tamron 70-300mm Lens
Sandisk 4GB Card



What bugs me is am I always going to regret not buying the D5100. And is the 70-300 gonna be a problem without VR?
 
Think I have talked myself out of the 3100 in favour of the 5100. Downside is I really want a 55-300 lens with it and the price with 2 lenses just keeps making me think twice!!

Saving to move house so explaining to the other half is gonna be tricky!! LOL
 
Just need some advice on the cheaper 55-300 lenses which is all i can really afford if I buy the D5100 kit, am I wasting my money getting a 55-300 without VR?
 
Gav, thanks for the advice, my worry is I have a Sony HX9V which has a 16x Optical Zoom and I find I use the full zoom quite allot. I would be worried I will feel restricted with only the 18-55mm, even to begin with.

The thing is I really love taking photos and would love to improve on the shots I'm getting from my Sony which are good in my eyes to be honest but I know with a DSLR I can do better. Down side is unless I can make money from the initial kit I buy I very much doubt I will have the money in the future to be spending hundreds in lenses. Struggling to justify the purchase to the other half as it is, as we are supposed to be saving to move house etc... When we move to a bigger house It will be even harder to save to buy super duper amazing glass!!

I'd like a competent kit with decent zoom that I can learn and perfect and not grow out of to fast. Thats why I decided to look at the D5100 rather than the D3100.

I will be primarily shooting

Dogs, still and moving
People, Portraits & action shots
Motor Racing ie BTCC
Nature (Flowers & Landscapes) Do a lot of fell walking in the lakes...
 
Last edited:
Back
Top Bottom