Buying Nikon D5100 - Need assistance with bundle choices

[TWINkiesMommy2009]

Hi!

I'm looking to buy the Nikon D5100 next week and I'm shopping around for the best deals, bundles, accessories, etc.

Amazon has a gazillion different bundles and I'm trying to figure out what is going to be the best value without giving me things I don't need. So here are some of my questions. :)

Do I really need the 18-55mm that comes with the basic kit or would I be better off going body only and adding on the lenses I want?

I know I want at least two lenses outside the 18-55mm. I want the 50mm for sure (It seems there are different ones though so any help there?) or maybe the 35mm, and I was thinking of either the Nikkor 55-200, the Nikkor 55-300 or something that might be a better all around zoom lens.

I'll need a case that makes carrying everything easy but not too bulky. I know I want at least one tripod but I'm thinking about tabletop or something too. I have a disability and holding the weight of the camera up for long is difficult so I'll need the tripods for that as well as a comfortable strap for around my neck in case I lose my grip.

I want a remote, and possibly a flash. I'll also need a new SD Card so I'm debating on one 32GB or two 16GB. The one I have is only 8GB. Am I missing any necessities?

I don't really know what all I like to shoot yet so I want some flexibility but I know I like portraits, indoor stuff, moving wild toddlers, and I take a lot of pictures of ducks and stuff at the lake.

Sorry for the book. lol Would love all the feedback I can get before spending so much money. Oh... my budget is to definitely stay under $1200 but preferably at a $1000 or less which is why I'm trying to create my own deal instead of possibly a stock bundle at Amazon.

Thanks!!!

[tc95]

If you are getting the 5100...get the 55-300 better lens...I would go with two 16gig Class 10 or better cards....flash...is good but you can get a Puffer...that will defuse the on camera one for 20USD...

My thoughts....is the D5100 is a good entry camera...with some big benefits....the two 16gig cards...it always better to switch them out half way thru...incase something happens to one...you don't loose all the pictures...

Don't get a tripod....get a mono-pod you can carry it easier...and it breaks down smaller...I like messenger bags....Tenba is what I am currently using...but everyone makes one...make sure it has a rain cover incase your caught in the rain...

A good Rocket blower to carry around to clean your lenses...and a good horse hair brush...

Look into used stuff on the forum...you could save some $$$ to get more things....I would recommend the Nikon 35 1.8 for 200 you can not go wrong with this lens...!!!

Good Luck...and Happy Shooting...

[Nikonfan]

Tony has made some good suggestions and mine are pretty simlilar with maybe a slightly different take. Just take our suggestions with a grain of salt and decide what's best for you. Keep in mind that you don't have to buy everything all at once and it's more fun to add to your collection as you go along. It keeps photography new and interesting! The 18-55 is not a "fast" lens (make sure to read up on what a fast lens is). However, the 18-55 is a very good kit lens that can be had for $99. Since you are on a budget you may want to pick it up. That said, if you will be doing portraits or indoor photography of kids, you will need a fast lens. There are two that are great quality and in your budget. The 35 f1.8 that was previously mentioned and the 50mm f1.8 which can be had for around $120. At that price the 50mm has been a must have for every new photographer. The 35mm will probably be more usable on the D5100 due to the crop factor of that camera making the lens the equivalent of around 52.5mm.

I reccomend you get either the 35 or 50mm lens to start. Keep in mind those lenses don't zoom so you have to use your feet to zoom in and out. From there you can decide what type of photography you like best and then choose what lens to buy next.

[TWINkiesMommy2009]

Originally Posted by tc95

If you are getting the 5100... but you can get a Puffer...that will defuse the on camera one for 20USD...

Don't get a tripod....get a mono-pod you can carry it easier...and it breaks down smaller...I like messenger bags....Tenba is what I am currently using...but everyone makes one...make sure it has a rain cover incase your caught in the rain...

A good Rocket blower to carry around to clean your lenses...and a good horse hair brush...

....I would recommend the Nikon 35 1.8 for 200 you can not go wrong with

I didn't even know what a Puffer was so thanks! That is a great one for me to look into. I'll check into the mono-pod too! I wouldn't have thought about needing a rain cover either but that makes sense.

Would you recommend the Nikon 35 1.8 over the 50 1.8 for the price difference?

Thanks so much for the reply! I'd like as much feedback on this as I can get. I'm one of those control freaks that has to be totally sure of my purchase. Especially before spending that kind of money on myself.

[TWINkiesMommy2009]

David,

Thanks for that info. I think I need to do a bit more information on exactly what the distances mean for me and what I can or can not do with the lenses. It does sound like going with the 35mm for a little more might be the better choice. I can do everything with a 35mm that I can with a 50mm? It's weird because everything I've been reading talks about the 50mm and I've only heard about the 35mm in a few pieces of information I've caught here and there.

I definitely need a zoom lens also because of arthritic knees however. :) Yeah, I'm an old 30 something. lol Should I go with the 18-55 even though it isn't a "fast" lens or should I spend that $99 towards a better zoom lens that is "fast"?

[FrayAdjacent]

Hopped in a thread I thought would be unrelated since I'm looking at getting a Canon shooter as my first dSLR, but I learned something! I had no idea what a puffer was. I'll definitely pick one up to put in my bag.

I am assuming that if I get the dSLR gear, I'll be responsible for family photographs on the holidays!

[Nikonfan]

Originally Posted by TWINkiesMommy2009

David,

Thanks for that info. I think I need to do a bit more information on exactly what the distances mean for me and what I can or can not do with the lenses. It does sound like going with the 35mm for a little more might be the better choice. I can do everything with a 35mm that I can with a 50mm? It's weird because everything I've been reading talks about the 50mm and I've only heard about the 35mm in a few pieces of information I've caught here and there.

I definitely need a zoom lens also because of arthritic knees however. :) Yeah, I'm an old 30 something. lol Should I go with the 18-55 even though it isn't a "fast" lens or should I spend that $99 towards a better zoom lens that is "fast"?

Regarding your last sentence, you won't be able to get a quality "zoom" lens for $99. However, you can get the fast 50mm f1.8 lens for that price. The 50mm is a prime, not a zoom. A prime is a lens with a fixed focul length. If you have limited mobility you may be better off with a zoom. However, a fast zoom lens is very expensive. If you are able to move around either the 50mm or 35mm would be a great choice. You will find a ton of info on the 50mm because it's amazing and has been around for decades. It is considered a "standard" lens because it best replicates the world the way the human eye sees it. However, on DX (crop sensor) cameras, the focal length is maginfied by 1.5. So a 50mm is the equivilant of 75mm. That is why Nikon introduced the 35mm. The 35mm has only been around for two years which is why you don't hear about it as much. I got it as soon as it came out and I love it just as much as my 50mm. However, it is an underated lens that is just now starting to get the recognition that it deserves.

I suggest you read up on what a fast lens is. Then once you get your camera:

-search for the photography cheat sheet on this forum
-get the book "understanding exposure"

[lfmerrell]

I have the D5100, the lens living on mine is the Tamron 18-270. It is rarely removed for the Nikon 35mm 1.8.

[tc95]

+1 to what David said....

If you don't know show up to the meet-ups...most of the time someone brings a camera...and a few lens...that you can look at...and you can ask a lot o questions....

I would go with the 35mm lets you shoot more of your subject on the crop sensor...plus the 50 1.8 you would have to use it as a Manual Focus lens...the D5100 does not have the focusing motor...so for that the 35 is a better lens....otherwise yes the 50 is a good alternative....

The 18-55 is a good lens...the 55-200/55-300 are good lenses also...for about 85% of the people that use there camera's they will never need anything else but those three lenses...and a flash....stay away from the SB400 it's about the same as your on camera one...

18-55
55-200/55-300
35
Flash

Look on youTube too...lot of good info there...

[groovyone]

Originally Posted by tc95

+1 to what David said....

If you don't know show up to the meet-ups...most of the time someone brings a camera...and a few lens...that you can look at...and you can ask a lot o questions....

One of the meetups led to me buying the 24-70 Zeiss, but I got them back when they both bought A900s. They can be dangerous. haha

[TWINkiesMommy2009]

Originally Posted by Nikonfan

Regarding your last sentence, you won't be able to get a quality "zoom" lens for $99.

lol I didn't expect to. What I meant was should I skip the $99 18 - 55 kit lens all together and put that $99 I'd be saving towards a "fast" zoom lens instead?

:) Thanks for the explanation. That helps a bit. It is REALLY hard to remember 15 years ago when I first learned the basic principles of photography so I'm basically starting all over and having to re-learn it all. And so much has changed!

I'll definitely look into a meetup. Anybody have links to good active ones to join?

I love this group. Thank you for all of the help!

[TWINkiesMommy2009]

Tony,

So this lens -

Amazon

Amazon

I would have to manually focus even though it says its an auto-focus lens? Is that correct?

Then what about this 35mm?

Amazon.com: Nikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras: Electronics

Amazon.com: Nikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras: Electronics

And would this lens kit be worth it on the 35mm?

Amazon.com: Nikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras (2183) with 52mm Multicoated UV Protective Filter--offers lens protection & clearer pictures, 52mm Hard Lens Hood, Lens Cap Keeper, and 5 pc. Lens Cleaning Kit: Electronics

Amazon.com: Nikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras (2183) with 52mm Multicoated UV Protective Filter--offers lens protection & clearer pictures, 52mm Hard Lens Hood, Lens Cap Keeper, and 5 pc. Lens Cleaning Kit: Electronics

[Nikonfan]

Regarding your first question, you would have to manually focus because the d5100 does not have the screw drive to auto focus that lens. However, the 35mmgG1.8 and newer 50mm G 1.8 have built in autofocus motors and will therefore autofocus on the D5100. If you purchase a D7000 or higher model the older sytle 50mm AF-S 1.8 lens will work. Here is a link to the new "G" 50mm. Note that it costs around $200:

Amazon

Amazon

Also, if you are making a purchase through Amazon you can support Pixtus by going to Amazon through Pixtus. If you spend enough $ you will get a free one year premium membership. There are a few recent threads posted by Abel for more details

[brewercm]

The 35mm G lens will work fine on the 5100 but you are correct that the 50mm you showed won't. What you need to make sure is that any lens you buy for the D5100 has the internal focusing motor since the D5100 doesn't have the ability to run others.

That brings up a good question though. Have you looked into a used D90. You can probably get one for around the cost of the D5100 and use any AF lens with it. You would be giving up 4mp I suppose but I own both the D90 and D7000 and the 12mp has always been more than enough for me. My goto lens for eith camera is my Tamron 28-75 f2.8 which is a very sharp lens and can be found for $300, maybe less now.

[TWINkiesMommy2009]

Originally Posted by Nikonfan

Here is a link to the new "G" 50mm. Note that it costs around $200: Amazon.com: Nikon 50mm f/1.8G AF-S NIKKOR Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras: Electronics Also, if you are making a purchase through Amazon you can support Pixtus by going to Amazon through Pixtus.

Will this work if I've already got items in my cart?