Ok so money being the factor i have enough saved to purchase one of these combinations
1.BRAND NEW Nikon D7000 + 18-105 + 70-300mm
2.BRAND NEW Nikon D7000 18-55 VR + 55-200mm+(one of the fish eyes below)
3.BRAND NEW Nikon D7000 + 18-200 Lens
4.BRAND NEW Nikon D7000 + 18-105 VR Lens Kit +((one of the fish eyes below)
Fish eye options
1.Sigma 10mm F2.8 EX DC Fisheye HSM for Nikon-
2.Sigma 15mm F2.8 EX Diagonal Fisheye for Nikon--
I have the D7000 plus the Sigma 17-50 EX 2.8 which is awesome then the Sigma 50-200 DC 4/5.6 good lens but not EX quality.
The sigma lens (EX) are not far off in quality but cheaper than the Nikon.
If you look at www.kenrockwell.com then he gives goos Nikon advise that we used to get Chris a Nikon & Nikon lens you will be suprised by the 18-5 Nikon qualiry. The short Sigma EX 10-20 zoom is awesone too.
The D7000 is fantastic & much betteer than the D5100 so stick with that & dont be tempted top downbuy the body but i would look at Sigma EX v Nikon for lenses as you may get more for your budget & only loose image quality if you enlarge super big.
Hope this helps & enjoy the reseach
If you need more views on my kit or Chris' then shout up he has the D5100 Nikon 18-55, Nikon 50 1.8, Nikon 55-300.
Cheers
Si
PS Nikon lenses buy metal mounts not plastic the 55-200 you have listed is plastic mounted
Si
The D7000 is an excellent choice; but just make sure you are going to use all the features. Being a newbie, I bought the 3100. The only thing I wished I had built into the camera is the auto bracketing to make HDR easier which I could have got on the 5100.
I always thought the 18-105 would be a great walk around lens. I just purchased a Nikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX Lens. You may want to consider a prime lens with fast glass. You get faster shutter speeds and better low light shots. You can always zoom and compose with your feet. The 1.8 is a steal at $200.
I have a Nikon D90 and I've used the 18-55, 55-200, 18-105 lenses. For a while I considered the 18-200mm lens, but I don't think it would use the extra zoom that much. the 55-200mm lens is a much cheaper alternative and a wonderful lens when I need it. I've used it a lot and had great success. The other lens I use a lot for "everyday/walkaround" is the 18-105mm. When I grab my camera to go somewhere, that's the main lens I use. I would probably lean toward the 18-105mm lens and then one other fun lens like a macro or fisheye. Also, I would plan to get a prime lens.
Here is what I have right now and how I use them:
18-55 mm (nice walk around, but a bit short sometimes so I use the 18-105mm)
35mm f/1.8G (fast a fun for kid shots or landscapes)
55-200mm f/4-5.6G VR (great for flowers, etc.)
50mm f/1.8 (nice for portraits or walking around)
28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 (older lens that I love)
85mm f/3.5 Micro VR (new lens that I love)
18-105mm VR (one that I use the most)
OK, here is my $.02 worth. I have the D7000 and never thought I'd use all the features, but it is a camera I've grown into and improved because of - simply an outstanding and brilliant piece of equipment!
As for lenses - I have the Sigma 10-20 f/4 and love it. I have taken some breathtaking landscapes and great real estate shots with it. With it, you get the versatility of 10mm and the ability to zoom to 20 if needed.
As for a longer lens, I have and use the 18-200; for the money, I have been disappointed. That said, I'm not giving up on it either. I may not be doing something right and will keep working with it.
For the greatest sleeper lens in the world, get the Nikon 55-300. For under or around $300, it is beyond a no-brainer. I've taken some of the best shots of my life with that little lens. It is light, fast and sharp. Not as sharp as a $2500 lens, but for $300 - my Lord, it is amazing. I'd also opt for the 18-105 kit lens - it is a good one!
Hope this helps - good luck and you're on your way to some fun shooting! Let us know what you end up with!
Thanks for all the Tips I have a max amount of cash available and i turn every penny to get my moneys worth ...so by the looks of things my choice at the moment
Nikon d7000...nikon 18-105 VR and... a Sigma 8-16 mm f/4.5-5.6 DC HSM.
and when i rob another bank
to follow sigma 70-300 f/4-5.6 dg macro lens and the nikon SB-700 Speed-llght
Tweets ahoy!
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I have the D7000 plus the Sigma 17-50 EX 2.8 which is awesome then the Sigma 50-200 DC 4/5.6 good lens but not EX quality.
The sigma lens (EX) are not far off in quality but cheaper than the Nikon.
If you look at www.kenrockwell.com then he gives goos Nikon advise that we used to get Chris a Nikon & Nikon lens you will be suprised by the 18-5 Nikon qualiry. The short Sigma EX 10-20 zoom is awesone too.
The D7000 is fantastic & much betteer than the D5100 so stick with that & dont be tempted top downbuy the body but i would look at Sigma EX v Nikon for lenses as you may get more for your budget & only loose image quality if you enlarge super big.
Hope this helps & enjoy the reseach
If you need more views on my kit or Chris' then shout up he has the D5100 Nikon 18-55, Nikon 50 1.8, Nikon 55-300.
Cheers
Si
PS Nikon lenses buy metal mounts not plastic the 55-200 you have listed is plastic mounted
Si
Some links I used when getting my kit hope it helps
http://www.kenrockwell.com/
http://www.sigma-imaging-uk.com/
http://panamoz.com/index.php/digital-cameras/nikon.html
I used panamoz to get better UK prices from Hong Kong service quick duty paid & genuine kit with warranty this may save you a bit of cash. Was a bit worried but everything was 100% so may be worth a try not sure the benefit in SA but worth it in the UK
http://www.sigma-imaging-uk.com/lenses/index_nikon.htm
Good for lens reviews of Sigma
http://www.lenstip.com/256.1-Lens_review-Sigma_17-50_mm_f_2.8_EX_DC_OS_HSM_Introduction.html
Again this time independant reviews
Hope this is useful
Si
Lots to mull over and the info is much appreciated.H
I always thought the 18-105 would be a great walk around lens. I just purchased a Nikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX Lens. You may want to consider a prime lens with fast glass. You get faster shutter speeds and better low light shots. You can always zoom and compose with your feet. The 1.8 is a steal at $200.
Here is what I have right now and how I use them:
18-55 mm (nice walk around, but a bit short sometimes so I use the 18-105mm)
35mm f/1.8G (fast a fun for kid shots or landscapes)
55-200mm f/4-5.6G VR (great for flowers, etc.)
50mm f/1.8 (nice for portraits or walking around)
28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 (older lens that I love)
85mm f/3.5 Micro VR (new lens that I love)
18-105mm VR (one that I use the most)
As for lenses - I have the Sigma 10-20 f/4 and love it. I have taken some breathtaking landscapes and great real estate shots with it. With it, you get the versatility of 10mm and the ability to zoom to 20 if needed.
As for a longer lens, I have and use the 18-200; for the money, I have been disappointed. That said, I'm not giving up on it either. I may not be doing something right and will keep working with it.
For the greatest sleeper lens in the world, get the Nikon 55-300. For under or around $300, it is beyond a no-brainer. I've taken some of the best shots of my life with that little lens. It is light, fast and sharp. Not as sharp as a $2500 lens, but for $300 - my Lord, it is amazing. I'd also opt for the 18-105 kit lens - it is a good one!
Hope this helps - good luck and you're on your way to some fun shooting! Let us know what you end up with!
Nikon d7000...nikon 18-105 VR and... a Sigma 8-16 mm f/4.5-5.6 DC HSM.
and when i rob another bank
to follow sigma 70-300 f/4-5.6 dg macro lens and the nikon SB-700 Speed-llght