If you're just starting out and new to SLRs, my suggestion is to stick to just the 18-55mm kit lens.
If on the other hand, pricing is the same for both kits and you have no choice but to choose between either, then I'd go for the 18-200mm if I were just starting out and in your shoes.
thanks for advice... any pros and cons have 1lens 18-200mm?
if you have to pick the 18-55 / 55-200 combo, make sure you go for the VR version of the 18-55mm, may have to pay a bit more for that.
the current 18-55mm II-ED kit lens for the d40 is without VR.
something to read about.
my reply at post #63.
for anything else, there's always goggle available.
http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=371807&page=4&highlight=best+kit+lens
just get the body will do.
is the deal a 2nd hand set ? what's the shutter count ?
I would take the 18-200 mm VR if you got the budget.
After all it covers the focal lengths of both zooms in one flexible package for traveling simple.
I would not be too concern with the IQ comparing the 18-200 against the 18-55 and 55-200. Good enough for most of us unless you want larger aperture for other purposes. All the three lenses mentioned are not macro lenses anyway.
Ryan
is UV filter a good protection for the lens? read up it might block some light to the camera thus lousier pics
There are two "schools of thought" about it. One says "Avoid anything additional between the front element of your lens and the object because every piece of glass will obstruct the light in a certain way." The other one says "It's a good protection. If you chose a good filter it's a piece of quality glass that doesn't do anything do your light." Both schools have their points and it's up to you which one you will follow.
A lens hood can be a protector as well. There are cheaper third party hoods (by Hoya) which you can use on all lenses with the same front diameter. Some lenses already come with a hood.
You will notice the difference between cheap filters and good ones especially in backlight situations or when the sun (or other light sources) are directly in the frame. Cheap filters tend to produce flare and colour cast. Secondly: if you want to use other filters as well (e.g. polarizer) you need to remove the UV filter first. Stacking is not a good idea.
Quality-wise look for the multi-layer coated filters.
The image quality of 18-200mm is quite good, and you don't have to change lens. Of course you suffer from some distortion, but even 18-55 and 55-200 also have distortions along the zoom range.
The 18-55 VR lens is coupled with D60 as a kit, but it can also fit on D40, no probs. VR=Vibration Reduction. You can get less motion blur at slow shutter speeds with the 18-55VR compared to the non-VR that was coupled with D40 as standard kit.
You just want protection of your lens, UV filter will do the job. Polariser reduces glare, but not totally. If I'm not wrong, the 'polarising power' is not evenly spread across the entire polariser.
polarizer filter is used for taking pictures behind glass/ cancel away the reflection rite? can i jus leave the polarizer filter to act as a protection on my d40? is HOYA the recomanded cheap+good filter?