Nikon D90 package - good deal?

[amberenea]

Hello - this is my very first post on DPS but I have been lurking and learning so much!
I currently own the Canon Rebel EOS XS with 18-55mm. I am looking to upgrade to a Nikon D90. I have stumbled across this website that offers everything but the kitchen sink for $1290.09. It includes:

D90 Digital SLR Camera +5 Lens: 3 Nikon: 18-105mm VR
Included in this Kit Included Items >> | The Camera Box >>
Nikon D90 Digital SLR Camera - Black Body
Camera Condition: Manufacturer Refurbished
Included in the manufacturer box
Nikon D90 digital camera body
EN-EL3e Rechargeable Lithium-ion Battery
MH-18a Charger
UC-E4 USB Cable
EG-D2 Audio/Video Cable
AN-DC1 Neck Strap
BM-10 LCD Monitor Cover
BF-1A Body Cap
DK-5 Eyepiece Cap
DK-21 Rubber Eyecup
BS-1 Accessory Shoe Cap
Nikon Software CD
User Guides
Nikon 18-105mm VR Vibration Reduction Nikkor Lens
Nikon 70-300mm Zoom - Nikkor Lens
Nikon 50mm Lens
52mm Wide Angle Lens
52mm 2X Telephoto Lens
2 X 8 GB Secure Digital (SD) Memory Card
Pioneer G3 Slingshot Backpack for Photo Gear
Padded Case for Digital SLR Camera
Tutorial DVD for Nikon D90
52mm 3 Filters Kit: UV - Polarizer - FLD
Power Auto Digital Flash Clip-On and Slave
2 UV Filters - 62mm and 67mm
Multi Section Large Video / Photo Tripod
USB 2.0 High Speed SecureDigital™ Card Reader
Mini Travel Tripod
Memory Card Wallet
Lens Cleaning Kit
LCD Screen Protectors
Lens Cap Holder

I have tried to research it myself, but to be honest it is a bit overwhelming because there is so much included (or so it seems) and I just wanted to make sure that I wasn't getting a bunch of junk that I wouldn't use. I have always been into photography for a hobby and I am now looking to get more serious about it...starting with portraits and hoping to one day be comfortable enough to capture all the wonderful moments in a wedding.

Thanks so much for any advice you can give. Amber

[firebox40dash5]

Originally Posted by amberenea;113o887

I just wanted to make sure that I wasn't getting a bunch of junk that I wouldn't use.

Well, that's exactly the case.

For one, everything down to the 18-105mm lens is just what comes with the camera. Listing what comes in the box as 'accessories' is a sign of a skeezy merchant.

So it comes with a 70-300mm G and 50mm f/1.8D lens. They're each worth about $100. The 50 is a good lens. The 70-300mm, not so much... the VR version is a great lens, but the regular old G version is not. The rest of that stuff is going to be made-in-China crap, and you might use one or two little things, the rest will take up room in your closet or (better yet) trash can.

Oh, and if that wasn't enough, I'd say with 99.9999% certainty that either a) the camera and lenses will be grey-market (imported by the seller, not Nikon USA) and have no warranty or b) it's a Broadway Photo bait-and-switch or another scam. Maybe both.

Stick to a well-known retailer like Adorama, Amazon, B&H, etc. for cameras and lenses. I'd also wait it out a few more months since the D90 has been replaced by the D7000. Used and new prices will probably fall a good bit in the next couple months. Also, the D90, 18-105mm kit lens, 50mm f/1.8D and the better 70-300mm VR are all readily available used, at pretty good prices. In fact, you could buy all of the above for about what that 'kit' is, and have a better tele lens and a much better chance of actually getting what you paid for.