Hey, K.! Don't envy me yet! I'm still noodling it over. Here is the review of that lens that convinced me:
http://www.bythom.com/18200lens.htm. I put myself on the waiting list this evening. I am, like, number 457 or something on the list. [chuckle]
And while at the camera store (on the way home) I held the D80. Sweeeeeeeeet.
I have an utterly irrational brand loyalty to Nikon. I wouldn't even consider buying another brand. Totally irrational and mindless loyalty. I love them. Had a Kodak Brownie camera back in the '50's but Nikons ever since.
I may go for the Nikkor 12-24mm f/4G DX, on the D80, to tide me over to when the big lens is available.
Hummmm!
Jan