Equipment

[Rick2544]

Hello again, Since you folks are tremendously more knowledgeable than I am about photography I am back with a couple of questions. I have spoken to a number of sales people concerning the equipment I should purchase as a beginner who wants to expand. I have come down to two bags of camera equipment. One is: Nikon D7100 Camera With 18-105 mm & 70-300mm Lens
Nikon 50mm f/1.8 AF lens
Nikon 18mm-55mm f/2.8 AF ED VR lens
Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 AF ED VR Lens
Nikon SB400 Speedflash
Hoya Lens Filter x 2
Hoya Lens Filter Kit
Vello Freewave Plus Wireless Remote Shutter Release
for a total cost of $1987.
This is really pushing my budget but I can just barely make it.

The other is:
Nikon D7000 with kit lens NIKKOR 18-105mm DX VR Lens $996.95
Includes Free Ruggard Outrigger 45 Backpack Watson EN-EL15 Lithium-Ion Battery Pack (7.0V, 1800mAh) SanDisk 16GB SDHC Memory Card Ultra Class 10 UHS-1 Total Value $87.85
Includes NIKKOR 18-105mm DX VR Lens
16.2MP DX-Format CMOS Sensor
EXPEED 2 Image Processor
1080p HD Video Capture
3" LCD Display
RAW + JPEG Still Image Capture
Twin SD/SDHC/SDXC Card Slots
RGB 3D Matrix Metering System
i-TTL Flash + Speedlight Compatibility
Works with 60+ NIKKOR Lense
Nikon 50mm f/1.8 AF lens
Nikon SB400 Speedflash
Vello Freewave Plus Wireless Remote Shutter Release

From B&H Photo for a total of $1306.80.

Considering that I will never go beyond the enthusiast stage, is the price difference worth it? Granted that the D7000 is 16.2mp vs the D7100 at 24.1mp and the D7100 has additional features but I will never make a poster sized print so I don't know if the number of megapixels should be a deciding factor. And would I ever need a 70-300mm lens? I plan to do mostly street photos, some portrait and landscape photos and perhaps a limited foray into wildlife after I truly learn the cameras functions and capabilities. I travel a lot, I am currently in Panama and in two months I am going to China for a couple of years so I will be taking a considerable number of photos.
I would appreciate any advise you can provide on the equipment I should take with me.
Thanks

 

[snowbear]

I'd go with the second, cheaper system; the camera is an older model, but then again, I shoot with a D40. Consider a spare battery for the camera, maybe a tripod.

 

[GDHLEWIS]

Personally Id get the first set simply because the newer camera will last a bit longer than the old, what I mean by this is that sooner or later NIKON will stop making parts for the 7000 before stopping making parts for the 7100. I'm sure that the two share similar nuts and bolts but in the name of longevity 7100 may be the better option. But if you do go for the second option may I suggest replacing the SB400 with a SB700 if possible. The SB700 is only a little bit more for a hell of a lot more flash.

Good luck with the choice

 

[Derrel]

The first set has TWO basic zoom lenses,plus a 50mm AND a 70-300...is that right???? It has the 18-105 AND the 18-55?

Either way, I would go for the D7100 if it were "me". I am also NOT impressed with the SB-400 flash...I would much rather have an older SB 600 or an SB 700. Ditch the 50mm lens and ditch the 18-55 lens in the first kit and you will save a little over $200 I think.

 

[minicoop1985]

I'd go with the second, cheaper system; the camera is an older model, but then again, I shoot with a D40. Consider a spare battery for the camera, maybe a tripod.

DEFINITELY a second (or third even) battery. ALWAYS a good idea.

 

[CaptainNapalm]

Go with option two and get yourself the 70-300 for extra reach on the side, you'll end up spending less than $1500 and have some excellent starting gear that should keep you busy for a long time.

 

[goodguy]

You are going to hear contradicting opinions from different people and might be even more confused after reading all their replies.
You will have to do your own research and decide for yourself.

Here is what I think...................
Don't rush to buy stuff just because its in a package and sounds like you are getting a deal, your taste in photography might not call for what you might get.
As an example many people will buy hundreds of dollars worth tripod and for me I cant stand using a tripod, I have a cheap one which is all that I need and rarely use.
I am not saying don't get a tripod, I just used it as an example for your taste and needs, in time you will learn what you want, need and like.
Don't rush to buy stuff.

I had both the D7000 and D7100.
D7000 is a great camera but the D7100 outclass it and I wouldn't get the D7000, its older technology now and the price difference is worth it in my eyes.

As for what lenses to get..............

1.18-105mm VR-good kit lens for everyday use
2.50mm 1.8G-good lens for portrait and night photography
3.70-300mm VR-very good telezoom for a reasonable price

These 3 lenses will cover almost all the basic needs of a novice.
In the future if you want to add or change lenses these lenses should be easy enough to sell.

Also you should consider buying lenses used, almost all my lenses are used and I am happy with all of them and I paid around half its MSRP price in most cases.
Lenses are pretty rugged reliable machines that are worth buying used and save a lot of money.

 

[SCraig]

The first set has TWO basic zoom lenses,plus a 50mm AND a 70-300...is that right???? It has the 18-105 AND the 18-55?

Either way, I would go for the D7100 if it were "me". I am also NOT impressed with the SB-400 flash...I would much rather have an older SB 600 or an SB 700. Ditch the 50mm lens and ditch the 18-55 lens in the first kit and you will save a little over $200 I think.

I agree. If I were purchasing at this time there is no question for me, I'd go for the D7100. I also agree that the 50mm lens and the 18-55 are redundant if you're getting the 18-105. Ditch the filters, ditch the SB-400. Use the extra to get an SB-700 if you want an external flash.

 

[cgipson1]

The SB-400 is a very minimal flash.. overpriced for what it delivers. Either get the SB-700 and up.. or go with a 3rd party Yongnuo 568 or something....

Skip the lens filters... unless they are expensive, they just degrade IQ

Get just one lens to start... until you know enough to know what you want / need

 

[goodguy]

The SB-400 is a very minimal flash.. overpriced for what it delivers. Either get the SB-700 and up.. or go with a 3rd party Yongnuo 568 or something....

Skip the lens filters... unless they are expensive, they just degrade IQ

Get just one lens to start... until you know enough to know what you want / need

Another vote for a third party flash, I have a Yongnuo, bought it new of ebay for less then 90$ shipped.
And its working well perfectly suit my needs and more.

 

[shefjr]

Get just one lens to start... until you know enough to know what you want / need

I agree with Charlie on this point. I know from experience since I had followed a similar track to what you are doing here and most of what I bought I don't ever use now. It was a costly learning experience.

 

[bc_steve]

I would recommend going with the D7100 because it is more future proof, but I wouldn't be too convinced by the packages. All you need is the camera body + a lens or two.

I think the 18-55 kit lens + (maybe) the 70-300 VR would do you quite well as a beginner. Get to know your camera and shoot for a while. When you start feeling like you are limited by your gear then maybe it is time for a new purchase.

 

[bc_steve]

China is a beautiful country by the way, I'm sure you will get many good shots there! I hope you enjoy your trip

 

[TheLost]

I travel a lot also... Know what my travel camera is? A Sony RX100. Let me know how you enjoy walking the Great Wall with a backpack full of DSLR parts you'll never use

Buy the Kit (D7000, D7100, D600... whatever) and don't buy anything else until you know that you need it... if... if... you want to buy 2nd lens at the get-go.. I'd recommend a UWA like the Tokina f/4 12-28mm. In all my travels i have rarely said "I wish i could get closer!!!".. but i always fight to get a wider shot (safari or Animal trips excluded!)

 

[bc_steve]

I travel a lot also... Know what my travel camera is? A Sony RX100. Let me know how you enjoy walking the Great Wall with a backpack full of DSLR parts you'll never use

Buy the Kit (D7000, D7100, D600... whatever) and don't buy anything else until you know that you need it... if... if... you want to buy 2nd lens at the get-go.. I'd recommend a UWA like the Tokina f/4 12-28mm. In all my travels i have rarely said "I wish i could get closer!!!".. but i always fight to get a wider shot (safari or Animal trips excluded!)

haha I went on a 3-week trek in Nepal with a couple of lenses (had an 18-55 at the time and a 70-300) and a tripod. Packed all that gear around for 5 months total. Didn't leave a lot of room for other stuff, but it was well worth it. Now I've ditched the kit and have a lot of prime lenses, which are small but numerous. I like the ones you could easily put in your pocket. I think I may go on a trip in January-February. Hard to imagine leaving the 70-200 at home since I love it so much, but it sure would free up a little space and weight!

I agree the UWA comes in quite handy for the landscape shots, and I use mine the most when I am traveling (Tokina 11-16, not a light lens either!) but I also use the telephoto quite a bit. It can come in handy for taking people pictures from a distance, and as you mentioned, wildlife. Also, since I wasn't about to climb it, it came in handy for getting a close-up picture of Everest