D5300 Lens Kit Options - Need Help (18-140mm single, or 18-55mm & 55-300mm twin)

Polzy

New member
Hi All,

Within the next week I will be purchasing the Nikon D5300 as my first DSLR camera, but I am stuck on what lens kit I should get with it.

Option 1. Nikon D5300 with Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR Lens - $805 Australian
Option 2. Nikon D5300 with Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VRII, and Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR Lens - $839 Australian

The main reason for getting the camera now is that this time next year I'll be away on our honeymoon and I really want to get some memorable photos as we travel through Europe. I don't mind the idea of travelling with 2 lenses if they're the right ones that will cover almost all scenarios (portrait, every day, building, landscape). Excited about the purchase, and the learning curve that comes with :)

I've tried to do as much research before posting my stupid question (even posting on Facebook...to which most replies were unhelpful "Don't get a Nikon...get a Canon". Any guidance you can give around which kit would suit better and why would be appreciated. P.S > This is my first post having just joined the forum, please play nice with me (noob).

Thanks.
 

Lawrence

Senior Member
Re: D5300 Lens Kit Options - Need Help (18-140mm single, or 18-55mm & 55-300mm twin)

Welcome to the forum and well done for ignoring the Canon advice.
The 18-140 would be a great walk about lens but if it was me I would take the other option. You will love that extra reach.
 

mikew_RIP

Senior Member
Re: D5300 Lens Kit Options - Need Help (18-140mm single, or 18-55mm & 55-300mm twin)

Welcome to the forum,as Lawrence said the 18-140 would make a great walk round lens,perhaps adding something longer later if you find you need or want :D it.
 

traceyjj

Senior Member
Re: D5300 Lens Kit Options - Need Help (18-140mm single, or 18-55mm & 55-300mm twin)

What type of photos do you see yourself taking? If its mainly landscapes, mine tend to be more wide angle, so you might not need the extra reach of the second lens.
 

Polzy

New member
Re: D5300 Lens Kit Options - Need Help (18-140mm single, or 18-55mm & 55-300mm twin)

Thanks Lawrence & mikew, have read a lot of comments that the 18-140mm is a great walk about lens, I am just worried it might be too heavy for my soon to be wife, which was the main reason in my head I was leaning towards the twin kit for the 18-55mm.

What type of photos do you see yourself taking? If its mainly landscapes, mine tend to be more wide angle, so you might not need the extra reach of the second lens.

Travel will be a combination of landscape/scenery mostly, where as everyday use will be more limited to portraits, family time, and the odd nature shots.
 

mikew_RIP

Senior Member
Re: D5300 Lens Kit Options - Need Help (18-140mm single, or 18-55mm & 55-300mm twin)

Thanks Lawrence & mikew, have read a lot of comments that the 18-140mm is a great walk about lens, I am just worried it might be too heavy for my soon to be wife, which was the main reason in my head I was leaning towards the twin kit for the 18-55mm.



Travel will be a combination of landscape/scenery mostly, where as everyday use will be more limited to portraits, family time, and the odd nature shots.

Be careful be very very careful, the odd nature shot can turn into an obsession :D
 

SteveH

Senior Member
Re: D5300 Lens Kit Options - Need Help (18-140mm single, or 18-55mm & 55-300mm twin)

Welcome to the forum, and congratulations on your upcoming wedding!

I started out with the 18-55mm & 55-300mm on my D3100, so I may be a little bias :) and I haven't used the 18-140mm. The 18-140 sounds like a great as a walk-around lens, but then also consider that the 55-300mm will give you double that reach... Another option (I know, there is always too much choice!) would be to get the 18-140mm kit, have a play and get used to the camera, and then consider a nice sharp prime lens - a 35 or 50mm F1.8 are great for in and around cities where everything is up-close and large!
 

Deleted

Senior Member
Re: D5300 Lens Kit Options - Need Help (18-140mm single, or 18-55mm & 55-300mm twin)

Hi Polzy

For a travel lens, I'd get the 18-140mm. You'll be shooting landscape, portrait, street scenes. I don't see any need there for a 300mm. You get the advantage of one lens, less stuff to carry & a smaller camera bag. :)
 

Deleted

Senior Member
Re: D5300 Lens Kit Options - Need Help (18-140mm single, or 18-55mm & 55-300mm twin)

I am just worried it might be too heavy for my soon to be wife, which was the main reason in my head I was leaning towards the twin kit for the 18-55mm.

How about the 35mm f1.8 as a useful add-on to the kit with an 18-140mm? Lightweight & a useful lens for low-light shots.
 

Simonhep

New member
Re: D5300 Lens Kit Options - Need Help (18-140mm single, or 18-55mm & 55-300mm twin)

Hi I would get the 18 -270 Tamron an just the body may not e two popular with Nikon but Tamron an Sigma now make some very good lenses that have a 5 an 3 year warranty at good prices some times it is best to think a little out side the box the best advice I can give is go down your local camera shop and try them out what works for one person does not always suit another
 

Polzy

New member
Re: D5300 Lens Kit Options - Need Help (18-140mm single, or 18-55mm & 55-300mm twin)

Be careful be very very careful, the odd nature shot can turn into an obsession :D

Hehe, I wouldn't mind if this happened...would be a welcome distraction from work :)

Welcome to the forum, and congratulations on your upcoming wedding!

I started out with the 18-55mm & 55-300mm on my D3100, so I may be a little bias :) and I haven't used the 18-140mm. The 18-140 sounds like a great as a walk-around lens, but then also consider that the 55-300mm will give you double that reach... Another option (I know, there is always too much choice!) would be to get the 18-140mm kit, have a play and get used to the camera, and then consider a nice sharp prime lens - a 35 or 50mm F1.8 are great for in and around cities where everything is up-close and large!

Nice to know that I am not alone in my thinking of the twin kit, you seem happy with your purchase which fills me with confidence if I go down this path, thanks :)

How about the 35mm f1.8 as a useful add-on to the kit with an 18-140mm? Lightweight & a useful lens for low-light shots.

I was looking at either the 35mm or 50mm but the budget doesn't quite stretch there at the moment, I wanted to get comfortable with the camera and taking photos with a DSLR in general before I start to outlay on better lenses.

Hi I would get the 18 -270 Tamron an just the body may not e two popular with Nikon but Tamron an Sigma now make some very good lenses that have a 5 an 3 year warranty at good prices some times it is best to think a little out side the box the best advice I can give is go down your local camera shop and try them out what works for one person does not always suit another

Thanks - hadn't really given any other brands a look, will have a look though. Good idea though about camera store, i'll be buying online but will at least head down and get the missus to feel the weight (that's mainly the only thing she is worried about).

I'll post back once I have made the purchase later this week :)
 

RockyNH_RIP

Senior Member
Re: D5300 Lens Kit Options - Need Help (18-140mm single, or 18-55mm & 55-300mm twin)

Based on what you described, I would likely get the 18 - 140. I got rid of my 18-55 (though it was a good lens) for the greater range of the 18-105 for everyday.

That should serve you better than the 2 for your described trip and then depending on your actual photography trends, you can decide later what lens (or lenses) to add.

Regards and congrats!

Pat in GA
 

RocketCowboy

Senior Member
Re: D5300 Lens Kit Options - Need Help (18-140mm single, or 18-55mm & 55-300mm twin)

I would suggest the 18-140mm as well.

I picked up a D5300 kit with both the 18-55 and 55-300mm lenses that you mentioned. The primary problem I ran into ... swapping lenses. And make no mistake, carrying both lenses is heavier than just putting the 18-140mm on the body and being done with it.

I ended up picking up a 24-120mm FX lens when upgrading glass, and that has been my predominate lens for most trips. I also have a 10-24mm wide angle when I want the very wide landscape shots, but 90% of the time the 24-120 is on the camera unless I'm trying to do something specific with the wide angle or a prime. That being said, my wife pretty much prefers that the 55-300mm is the only lens mounted when she's shooting the D5300, so as you can see ... your mileage may vary. :)
 
Re: D5300 Lens Kit Options - Need Help (18-140mm single, or 18-55mm & 55-300mm twin)

I would get the 18-140. It is my go to lens for about everyday. Save up and get the 70-300 later if you need the extra reach.
 

Blacktop

Senior Member
Re: D5300 Lens Kit Options - Need Help (18-140mm single, or 18-55mm & 55-300mm twin)

If I lost all my lenses today, I would have a Tamron 16-300mm sitting on my porch before the end of the week.
 

adityasoman

Senior Member
Re: D5300 Lens Kit Options - Need Help (18-140mm single, or 18-55mm & 55-300mm twin)

I will second Dons opinion

18-55 is a great lens..but on holidays you'll find its reach too short..

18-140 is a great all round lens..and as u learn and develop you can get the second lens later

Sent from my GT-I9070 using Tapatalk 2
 
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