Even at that price I don't think the 18-55 and 55-200 are worth getting. Why not just get the amazon kit that already comes with the 18-105 for $1025? Then buy the 50mm f1.4 or similar low light lens?

Just out of curiosity, since when does a kit include 2 telephoto lenses?

Maybe my post was not clear. I'm not trying to "turn a profit" -- that would mean selling the lenses for more than I paid.

Here I'm looking at what I could get for some of the lenses in the kit in the event that I prefer to get a *different* lens that's not offered in the kit -- the 18 - 105. That's a better lens and would negate the need, for now, to get a longer zoom.

The point of the question is to determine, based on the knowledge base here, how much I can reasonably expect as a return once I've bought a kit.

Thanks for the heads up on the recent rebate.

The kit I'm referring to is $1300 after tax @ Costco -- it has all three lenses mentioned above.

Any suggesitons for a source for a kit that would include the D5000 and the 18-105 lens?

I personally wouldn't pay $450 for a "used" 70-300. Even if you told me it's never been used. I'd rather just buy it from a store for around that price. There was an instant rebate on that lens for $200. So it was selling for around $350 when purchased with a kit. Is that the kit your referring to Girardian?

Sounds like you just want to turn a profit on the Xmas deals and aren't really interested in getting the right lens?

You'd be lucky, in my experience, to get more than $800 for those three. The used market is full of 18-55 and 55-200's.

EDIT: s/700/800/.

Thanks for the feedback.

Here's the question -- does it make more sense to buy the following kit and sell three lenses or just to buy the body?

The kit includes the camera, a couple accessories, and the following lenses:
> AF-S DX VR NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G (Image Stabilization)
> AF-S DX VR Zoom-NIKKOR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED (Image Stabilization)
> AF-S DX VR Zoom-NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED (Image Stabilization)

Total cost is about $1,300 after tax.

The lenses would be sold "new" and unused.

Are these really accurate estimates for *new* lenses that I can expect to sell?:
- 18-55: $100
- 55-200: $150
- 70-300: $450

That's only $700 - which puts the camera and accessories cost @ $600, or just slightly better than market rate.

If these numbers are off (cumulatively) by over $100, then it may be worthwhile.

I paid CAD475 (about USD450) for the 70-300VR on ebay. That was in July. It was not new, but truly in mint condition.

Man, had you asked 2 weeks ago, adorama had a special on the 55-200 VR for $129 NEW!

I bought mine in 2007 for $219. . .sigh. . .

Small and sharp though. . .I like the 18-105 VR better for it's versatility. . .

Fair used or fair new?
(note, "fair" and "good" are judgments of the prices, not the lens condition. I'm assuming "like new" condition, and decent sized Craigslist market (if you don't get at least 2-3 unique "Nikon" search results per day you're not in a busy market) and prices based on my extensive playing of the Craigslist market) ;)
Craigslist used:
Fair used on the 70-300 VR is $450, good used is $400
Fair used on the 55-200 VR is $150, good used is $125.
I see both these lenses _offered_ for more all the time, but I can consistently _get_ them at or below the "good" price.
The 55-200 VR appears to be a popular lens given to/bought by "kids". When I say "kids" I mean young people who are unlikely to have an economic buffer and often sell their possessions @ below market prices. Being able to score one for $100 is not unheard of for the patient.

New price for the 70-300 VR is $540 at adorama.
New price for the 55-200 VR is $220 at adorama.

eBay trends higher than Craigslist (and it is this disequilibrium which I enjoy surfing for fun and profit) but every so ofthen you get flukes like the recent mini-spurt of 70-300 VRs (new) for $450. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370304448787

NikoDoby said:
I think the 55-200 is even cheaper.

friend of mine just got brand new one on some crazy special US$180, including postage from US->Aus

Right now the 70-300 is around $400-$500USD I think the 55-200 is even cheaper.

AF-S DX VR Zoom-NIKKOR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED (Image Stabilization)
AF-S DX VR Zoom-NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED (Image Stabilization)

I'm considering a kit and parting out the lenses so that I can get an 18-105. I know the market price for the 18-55 is just north of $100. Not sure on the others, particularly the 70-300.