Originally Posted by HSK
Would it be better to just buy the body, and get a separate lens? (better then a standard one that comes with).
Depends what you mean by "better".
I can't think, offhand (though perhaps someone will come up with one) of a single exception to the rule that kit lenses coming with entry level camera kits will be compromises. They may be a decent compromise, and they may be good value for money, but there will be better lenses available. Of course, they may also be a lot more money. And maybe a LOT (
!!!!
) more money.
Kit lenses generally provide a good way in, a good way to get a feel for things and are probably a good way forward for someone starting out in SLRs,
unless you already have a pretty good idea what you're going to do. But once you start adding lenses for specific purposes, and assuming you have some budget for it, the likelihood is that the kit lens will then end up unused.
Personally, I'd suggest that if the budget will stretch to it, think very carefully about whether to go straight for a better quality lens. After all, anyone buying an SLR is, presumably, reasonably serious about photography, and therefore after the best quality they can get for the money, and the lens used is probably the biggest single limiting factor.
In other words, what Bobster said .... don't skimp on lens quality.
It's also worth bearing in mind that lenses tend to outlast camera bodies. People outgrow bodies, but a good investment in lenses will last through several iterations of camera upgrade. That's also why it's a good idea to think about lenses before settling on camera make - because once you've started buying, it ties you in unless you want the expense of selling up your lenses and starting again from scratch.