lenses

Relative to zoom lenses, prime lenses are lighter, can produce crisper images, create more bokeh and background blurring, and are more usable in low light. A $200 prime can often produce a better image than a $1000 zoom. Here's a list of pricing betwen canon and nikon, notice how canon is always a little bit more affordable.

Primes
Canon 50mm f/1.8 II ~$125
Nikon 50mm f/1.8 AF-S ~$220

Nikon 35mm f/1.8 AF-S ~$199
Canon 35mm f/2 $329

Canon 35mm f/1.4L $1379
Nikon 35mm f/1.4 G AF-S $1649

Canon 85mm f/1.8 $419
Nikon 85mm f/1.8 $499

Zooms:
Canon 18mm-200mm f/3.5-5.6 $699
Nikon 18mm-200mm f/3.5-5.6 $846