Nikon owners give me your thoughts

I don't own a Nikon atm but that kit seems to be a decent value for the money. What's been said about VR is true although if you're shooting on a tripod (or a monopod), you'd want it off anyway.

Yeah, you could get a better body too. But to be honest, I'd be more concerned about getting better glass. Why? More than likely, you will own the lenses you buy much longer than the body.

So buy the kit. Use it and as you get better, sell the body and get a better one.

I'd get a teleconverter at some point to extend your range (for wildlife). The TC-14E II is the latest. Adding one usually adds about a stop or so meaning for the 55-300, adding it makes it f/5 (at 55mm) and f/6.3 (at 300mm)--I think that's right--I don't remember what the 55-300 is and I'm too lazy to look The purpose of the TC is to magnify and this one magnifies at 1.4 making the 55-300 a 77-420 (roughly--the crop factor for the body you use it on matters too).

Enjoy your new camera!

 

"I'd get a teleconverter at some point to extend your range (for wildlife). The TC-14E II is the latest. Adding one usually adds about a stop or so meaning for the 55-300, adding it makes it f/5 (at 55mm) and f/6.3 (at 300mm)--I think that's right--I don't remember what the 55-300 is and I'm too lazy to look The purpose of the TC is to magnify and this one magnifies at 1.4 making the 55-300 a 77-420 (roughly--the crop factor for the body you use it on matters too)."

I recently purchased the same camera body the OP is looking at with the same 18-55 and 55-300. I was very interested in getting a teleconverter but I found info on Nikons website that says the current crop of teleconverters they have are only compatable with FX format lenses and not the DX format lenses I purchased. Something to do with the elements coming into contact with one another and causing damage. I may be wrong about this as I am new to DSLR's and Nikon products but I thought it might be useful info. Do your homework before you buy....
Otherwise I love my new setup and I'm enjoying learning the art of photograhy all over again... I used to shoot a 35mm SLR years ago. I have owned a few point and shoot digitals but have never been really pleased with the performance of the pocket cameras. I went with Nikon because of what I have learned about Nikkor lenses... it seems there are many who feel they have some of the finest glass to be had.

 

i have the Nikon coolpix s220. and LOVE IT! it’s my 2nd. first was the s200. and mom used it and broke it. i have no idea how but she did.

 

Nikons are great. I've shot on both film and digital, but never professionally. The Sony's are an interesting camera. Technically not an SLR, but the technology has some interesting directions. Just because most pros don't use em, doesn't make it a bad choice for you. The A77 I think, has gotten some pretty good reviews. Basically they bought the biz from Minolta, IIRC. But you will find some great lens selection from Nikkor. As for lenses, you have to consider the deal and the value of the lens for you. A slow 300mm zoom wouldn't interest me much. The 18-55 would be more my style though. Check out reviews on DP Review. They go into insane detail if you care for that. You can rent glass too, which is nice to give something a try before you put big dollars into it.