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I intend to buy a D70s when it is released in Oz. This will be my first SLR. I am assuming that as I am new to this that the kit lens will be a good start? Should I buy the kit with the lens or are the other option eg buy the body and lens seperate

It's a very good combo...unless you are prepared to forego the kit lens and fork out an extra $1300 for a F/2.8 17mm to 55mm or something similar.
You will not regret your purchase and you will become addicted to the point of being legally insane.

The kit lens is a bloody good start. Assuming it's the 18-70DX and not the 18-55DX "kit" that is (or Harvey Norman's 28-80 "kit").

As Onyx says, make sure that the "kit" lens that you get is the original D70 kit lens - 18-70DX.

The new 18-55 lens is untried, but looks to be of very lightweight construction which might not be to your advantage.

The alternatives that might be worthwhile could be the lens Matt suggested, or else the 24-120VR.

What's your photographic background? What are you intending to shoot?

I think the new 18-55 is the kit lens for the D50, with the D70s getting the 18-70.

johndec wrote:I think the new 18-55 is the kit lens for the D50, with the D70s getting the 18-70.

John,
You're right, but some seller may introduce that lens to the new D70s and drop their price, so the newbies might not know: what the kit lens is.
They call the 18-55Dx: kit lens as well.

Thanks to all of you for this useful advice.

There is no shame in getting the 24-120 VR either. THat would be a pretty useful range I would think. I've seen some pretty good deals around grouping those two together...you're getting warmer...

Thanks Dave