I called a couple of Ritz Cameras here near Sunnyvale CA ... one said that it was on pre-order, the other one had it, so I went there. It is the kit :-( too bad as I want the body only (so I can buy the 18-200 VRII). The camera is really nice. I cranked the ISO to 3200 to test the noise ... very decent, totally usable to me, specially considering I'm upgrading from a D70. Movie mode is nice too, I shot a quick clip inside the store. The LCD is of course gorgeous. Too bad I want the body only ...
My understanding from all the local camera stores (VA) has been that the kit is shipping/available now in waves. Originally I had pre-ordered and pre-paid for the body only at a local store, and that wasn't due to arrive until end of october. I didn't want the kit lens either at first because I already have a tamron 18-250 af-s that I love. But since I wanted the camera now, I figured I'd buy it and sell the lens for ~300 (seeing as it will go on sale by it self for 380 when it is released as a stand alone lens) if I didn't keep it. Turns out, I think I will keep the lens after all. It has less glass than my tamron, and while lacking the zoom range, I will use it for dimmer lit targets (ie: night time sporting events); while I'll still use my tamron for most every day shooting. For only 300 bucks more, I'd suggest trying the same approach as you can always sell the lens later and get the camera now. It IS an amazing camera. Best of luck!
Tks MaskedPirate ... it is indeed tempting to just go out and get the kit ... I've been trying to find out for how much the 18-105 will go for on retail but can't find pricing for it, where did you get the $380 from ?
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I called a couple of Ritz Cameras here near Sunnyvale CA ... one said that it was on pre-order, the other one had it, so I went there. It is the kit :-( too bad as I want the body only (so I can buy the 18-200 VRII). The camera is really nice. I cranked the ISO to 3200 to test the noise ... very decent, totally usable to me, specially considering I'm upgrading from a D70. Movie mode is nice too, I shot a quick clip inside the store. The LCD is of course gorgeous. Too bad I want the body only ...
My understanding from all the local camera stores (VA) has been that the kit is shipping/available now in waves. Originally I had pre-ordered and pre-paid for the body only at a local store, and that wasn't due to arrive until end of october. I didn't want the kit lens either at first because I already have a tamron 18-250 af-s that I love. But since I wanted the camera now, I figured I'd buy it and sell the lens for ~300 (seeing as it will go on sale by it self for 380 when it is released as a stand alone lens) if I didn't keep it. Turns out, I think I will keep the lens after all. It has less glass than my tamron, and while lacking the zoom range, I will use it for dimmer lit targets (ie: night time sporting events); while I'll still use my tamron for most every day shooting. For only 300 bucks more, I'd suggest trying the same approach as you can always sell the lens later and get the camera now. It IS an amazing camera. Best of luck!
Tks MaskedPirate ... it is indeed tempting to just go out and get the kit ... I've been trying to find out for how much the 18-105 will go for on retail but can't find pricing for it, where did you get the $380 from ?