Nikon Lenses Instant Rebates at Multiple Stores, $2097 Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 VRII; $396.96 85mm f/1.8G and many others - B&H, Amazon, Adorama

Thank you all for the suggestions. I picked up the kit from Cameta and it was delivered yesterday. Couldn't be happier, loving this lens.

Anyone on DX think the 85 1.8G is a must buy? I know if I go FX at some point, I really want an 85mm lens, but on DX seems a bit long?

Quote from VarmintCong : Anyone on DX think the 85 1.8G is a must buy? I know if I go FX at some point, I really want an 85mm lens, but on DX seems a bit long?

well, the 135mm is very popular on Canon as a portrait lens.

Quote from VarmintCong : Anyone on DX think the 85 1.8G is a must buy? I know if I go FX at some point, I really want an 85mm lens, but on DX seems a bit long?

Depends on what you want, makes a good head and shoulders type portrait lens for a budget user. It's a little long for a full length lens, where it's good for that on FX.

Quote from VarmintCong : Anyone on DX think the 85 1.8G is a must buy? I know if I go FX at some point, I really want an 85mm lens, but on DX seems a bit long?

I have a Nikon F from the 1950's with a 135mm f/3.5. The 135mm's field of view has been a very popular lens to use, and I still own mine. The 180mm has also been a very popular lens throughout the decades. So, while there isn't any right answer here (you have to choose the right lens for YOUR needs), I would say that no, 85mm on DX does not seem a bit long, because by that reasoning, the 180mm would be a pointless lens and wouldn't exist. And as mentioned above, Canon has the 135mm L lens. Nikon also has 135mm f/2 lens, the DC.

I agree with you that the 85mm f/1.8G for $400 is a must buy. So do many other people, considering that it's back-ordered at both B&H and Adorama, and low stock at Amazon. I also think some of the other stars are the 80-400mm (not super impressive optically, and it's not AF-S, but it is incredibly cheap for what you get, especially if you want to do some longer wildlife), the 50mm f/1.4 is a great price right now, picking up either the 60mm or 85mm macro lenses for your kit makes a lot of sense at these prices, and I'd personally be upgrading my midrange zoom to the 16-85mm if I didn't already have an f/2.8 zoom.

My recommendation is also to not plan for the future. Don't plan your current needs with the glitter of stepping up to FX. First of all, seeing how good the current D5200, and likely the D7100 will be you probably won't need FX, as for most users, the difference doesn't justify the cost. Second, with the FX investment, it's so expensive that the money you lose on your DX lenses is a drop in the bucket. I don't think I'll ever go FX, and there are many professional photographers that have made the same decision as me.

does anybody know if nikon will have these sales again?