Thread: Nikon D5100 Vs. D7000 and what lense set-up

Hey technophile,

Check out Recommended Cameras

I've found his advice to be spot on (I've used most of the Nikon line up to the D3 and all the lenses) and he cuts through the techo stuff to the bits that really matter when it comes to creating a photograph; the page above sums up the two cameras you're looking at very well.

For lenses, DX Dream Team Lenses - more good advice, IMHO.

cheers,

bidds

You are saying "for semi pro images on land and under water"

Well, kits lens are so bad that I would do not touch them at all.
The D5100 is not a semipro and I would consider only the D7000 if you cannot aford the D300s or have the time to wait for the replacement model which come at the end of Agust.
Regarden lens, I would recommend you the Nikon 50mm f/1.4 or the f/1.8,
AF-S DX 17-55mm f2.8G IF-ED, Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 12-24mm f4G IF-ED,Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f2.8G ED VR II and for macro work the new VR macro lens form Nikon or any of the awesome Sigmas. The 150mm will be my choice.

If you cannot expend in the lens above my second choice will be:
Landscaping: Tokina 12-24 f/4
Walk about: Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f2.8 XR Di-II VC LD Aspherical (IF) or the Sigma 17-50mm F2.8 EX DC OS HSM
Wild life and long range: the Nikon 70-300VR (awesome!!)

Cheers

My vote would be skip the kit lenses. Or if you really want them I would sell you mine, they've barely been used. I have the two you mentioned.
If you will use a prime lens then I'd be looking at the 50mm 1.4 or 80mm 1.4 depending on where you shoot most. If it's mainly outdoors and at a distance then the 80mm may be better than the 50mm? I have the 50mm and love it. I have the D version which you can still get online, the G version is newer but I couldn't justify double the price since I'm far from pro. The 1.8 is fairly good and is half the price of a 1.4D.
I've heard excellent things about the 70-300VR as well, it just doesn't suit my needs so I've not tried it out.

If you like I can take some shots with the kit and the prime to show you the difference

Originally Posted by LSD_AUTOMOTIVE

My vote would be skip the kit lenses. Or if you really want them I would sell you mine, they've barely been used. I have the two you mentioned.
If you will use a prime lens then I'd be looking at the 50mm 1.4 or 80mm 1.4 depending on where you shoot most. If it's mainly outdoors and at a distance then the 80mm may be better than the 50mm? I have the 50mm and love it. I have the D version which you can still get online, the G version is newer but I couldn't justify double the price since I'm far from pro. The 1.8 is fairly good and is half the price of a 1.4D.
I've heard excellent things about the 70-300VR as well, it just doesn't suit my needs so I've not tried it out.

If you like I can take some shots with the kit and the prime to show you the difference

that would be great if you could take some shots. currently i'm at the research phase, and this is all very helpful.

I recently bought a D7000 bundled with a 18-200 VR lens. The camera is excellent, but I am less happy with the lens.

Yes it has great range for a one size fits all lens but IMO it is pushing the boundaries of what one lens can do. At 18mm I find that I get shadowing on the edges of the frame, and at 200mm the image is rather blurry.

I have an old 28-70mm D series AF Nikkor lens which also works on the D7000 and it is much clearer.

my choice would be between the D300s and the D7000 I have the D300s and absolutely love it. lenses if you want he best then look at the F2.8 line up all expensive but they are arguably the best you can get as they are the proffesional ones so they are the best build and are the best optics.