Nikon D5000 + lens combination

[jzzdhillon]

Hi all,

I've just joined this forum. After being a point & shoot user for many years, I've finally decided to upgrade to an digital SLR camera.

After weeks of research and reading great reviews, I've decided to buy the D5000. I don't really want to get the 18-55mm and 55-200mm kit lens combination so have decided to reseach other lenses.

By reading reviews and opinions of other, I am thinking of buying the below lenses to use with the D5000. Being very budget conscious, I've leaning torwards;

- Nikon 18-105mm VR lens (for general use)
- Nikon35mm f/1.8G DX (for low-light situations)

This will be mainly for general holiday shots. I've also thought about the 18-200mm lens but I am thinking of saving the extra cash and getting the above combo instead.

I would like to get some opinions/feedback before I make a final decision.

Thanks

[Almond.Butterscotch]

thats not a bad combo, but the 35 itself can to some degree replace everything in the 25-55mm range just by using your feet. I'd say go for the 35 and 70-300 (unless you plan on doing landscapes or something else where you'd want wide angles.)

Then again, you did say you wanted the 18-105 for general use, so you might want to ignore most of what I say. The 35 is my general use lens, so my thinking's skewed for the 35 and a telephoto.

[OsmosisStudios]

If you're gonna step up from the 18-55 + 55-200, then take a bloody step up.

Find an 18-70 (likely used) or a 16-85 and a 70-300 VR. Add in a 35mm f/1.8 and you've got a great kit.

[TheEagleSpirit]

I have two lenses for my Nikon D90 which are a tamron 2.8 17-50 mm lens and a much more expensive nikkor 2.8 70-200 mm lens. Both are excellent in low-light, action shots, travel, and general shooting.

[jzzdhillon]

Thanks for everyone for their input.

Well, I bit the bullet and bought the D90 instead. After holding both cameras, the D90 just really felt a lot better, and sturdier, in my hand and I came to the conclusion it will allow me to grow more in my travel photography. I also decided to go for the 18-105mm VR and 35mm 1.8 lens combination. I think these two lenses should be enough initially for my needs when I'm traveling overseas.

I'm now really looking forward to getting familiar with the camera and learning to use it before I leave for overseas next month.

I have a couple more questions to ask...

1) What other accessories should I buy for traveling (i.e.filter etc)?

2) What would be a good start as reference material to "learn" how to use the D90?

Thanks