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

[raventepes]

If you want the best image quality, I agree with keeping the 18-105 and 70-300. The 70-300 is a phenominal lens for the price. The 18-105 is where things get tricky though. I use both the 18-105 and the 16-85. Both are great lenses, but I use my 18-105 more for as a walkabout lens, as opposed to the 16-85 for more serious work. The 16-85 is an all round slightly better lens, though not by much. I love both lenses...just depends on what you're using it for. I noticed you travel to Alaska quite a bit. I live in Alaska, and I'll tell you from a local's point of view as a photographer, as much as it can be inconvenient at times, just trade off lenses when you need to. You'll get better images by far, rather than going to an all in one zoom. Actually, between the 3 lenses, most of the time when I go out just to wander, it really only is the 18-105 and 70-300 combo that I use...mostly for versatility though. I've been tempted to just sell it because I can get a slightly better range on the wide end and marginally better image quality with the 16-85, and I don't exactly need the extra few millimeters at the long end with the 70-300. It's your call though. Just mentioning from experience. I would seriously give the 16-85 some consideration.

 

[goodguy]

If you want the best image quality, I agree with keeping the 18-105 and 70-300. The 70-300 is a phenominal lens for the price. The 18-105 is where things get tricky though. I use both the 18-105 and the 16-85. Both are great lenses, but I use my 18-105 more for as a walkabout lens, as opposed to the 16-85 for more serious work. The 16-85 is an all round slightly better lens, though not by much. I love both lenses...just depends on what you're using it for. I noticed you travel to Alaska quite a bit. I live in Alaska, and I'll tell you from a local's point of view as a photographer, as much as it can be inconvenient at times, just trade off lenses when you need to. You'll get better images by far, rather than going to an all in one zoom. Actually, between the 3 lenses, most of the time when I go out just to wander, it really only is the 18-105 and 70-300 combo that I use...mostly for versatility though. I've been tempted to just sell it because I can get a slightly better range on the wide end and marginally better image quality with the 16-85, and I don't exactly need the extra few millimeters at the long end with the 70-300. It's your call though. Just mentioning from experience. I would seriously give the 16-85 some consideration.

Yes the 16-85mm is a really good lens, the only negative I see with it except that its a bit slow is that its a DX lens and if in the future you see yourself going with FX body then you will be invested in a very good lens that is designed for DX body.
I would probably owned it if I didnt see myself in the future going FX, thats why I went with the 24-85mm VR (which is an FX lens).

 

[TheLost]

It's funny how people keep saying 'get the 24-70mm f/2.8 and the 70-200 f/2.8!!!'.. but i didn't see anybody point out that's $4,000 in lenses.

The 24-70mm is a tough lens on a DX body like the D7x00. Its the equivalent of 36mm - 105mm... At least the OP's existing 18-105 (27 - 156mm focal view) gives her a wider angle.. Something useful since she likes taking landscapes.

I would recommend getting used to changing lenses... If you don't want to change lenses then just get a good quality point-n-shoot with a good zoom range.

If you want to buy a lens... the Sigma 18-55mm f/2.8 is a great replacement for your 18-105mm. Your 70-300VR is an amazing lens... no need to replace it unless you need something for low light (or have $2k laying around for the 70-200 f/2.8).

A few good books and your existing equipment can do some amazing things

 

[goodguy]

It's funny how people keep saying 'get the 24-70mm f/2.8 and the 70-200 f/2.8!!!'.. but i didn't see anybody point out that's $4,000 in lenses.

The 24-70mm is a tough lens on a DX body like the D7x00. Its the equivalent of 36mm - 105mm... At least the OP's existing 18-105 (27 - 156mm focal view) gives her a wider angle.. Something useful since she likes taking landscapes.

I would recommend getting used to changing lenses... If you don't want to change lenses then just get a good quality point-n-shoot with a good zoom range.

If you want to buy a lens... the Sigma 18-55mm f/2.8 is a great replacement for your 18-105mm. Your 70-300VR is an amazing lens... no need to replace it unless you need something for low light (or have $2k laying around for the 70-200 f/2.8).

A few good books and your existing equipment can do some amazing things

I agree with everything you said, I mentioned the existing lens she has are just what she needs but I also said in the future if she want to get better glass the only way to do that (equipment wise) is get 24-70mm 2.8 and 70-200mm 2.8.
Not the ideal focul length but thats what Nikon is selling in pro grade lenses.

Of course good prime lenses is another way to get high quality pictures but you dont have the flexibility of a zoom lens and not everybody like to work with prime lenses.

 

[Tailgunner]

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???

Personally, I would apply that $896 to something else like a Nikon 28-70mm 2.8 and keep the 70-300 VR. I use a 28-70mm 2.8 with my D7100 and it works really well.

 

[MeddlinG]

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???

Quality wise, 18-140 is the same lens as 18-105 but longer. But you don't need that as you have it already covered with 70-300.

If you truly want a do it all lens, buy a 18-300. But it will cost you image quality to some extent (it is not like your pictures will be blurry from now on).

But I would recommend you to have a setup I have:

16-85mm (excellent image quality, more or less the same as professional 17-55mm)
70-300mm (for shots of birds and stuff)
35mm 1.8 (when the ligth sucks)

And you have everything covered!

 

[dahuns]

Thank you all very much for your comments. I ordered a d7100, 50mm f/1.4, 18-140mm, and a sb-700 flash. I will be keeping my 70-300mm lens for now. I have researched lenses for days literally trying to figure out which ones are best for my photography needs. I have had DSLR's since they first came out. Started out with the Canon Rebel and have been trading up ever since. Switched to Nikon because the images appeared sharper and more vibrant to me than my Canon. I do plan on eventually buying better quality fx lenses like the 24-70mm or the 70-200 and an fx camera, but until I have mastered my camera and my photo taking abilities I don't feel comfortable putting that much $ into a lens or camera just yet. I absolutely LOVE photography…took almost 5000 pictures on our last trip to Alaska. So thankful for this website and for free advice from photographers like you all. I appreciate all the tips I can get. Thanks again

 

[astroNikon]

Thank you all very much for your comments. I ordered a d7100, 50mm f/1.4, 18-140mm, and a sb-700 flash. I will be keeping my 70-300mm lens for now. I have researched lenses for days literally trying to figure out which ones are best for my photography needs. I have had DSLR's since they first came out. Started out with the Canon Rebel and have been trading up ever since. Switched to Nikon because the images appeared sharper and more vibrant to me than my Canon. I do plan on eventually buying better quality fx lenses like the 24-70mm or the 70-200 and an fx camera, but until I have mastered my camera and my photo taking abilities I don't feel comfortable putting that much $ into a lens or camera just yet. I absolutely LOVE photography…took almost 5000 pictures on our last trip to Alaska. So thankful for this website and for free advice from photographers like you all. I appreciate all the tips I can get. Thanks again

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

kewl beans

You'll love the setup