Confusion over Zooming capabilities and few other things

[Ankur_Sahu]

Hi All,

I'm a noob in DSLR photography and planning to buy Nikon D5100 as my first DSLR camera. Before this i have used simple point and shoot digicams of Sony & Canon. Since i'm a total noob in this field, i need your expertise in understanding

1. What is a VR kit that comes with this camera...?
2. Is it used as a lens or a lens needs to be purchased separately...?
3. How much zoom this camera can provide with the default accessories...?

Counting bigtime on your advice to go for this camera... :stung:

Thanks,
Ankur

 

[gqtuazon]

Hi All,

I'm a noob in DSLR photography and planning to buy Nikon D5100 as my first DSLR camera. Before this i have used simple point and shoot digicams of Sony & Canon. Since i'm a total noob in this field, i need your expertise in understanding

1. What is a VR kit that comes with this camera...?
2. Is it used as a lens or a lens needs to be purchased separately...?
3. How much zoom this camera can provide with the default accessories...?

Counting bigtime on your advice to go for this camera... :stung:

Thanks,
Ankur

Hello and welcome to the forum. Please check out the link below to get you started.

Nikon | Imaging Products | Digitutor | D5100


Camera Lenses | Nikon Digital Camera Lenses | NIKKOR Optics by Nikon

 

[Ankur_Sahu]

Thanks gqtuazon for the link.. but they do not answer my queries.. These links are definitely helpful once i buy this camera..

 

[BackdoorArts]

Hello Ankur, and welcome!! Hope this helps...

1. What is a VR kit that comes with this camera...?
VR is "Vibration Reduction" and is a function of some lenses that Nikon produces. It helps stabilize the image in situations where your shutter speed may be slower than your focal length and images are prone to be blurry due to subtle camera movement. So...

2. Is it used as a lens or a lens needs to be purchased separately...?
... the "VR kit" you are referring to is the VR Kit Lens that comes with the camera. So you don't need to buy your first lens separately - just the second, and third, and fourth... LOL

3. How much zoom this camera can provide with the default accessories...?
There seem to be 2 kit lenses that come with these cameras, an 18-55mm and an 18-105mm. The first is adequate for most landscape and portrait type photography, but if you're looking to zoom in on things at a distance then you'll find yourself looking for a second lens (55-200mm?) rather quickly. The 18-105mm will give you some satisfaction as a zoom, but if you want to do nature photography or birds, etc. then a 70-300mm would be a likely candidate for a second lens. Both kit lenses are very good to start with, and I still use the 18-105mm that came with my D7000 as the walkaround lens on that body, or my D90 "Car Camera".

 

[Mike150]

Jake's answers are spot on...

I will point out though, It seems to me that you are thinking the D5100 has built in zoom. (Like the point and shoots). It does not. All zooming with a dslr is performed by the lens that is connected. Depending on where you buy, the D5100 can be purchased by itself (Body Only) or as a kit containing one or more lenses. Way back, (a long time ago) I bought my D60 kit with an 18-55mm AFVR. (AutoFocus and Vibration Reduction). I was also given the option of purchasing a longer zoom lens (55-200 AFVR) for about half price if purchased with the camera kit.

Places like CostCo and Best Buy will offer a fixed kit (no changes to the kit). In most cases, a dedicated "Camera" shop will be able to offer you changes to the standard kits. (i.e. 10-105mm instead of the 18-55). That will affect the overall price, but sometimes it's a better deal.

 

[Ankur_Sahu]

Thanks Jake & Mike.. Your replies have answered all my questions and i'm much more clear on my decision.

Many Thanks
Ankur