New to photography need recommendations.

[Designer]

That bundle is above your original budget. The 55-300mm is not the same lens. When people make suggestions, they are weighing price against quality, so you should listen to them.

Anyway, I think it is time you should just grab one deal that you want, and order it. You could be taking pictures by the weekend.

 

[xxarmando]

I understand I just wont be having the money to buy lenses in some time, which is why I just want something I can start with and that can satisfy and last. I will be able to push by budget maybe 100 more in order to not have to buy lenses in a while , as I wont be able to. I read sigma's are mediocre that's why I was asking about the bundle that comes with the 55-300mm NIKON ones.

 

[Braineack]

It takes good pictures; it has it's faults, but it's not as good as the 70-300mm.

 

[xxarmando]

Would it be considered better in the long run than the 144$ sigma 70-300? After this I will be purchasing that's the only last thing I'am debating on, because like I said I wont be buying lenses for a long time (maybe a year or so)

 

[VABuckeye]

A $144 lens is going to be at the bottom of the food chain. Plain and simple. If you decide you can live with that lens for now you will be wanting to upgrade the lens in the future and you will have wasted $144 toward the new lens.

Read reviews on lenses and educate yourself. Shop used and get the best bang for your buck. As someone said earlier, forget about these super bundles you are looking at. You'll get a bunch of decent to sub par items in the bundle that won't do you much good in the long run. If you won't be adding anything for a year don't you think it's prudent to get the best value for your money rather than buying the most items for your money?

 

[Derrel]

I keep thinking back to this thread...I wonder if indeed you and the Mrs. might not be better off buying one of the HIGHER-END digital compact cameras mentioned earlier in this thread, as opposed to a d-slr.

 

[Designer]

...I wont be buying lenses for a long time (maybe a year or so)

Perhaps you're over-thinking this.

Consider one person's personal experience:

This hobbyist photographer bought a Nikon with two low-end lenses. He used them happily for three years before he bought another lens. The pictures are way better than most "point-n-shoot" models, and he is having fun.

You could be that man.

Out there taking pictures, having fun, sharing with the family, going "pro" next year, etc.