1st new lens

[ŋєт™]

I'm really looking into getting a few pieces of equipment that will help me along my way of possibly starting a low level photography business and I figured one of my first major purchases would be a better lens than the stock Nikon D60 lens (Among with a few other things. See other threads.)

Am I ok with the stock lens to start out or is it worth upgrading/buying another one?

If so what should my first lens purchase be?

[Saknika]

Depends on the kind of photography you really want to aim to get into.

Also, what lens came with the kit?

[ScottWood]

I believe that the D60 came with the 18-55 lens, which is actually pretty decent for image quality, but it is a little on the slow side.

I always have the same recommendation for people when it comes time to move beyond the kit lens. Get the Nikon 50mm 1.8. It is right around $100, it is VERY sharp, and I believe that a prime lens (fixed focal length) really helps you work with composition.

[Mirrazh]

I agree with Scott on the 50mm 1.8. It's always helpful to have one of those.
But it really depends on what type of photography you plan on doing.
I think that the kit lens is definitely ok for starting out (I used mine for an entire year before I even had another lens and it suited me).

[ScottWood]

I still use the Nikon 18-55 kit lens on my IR body, infact I bought it specifically for it. As for the 50mm, there is no better bang for the buck out there. I don't really care what type of photography you are into, you will find a use for it. You will have to spend a lot more than $100 to get any other lens that is as fast or sharp as it is. The only down side is that you are shooting with a D60, and the 50mm 1.8 is not an AF-S lens, but this just means that you will have to manual focus, which is also not a bad thing.

[ŋєт™]

Yea I really want to upgrade to a better camera overall, but I have to convince myself to spend the money first...

In your opinion should I just go ahead and upgrade the entire camera or start upgrading the pieces of the one I have already?

[ScottWood]

No brainer here. Upgrade a lens or two. Start with the 50mm 1.8 and then decide if you want something longer or a really wide angle lens from there. The D60 is a great camera, and the only thing you will miss with the 50mm is the autofocus, but the 50 had a really big focus ring and I even manual focus with it on my D200 most of the time.

Any good lenses that you buy now will be with you for many more years than your current body, so I would really concentrate on upgrading glass. As I said, you have a very good body.

[ŋєт™]

Sounds good. Looks like I'll be shopping around for some new equipment here soon

Thanks for your help

[firequall]

Invest in good glass and spend big. Nikkor line with min f/2.8. It'll cost a lot up front but pro lenses will last a lifetime and the f/2.8 will save your ass so many times in the future. 24-70mm and 70-200mm are great all-around focal lengths to work with until you decide to focus in one style of photography.

If you're looking for a reasonably cheaper and more challenging route, invest in primes. You'll learn to think more critically in your shooting (you know, having to use your feet as your zoom) and the lack of zoom simplifies manufacturing, bringing down the cost.