D5100 Lens Question

[Willieboy]

Hello,

I am considering the purchase of a D5100. For the most part, I take close up photos of watches in my small collection and family members. Would I be better off buying the camera with the zoom lens it comes with , or buy the body separately and then buy a nice prime lens?

Thanks in advance,

Mr. Bill

 

[MLeeK]

Well, it's hard to tell you what to buy.
The kit lens will let you get a feel of what you need. You may well want a good prime, but which one? For portraits and family stuff you may want a fairly wide prime like the 35mm or even wider 24mm... For your macro stuff you may want the 60mm or the 100mm or the Tamron 90mm...

 

[Willieboy]

Thank you.

 

[MLeeK]

Thank you.

I know it doesn't help you much, but you really need to start somewhere and decide what you like, don't like and need. EVERYONE shoots a little differently and so will you. What works for me may well not work well for you and what works for me and you may be really different but a third person can be even more different...
Sorry!!!

 

[Willieboy]

Please, don't be sorry. You've been a great help. Back in the day I had a nice Mamyia Secor 35mm SLR and more recently, but still years ago, I bought an Olympus OM1 that I still have. Now, in the 21st century, I'm toying with the idea of entering the 20th century with a nice digital SLR. I just need to be sure I can take the close up shots I share with others on some watch forums.

Thanks again.

 

[MLeeK]

Please, don't be sorry. You've been a great help. Back in the day I had a nice Mamyia Secor 35mm SLR and more recently, but still years ago, I bought an Olympus OM1 that I still have. Now, in the 21st century, I'm toying with the idea of entering the 20th century with a nice digital SLR. I just need to be sure I can take the close up shots I share with others on some watch forums.

Thanks again.

The focus distance on the Nikkor 18-55 is just under a foot, so it will definitely produce some really nice images of your watches to share.

 

[Willieboy]

Okay, I'll tell Santa the stock lens will be good to go.

Thank you.

 

[greybeard]

I used the D5100 with 18-55 for a while and it will do just about all you need. The 18-55 will focus 1:3 @ 55mm which will more than do what you need.