Thanks, I had a refurb 35 in my cart at Cameda, but they are out of stock. No 50s in stock there for now either. Guess I'll start out with the new flash and keep my eye out for a lens. I try to buy refurb or demos to keep the budget from busting.

JesusFreak said:
I had done some reading and it seems with the smaller format sensors that the 50 and 85 would be too wide for portraits.

The DX sensor will make a given focal length look longer not shorter and therefore on the Nikon DX sensor the 50 would look like a 75. As I said above, the 35 is 'normal' or the same as a 50 on a full frame or 35mm film camera. For portraits 50 is short and 100 is long on a DX.

Put simply, the 35 and 85 would be best for you, but indoors that 20 would be good for group shots on a DX.

Hmm, thanks for the ideas on the lens. I had done some reading and it seems with the smaller format sensors that the 50 and 85 would be too wide for portraits. I guess I'll have to hit the local camera store and take a look for myself.

Thanks for the reply. I have the latest firmware I believe. I take those every day common photos, family, pets, vacation. I love photographing cars, RC aircraft and airshows. Airshows and RC aircraft are a challenge because of the size and speed of the subject.

Whether you go for the 35 1.8 or any one of the 50mm Nikons will be a question of personal preference. See if you can try the 35 and some of the 50s. If you like a 50, skip the 35 and look at the 20mm f/2.8 for wider angles.

JesusFreak said:
I'm scoping the 35mm DX lens for Portrait shots and low light.

Don't forget the 35mm is a 'normal' lens on DX so it isn't ideal for portraits. Personally if I had somebody looking to my my hardly used 50mm 1.4G I would get the 85 1.8 for portraits.

Welcome, JF. Ditto tcole's 40 2.8DX, 85 1.8G and 70-300 recommendations. Or I would rather have the 50 1.8G than the 35 1.8DX if I were getting just one lens (I do love the 35 1.8, though). I like my tamron 17-50 2.8, too.

Well first step I would get the firmware update if you don't already have it (it fixes issues some have had with memory cards not reading correctly). http://support.nikonusa.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/17547/session/L2F2LzEvdGltZS8xMzMxMzkwMDU2L3NpZC9uYTRyREtTaw%3D%3D

The 35 F1.8 is a good lens and cheap. The speedlight is also good. Other recommendations it just depends on what you want to shoot. The 70-300 is pretty good if you need more zoom. Any of the new F1.8G lenses are fairly inexpensive and good. If you wanted a "better" portrait lens I would maybe get the 50 or 85 F1.8 as you will get better subject isolation I think. All the Nikon macro lenses are pretty good if care for that...the new 40 F2.8 could also double for a portrait lens if you wanted to go that route. If you want to spend more money then there are lots more lenses we could recommend.

Hi Guys and Gals:

I'm new here and a recent Canon convert. Had my XSi and lenses stolen from my car, so purchased a D5100 with the 18 to 55 lens and the 55 to 200 zoom. Purchased Refurbed from Cameta, and I must say I'm pretty pleased with the value and the photos it takes. A big improvement over my XSi. Only disappointments are the build quality is a little "cheaper", and there's no Nikon battery grip. Found third party grips but they all use a goofy external cord.

I've been taking photos since High School in the 70s, starting with a Canon A1 (cost me $800 in 1979 or so)! Had my own darkroom. Thought I might do it for a living, but reality took me into Television production and then the IT world.

What other lenses would you folks recommend for all around use. I'm scoping the 35mm DX lens for Portrait shots and low light. The Speedlite 700 flash. What else should be in my economy arsenal?

Cheers!
Lee