I'm getting pretty close to taking the Digital Camera plunge. Here is what I'm looking at <BR>D80 <BR># Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR AF-S DX Nikkor Lens with 5 Year USA Warranty <BR># Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6G AF-S DX VR Vibration Reduction IF-ED Zoom-Nikkor <BR>2 gig memory card <BR>SB 400 Flash <BR>LowePro Sling Bag <BR> <BR>For $1386 shipped to my door. <BR> <BR>Does this sound like a pretty good deal?

Where are you buying it from?

<a href="http://secure.cameta.com/index.cfm" target="_blank">http://secure.cameta.com/index.cfm</a> <BR> <BR>I've had a few friends buy from them.

They are rated ok, not great. <BR><a href="http://www.resellerratings.com/store/CametaCamera" target="_blank">http://www.resellerratings.com/store/CametaCamera</a>

Don't waste your money on the SB400, it's a glorified on camera flash which you'll already have with the d80. Spring for the SB600 because then you can use it off camera for more creative lighting, it has more output and is far more versatile than the 400. Maybe scrap the 18-55 (to be brutally honest this is a slow not so sharp lens, and you will probably never use the VR). Instead get a fixed 50 1.8. Super sharp piece of glass, and yes there is zoom, you just have to move your feet <img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/wink.gif" border=0>. That little beauty is only $115 retail and should be in EVERYONE's camera bag, whether you shoot canon or nikon, doesn't matter. get your hands on a 50 1.8. Just my .02

Just use B&amp;H for everything and life will be good. <BR> <BR>Another option would be to get a used D200 or about $900 off of craigs list. I would get an 18-200VR any day of the week over those other 2 kit lenses. <BR> <BR> I'll bet you can easily get a used D200 with 18-200 VR combo in excellent condition for cheaper that $1400.

FYI B&amp;H is shut down until April 27th for Passover.

I still vote B&amp;H. It's worth the wait. B&amp;H sells stuff at or below the cost of what most camera shops BUY stuff at. If you find it somewhere for less than B&amp;H watch out for bait and switch and other sketchy biz.

Adorama, Amazon, Beach Camera, BH Photo, are all great places to purchase from...along with Costco. <BR> <BR>Not sure on the lenses, but the price is right from an honorable establishment. <BR> <BR><a href="http://www.costco.com/" target="_blank">http://www.costco.com/</a>

What is B&amp;H web site?

<a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/" target="_blank">http://www.bhphotovideo.com/</a> <BR> <BR>Cameta camera along with 17th Street Photo and most of the ones I listed above sell through Amazon.com. I purchase a lot of stuff through amazon, and the one time I had a problem with a seller' Amazon resolved it with a single email. <BR> <BR>My battery grip for my Nikon just came from 17 Street Photo via amazon. My D300 came from Beach via amazon. Lenses, along with a host of other stuff not even photo related also came from Amazon. <BR> <BR>Ebay has it's place too, but I would NEVER purchase a camera from there.

I just bought a Canon 30D from Cameta Camera and everything turned out great and I am extremely happy with the price and the camera kit. Cameta is the one place on eBay that I would buy a camera. For everything else I have used B&amp;H and they have been fantastic to work with.

I'm not sure what I should get since price is any issue for me right now. I would like keep it as low as possible of course. <BR> <BR>I can't decide if I should get a little bit more camera or lens. <BR> <BR>Camera'sD80 or Rebel XSI or the Nikon D60, D40x or Rebel XTI. If I go cheaper on the camera I can get a nicer lens. If I buy nicer camera I can't buy as nice of a lens right now but could in the future. <BR> <BR>If I go cheaper I would probably get the Rebel XTI with the 70-300 IS and 50 1.8 lens or something like that. <BR> <BR>If I go nicer camera it would be the above but with the Sb 600 flash for $1450.

Image quality is in the lens without a doubt. If you're on the fence get better glass over a better body unless you have a very important reason (like fps, iso sensitivity, etc.). Trust me, get the glass. You'll be way happier.

how does this sound for $1280. The package of sold separately would be about $1750. I would still have to buy a bag that is about $100 and a flash some day. <BR> <BR>I don't think I need anything else to get started right? <BR> <BR> * Nikon D80 Digital SLR Camera Body <BR> * Accessories: <BR> o 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED AF-S <BR> Zoom-NIKKOR Lens <BR> o Lithium-ion Rechargeable Battery <BR> o Quick Charger <BR> o Audio/Video Cable <BR> o USB Cable <BR> o Strap <BR> o LCD Monitor Cover <BR> o PictureProject CD-Rom <BR> * Bonus Accessories: <BR> o55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED AF-S <BR> DX VR Zoom-NIKKOR Lens with optical image stabilization <BR> o 2GB ATP 80x SD Card

This is standard accessories - you should not have to pay for it...... (if it is listed as additional accessories of the package: DON'T DO IT) <BR> <BR> <BR><i>o Lithium-ion Rechargeable Battery <BR>o Quick Charger <BR>o Audio/Video Cable <BR>o USB Cable <BR>o Strap <BR>o LCD Monitor Cover <BR>o PictureProject CD-Rom </i>

It's from Costco <BR> <BR>I think I'm going to go with a Nikon D60 with the basic 18-55 VR, 70-300 VR lens, 2 gig memory card and bag for about $1340.

Midwest Photo Exchange is a reliable site too. As a matter of fact I just purchase the Nikon 24-70mm f2.8 for $150 less than BH photo. <BR> <BR><a href="http://www.mpex.com" target="_blank">www.mpex.com</a>

Have you played with the D60 yet? I recommend you handle the D40, D60 &amp; D80 before you make that decision.

I have and I like the D80 the best but the D60 is a close second.

Have you seen the warranty costco offers? If not go and read it (I believe it is two years). Typically it is hard to beat costco's price on package deals from an "authorized" retailer. I can not comment on the lenses as I have not researched kit lenses. Go research all your stuff here <a href="http://www.bythom.com/nikon.htm" target="_blank">http://www.bythom.com/nikon.htm</a> <BR> <BR>I have a bunch of bags, but for carrying around I am happy with my, all black so it does not scream camera, Tamrac Express 7 that was only $60. <a href="http://tamrac.com/welcome.htm" target="_blank">http://tamrac.com/welcome.htm</a> Holds the camera body attached to either an 18-200mm, 50mm, or 12-24mm. Then all the accessories; SB800, 3 filters, rocket blower, extra batteries, and all other stuff, like cleaning supplies. Find a simple bag you like and go for it! BTW one is never enough.

I still say try a D200 first. Don't be afraid of a well cared for used one. Far, far better than the D60 and D80. Nothing against the D60 or D80...it's just that the D200 is in a different class and can be had for about the same price now that the D300 is out. <BR> <BR>What is the shutter life on a D60? I think it is lower than a D200 so even a used one may have more life than the entry level D60 types

"Find a simple bag you like and go for it! BTW one is never enough." <BR> <BR>Amen to that! I'm working out of the large Dryzone right now, and it's a monster (but not as bad as most think it would be). I've got my eye on 2 more bags that I think will finally get me where I need to be. <BR> <BR>Costco has Lowepro bags too.

Yeah, pass on the D60 unless you just have a killer deal and will consider a body upgrade down the road a bit. <BR> <BR>I'm a D40X user. As a total noob, I love the camera. I've taken better shots than I ever thought I would. But, until there is a large aperture 50mm lens that will autofocus on the D40/60 system, it's a bit crippled. <BR> <BR>There IS a good lens selection that will autofocus on the 60, and I fully expect that list to grow...but damnit I wish I could shoot that nifty fifty on AF. I got the 50mm to encourage myself to learn more about moving and shooting, and it's doing exactly that, but I sure wish I could AF with it in a pinch. Such a wonderful value of a lens that everyone should have, but not fully compatible with the focus system on a D40/60. I don't care about the rest of the lens choices...but that one drives me nuts! <BR> <BR>I keep warning the Mrs that since I won't need a new dirtbike for a while, I'm gonna buy a D3 next year. <img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/biggrin.gif" border=0>

D300's are readily available. The white balance and colors are much better with D300 right out of the box than D200. <BR>You need to go +1 for white balance for D200. <BR> <BR>I can say that since I have both. <BR>D3 is a very nice camera, but I'm sure waiting another year - knowing Nikon, something else is gong to come out.

The D200 is a great camera. If you can find one in good condition for the right price that would be an option. Register at nikonians.org and poke around the classifieds. Here is one once you are registered. <BR><a href="http://www.nikonians.org/forums/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&amp;forum=137&amp;topic_ id=45421&amp;mesg_id=45421&amp;page=" target="_blank">D200 Kit</a> <BR><a href="http://www.nikonians.org/forums/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&amp;forum=137&amp;topic_ id=45429&amp;mesg_id=45429&amp;page=" target="_blank">D200</a> <BR><a href="http://www.nikonians.org/forums/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&amp;forum=137&amp;topic_ id=45354&amp;mesg_id=45354&amp;page=" target="_blank">Pretty ad</a> <BR> <BR>(Message edited by Peter_C on April 21, 2008)

I talked to a couple of people about used camera's and what they thought. Both said most people take good care of expensive camera's but you never know if it was dropped or something happened to it. I'm very nervous about buying used electronics from people I don't know. In fact I have a very good friend that has a Canon D10 for sale that I was interested in but the wife said you are going to buy new if you get a camera. <BR> <BR>So I went with the <BR>Nikon D80 <BR>18-55 VR <BR>70-300 VR <BR>2 gig card <BR>extra battery <BR>lens covers <BR>bag, I can already tell I want another one for carrying around while not skiing. <BR>Since I'm going to take it in the boat and snow ski with it I got the 4 year protection plan. I usually don't but the extended warranty but decide to get it.

I would take a used D80 over a new D10. <IMG SRC="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/happy.gif" ALT=":-)" BORDER=0> <BR> <BR>Enjoy the camera and lets see some pics <BR> <BR>Later <BR> <BR>Bakes