Choosing Nikon Lenses (or one zoom ?)

I currently have a Nikon D70, and hope to purchase a new camera soon,
perhaps the D90, D3100, or the newer D7000. I am only interested in the
Nikon lenses.

I am **very much** a novice, but I know that choosing a lens is more
important than the camera body. I am trying to decide if I should buy
several lenses for specific purposes, or one decent zoom.

The activity during which I use my camera the most is hiking. So, I like
to take landscape scenes, portaits of others hiking, and closeups (macro)
of flowers along the way. Honestly, it seems to me that I actually need
three lenses for these purposes.

I have considered the Nikon 18-200mm VR II zoom lens. It would "seem"
that this would do the landscape and portrait scenes well, but I am not sure
the 18mm low end is actually "macro" is it ?

Am I not correct in believing that the Nikon 18-200mm would be a slower
lens than what I could purchase in individual lenses ? So, it would not
do exceptionally well in low light situations (near dusk, etc) than faster,
individual lenses ?

As you can now very well see, I am a novice, and somewhat confused. Not
sure what to do. While money is a factor, I would not mind purchasing the
Nikon 18-200mm for the convenience factor, and actually, it would not be
more expensive than purchasing three separate lenses.

If you suggest separate lenses , which Nikon lenses would you recommend for
my uses ?

BTW, I plan to give my Nikon D70 and lens to my wife, so cannot use the lens
that came with that.

What do you think ?

Thank you for your comments and advice !!

James


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