Well the 17-85 is a lot lot more useful than 18-55 non IS lar. You can keep this lens as a spare. I don't think you could sell it out though. Or you can either sell the 17-85 and get other focal ranges.

Good choice also. 28-135 was quite popular before the arrival of 17-85

He got mention his stuff get from Japan and he will check each and every item before selling mah. Don't know how true lar. one two hundred different better not risk lar. Sometimes better to close one eye and be at peace that you bought a Canon Malaysia set. Not worth the trouble and loss of sleep.

Yes, in the next few weeks and possibly months you will see a constant decline in price for the EOS 400D. Although the 450D was mentioned to not replace the 400D, meaning the 400D will continue to sell alongside with 450D just like 350D did when 400D was launched. If you wait a little longer, Canon might introduce a promotion for EOS400D + Twinlens kit (stock 18-55 and 55-250).

Well the 400D could sell out but it won't be EOL so soon. Thats a confirmed. Past product cycle has taught and show us a lot so it could happen for 400D too. I'm not on pointing on the price of 400D alone but the possible inclusion of value when a twinlens kit is offered. So it is a different matter to begin with. For more beginners on budget, a twinlens kit is more valuable and useful than getting a basic kit at a cheap price. It saves them for having to spend extra money for another lens. So the 'holding' period is longer and they do not need to go all out to spend money again just to gain that capability.

But of course, if Canon isn't giving out this arrangements, we could secure our own. The EFS55-250 IS lens is affordable. We could negotiate a good package for this, especially when 400D is on a price decline. My advice is to wait for the 450D to launch, see the response to 450D and watch 400D go on a price adjustment. Then you buy. Don't forget, you're also saving at the same time.

The usual saying that the sooner you buy, the sooner you get to shoot although is right is not always beneficial. Lets not translate this into a SLR race. It is never one. We are no pros waiting to get to the field. They're doing business out of it, the sooner they shoot, the sooner they get paid. For us, its a different story. We do it for hobby and passion. The sooner we shoot, the more we get. But in the case of 400D and 450D, a time span of say 2 months is not long. The longer the money you keep, the more value you get. If you understand this saying, you can get any lens you want in the future.

It really depends on you. I wouldn't suggest getting a point and shoot now only to buy another DSLR in the future. Unless of course you plan to have both cameras and using the PnS when it is inconvenient to bring the DSLR. If you really want to go deep into the DSLR now, then you can always buy whenever you want. Of course if you're a little patient, good things will come.

Why not checking out your friends if they have DSLR? Maybe you could borrow one from them. Or invite them to your events, so you could see how they use it?

Yes, second choice is much better. I started with this setup (using 430EX though) last year. I think the second choice has more value.