Buying Nikon D7100 help me figure out which lenses to buy with it..so confused :(

[dahuns]

I am trading my D7000 in for a D7100. I have the Nikon 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6 G ED VR lens that came with the camera and a 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G IF ED VR lens that I bought. I would like to get a lens that is great to have on the camera all the time and a lens that I can use to take long range photos without having to constantly switch out my lenses. I love to take landscape pictures, but also love to take pictures of my children. We travel to Alaska frequently and I am always switching between my 18-105 lens and my 70-300 lens. I don't like having to switch out lenses too much and exposing my camera to dust, dirt, etc. I was considering the Nikon 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6 G ED VR AF-S Lens, the Nikon 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6 G ED VR AF-S lens, and the 50mm f/1.4G SIC SW Prime AF-S lens. I am still in the process of learning everything I can about photography. Eventually I would like to own a FX camera, but for now I am sticking to a DX because I feel that I don't know enough about photography to operate a FX camera on my own. Please help me figure out which lenses to buy..I don't want to spend a fortune, but Amazon is offering a great bundle deal right that I want to take advantage of. There are so many lenses that I get confused looking and researching them all. Please be gentle..this is my first post and I am a newbie

 

[SnappingShark]

I would look into a 24-70, and maybe a 70-200
that should cover you on the D7100 - and you can get both at f/ 2.8

But of course, it depends on your budget - the above 2 suggestions could probably be got for around $1800 combined (less, if refurbished or 2nd hand).

 

[dahuns]

Thank you

 

[astroNikon]

A couple things I'd like to add

a FX camera is really about the same as a DX camera. Take a look at pictures of a d600 and compare it to your d7100. They kinda look the same in regards to buttons and all. It is larger in physical size.

For the lenses, you have some good general lenses. The 18-105VR is very nice. You can get more reach by going to the 18-140 and still maintain a great image. I think, from all that I've read, is you are going to loose sharp/clean photos as you go for a longer range without upping the price significantly. The 28-300 is good but you lose some on the image quality.

I also don't understand why you want a 50mm in addition to the 18-140 ir you want ONE good lens, as that makes 2 and you will be switching them out and you still won't have the reach as you do with the 18-105 and 70-300.

But if your requirement is ONE lens with a wide angle and a long reach then the 28-300 fits the bill. As long as you know the tradeoff is image quality somewhere in there. And believe me, I use my 18-105 ALOT in the wide angle of 18-28, so you will lose that.

I also understand your reasoning for a 50mm/1.4 as you can certainly learn alot with it. Truthfully, I think you should just add the 50/1.4 to your setup.

I've debated about moving up to the d7100 from my d7000, but truthfully the only advantage I see is the 24mp. I'm actually holding out and making the switch to a d600. The body features are very similar and it seems to be a better choice, at least for me, and they are very, very similar.

 

[SnappingShark]

Saw the D600 on sale for 1400 the day AFTER I decided to stick with my D7100.
I'm not going back on my decision though I do love my D7100 and have no requirement other than to spend money on the D600 lol

 

[dahuns]

I have thought about getting the D610, but the reviews I have read haven't been that great so far. I didn't want to go with a D600 due to all the issues I read about with the oil spattering happening on some. I would really like to upgrade to FX when I feel more comfortable with my camera. Do you think I should just keep my 70-300 instead of getting the 28-300mm lens and just get the 18-140 and the 50mm one? I had read the 50mm one was great for portrait pics. Maybe I shouldn't get that one either..I get so confused the more that I read and research.

 

[SnappingShark]

Research until you're not confused

Look at old pictures you like, see what focal length you took them at.
Then research what lenses cover the range you found.
Find something in your budget.
Go from there.

Or if you want the 50, I'd go with the 1.8 rather than the 1.4 - just on reviews and performance tests I had read.

Yeah, I read about the D600 issues, but haven't heard many about the D610.

 

[goodguy]

I would never go for a lens in the range of 28-300mm, even from the 18-200mm I would stay away, these lenses give you great practicality but you pay in lower picture quality.
The 18-105mm VR is a good walk around lens, if you want a bit more practicality the new 18-140mm is a good lens.
50mm 1.4G or 50mm 1.4D are both good lenses and in my eyes a must to own for portraits and night photography.

 

[dahuns]

Would you recommend me just keeping my 70-300 lens and not paying the $896.95 for the 28-300mm lens then? Maybe I should just get the 18-140mm lens and the 50f/1.4???

 

[astroNikon]

Keep in mind the 50mm is IN the 18-140 lens. So if you just want 50mm you have it already.

If you want the 50mm for better LOW LIGHT and being a prime, a better picture quality then, yes, get it.

Lenses are all very confusing as they overlap all over the place. As mentioned, you have to do some research.
Determine an overall budget. Then determine how "fast" a lens is, if that is important (ie, good in low light).

Personally, i'd keep the 18-105 (or upgrade it to the 18-140 for a bit longer reach).
keep the 70-300

Then if you want a fast and sharp 50mm go for the 50/1.4g They have a great deal on it today.

Alot to think about in a short amount of time.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...eASIN=B001GCVA0U&linkCode=as2&tag=nikorumo-20

 

[dahuns]

Thank you so much. I really appreciate all the input. I have a lot to think about. Your suggestions are very helpful.

 

[hirejn]

Your consideration of the 28-300 or 18-140 is valid. Either would make a good travel lens. The primary benefit is having a great focal length range in one lens, cutting down on weight and baggage. Obviously you have to weigh whether you want a bit more on the telephoto or wide end. Don't be overly concerned with whether or not it's a "pro" lens. Every lens Nikon makes is designed to produce great pictures. Focus not on the tool but what you can do with it. Once you start leaving these general purpose lenses, you get into lenses with more specific looks. You have to know what story you want to tell with those lenses. This is why general zooms are a good place to start learning and practicing.

I have three main lenses: 70-200 f/2.8, 24-85 f/3.5-5.6 and 12-24 f/4. I also have a TC 2x and 50 1.8. For more help deciding on lenses, see this.

 

[jaomul]

Welcome to the forum. I have a completely different idea than everyone else but we all have opinions. Disregard as you see fit.

First a question- is your d7000 not good enough, the d7100 isn't a huge upgrade unless you require more mp and a better autofocus system, this depends on what you shoot.

It is in my opinion a waste to have such a good camera to put a superzoom on. It is a waste in my opinion to swap out your 18-105 for an 18-140.
.Add the 50mm by all means, its a benefit to anyone with a dslr. Swapping lenses is part of the tging with dslrs and 2 lenses covering 18-300 is better than 0ne for image quality. Depending on how much you are prepared to carry it would be cheaper to add a d5100 and put one lens on one camera and one on the other but this may not be practical. Other than that you have to change lenses to get the best.

Also 28-300 is not very wide on a crop, it is much better to have a start at 18mm,

As I said, just an opinion, but if I were you I would only add the 50mm

 

[dahuns]

Thank you all very much for your input and opinions. I am still going back and forth…back and forth. The reason I am upgrading my camera to a d7100 is because my husband said I could. If I can get a more updated camera then I am going for it. My D7000 works just fine. I treat it like my baby. Planning to sell it so hopefully there won't be much difference to make up in cost. I was wanting to get new lenses with my camera bc Amazon has a bundle camera deal going on right now. The 50mm f/1.4 ends up being $249.99 and all the other lenses vary based on whatever discount amazon offers. I am definitely getting the 50mm lens and upgrading my speed light too. Just still not sure about the other lenses. Here's the link I keep looking at:Amazon.com: Buy a Qualifying Nikon DSLR Camera and Get Free Accessories, and Save up to $300 on Select NIKKOR Lenses and Speedlights I really do value and appreciate your opinions. Plus with the Amazon deal you get 4% back off your total with an Amazon gift card and American Express will give you $25 for spending $75 with Amazon. Ends up being a decent deal.

 

[goodguy]

Would you recommend me just keeping my 70-300 lens and not paying the $896.95 for the 28-300mm lens then? Maybe I should just get the 18-140mm lens and the 50f/1.4???

This is exactly what I would do.
You already have a nice good quality lenses, no need to run and spend your money on lenses you dont really need.
I would keep the 18-105mm VR and 70-300mm VR and add the 50mm 1.4G or 1.4D
You can also consider getting a Macro lens.

I dont think anyone enjoying changing lenses but thats a part of owning DSLR cameras.
I own DSLR cameras for almost 5 years, I changed the lenses countless of time and never got dust on the sensor and if I will I will simply buy a cleaning kit or send the camera to Nikon for cleaning but as I said it never happened to me so far.
Dont be afraid to change lenses, this is what the camera is designed to do, getting a low quality lens just because you dont want to change lenses really takes the whole point of a DLSR, you can get a good quality P&S and not ever worry about dust on sensor.

As an owner of D7100 I can tell you that you are getting a fantastic camera, a camera that can produce fantastic picture so compliment it with good glass.
In the future you might even want to get a higher quality lenses liek the 24-70 2.8 and 70-200 2.8 but for now you are in a good place, just enjoy your camera.

Enjoy