Should I buy my DSLR with the kit lens or body only?

[sekp1987]

I'm looking to buy my first DSLR. I'm a bargain hunter, but I'm also paranoid of getting scammed. Thus, it usually takes me weeks to buy anything off ebay or craigslist.I'm probably going to end up with a open box nikon d80 or canon xti from henrys.com's ebay store. There's also a good chance it'll be the body only (comes with everything, cept a lens). Should I just go for a kit lens and forget about getting body only since I'm only beginning digital photography? Or is getting a body only (if that's where the deal comes from) and then a lens (probably standard 18-55 or 135) okay too?Am I even making any sense? Ha. I hope I explained my dilemma properly.*** oh, and while I'm kind of on the subject, do you think going tamron/sigma lens would be okay? Or should I stick with the camera's manufacturer lenses... is it a big deal at this point?

[_1347]

I've noticed that the manufacturers lenses cost more than the tamron/sigma's . I'd probly go for the D80 as I heard the D60's were a good camera. I personally have two Sigmas and they are good lenses however I would go for the twin lens pack if you can. 18-55 is good plus one that goes to 200 or so.I've got an 18-125 and a 70-300 on my DSLR but the big zoom doesn't get heaps of use as it needs a tripod to avoid camera shake.

[BrittanyK4980]

Well I am also thinking of getting my first slr camera... and I think that if you truly are getting serious about it, maybe just paying a few more dollars for the brand new thing is better. I personally think that being a beginner, a kit lens is so much better... I was talking to someone about this and many people agree and dissagree but it's ultimately your decision.Other lenses are hundreds more but you will get better photos. in my opinion, I want to get used to a camera and it's stock lense before spending 500$ on another lense and not knowing what I'm doing. I don't think photography is that cheap either.. :P good luck!

[sparky7779]

Henry's is a good reputable dealer, I've bought from them online and in their stores. The kit lens is a good starter lens (and you will need something to start). I have the 18-70mm which came with my D80, then I bought the 70-300(I've had no issues with camera shake). Later I bought(from Henry's) a sigma 18-200mm which is the lens that stays on my camera 90% of the time as it's a good multi-purpose lens for wide angle landscapes and decent zoom. I bought mine new for just under $500. but you can visit Henry's online store as they sell lot's of good quality used lenses too. I don't have the budget for exclusively Nikon lenses but I've used Sigma and Tamron and they both make decent third party lenses for much less than nikon. If you're not planning to make a living at it(and even if you are) then you'll do just fine with sigma or tamron.

[bridgett]

If you're only a beginner you are probably going to want to upgrade once you get better anyway I would go the cheap body off the net and then go buy a cheap lens...make sure its compatible, take your body to the camera shop and say what can you do me.. I'm nervous about the internet especially buying cameras and especially buying second hand lens'! you can't see little scratches or wear and then there's the shipping..I know its mostly a stupid irrational fear because the internet is safe and blah blah blah...but I just like the idea of going into a shop and seeing something testing it out deciding if thats the model I even like the feel of...(Id like those canon 300/350D's for a rival) .. Id go into a camera shop and ask them to match the price you got online first.. :-)

[anthonyh8820]

Get the body with the kit lens. You'll want to be able to use your camera when you get it, and the kit lens covers the most used focal lengths for common picture taking.If you get the body, you just compound the problem, because you have to make a separate lens purchase. Since it takes you weeks to get anything, you'll have a body without a lens just doing nothing. And your savings, if there are any, will be meager if at all.If you're just starting out, you want to hit the ground running, not buy a piece here or a piece there. Buying body only makes sense if you *already* have lenses. But since you're starting out, you know you're going to have to get one. And since you're a beginner, you will find the variety of choices overwhelming and confusing--so keep it simple and get the body with the kit lens. And I would stick with the manufacturer lenses until you know enough to know when and why you should buy a Tamron or Sigma.