Ok camera guys.. I need your help.

[Unearth078]

i enjoy my nikon. i couldnt do anything other then a d80+ though. just due to the fact your auto focus motor isnt found in the d40. d60, etc. i have enjoyed xti's tho. i feel like canons seem too over expose the image? really i think id find myself reccomending an xt or xti for a starter. good features, easy use, lots of room to grown etc.

[Martin C.]

Agreed with the Canon. Don't get a Nikon unless you get a very good deal on it.

[e30monsta]

Get a used Nikon D200 or a Cannon 30D and spend your money on good glass..

x2...thats were people fail. they buy these good bodys and a cheap lens and they think there good to go.when in fact its kinda the other way around.
bodys come n go,glass stays forever!

[lylefk]

Nikon and Canon are both excellent, either is a fine choice. Play with both and choose the one that feels more comfortable and whos controls make the most sense.

Personally I'm a Canon guy, through and through. The new T1i is a lot of camera for the money. 3" screen, 15mp, HD video, 3.4fps, live view...very hard to go wrong with that camera as a first time DSLR buyer. I've always found Canon's to be easier for a new SLR user to pick up and learn and get solid results from. Keep in mind...the camera is only as good as your grasp of it. If you don't know how to use it, what's the point in even getting it. That is where Canon shines in my opinion.

FWIW, I sold cameras for 3.5 years and am a semi-pro photographer. Working on the new website here. All those photos were taken with the Rebel XT or XTi. I have finally outgrown the Rebel body (after 8 years of shooting digital) and am upgrading to either the 50D or the 5D Mark II.

Hope that helps.

[e30monsta]

dude..that website is SICK..
real nice job on that man,and excellent pictures. i could only dream to be that good one day..lol

[lylefk]

Thanks! I still need to add like 100 photos, it's time consuming...I had a mat on the photos in my old website, so I have to go through and resize all of them for this new site.

[ikkitousen]

If I could pick up a D40 in like new condition with the original lense for about $160, is that a good deal?
I'm seeing them on CL for about $250 normaly but they usually have a bunch of extras.

TIA

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DAMN PRICE CHECKS!!!

[Kruzen]

I've got a 10D and it takes beautiful pictures.

[k_wakasugi]

My vote is for a used 20D. I'd definitely pick up a 20D before a Rebel (I've owned both, no contest). Great bang for the buck. Just look for one with low actuations, I think the shutter is rated for 100,00 IIRC. You should be able to pick one up for about $300-$350 in good condition. Pair that with a nifty-fifty (50mm f/1.8 ) and you're on your way for under $400. Or try and find an 18-55mm IS, they can be had for about $100. Just make sure it's the IS version, as the non-IS version doesn't hold a candle to the IS version in terms of optics. Plus you get IS :p

I can only really speak for the Canon camp, as that's what I know most about. Either way, Canon or Nikon, can't really go wrong. As people have said, the lenses are what's most important, but good glass is gonna cost you. The reason I chose Canon over Nikon is for their selection of excellent primes.

[!kid]

i have a sony alpha 300 the lens sucks for the things i use it for

[daniel]

If I could pick up a D40 in like new condition with the original lense for about $160, is that a good deal?
I'm seeing them on CL for about $250 normaly but they usually have a bunch of extras.

TIA

------------------------------------------------------------
DAMN PRICE CHECKS!!!

$160, yes it is a good deal.

[lylefk]

I'm not convinced that the 'd' series in Canon is a good choice for a first time slr owner...def play with one first, see if the controls make sense and you can get around in the camera. Don't go older than a 20D if you do this....

FWIW, Canon's D series go up numerically as they get newer...10d came out, then 20d, then 30d, 40d, 50d. Make sense? Just a hint if you are shopping around.

The Rebels go: Rebel, Rebel XT, Rebel XTi, Rebel XSi, Rebel T1i. The original Rebel is really old these days, I'd stick with the XT or above if you are shopping used.

The biggest difference between the 2 series are body construction (magnesium on the d's vs. plastic on the rebels) and speed (5fps vs 3fps).

My suggestion still stands...if you have the funds, pick up the T1i. You don't have to spend a fortune to get good glass, just avoid Canon's super entry level lenses (With the exception of the 50mm f/1.8...thats a very sharp, cheap lens). If funds are tighter, pick up a used XTi.

[Paukert11]

D40!!! go to costco!

[aintnothang]

newegg was selling re-certified d40x's for 269.99

[clavinZERO]

stay away from d40 and d60... better off with an older d80 for ALMOST THE SAME FEATURES and gauranteed lens compatibility. :P

practice with anything you get and put more into your glass than the body... megapixel-wise at least (for starters).