New Nikon D5300

Nikon D5300
ser 8375896
Nikon DX VR AF-s Nikkor 18:55mm 1:3.5-5.6GII
ser 51271476 (52mm filter)
Purchased from Gadget Circuit new for $564 2014-11-28 (reg 2014-12-05)
Battery EN-EL14a 7.2v 1230mAh 8.9Wh

AF NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8D $100 Amazon ser 3105873 (reg2014-12-05)
(very highly rated fixed lens for low light) I guess part of the learning curve is buying the wrong lens. For auto focus to work on D5300 the lens needs to be AF-S. I need a f/1.8 G. To be clear, Nikons without AF motors: D40, D60, D3000, D3100, D3200, D3300, D5000, D5100, D5200, D5300. Thanks to Amazon's return policy I only paid $5 to return.

Hoya 52mm UV (Ultra Violet) Super Multi Coated Pro-1 Extra Thin Glass Filter $26
Ordered 2 2014-12-04 (I will use these to protect the lenses when others are using the camera)

Great Video on using and setting up the D5300
And where would we be without Ken Rockwell's Guides (Mr. Rockwell leaves focus, meter and ISO on factory settings, a good place to start.) He curiously shoots small pixel and file jpgs. I don't know if I could make myself do it.

I love my Canon SX-50HS for the long zoom and convenience. It is not good in low light and at times I just want a wider range of adjustment.

Nikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX  52mm filter
Nikon 50mm f/1.8G AF-SNikon 50mm f/1.8G AF-S 58mm filter
Nikon 50mm f/1.4G SIC SW Prime AF-S 58mm filter 369 refurb or ebay
Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S ED VR II 72mm filter
Sigma 17-50mm F2.8 EX DC OS HSM $359 Digitalrev

L Bracket Ali Express $8
Kirk LP1 Rail $124
Desmond Nodal Rail $35
Induro PHQ1 - 5 Way Panhead $200