Lens Recommendations for Nikon D5100

[two*little*birds]

So DH purchased me a D5100 yesterday which came with the standard 18-55 lens, but I want some suggestions on additional lenses.

I want to get a fairly decent telephoto, and I’m looking at these two:

• Nikon AF-S 70-300mm f4.5-5.6 VRII (I'm leaning more to this one)
• Nikon AF-S DX 55-300mm f4.5-5.6 VR

As for an everyday lens, I’d like something better than the 18-55, any suggestions?

 

[disneyfaninaz]

I have the 55-300 telephoto and love it. I use it for landscapes and nature shots mostly.

I also have a 35 mm 1.8 lense for low light situations and love it as well.

 

[NLD]

Can you describe what you mean by better for your walk-around lens? What is it you don't like about the 18-55 kit lens?

If you want something with more telephoto, there are "super zooms" that cover a lot of focal lengths. These are slow lenses, though. 18-200 mm is popular. (And if you got that you wouldn't need the 55-200, since you'd have 200mm already covered.)

However if you're happy with the focal length coverage on the 18-55, but want something with a larger aperture (allowing you to get better low-light shots and have shallower depth of field), then the 17-55 2.8 would be great. (But it's $$$!)

It really depends what your current lens doesn't do that you want it to do.

If you're not sure yet what your current lens doesn't do that you'd like it to, then I would suggest holding off on buying anything right now. Shoot a while and figure out what you like to shoot and how your current set-up is limiting you.