The D5100 is the brand new entrant from Nikon stables to hit the market. It sports a 16.2 MP DX CMOS sensor,EXPEED 2 Image Processor, 3 inch 921k vari-angle screen, Live View Mode, Full time Auto-Focus, 1080p HD movie recording, IR Sensors for remote control and – the best – built in special effects feature. You may visit the website listed underneath for a more elaborate review, pros, cons, best price and shipping. Getting to the point, now let me have the pleasure of introducing you to the best accessaries for your Nikon D5100 DSLR.

Top 5 Essentials: Your Must Have Stuff

1. Nikon EN-EL14 Rechargeable Li-Ion Battery
2. Transcend 16 GB Class 10 SDHC Flash Memory Card
3. Nikon ML-L3 Wireless Remote Control
4. SquareTrade 3-Year Camera/Camcorder Warranty Plus Accident Protection
5. PLR Optics High Resolution 3-piece Filter Set (UV, Fluorescent, Polarizer)

Top 5 Lenses for the D5100: Zoom in for the best Shot

1. Nikon 50mm f/1.8G AF-S NIKKOR Lens
2. Nikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX Lens
3. Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED IF AF-S VR Nikkor Zoom Lens
4. Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S ED VR II Nikkor Telephoto Zoom Lens
5. Nikon 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX Nikkor Zoom Lens

Top 5 Bags for the D5100: Best Protection for your Camera

1. Lowepro SlingShot 102 AW
2. Nikon CF-DC2 Semi-soft Cast
3. USA Gear Deluxe DUAL Lens dSLR Zoom Bag
4. Nikon Top Loader Holster SLR Camera Case with Multi Compartments & Adjustable Shoulder Strap
5. Case Logic SLRC-206 SLR Camera and 15.4-Inch Laptop Backpack

Top 5 Tripods for the D5100: Get a Stable Shot.. Anytime

1. Manfrotto 055XPROB Pro Tripod Legs
2. Dolica AX620B100 62-Inch Proline Tripod and Ball Head
3. Vista Explorer 60″ Lightweight Tripod with Tripod Bag
4. Ravelli APGL4 New Professional Tripod with Adjustable Pistol Grip Head
5. Joby GP3 Gorillapod SLR-Zoom Flexible Tripod

Top 8 Books for the D5100: Learn the art of photography

1. Nikon D5100: From Snapshots to Great Shots by Rob Sylvan
2. David Busch’s Compact Field Guide for the Nikon D5100 by David D. Busch
3. Nikon D5100 Experience – The Still Photographer’s Guide to Operation and Image Creation with the Nikon D5100 by Douglas Klostermann
4. Nikon D5100 For Dumbos by Julie Adair King
5. Magic Lantern Guides: Nikon D5100 Multimedia Workshop by Lark Books
6. David Busch’s Nikon D5100 Guide to Digital SLR Photography by David D. Busch
7. Nikon D5100 (The Expanded Guide) by Jon Sparks
8. Nikon D5100 Digital Field Guide by Thomas

Most helpful customer reviews

93 of 97 people found the following review helpful.
Excellent incremental improvement over an already-excellent lens
By Scooter
I have the original 18-55mm AF-S DX which came with my D40 kit and love it – it weighs nothing, performs brilliantly, and focuses so close that I can use it as a macro if I want. I decided to get this since I do quite a bit of indoor photography without flash, and wanted some extra stability in low-light, longer-shutter speed situations from the Vibration Reduction which I have on my 18-200mm VR but don’t use on my D40 (I use that on my D300, and it almost never comes off). It’s performed brilliantly under such circumstances; I can get sharp shots at 1/20, 1/10 and even 1/8 if I’m really stable at the time of the shot – something I couldn’t reliably get from the non-VR version. It also helps in the long end (55mm) in uneven light and other times when the VR becomes necessary. In terms of sharpness, light falloff, distortion, and all the other metrics, this lens is as good as, or slightly better, than the original non-VR version. It is also a bit heavier and seems a bit more solid in construction, with a tighter zoom ring and differently-sculpted manual focus ring (with more recessed plastic indentations compared with the original model). I think the addition of VR makes it the perfect lens for the D40, D40x or newly-introduced D60, since its performance is so much better in all metrics and tests (particularly distortion and sharpness) than some of its would-be step-up replacements (i.e. the 18-135, the 24-120, etc.)

If you generally do lots of flash or outdoor photography, and don’t tend to experience slower shutter speeds due to lighting issues, or take most of your shots at the wider end of the scale (i.e. 18-25mm) this lens is probably an upgrade that you can either do with or without. In the end the investment is quite small for those few times that VR might save the shot, so I would get one. Granted, VR at this level (i.e not 200 or 300mm) is less about hand shake in daylight, but more about low lighting conditions and longer shutter speeds. As for some reviewer’s comments on the default lens speed, etc. – this is a $200 prosumer lens, not a $1,500 17-55mm pro wide-zoom with f/2.8 costing 8 times what this lens costs; for the money, you can’t get anything better for a Nikon with this kind of performance.

Additional notes: There is some clunking sound from the VR occasionally when focusing, and there is no hood or lens pouch included, but that’s less of an issue if, as most people do, you have a camera or lens bag, and as for the hood, I’ve never used one and never had a problem; if there’s sunglare, I can cup my hand around the lens (since it’s so light) and have no issues. I think some people use lens hoods to somehow show off that they’re “photographers” or “hobbyist-pros” rather than for the reduction of flare and glare when outside in bright sunlight (sometimes direct, etc.) or under sharp lighting. Honestly, I’ve seen guys taking indoor shots of artwork exhibits under soft lighting with the hood on.

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful.
Nice little lens
By Mark A. Manske
I own both the VR and non-VR versions of this lens and use them on a Nikon D40. I have found no issues or instances where the non-VR outperforms the VR. I get all the picture quality I expect and love to use this lens for outdoor landscape shots as well as indoor shots. I fully recommend this lens, and highly recommend purchasing a polarizing filter to use with it for outdoor shooting. The VR is very useful when shooting indoors as it allows me to take crisp, clear pictures down to 1/20 sec shutter speeds while shooting hand-held.

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful.
Great Lens
By Ali S.
This is a great lens, and a good upgrade over the older 18-55mm ii with NO VR. The image stabilization really helps you here, i used to get blurry pictures in the evenings and dark environments. This one solves those problems. There is one fundamental problem with this lens. It lacks ED and that means severe lens flare and ghosting. Only way to solve this is to avoid taking pics in the direction of the sun or bright lights. A lens hood may also help. However during night times you may not be able to do anything about street lights as you are probably taking a direct photo of them. For that The 55-200mm VR does have two sets of ED which dramatically reduces flare and ghosting making it probably the best telephoto lens for Nikon. Couple this with the 55-200mm VR and 90% of your photography needs are covered. If you really care about lens flare then you should probably stick with the NON-VR 18-55mm as it is a better lens during day time with ED. Stock NON-VR 18-55mm is proven to be also sharper. Your choice but overall its a fantastic lens. I have this with the 55-200mm VR and i probably wont ever need another lens.

See all 79 customer reviews…

Nikon 18 55mm F 3 5 5 6g Ed Ii Af S Dx

Nikon 18-55MM F3.5-5.6G DX VR (2176)

The Nikon Total Digital SLR Imaging System includes world-renowned optical quality from Nikkor lenses. Ongoing exploration and development of Nikkor lenses allows Nikon to without disruption provide Nikon digital SLR photographers with further and added selections and even dandier optical performance.

Nikon is pleased to add to the lineup the new AF-S DX-Nikkor 18-55mm f3.5-5.6G VR, a lens featuring a built-in Silent Wave Motor and Vibration Reduction (VR). The AF-S DX-Nikkor 18- 55mm f3.5-5.6G VR is an affordable, and compact, 3x zoom lens with astounding versatility. This new lens provides intensified shooting flexibleness as the latest addition to the Nikon DX-Nikkor lens lineup.

Feature and Performance Highlights

• 3x zoom lens covering the most often times used focal range of 18 to 55mm (picture angle is equivalent to focal length from 27 to 82.5mm in Nikon FX or 35mm format)
• Vibration Reduction enables sharper pictures while shooting at shutter speeds up to three stops slower than would other than as supposed or expected be possible (as determined by Nikon performance tests)
• Optical design, optimized for use with Nikon digital SLRs for superior performance
• Hybrid aspherical lens element minimizes respective types of lens aberration
• High-performance Nikon Super Integrated Coating offers superior color replica while substantially reducing ghosting and flare
• Nikon’s exclusive Silent Wave Motor ensures fast, quiet autofocus operation
• Rounded seven-blade diaphragm opening makes out-of-focus elements appear more natural
• 0.28 meter/0.9 foot nearest focusing distance allround the entire zoom range
• Accepts 52mm filter affixations
• Comfortable lens barrel features rugged construction; discerned zoom and focusing rings provide the smooth operation preferent by professionals

What’s in the box:
Nikon 18-55mm f3.5-5.6G AF-S DX VR Nikkor Zoom lens, LC-52 front lens cap, rear lens protector

Nikon 18 55mm F 3 5 5 6g Ed Ii Af S Dx Image

Nikon 18 55mm F 3 5 5 6g Ed Ii Af S Dx Image

Nikon 18 55mm F 3 5 5 6g Ed Ii Af S Dx Picture

Nikon 18 55mm F 3 5 5 6g Ed Ii Af S Dx Picture

Nikon 18 55mm F 3 5 5 6g Ed Ii Af S Dx Photo