"Starter kit" lenses - advice on choice?

[simato73]

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

[Akira]

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.

[simato73]

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.

[Bjørn Rørslett]

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)

[JohnMM]

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.

[OCD]

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

[Jakov Minić]

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"

[Matthew Currie]

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.

[simato73]

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

[simato73]

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.

[Akira]

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.

[OCD]

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.

[Akira]

Apparently D5300 is a "preferred" D5x00 camera here in NG with the integrated GPS.  Hope you enjoy your purchase!

[Bjørn Rørslett]

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 With the aGPS installed, it gets the fix in normal time.

The camera manual and/or Nikon's site(s) contain the instructions required.

[simato73]

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