NikonGear'23
Gear Talk => Lens Talk => Topic started by: simato73 on February 24, 2017, 17:35:14
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Hi,
I am shopping for a camera/lens kit to gift to my nephew for his 18th birthday.
It will be a Nikon DSLR since his brother already has one - whatever lenses they accumulate they can share.
I will be quizzing him this weekend to understand whether a D5500 or a D7x00 (x= 1, 2) is best for him.
In terms of lens, since I will most likely be forced to buy a kit, I can choose among the 18-55, 18-105 or 18-140.
I am not that keen on the 18-55 although it is not already totally written off.
Any comment on how the 18-105 and 18-140 compare? Is any of them definitely to be avoided?
Cheers
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Simone, I'm afraid I cannot comment on your main question: 18-105 vs. 18-140.
However, it would be careful if you would ever go for 18-55. The latest, AF-P version may not be compatible with the body that the brother already has. The AF of AF-P is noticeably faster than the AF-S version (I did a direct comparison with AF-P on D3400 and AF-S on D5500 at a Nikon showroom), and thus AF-P is preferable. However, even the bodies which can use AF-P, there are some limitations. D5500 (updated with the latest firmware), D5600 and D3400 are the only bodies that are fully compatible with AF-P.
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Akira,
Thanks for the alert, I was not aware of it.
The older brother has a D7000 and the venerable 18-70 plus a 70-300 VR that I bought for his 18th birthday a few years ago.
I'll probably steer clear of the 18-55 to avoid complications.
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The 18-140 is an overlooked lens which is very capable on its own. Really excellent optics in that one. Unfortunately it hot-spots in IR, otherwise I had purchased it myself long ago.
(DX only lenses for me are to be used on one of my modified IR cameras, which at present also are DX)
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D5500 (updated with the latest firmware), D5600 and D3400 are the only bodies that are fully compatible with AF-P.
The D3300 is still available with the AF-P as kit lens.
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I purchased the D5300 kit with the 18-55 and 70-300 AF-P lenses for my wife, and am pleased with the performance. Good price right now too: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1294166-REG/nikon_1579_d5300_dslr_camera_dual.html
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How about a D610 and a 50/1.8G? It should cost more or less the same...
All you have to tell your nephew is:
"if you cannot make a good image with this combination, be certain it's not the gear that is at fault" :)
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I got my D3200 with the 18-55 VR lens, and it was not bad optically, but it's really pretty cheaply made, and it wore out. Later ones at least have improved enough to have a non rotating front element, but still pretty cheaply made.
My wife when she got a D7100 got the 18-140 as a kit lens, and it's behaved very well. It is, as mentioned above, very sharp, and with that range it ends up being a very good all-around zoom. It's traveled around quite a bit in the last three years, and given good service. Not a great bargain when bought separately, it's a pretty good buy as a kit lens.
I thought of getting one when my 18-55 went south, but decided on a cut rate used 16-85 instead, because I wanted the width. I like that one, but the 18-140 is sharper and usually less expensive.
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How about a D610 and a 50/1.8G? It should cost more or less the same...
All you have to tell your nephew is:
"if you cannot make a good image with this combination, be certain it's not the gear that is at fault" :)
I think this combo is not what he needs/wants right now, but thanks for the idea.
Having just had a chat with his brother, I lean toward a D5500, perhaps with a 18-140.
PS: Cross-posted with Matthew
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I purchased the D5300 kit with the 18-55 and 70-300 AF-P lenses for my wife, and am pleased with the performance. Good price right now too: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1294166-REG/nikon_1579_d5300_dslr_camera_dual.html
Thanks, interesting but unfortunately living in Europe buying from B&H is not as convenient.
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The D3300 is still available with the AF-P as kit lens.
I purchased the D5300 kit with the 18-55 and 70-300 AF-P lenses for my wife, and am pleased with the performance. Good price right now too: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1294166-REG/nikon_1579_d5300_dslr_camera_dual.html
D3300 and D5300 is almost compatible with AF-P. Here in Japan, Nikon just released D5300/AF-P kit, probably because they want to clear the surplus stock.
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D5300 is compatible with AF-P, although might need to update the firmware. Mine came good to go with the AF-P lenses, there is a menu setting to turn VR on or off since there is no VR switch on the lens itself. The lenses focus quickly and quietly, a nice kit me thinks. And I agree...Nikon seems to be trying to clear some inventory....as usual....haha.
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Apparently D5300 is a "preferred" D5x00 camera here in NG with the integrated GPS. Hope you enjoy your purchase!
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Just remember to load an aGPS file into the D5300, otherwise the GPS never really works. It will happily deplete the battery whilst searching for a satellite fix :D With the aGPS installed, it gets the fix in normal time.
The camera manual and/or Nikon's site(s) contain the instructions required.
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Apparently D5300 is a "preferred" D5x00 camera here in NG with the integrated GPS. Hope you enjoy your purchase!
Good call, this would interest me... but the nikon ship has sailed for me (apart from old Nikkor lenses).
The camera is for my nephew and I do hope he enjoys it.
Currently deciding between a few good offers, D5300 +18-140 or D5500 + 18-140 or D5500 + 18-55 (P).
I may decide to be generous and throw in also a 35 DX :)
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Just remember to load an aGPS file into the D5300, otherwise the GPS never really works. It will happily deplete the battery whilst searching for a satellite fix :D With the aGPS installed, it gets the fix in normal time.
The camera manual and/or Nikon's site(s) contain the instructions required.
Since I don't have one at hand right now, could you tell me what this is about? Just for my insatiable curiosity :)
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Good call, this would interest me... but the nikon ship has sailed for me (apart from old Nikkor lenses).
The camera is for my nephew and I do hope he enjoys it.
Currently deciding between a few good offers, D5300 +18-140 or D5500 + 18-140 or D5500 + 18-55 (P).
I may decide to be generous and throw in also a 35 DX :)
So far as I'm aware, the D5500 + AF-P kit is not offered, unfortunately.
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So far as I'm aware, the D5500 + AF-P kit is not offered, unfortunately.
I stand corrected, the one I was mentioning is a kit with he standard 18-55 VR II.
I saw a few links on Google to the kit with the AF-P but in all cases it wasn't available, except for one case where the kit was refurbished by Nikon.
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Bjorn, thank you for the tip. I just downloaded and installed the GPS file to the D5300. The user's manual that comes with the camera does not mention this, you have to download a larger reference manual from the Nikon web site to get this kind of info. All systems go now.
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I was almost on the point of returning the camera to the dealer when a Nikon rep I spoke with on an entirely different topic happened to mention the aGPS file. I had little hopes but did the download/install and voilá now the camera GPS is functional. Tested in such diverse locations as South Africa and Arctic Norway - that should cover a lot of ground ... The GPS does take a little longer than a dedicated external device to get a good fix, but not by much.
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Since I don't have one at hand right now, could you tell me what this is about? Just for my insatiable curiosity :)
If you are satisfied with the D5300 never being able to get a satellite fix, don't bother with the aGPS file. On the other hand, if you want the camera's GPS feature to be really functional, scuttle over to Nikon Europe or another of Nikon's sites and download the correct aGPS binary file for the camera. Put that file on a SD card and load the file through the camera's menu system.
Same procedure works with the AW1 and the independent GPS module for CX cameras, by the way. However, AW1 is less glacial than the D5300 even without the aGPS file. After updating the camera its GPS responds faster, though.
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If you are satisfied with the D5300 never being able to get a satellite fix, don't bother with the aGPS file. On the other hand, if you want the camera's GPS feature to be really functional, scuttle over to Nikon Europe or another of Nikon's sites and download the correct aGPS binary file for the camera. Put that file on a SD card and load the file through the camera's menu system.
Same procedure works with the AW1 and the independent GPS module for CX cameras, by the way. However, AW1 is less glacial than the D5300 even without the aGPS file. After updating the camera its GPS responds faster, though.
Good thing that I asked, as I do own an AW1.
I'll try what you recommend sometime. Thanks.
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How about a D610 and a 50/1.8G? It should cost more or less the same...
Simone,
I feel putting a foot in the door for FX is a good thing. I wouldn't write off this advice to quickly.
I've used the AF-S DX NIKKOR 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR belonging to a friend both on her D300 and on my D300s and D800. I'm not thinking price here at all. I just noticed someone else recommended this lens. I recommended it to my friend has she's trained as an interior designer. I was quite certain she'd find 18mm not wide enough. I'd own one but my money has gone for FX glass.
Anyway I feel getting a foot in the door of FX is a very good thing. FX allows separation of the subject from the background for people using an 85mm to 135mm lens, my favorite people lens being 105mm.
That's my advice.
Dave Hartman
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Thanks Dave,
I really think a FX camera is premature for him.
He wants something small and light that he can carry everywhere without hassle; he has back problems (at his age!) so light is important.
He also values the flip touchscreen that the D5500 sports.
With a 35mm DX it will make a very compact kit; the 18-140 will do the rest.
It will take a good while before he grows out of this equipment, if he ever does.
I can have everything for just over £800 so price wise this choice is also extremely hard to beat.
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Not a zoom. Give him the 1.8/35DX and the 1.8/50G!
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My experience - 5 years ago my niece bought a D5100/18-55 kit and for the same reason: compact and with the flip screen.
Not long after that she asked if she could borrow my 55-200 and she still has it. Later she found out I also have a 35/1.8 and said "I've been looking for such a lens..." - now also borrows that. She seems happy with that combo. No doubt an 18-140 would also have made her happy.
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I would like to thank all who gave their opinion - as requested.
My decision is now made, thanks not only to your advice, but also some thinking on my own and speaking with my nephew.
I think what I chose to buy is the best for my nephew at present.
If he eventually grows out of this kit I will be happy; if not (meaning he is not that interested in photography after all) then I will not have wasted more of my money.
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Nicely done Simone! What a generous gift for your nephew, I think your decision is very generous and solid for a first DSLR. Sweet!
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Simone, I think you "nailed it"! You may want to add a humble IR remote control ML-L3 to the kit. Nikon stupidly removed the IR remote function from D5600, but you can use it with D5500 and his brother's D7000.
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My experience - 5 years ago my niece bought a D5100/18-55 kit and for the same reason: compact and with the flip screen.
Not long after that she asked if she could borrow my 55-200 and she still has it. Later she found out I also have a 35/1.8 and said "I've been looking for such a lens..." - now also borrows that. She seems happy with that combo. No doubt an 18-140 would also have made her happy.
You clearly gave a successful gift!
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May I jump in with a question? My brothers family is looking to buy a new kit. I went with them to a store recently and found that the D5500 + 18-140mm to be a nice combo. They like the small size of the camera as they are going to be travelling with it.
There's the new D5600, but it seems there differences are small compared to the D5500. Is there anything I'm missing or might they just as well go with the D5500?
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Any D5x00 would do in principle. The D5300 would be my recommendation, but let price and availability dictate the final choice. The lack of IR control by the cheap and versatile ML-L3 device is a drawback for the latest models, though.
As asserted repeatedly, the 18-140 is a very fine all-round performer and would be great combined with any of these models. Hadn't I been into IR work with my D5300 this lens should be my primary workhorse for a DX camera.
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My understanding is that the 5600 has better wireless capabilities than the D5500, slightly heavier and better at power management, but the rest is the same, for a slight increase in price.
I have figured this is not that important for me and would take the lower price instead, so I ordered a D5500 + 18-140 kit.
Also (separately) a 35/1.8 DX, extra battery and an SDXC card.
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Thanks for your quick replies, I doubt they'd ever use IR control, so no loss for them. It think they'll end up with a kit the same as what you ordered Simone.