Good deal? I *think* so...

Found the d7000 at Costco after I almost picked one up at a local shop. The 18-200mm lens retails for $600-$800 alone. It's only $200 above the kit price elsewhere with the mediocre 18-105mm lens.

I tried posting the link, but had problems. You can search Costco.com for D7000 and look if you like

Thoughts?

Personally, I don't like the 18-200. Optically, it's mediocre just like the 18-105, it's just mediocre over a larger range of focal lengths and costs a lot more. In general, the point of an SLR camera is that you can change lenses, and don't need to rely on the compromises of a single lens for every situation.

My lens bag for my Nikon D90 is generally:

Tokina 11-16
Nikkor 35mm
Nikkor 55-200

Although a Nikkor 60mm and an SB-600 speedlight often end up in there, typically replacing the 55-200. I use the 55-200 the least of all my lenses, but I tend to carry it around a lot. There are also many better telephoto lenses than the 55-200, but because I take so few telephoto shots I haven;t bought any of them.

Still, a good deal. I bought it yesterday! Yay..and the wifey wasn't even pissed. It cost as much as my first car almost...lol.

Having fun so far, gotta get back into photography mode while I work towards u/w equipment.

You'll like the 18-200. It's not the greatest lens at either end, but takes decent pictures through the whole range, focuses quite quickly and the VR helps a lot for hand held pictures at 200. I use mine more than any other lens, because you can just leave it on there. If I had to start over, I'd have invested in the 80-400VR and had a second zoom like the Sigma 17-70 macro or similar to take portraits and close shots. When I'm not diving, the 18-200 stays on the camera all the time.

Not a fan of the 18-200.

Not wide enough when I want a real wide angle.
Not fast enough/enough reach for most things I'd shoot with a telephoto.
Too slow for the sort of shots I want to do at normal lengths.

Mediocre optical quality overall.

That said, I understand why many people like it.. though if you're in this camp you might be better off with a D3100 or D5100.

Yah, seeing that it appears to be a better kit lens than the 18-105, i'm glad to have it. I just picked a 35mm 1.8 and am liking that also. Soon, i'll work on some u/w type lenses. I like playing with my sea life, but it's not the best for above water. It does a great job for a point and shoot though.