choosing lens for D7000

[sid_guna]

Hi Guys.. thanks in advance..

I was looking at the D7000 from Nikon and there are a couple of options available to me atm..

Option 1 : D7000 Body + 18-55mm VR and 55-300mm VR Lenses $1988 AUD ( Harvey Norman)

Option 2: D7000 + AF-S DX 18-55mm VR & AF-S DX 55-200mm $ 1799 AUD ( made in Japan)

I was under the impression that the AF-S lenses were a bit more expensive so i am not too sure how they manage to give this deal.. and when i contacted the help desk of Bing lee which is the secod option they told me the camera is made in Japan. Are all Nikon products made in Japan.

Also does it make sence to get this combo. I am relatively new and will mostly use it for the purpose of recreation and hopefully learn some stuff about photography.

Given the two options which option would you recommend.

Like i said .. thanks in advance..

[sid_guna]

Just to clarify.... The second option is a retail store in Australia. and not someone shipping it from Japan.

[OsmosisStudios]

2 things:
All the lenses you've listed are AF-S. The Harvey Norman listing just doesn't have the AF-S in the lens code, but they ARE AF-S lenses. You're paying more for the 55-300 instead of the 55-200. it's a better lens, and slightly longer. The 55-200 doesnt have VR listed, which is also a big difference between the two.

None of the equipment you have listed is made in Japan. The D7000 is made in Thailand (the plant was, until recently, flooded), and the 18-55 and 55-200/55-300 are made there as well. None of it is made in Japan, and any store that tells you otherwise is wrong.

What you're likely looking at is a D7000 + AF-S 18-55 f/3.5-5.6 VR DX kit, and another lens added on, which is common.

Here's my question for you: What do you plan on shooting? What is your budget?

[mbrobich]

I would skip the 18-55 kit lens and go with either a 35mm F1.8 or 50mm F1.8 with the 70-300mmVR and the 7000 body.

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by mbrobich

I would skip the 18-55 kit lens and go with either a 35mm F1.8 or 50mm F1.8 with the 70-300mmVR and the 7000 body.

Hence my question:

If budget allows, I'd skip those lenses altogether; 16-85 and 70-300 or similar.

[bigben6]

As stated, more detail on what you plan to do is needed, the D7000 while a great camera, is pretty far up the line for a starter, nothing wrong with it, but would oyu learn just as much from a D3100 or D500 for instance and have more money for another lens, tripod, filters, flash, that you might enjoy more?

[Scottm]

Hi Sid

It is difficult for anyone to advise you, without knowing your needs and requirements. With that as background, I can offer the following:

While the D7000 is a great camera, the D5100 offers almost as much for quite a saving. Consider if you need high-speed (6+ frames/sec) or can you do with (3+ frames/sec). For example, the D5100 has movable screen which may be more important to you. Compare the two and base your decision on "have to have" vs "nice to have" vs price/value to you.

70-300mm VR is a faster focusing and more robust lens than the 55-200 or 55-300 and I would rather "downgrade" the body and get better lenses. Other "consumer" lenses include the 18-105, 18-55, and a host of others. Personally, I would also look at getting a prime lens (such as the 35mm f1.8) which is a fast lens for indoor and portrait work, without shattering the budget.

Remember that as technology improves, you are more likely to change the camera than change the lenses, so ALWAYS buy the BEST lenses you can afford.... and don't forget that the other little things you may want will also add up, like external flash, remote release, tripod, storage cards, extra battery, etc..... With the exception of the actual camera body, which you can upgrade over time, rather buy less and the best you can, rather than lots of what you want, which will result in you having to upgrade it all later down the line.....