I've decided to take my first step into the world of DSLRs (and serious photography for that matter), and buy a D5000 to get started. I'm excited about getting started, but I want to make a smart purchase that takes long term upgrade paths into consideration.

My main concern is regardling the lens. Since I'm just a begginer, I'd like a lens that will serve it's introductory purpose and perhaps still be useful once I've moved beyond novice levels. I've been lead to believe that the 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6G which is included in the D5000 kit is not very useful beyond entry-level photographing.

With this in mind, do you Nikonians think it would be smart to buy a D5000 body and a 18-105 mm f/3.5-5.6G lens? Would doing so yield better performance in my first few steps, and perhaps allow me to upgrade later on into something like the D300S or maybe even the D3X and still be able to take advantage of my 18-105? Or am I underestimating the usefulness and quality of the 18-55?

Thanks in advance, for any hints you may provide.

The 18-105 VR would be a fine choice. Stop Fretting, and START BUYING NIKON!!!!!!

And then SHOOT, SHOOT, SHOOT!!!!!

Earl
D7000
Nikon 1

Visit my Nikonians gallery.

Hi Javier,

Welcome to Nikonians!
Both the 18-55mm and the 18-105mm are entry level lenses. The primary difference is the 18-105mm will provide more range at additional cost. In other words the 18-105mm is more versitle than the 18-55mm so you are paying for convienience. Same can be said of the 18-200mm VR.
Both lenses will work perfectly on a D300S.
Depending what you will be shooting in the future you may find yourself wanting faster lenses and zooms with less range 17-55mm for example start at about $1250.00 and go up frome there.
As both lenses are DX although they will work on a FX body (D700, D3, D3X) in crop mode only, it would not be a very good match because you would only be using the center portion of the sensor.
Good Luck and Enjoy your Nikons!

Best Regards,
Marty

Thanks a lot for your replies, guys. I had heard that I'd get mix results with DX lens on FX bodies, but I'm starting to worry about buying DX lens that I'd have to replace if I ever move on to FX.

I wonder if it's worth buying a combo, maybe the new 10-24mm ED (or maybe even the 14-24mm) with a 24-120mm IF-ED. That way I'd be making a better investment in lenses with long term in mind.

There's so many options, it's overwhelming! I guess I now understand the value of buying a cheap 18-55mm VR to play around while I figure out where you want to go next.

The choices can be overwhelming, but fortunately Nikon has done a lot of the thinking for you, and put together some excellent SLR+lens kits. What comes in the box is really an excellent starter kit.

The 18-55 & 18-105 have very similar built & optical quality. Both are entry-level but very good lenses. The 18-105 has more zoom range, and for a single lens I'd prefer that, but a better option would be to find a 2-lens kit which includes the 18-55 + 55-200.

Regarding an eventual switch to FX, my advise is stop thinking about that, get a camera, and start shooting! If and when it comes time for you to buy an $8000 pro camera body, believe me you won't be at all worried about the $100 kit lens you won't want to use on it.

If this is your first SLR, then you have a long road to learn to get the most of out a beginner's kit, and by then you'll know where you want to specialize and that will instruct you what special lenses you'll want to buy.

Larry - a Bay Area Nikonian
My Nikonians gallery

www.tempered-light.com

Welcome to the Nikonians!

I don't think you will get better performance out of the 18-105, but you will get a bit more on the long end. This may serve you a little better as a walk around lens.

While these are not pro lens, in the hands of a skilled photographer one can get excellent results. I have had several of my photographs published in magazines, calendars and TV, using the 18-135 kit lens.

Select one and enjoy it. Good luck in a great hobby!

Jerry Jaynes
Great Smoky Mountains
of North Carolina

http://www.flickr.com/photos/by_jerry_jaynes/

Thanks for all the advice, and the welcome.

I agree with the comments regarding the 18-55's price tag. It's cheap enough to buy the kit and play around for a while without worrying about upgrade paths. With the advice from the Nikonian posters, I'm leaning towards keeping it simple and buying one of the kits for starters. I hadn't seen the 2 lens kit, and I agree with Moto that's probably a better option than the 18-105, since I'd be getting more range for the same price aprox.

I'm really excited about going into ultra-wide and macro shooting, but I can make those specialized purchases later on, and start thinking about upgrade paths once I get there.

Thanks again.