I'm looking to buy my first dlsr

[moth]

Hi I'm looking to buy my first DLSR camera and would like two lenses to start, it comes with a 18mm-55mm, which one would I be best off with for the second, 55mm-200, or 55mm-300?
I'm going to be doing landscape and wild animals/birds and taking pictures of my fish that I catch when fishing cheers

 

[Harlequin565]

Hi Tim, welcome to TP.

The 300mm version will obviously give you more creative options with framing and allow you to get more of your long distance subject in the frame, but maybe less creative options with regards to depth of field. You've not indicated manufaturer, or cost - both of which can impact a decision like this as well as the available apertures for the two comparable lenses.

For (random) example,
The difference between a Sigma 70-300 f4-5.6 with no IS (Image Stabilisation) and a Canon 70-200 f2.8 with IS is huge - both in cost and quality.
The difference between a Canon 70-300 f4-5.6 & Sigma 70-300 f4-5.6 both with no IS is nowhere near as huge.

If you're just starting out, my advice would be to get used to your camera + the 18-55 lens to begin with, then when you get a sense of your needs (and finances), you can make a more informed choice.

 

[twist]

55-250 IS

 

[Tulipone]

Moth, welcome to TP.

I'd echo the thoughts above and from my experience I wonder if you yet know where you want to go.

Maybe rather than additional length, a macro may suit. Perhaps a fisheye lens? I think it's only experience where you find out what it is you want. Unless you have a bucket of money.

 

[moth]

It's the Nikon D5200, I like the movable screen for taking selfie shots when fishing alone, also my son has a Nikon so can share lenses and batteries ect

 

[twist]

It's the Nikon D5200, I like the movable screen for taking selfie shots when fishing alone, also my son has a Nikon so can share lenses and batteries ect

Sorry, for some reason I thought you were buying a Canon.... look at the 55-300 VR. A macro wont be any good for birds / animals etc. more useful for insects / flowers close up.

I think hes already said what he wants to achieve....

I'm going to be doing landscape and wild animals/birds and taking pictures of my fish that I catch when fishing cheers

 

[snerkler]

What about the Tamron 70-300mm VC, that'd be my choice unless budget can stretch to a (possibly used) Nikon 70-300mm VR unless of course you're going to be buying a bundle and the 55-200/55-300 are your only options? If it's the latter I'd go with the 300mm, for wildlife you often need all the reach you can get.

 

[moth]

What about the Tamron 70-300mm VC, that'd be my choice unless budget can stretch to a (possibly used) Nikon 70-300mm VR unless of course you're going to be buying a bundle and the 55-200/55-300 are your only options? If it's the latter I'd go with the 300mm, for wildlife you often need all the reach you can get.

Thanks for that, yes i'm going to go for a bundle, as it seems to be a good offer!

 

[gad-westy]

Thanks for that, yes i'm going to go for a bundle, as it seems to be a good offer!

The 55-200 vr and 55-300 vr are much of a muchness in terms of image quality. Both do fine in the department if not spectacular. They're both a little on the slow side in terms of auto focus speed. The tamron 70/300 vc or Nikon 70-300 vr are both a good step up but much more money.

Of the first two, pick the 200mm of you want to travel as light as possible or if it's much cheaper. Otherwise go for the 300mm. Extra reach is always useful.

 

[frod]

Buy a Nikon D750 with a 35mm and a 85mm lens. That's where you'll end up in a couple of years anyway.

 

[wardy07]

Another option maybe would be to buy a good secondhand body that's been lightly used ( there's a Nikon 7000 in the classifieds going for a song) and get a Tamron 16-300 lens which gives you all the range that the 2 kit lenses would but better quality and less lens changing.
When you know better what you want to achieve or if you wanted to upgrade later, the loss wouldn't be as great and you'd be starting with better kit imo.

 

[snerkler]

Another option maybe would be to buy a good secondhand body that's been lightly used ( there's a Nikon 7000 in the classifieds going for a song) and get a Tamron 16-300 lens which gives you all the range that the 2 kit lenses would but better quality and less lens changing.
When you know better what you want to achieve or if you wanted to upgrade later, the loss wouldn't be as great and you'd be starting with better kit imo.

The D5200 with 18-55mm and 55-300mm would give slightly better IQ than the D7000 with 16-300mm according to DXO, and surprisingly the D5200 would give better IQ than the D7000 with the kit lenses too, didn't expect that

 

[wardy07]

The D5200 with 18-55mm and 55-300mm would give slightly better IQ than the D7000 with 16-300mm according to DXO, and surprisingly the D5200 would give better IQ than the D7000 with the kit lenses too, didn't expect that

That surprises me too but I guess the figures don't lie.
Looks like that's the way to go then, thanks for the feedback.

 

[moth]

Many thanks