Which kit should I buy?

[marce_w]

Hello!
I am very confused on what DSRL kit to buy, so I come for your advice.

I had an analog SLR a lot of years ago, butnever digital. Now I have a SP 550 UZ Olymus 18X. I take family, landscape andsport pictures. I like to use high zoom.

Between Cannon and Nikon, I choosed Nikon.Between the models I decided d5100.

NowI have to choose a kit. The best prices I have found are in cameta.com.
Here the questions:

1) By buying refurbished, I can get a morecomplete kit. I think I can trust in Factory Refurbished, and refurbished canbe consider pretty the same to new (cameta gives one year garanty). Am Icorrect?

2) I am looking for a kit with 18-55 +nikon 55-300 VR or + tamron 70-300 (no VC). The Tamron is cheaper and has Macro1:2 mode, but I think is better to buy the Nikon 55-300. What do you think?

3) One kit has lens accessories: 2.5xTelephoto & .45 x Wide-Angle Digital Lenses; Do you recomend those lenses?

Basicaly I guess I will decide between:

http://www.cameta.com/Nikon-D5100-Digital-SLR-Camera-18-55mm-G-VR-DX-AF-S-Zoom-Lens-Factory-Refurbished-64372.cfm

and

http://www.cameta.com/Nikon-D5100-Digital-SLR-Camera-18-55mm-G-VR-DX-AF-S-Zoom-Lens-Factory-Refurbished-72617.cfm

but there are more opcions:

http://www.cameta.com/Nikon-D5100-Digital-SLR-Camera-18-55mm-G-VR-DX-AF-S-Zoom-Lens-Factory-Refurbished-62311-kits.cfm


Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

 

[Marcel]

1) Yes, factory refurbished should be as good as new

2) The 55-300 with VR will give you better results.

3) Don't bother with these "cheezy" accessories. They have no value whatsoever.

 

[Marcel]

I forgot one thing.

I think cameras should be bought locally from a store that has an address, where you can go and talk with the salesperson and more importantly where they will answer your questions and teach you a bit about how to use it. It's usually a lot easier if you ever have a warranty claim.

 

[KWJams]

When I see "refurbished" the first thing I think of is why is a brand new model camera being refurbished? Did someone buy it and damaged it or did it come defective from the factory and an angry customer shoved it up some sales clerks _____?

When I see "package deal" I don't get too excited since odds are the dealer is probably hyping the quality of a cheap item to fatten the deal up like throwing in a chincy bag and filters.

I bought the D5100 body only and then added glass later on.

 

[SkvLTD]

I personally don't like how 18-55 has external focus mechanism, so I'd look into a better walk-around lens. 18-70 or 18-105. 55 or 70-300 will be a good one for distance for sure.