TinysMom wrote:
I don't know anything about Buyella. I can't explain why it's $500, assuming it's a new camera and not a refurb and comes with the standard Nikon camera package (camera, battery and charger) - but the page says "after rebates and coupons", so maybe there is some promotion and what you'll actually pay is more than that (and you get to apply for a rebate).
The two lenses in that kit are the Nikon lenses made for such kits - 18-55mm and 55-200mm - although it appears to come with the better 55-200mm zoom (the one with Vibration Reduction - VR). That's normally about a $50 increment over the non-VR lens, and well worth the cost. The kit lenses are Nikon's consumer models, which are built more lightly than their "prosumer" or "pro" lenses, but they're optically just as good. Unless you're planning to go on safari or take up professional photojournalism (or buy a full-frame DSLR like a $3000 D700 or a D3 at $5,000 per body), they're fine.
It's a good kit, and a surprisingly good price, which makes me wonder. I'd call Adorama or Cameta or Berger Brothers one of the other better-known dealers, mention the buyella ad, and ask what the best they can do on the same kit would be.
To compare apples to apples you'll probably want to add a few extras - memory cards and a spare battery, and UV filters for both lenses, which Adorama kits tend to have.
As to the Get It Digital 5 lens kit - do NOT get it. The two basic lenses are the 18-55mm and the non-VR 55-200mm and a Nikon 50mm f1.8, but the other lenses are useless with this camera. They're offering a "preset" off brand 500mm which is a manual lens which wouldn't work with the D5000 except in fully manual mode - no metering, no autofocus, not even automatic diaphragm stop-down (I thought preset lenses had gone the way of the dodo twenty years ago). They're also throwing in two add-on auxiliary lenses which are worthless - they screw on to the other lenses, and basically are fuzzy - a few memory cards and some other stuff which you either don't need or can get cheaper. Save the money and get a basic two-lens kit from a reputable dealer. You can add the f1.8 normal lens later on if you feel the need - see the thread on
fixed length lenses for a discussion of the pros and cons.
