Rounded off... as there is no 52.5 mm lens.

Which means body to body it would be about 1/2 that (RM600 +-) as the D90 kit lens is the more expensive 18-105VR.

"Cheap" but it does work well for the price.

I do agree with you if the price is right and condition is ok it is worth buying a used body/lens. As the item has already been depreciated the rate of depreciation is less than a new item.

Can say so. But if I'm not mistaken, the 50 and the 35mm DX have the same min focusing distance.

Would like to add something here. I used to have the hood for the 18-55 kit lens and didn't find it really useful to me I felt it wasn't deep enough to prevent flare.
To give my opinion on ne3ro's post very likely he is looking for a better image and better range where I and most of us originally were. I would recommend that he change the kit lens to the 18-105VR first and think of the other options like tele lenses etc later. This will already give a better image in the most useful 18-50 range.

Anyway... we can't compare the 18-200 to the 55-200 as they are 2 totally different lenses with different functions. The 18-200 is actually more of an 18-105 + better stabiliser (VRII) + better range and better build quality. Bearing in mind that he is using a D3000 which is similar to the D40/60 in weight the 18-200 is a heavy lens will make your body feel imbalanced and "head heavy". All that said above, will stick to recommending him to change to 18-105 VR first to improve image quality first and add 70-300 VR when he can afford it for tele.

18-70 is my favourite kit lens too .

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Added on November 1, 2009, 9:44 pmIf you are considering the 70-300 better to buy the VR version, the 70-300 without ED one is not much better. If you can find the older 70-210 pull-push lenses that would be best for budget. It is surprisingly sharp and very close to the 70-200.
This post has been edited by project-o: Nov 1 2009, 09:44 PM

Having both the SB-600 and Di-622 I would say that power of both is about the same and the 866 (on paper) is in more in the range of the SB-900. As for the SB-600 with optical trigger, it does work if you add an external "sensor eye".

The 18-200 VR, despite some weak spots, with VR II stabilisation and such a wide range it is a very useful lens and can substitute any lens between 18 and 200 and deliver decent performance. Anyway to me, I feel the combo should be more of 18-105+70-300 (105-450 for DX) rather than 18-105+55-200. the 70-300 adds VRII stabilisation. I used to have both 18-135 and 55-200VR, at the long end, the 55-200 VR isn't that much longer (also taking into account minimal focal distance difference) and is softer in the 135-200 range.
This post has been edited by project-o: Nov 3 2009, 09:57 AM

I'm have a Digicell brand one (EN-EL9 compatible) got for RM 70 more than a year ago. Charging and usage is ok but doesn't last as long as the original one.

Look for the best price by all means but my advice is also to look at the price difference between the 2 other models D3000 and D90. If these 3 functions (live view, video, 2 extra MP) the D90 may be a better choice but for a higher price of course.

From you wanting to get a kit set, I'm guessing that this is your first SLR system and you may also consider a 2 lens "bundle" D3000 instead (D3000+18-55VR+55-200VR). Whatever your choice, wish you good luck with your new SLR.

My advice, don't worry to much about the specs on paper. No matter whether it be a Nikon or Canon body or whatever sensor or processing technology it has, the image quality is relative to the lens paired with it. The better the lens in general the better the images. Second thing, sensors and bodies come and go pretty quickly and is always improving, lenses and flashes have a longer lifespan.

So, I feel that most importantly, besides budget, the camera must feel comfortable when you hold it and the controls are easy to access.

So don't worry too much about what is on paper buy one within your budget and that feels comfortable when you use it and enjoy yourself and learn more as you shoot pics. The image quality will improve as your skills improve and you buy better lenses and flashes and other accessories to complement those skills.

To me, main use of Live View is to check your pic composition and see what the pic looks like before you take the shot.

Hopefully this year end promotion will bring a price drop.

The 18-105 is a good choice will give you extra sharpness and better build quality too. So far I've used 18-55(D40 kit no VR), 18-70, 18-135 and now 18-200VR. Currently have an 18-55VR on loan while waiting for 18-200VR to come back from shop. In my opinion, the 18-55VR it is much improved over the non VR lens and is a decent choice should you want to take it and it has a much closer focusing distance (less than 1ft) than the rest.

Anyway my favourite of these 18-X lenses is the 18-70 even though it has no VR. I like the sharpness, build quality and ultra fast focusing speed even on D40 and I think it was a bargain at less than RM 500.

Just bear in mind one thing... these lenses are made in pairs 1 standard zoom + 1 tele zoom so 18-55 partners the 55-200VR and the other 3 (18-70,18-135 and 18-105) are to partner the 70-300VR. Anyway don't worry too much about the distortion and corner softness as all zoom lenses have these to a lesser or greater degree only moreover very likely your subject will be at the centre not the corners. Balance is ok as even though it is heavier, it is also bigger with a bigger zoom ring which gives you much better grip.

Crop factor applies from FX to DX or vice versa only. DX lens DX body no crop factor.
This post has been edited by project-o: Nov 5 2009, 07:38 PM

Sound to me like a good combination. For an extra RM 500 or so a used Nikon 18-70 will definitely not disappoint as a backup lens as well.

Hold and test it and make sure it feels comfortable in your hands. Buy it and take some nice pics with it.

Just wondering if any of you have seen this
http://shashinki.com/shop/used-nikon-nikko...6e903059abee5c3

Very tempting price. Even if the VR doesn't work I still think it is a good deal.

Matter of interest, I e-mailed Shashinki and they replied that the AF-S and VR functions are fully working only need to let the viewfinder "shake" a while and there is a 7 day full refund warranty on used products.

I'm not sure exactly what they meant in their reply but from my experiences with my friend's 24-120VR, when the VR is on then you can literally see the image in the viewfinder shaking for a while and then everything will be back to normal. When VR is off then it is ok. I'm just guessing it is a similar problem with this lens.