That is what I would go for. You get a great start with the Nikon.I just weihed out all those options a few months back and ended up with Nikon D70 plus all that too. But with tripod and cam bag a few filters and other accesories total came to $3000, but then in the USA most things are cheaper.

"The happiness of a man in this life does not consist in the absence but in the mastery of his passions."