Lenses for first camera?

[Droxium]

I'm going to be purchasing a Nikon D5300 soon and wanted to know which lenses I should buy. Nothing too expensive, but all around good lenses for a beginner. Thanks.

 

[Derrel]

I'd say look at the newish 18mm-140mm VR lens as the basic "one-lens" solution. The 18mm-55mm VR lens is the standard, lowest-priced kit zoom, but it has such a limited range, I think you'll really NOT like the 55mm top end, and would greatly prefer the much,much broader range of the 18-140mm lens.

18-140mm is a VERY broad range of focal lengths, from wide-angle to normal to telephoto, it has Vibration Reduction which can be handy in a lot of situations, and it's a lens you an use for a lot of different situations. There are older, lower-cost options currently available too, like the 18-105mm and 18-135mm.

 

[Droxium]

I'd say look at the newish 18mm-140mm VR lens as the basic "one-lens" solution. The 18mm-55mm VR lens is the standard, lowest-priced kit zoom, but it has such a limited range, I think you'll really NOT like the 55mm top end, and would greatly prefer the much,much broader range of the 18-140mm lens.

18-140mm is a VERY broad range of focal lengths, from wide-angle to normal to telephoto, it has Vibration Reduction which can be handy in a lot of situations, and it's a lens you an use for a lot of different situations. There are older, lower-cost options currently available too, like the 18-105mm and 18-135mm.

Hmm those are bit out of my price range. Any other good lenses at a lower price? Thanks.

 

[mikoh4792]

What is your price range?

 

[Droxium]

What is your price range?

Around $200-300 but would prefer it if it wasn't as expensive.

 

[petrochemist119 144]

What sort(s) of photography do you think will interest you?

Street photography generally wants compact lenses of relatively normal focal lengths, portraits tend to require short telephotos, landscapes tend towards wide angle lenses, sports needs fast long lenses, wildlife typically needs very long focal lengths, macro uses ultra close focusing lenses.... A huge range of different requirements each working best with a different lens. No one makes a single lens that does everything that's why we get interchangable lens cameras.

If you don't have any particular subjects in mind a standard kit 18-55 zoom is a reasonable place to start. It will allow you to capture everyday scenes in a similar way to how you see them and is actually enough for some photographers. After you've used that for a while you will start to get an idea of where it falls short for you and can add to your lens selection to meet specific needs.

 

[mikoh4792]

What is your price range?

Around $200-300 but would prefer it if it wasn't as expensive.

As mentioned by petrochemist it really depends on what type of photography you will be doing. Do you want a fixed focal length lens, a zoom? Will you be shooting wide shots, close up..etc?

 

[Solarflare]

I'm going to be purchasing a Nikon D5300 soon and wanted to know which lenses I should buy. Nothing too expensive, but all around good lenses for a beginner. Thanks.

The choices for Nikon DX (Canon EF-S isnt better either) are sadly limited.

Nikon AF-S 35mm f1.8 DX : This lens is "glued" to my old D5100. Cheap, compact, very good build (metal), bright, and super sharp (for a DX lens, anyway).

Nikon AF-S 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 VR DX : This is an allrounder lens. It even offers some macro ability (1:3.2, to be precise). Close down to f/8 and avoid the focal length extremes for best results. Very plasticy.

Nikon AF-S 18-105mm f3.5-5.6 VR DX : Popular comfort zoom. Pretty useless macro ability (1:5), but more range.

Nikon AF-S 16-85mm f3.5-5.6 VR DX : a rather dark standard zoom, which however has a great range. Especially the 24mm equivalent at the low range is very handy to have. Unfortunately this glas is quite expensive compared to the alternatives.

Sigma 18-35mm f1.8 : Image quality and brightness at the same level as the Nikon AF-S 35mm f1.8 DX, i.e. excellent, but this lens is HUGE and HEAVY. Still, a zoom on the level of a prime lens. Not bad. Some people love this.

Tokina 11-16mm f2.8 : This is the standard choice for a wideangle on Nikon DX. Cheap, bright, good build, good image quality.

Nikon AF-S 70-300mm f4.5-5.6 : A lens for full frame, this is the lens of choice for sports. Just avoid too dark locations, though.

Tamron 90mm f2.8 VC macro : This is THE standard macro lens. Relatively cheap, quite good build, good image quality.

 

[goodguy]

For 300$ ?
I would suggest a used Nikon 18-105mm VR and a used Nikon 50mm 1.8G
These were my first NIkon lenses and they cover many needs on a crop sensor camera for a beginner.
Each lens goes for about 150$ used.

 

[Designer]

I'm going to be purchasing a Nikon D5300 soon and wanted to know which lenses I should buy. Nothing too expensive, but all around good lenses for a beginner. Thanks.

Unless you put forth some effort at avoiding the 18-55mm, you're probably going to get one with your kit. I use mine quite a bit. An inexpensive, all around good lens for a beginner.

 

[pixmedic]

the 18-105 VR lens is actually pretty decent. its the old kit lens that used to come with the D90 combos.
nothing at all wrong with it. I would recommend it if you cant swing the newer 18-140.
its a bit longer focal range than the 18-55, and image quality from it is still good.
you can find them on ebay +/-$150.

another option for ~$300 is to just keep and use the 18-55 kit lens and get a 70-300 VRII lens. this would give you coverage pretty much from 18-300....minus 15mm in the middle..but close enough really.