Please do a forum search. This topic has been covered too many times already.

I want to thank everyone for their advice!! I definitely have a lot of information to ponder on. I want to make the best possible decision in this investment!!

Gareth said:
I didn't miss it. My suggestion falls just within budget.

Sorry, Gareth, I didn't mean you. People were saying they didn't know the budget.

For travel the 16-85 or the 18-200 is best. The choice is between a longer range or a wider sharper lense. I would suggest going for the 18-200. Because you are a new to DSLR, its a great lens to learn with. Its great range will allow you to get the feel of what focal lengths YOU use most often! Just use this lens for now, it can do all you have said you want to do. There is so much to learn with DSLR that this lens will be much more than what you need for many months. Use the rest of your budget for a good flash and tripod (Most underestimated accessory by a new user!), cir-Polarizing filter etc. Also ask and learn techniques! Find out things like why using a flash need not mean "red" eyes! How to position your self and the cat and the setting you need for your camera (ISO/Flash/Aperture/shutterspeed etc..etc..) for the best results. Learn to see.(eg where the light sources are, how is it shaping your subject? What is in the background/foreground? how to take the best advantages of each of these elements). Then the Post processing of images , Months and months worth of learning on that too! (layers masking. etc. etc. etc.)

Then when you know WHY you want what you want. you can get the next lens and it will suit you perfectly. I got my 150mm F2.8 Macro and its suits me so well I dont use my other lenses as much anymore. But, I wont suggest that 150mm lens for you because YOU are not ME. Similarly, I don't think the suggested 20mm is a good idea but it may suit you perfectly. You need to figure out what suits you best and that 18-200 will help a great deal because its so versatile.

As for the cameras the D7000 is the latest and greatest at this level. However, the D90 is no slouch! You will be restricted a bit on the light sensitivity and DR compared to the D7000 but for travel that wont matter much at all. For your cat photos the high ISO sensitivity will be useful but not essential. :-) It would give you a good excuse to get the F1.8 lens :-) heh! I think either is good. up to you.

jonnyapple said:
It looks like almost everyone missed your budget post, Diplomaat. Welcome to the forum.

I didn't miss it. My suggestion falls just within budget. I also think that spending more than 50% of your budget on one lens makes perfect sense if that lens is going to serve the needs that i feel it serves.

But renting might be a good idea before you buy anything.

A lot of your choice depends on what you want to do. I'm a journalist by trade, and I do a travelogue website combining my love of photography with my writing skills (yellowstonecaz.com). I switched to an 18-200 to have the widest practical range on my camera during the day when I'm doing most of my touring. The 18-200 won't solve your cat issues (the 85mm with either a 20 or 35mm would do that), but it's more versatile than the 18-105 for travel, although it's a bit heavier. If you don't mind a little risk, furthermore, you can buy a good used 18-200 on ebay for the $450 to $525 range and also sell the 18-105 in the $175 to $225 range. As an example, I got an 18-200 VR red for $450 in great condition and sold my 55-200 for about $120, for a net of $325.

jonnyapple said:
It looks like almost everyone missed your budget post, Diplomaat. Welcome to the forum.

Yes on the 85 1.8, and the 18-105 for an all-rounder. That leaves you about $400, which I would use to buy a 35 1.8 and an SB-600 as has been suggested. That's a great kit to start with and find out where you're limited (if you are).

Sounds like a great combination. Drop the 105 macro then, it makes no sense to blow over 50% of the budget on a dedicated macro lens.

If that's not enough reach, he could go for an 18-200 VRI, there's nothing to be gained by buying the newer version, and he still has money for a couple lenses- a 50mm and a 35mm.

The 18-200 can be had around $650, last time I checked.

studio460 said:
The 35mm f/1.8 is a great lens, but that would leave the OP with only a telephoto and a normal (not a huge perceptual difference in field-of-view). With the 85mm/20mm pair, the OP would have a wide-angle as well, and would enable clearly different-looking shots with noticable differences in perspective exaggeration/compression.

I totally disagree. The 20mm (30mm-equivalent) is one of the most useful DX focal lengths for general editorial and travel photography. Plus, it's much faster than those kit zooms. Look how popular the 35mm is on FX.

If the D40 would autofocus, I would love to have the 20mm- in fact, anything wider than 35mm, fast and cheap would be great. I hate focusing through the pin hole viewfinder, it's hard to get anything at all in focus. An AF-S version of that would be a dream.

NSXType-R said:
I would suggest both lenses too, but I'm not sure of his budget. 35mm 1.8 on DX is a keeper though, I don't think there's anything that cheap and that sharp on a DX body.

The 35mm f/1.8 is a great lens, but that would leave the OP with only a telephoto and a normal (not a huge perceptual difference in field-of-view). With the 85mm/20mm pair, the OP would have both a short telephoto and a wide-angle, and would enable clearly different-looking shots with noticable differences in perspective exaggeration/compression.

TaoTeJared said:
Drop the 20mm! Way too limiting! Go either the 18-105 or the 18-200mm VRs.

I totally disagree. The 20mm (30mm-equivalent) is one of the most useful DX focal lengths for general editorial and travel photography. Plus, it's much smaller (good when traveling light), and way faster than those kit zooms. Look how popular the 35mm focal length is for FX bodies.

It looks like almost everyone missed your budget post, Diplomaat. Welcome to the forum.

Diplomaat said:
Budget wise... I see the D7000 retails for about 1199 (body only). I could budget max. that same amount for lenses, so I would appreciate the advice!

Yes on the 85 1.8, and the 18-105 for an all-rounder. That leaves you about $400, which I would use to buy a 35 1.8 and an SB-600 as has been suggested. That's a great kit to start with and find out where you're limited (if you are).

Gareth said:
you didn't say what you shoot when you travel. if you don't shoot landscapes then the 20mm will be of no use.

i would maybe suggest the 105 micro. it's 2.8, will have long reach on you dx camera (fx equivalent 157.5) and you can really jam it up in a cats face and it will still focus. it has VR and is a good (if long on dx) portrait lens for people as well. you can use it for many thing with travel photography as well.

I might also suggest the 35 1.8. It's fast, sharp and equivalent to 52.5mm on a full frame. You will probably leave it on all the time and be happy.

I would suggest both lenses too, but I'm not sure of his budget. 35mm 1.8 on DX is a keeper though, I don't think there's anything that cheap and that sharp on a DX body.

85mm 1.8 would be nice, not sure how expensive that is though.

you didn't say what you shoot when you travel. if you don't shoot landscapes then the 20mm will be of no use.

i would maybe suggest the 105 micro. it's 2.8, will have long reach on you dx camera (fx equivalent 157.5) and you can really jam it up in a cats face and it will still focus. it has VR and is a good (if long on dx) portrait lens for people as well. you can use it for many thing with travel photography as well.

I might also suggest the 35 1.8. It's fast, sharp and equivalent to 52.5mm on a full frame. You will probably leave it on all the time and be happy.

Diplomaat said:
I'm thinking of starting out with the D7000 + 85mm/1.8D lens.

As soon as possible, I would also get the 20mm/2.8D, and then go from there. That way I have good lenses and don't settle for a slow kit lens.

Sound good?

Drop the 20mm! Way too limiting! Go either the 18-105 or the 18-200mm VRs. You would really appreciate the zoom for travel.

I shoot my dogs withe the 85mm 1.8 - that will be great lens for you.

That's a great idea, I'm getting a quote on everything right now. Thanks!

Diplomaat said:
I'm thinking of starting out with the D7000 + 85mm/1.8D lens.

As soon as possible, I would also get the 20mm/2.8D, and then go from there. That way I have good lenses and don't settle for a slow kit lens.

Sound good?

Sound great!

You could also pick up a $99 refurbished AF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR as your "temporary" wide-angle while you save for your 20mm (make sure to buy the 'VR' version). It's dirt cheap, pretty wide, and it has VR. Yeah, it's slow as mud, but it's sharp, compact, and its VR will help compensate for its slow aperture (but won't help accomodate subject movement at slower shutter speeds). At least you would have your wide-angle covered for only a C-note, until you get your 20mm.

I'm thinking of starting out with the D7000 + 85mm/1.8D lens.

As soon as possible, I would also get the 20mm/2.8D, and then go from there. That way I have good lenses and don't settle for a slow kit lens.

Sound good?

Godless said:
You can´t go wrong with the D7000 + 85mm/1.8D combination. No need for flash and the focal length is perfect for cat & dog shows.

The lens is also very light and as such a great option for travel photography.

For a second lens, get the 20mm/2.8D. And that´s your travel gear, rent longer lenses if you need to go on a wildlife shooting trip..

Those are two great lenses. A fast portrait lens, and an affordable f/2.8 wide-angle. You could cover a ton of stuff with just those two lenses. Don't be fooled by super-slow (f/3.5-5.6) DX zooms--they're virtually useless in available light without aggressive ISO-cranking. For the body, get the D7000. It's faster (focusing, FPS, etc.) . . . and, you need fast for what you're shooting.

Don't forget too that there have been 'issues' with the D7000 that there aren't with the D90 so being early on the uptake with products comes with risks.

Not dissing you guys with D7000's, just saying is all.....

D90 or D7000 will to some extent depend on your budget.

3 month ago I got a D90 + 16 - 85 + SB 600. I could have gotten a D7000 + 18 - 105 for the same price.

For me it boils down to: what is it that the D7000 can do for ME that the D90 can´t - I went with the D90 kit. For ME it is: Very good body + budget lens VS good body + good lens. A few years down the road when I will upgrade the 16 - 85 will still be a better lens than the 18 - 105. And a few month I want a little more in the wide end and more in the long end = I will end up with a 3 lens kit.

I am not good enough to push the D7000 out where the D90 can´t hang on.

About me: 20 years with Nikon film SLR + a few years with advanced P&S.

Good luck

Have to ask... which is the 105 mm lens? this one? Nikon 105mm f/2.8D AF Micro-Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras? And really, considering my background, should I go with the d7000 or the d90?

Don´t know about cats. But for travel I would go with 16 - 85 as main workhorse. If you need something in the long end: 70 - 300. You will have a two lens kit. Add a SB 600 or SB 700 and you are good to go. This kit is one step above "budget line". Ad 50 F 1,4 for the cats or as others have said a 85 F 1,8

If you are on a budget: D90 + 16 - 65 + SB 600. Same price as D7000 + 18 - 105.

Diplomaat said:
Thank you for your responses! My aim would be a fast lens, as flash often spooks cats, and more often than not, ends up with the cat turning out with really red eyes... I know this can probably be fixed in post, but since I am a newbie, I would rather have to edit less than more.

The travel photography would be mostly portraits and some landscapes.

Budget wise... I see the D7000 retails for about 1199 (body only). I could budget max. that same amount for lenses, so I would appreciate the advice!

I composed my reply while you were posting, 35mm 1.8 and 85mm 1.8, if you buy new that will be your budget, buy used and you could get a 18- 105 as you travel lens, or pick it up as a kit, its not as bad,and for the price will carry far.

very good advice from bjrichus, 18-105 will cover most of what you would want to do while travelling.

As godless said 85 will be good for the cats, with 105 giving you a little more working room. [distance from the cats, without scaring them]

You did not give a budget, so make these lenses as fast as you can afford, as your "portraits" subjects might not like flash photography. 1.4 if you can.

Go with those, and give it a few months and, as bjrichus mentioned, you will know if you want to go longer, wider and faster.

This combined with some reading on this site, will allow you to choose whats the best ballance between speed and budget.

Thank you for your responses! My aim would be a fast lens, as flash often spooks cats, and more often than not, ends up with the cat turning out with really red eyes... I know this can probably be fixed in post, but since I am a newbie, I would rather have to edit less than more.

The travel photography would be mostly portraits and some landscapes.

Budget wise... I see the D7000 retails for about 1199 (body only). I could budget max. that same amount for lenses, so I would appreciate the advice!

The 85mm f/1.8D sounds really good. I'm looking for some sample shots with it.

You can´t go wrong with the D7000 + 85mm/1.8D combination. No need for flash and the focal length is perfect for cat & dog shows.

The lens is also very light and as such a great option for travel photography.

For a second lens, get the 20mm/2.8D. And that´s your travel gear, rent longer lenses if you need to go on a wildlife shooting trip..

As a new DSLR shooter, the kit lens that comes with the D7000 will be great for most things.

What will happen is you'll appreciate it as a 'walk-about' lens, until you think "I need a wider (or longer) lens for this shot" and can put into words (or thoughts - you know what I mean), exactly what *kind* of wider or longer lens (in mm), so when you can think "I need a 300mm to make it on this shot", is kind of the point you should go get whatever you find you need.

I can't say exactly what lens would be the "right" lens for your specific needs, as distance to subject and angle of view, as well as lens speed (will you be doing evening photography on your travels?) as well as lens speed for indoor shooting at your cat events - get a good flash - would also be a factor.

Budget at least twice as much as the D7000 kit will cost for a good flash and a couple of extra lenses (if you want fast glass), or much less if lenses at f3.5 to f5.6 will do for you. Also, don't worry about buying refurbished from the likes of B&H and Adorama. Most everyone seems to have good things to say about buying those.