Beginner Entry level options

[ab20000]

Looking for some advice, want to know what is a decent entry level setup general use as I need to arrange a gift (holidays, family etc). The main purpose is to help someone get into DSLR cameras (they have never used one) and just to get out and enjoy taking better photos.

Personally always had Nikon and have no reason to recommend anything else but interested in other views.

So budget is around £1k Inc accessories and so far considering

Nikon D5500 camera
Nikon 18-300mm lens

Or

D5500
Nikon 18-55mm lens and Nikon 55-300mm lens (this is cheaper option)

Or

D5500
Sigma 18-300mm lens

Or

D5500
Tamron 16-300mm lens

Interested to hear views of others both on lenses and the D5500.

Thanks,

 

[HoppyUK]

Welcome to TP

Nikon D5500 is a good choice. There are no bad cameras these days and there is nothing to choose between Nikon and Canon really. Just get the one that has the features you want (eg video, articulating LCD etc) at the right budget. You'll not go far wrong.

Perhaps the biggest question is whether to go for a super-zoom or separate lenses. That's quite a personal choice. The classic DSLR outfit is usually a standard-range zoom, tele-zoom and wide-zoom, sprinkled with a couple of primes to taste and maybe a macro at a later date. That usually delivers the best overall performance and versatility, at the cost of convenience of course.

Of the super-zooms you've listed, I've tested most of them and the Tamron 16-300 (good review http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/tamron-16-300mm-f-3-5-6-3-di-ii-vc-pzd-macro )is the best of the bunch and most versatile, but as a thought, if I was on the receiving end and looking to build a personalised outfit, a safer option would be the camera and one of the cheaper kit-zoom options, plus a voucher for an extra lens, flash, bag, maybe tripod etc. Kit zooms are invariably cheap and great value and a newcomer can do a lot with one of those, learn the ropes and get a feel for how they'd like to take things forward without having a lot of money locked up in one lens.

Another couple of great buy lenses from Nikon, with low f/numbers for the popular shallow DoF look, are the 35/1.8 and 50/1.8 G. The former is more versatile, the latter particularly good for portraits. On the tele-zoom front, Tamron 70-300 VR is the smart buy. Or you could spend a bit more on the camera. Just thinking about that now, a Nikon D7200 with 18-105 kit zoom and 35/1.8 would be a sweet starter outfit to build on But when it comes to lenses, there are hundreds of options and permutations.

 

[ab20000]

Thanks for the reply, very helpful indeed. The person I'm buying for I think will value versatility and ease of use over all else at least from initially. Like the reviews of the Tamron and good to hear someone else has used it as I've no experience.

Are they compatible with other Nikon's including the D750?

 

[HoppyUK]

Thanks for the reply, very helpful indeed. The person I'm buying for I think will value versatility and ease of use over all else at least from initially. Like the reviews of the Tamron and good to hear someone else has used it as I've no experience.

Are they compatible with other Nikon's including the D750?

Of the lenses I've mentioned, the 50/1.8 and Tamron 70-300 VC are full-frame lenses and suitable for full-frame cameras like the D750, as well as APS-C like the D5500 and D7200. The 35/1.8 and kit zoom will fit and function on full-frame cameras, but the image won't cover the whole sensor area so pretty pointless really.

 

[d00d]

Hi M

Your money goes further if you buy a kit, sometimes means you're getting a lens near half price.

The D5500 kits include 18-55mm, 18-105mm, 18-140mm I believe.

For example, just looked at one of the high street shops and ... D5500 body @ £500, 18-140mm @ £430, get the two together for £750. Worth looking in to? Of course this won't give you the reach you seem to be after but are you sure you need it?

The 35mm f1.8 is a must IMO at around £140 ... small, lightweight, sharp & fast. Really useful for the beginner getting to grips with aperture, and the rest. And will be forever a favourite.

EDIT ... PS, I do like the sound of that Tamron 16-300mm lens.