I'm buying a Nikon D5100, what are the best lenses for this camera?

I'm new to professional cameras so I don't really have an idea of what's good and what's not. I'm looking for an all purpose lens.

It will probably come with an 18-55mm lens, which is a reasonable quality general purpose lens (wide angle to mid-range). I would recommend you get used to using the camera with this lens first - it's a good all rounder.

When you've developed your own interests, you will know what lens to get next, ie wide angle for landscapes, macro for close-up work, good primes for portraiture/street or a longer telephoto for sports/wildlife.

Professional cameras cost more than $4, 000, not including lenses and other accessories.

For now, just get the 18-55 kit lens - that's a perfect all-purpose lens.

The D5100 is only a professional camera if you try to get into a concert with it.

Stick with the 18-55mm until you have a better idea of what you're trying to do.

Since you asked about the best lenses, why not buy the Nikon holy trinity of lenses; the Nikon AF-S 17-55mm f/2.8, Nikon AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8, and the Nikon AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8.

The three lenses will cost you nearly $6, 000 - but you will at least be able to say you have professional lenses. And truth be known, your camera will outperform anyone buying a $6, 000
D4 professional camera, then cheaping out on a bunch of consumer-grade Tamron lenses.

If you get the idea that lenses are more important than the camera… You have the right idea.

Too many people go the other way - they buy an expensive camera then cheap out on lenses, then wonder why their photos are no better than their compact camera they just upgraded from.

So you are correct in looking at the best lenses you can get.