Camera Noob needs your inputs
 

You guys seem to have a pretty good handle on camera's and such, so I'm gonna ask for some schooling when it comes to camera's like the Nikon D40. The prices have been falling and I would really like to get one to take some nice pics of my daughter. I have a canon point and shoot now, and it takes great pics, but Id like to be able to focus the camera and get some real shots.

Im not looking to spend a lot of money and Im not going to go crazy with lenses and such. So my question is, whats a good starter camera that comes with a decent lens? All I know of are Nikon D40's :help:

Obviously Canon makes nice started bodies as well, I am a Nikon guy so thats what I recommend. The Nikon D40 has a nice kit lens which is the 18-55. I know the camera show I work at has a few in stock, great lens and nice body. Its simple and easy to use along with the fact it takes really nice pictures. I know a lot of people who are looking to do exactly what you are doing, and they love the Nikon D40. As I said I work at a camera store now so let me know if you're interested, we match B&H prices or beat them.

Nikon D40 is a good starter camera, so are the Canon Rebels.

I know Chris Pino has a D40 for sale, basically new. I'm sure its in top shape, and he wants it gone, should talk to him.

thanks for the info, whats with the lenses? I know nothing of lenses and i was just reading in other threads that the D40 is limited in lenses? I dont plan on buying expensive lenses or anything, like i said, this is just to get the kind of picture i want instead of hitting a button and hoping.

i saw that, i can get it brand new with a warranty for $50 more, so i might hold off on that. i dont even know if thats the camera i should be looking at yet. i guess i gotta check out the canon 40D also?


anyone know where i can test a nikon and a canon 40 series?

he prolly still has warranty with his. i dont think it was ever used, maybe slightly. he takes care of his stuff.

edit: go to circuit city or best buy and mess around with them there nikon D40, canon rebel xti

Canon Rebel Xti

whoa ease up there chap. dont come in here and just say HOLY *#$%@(#$#* canon is better. if you have something useful to say, then say it. otherwise dont try to be startin this canon vs. nikon thing. we all know they're almost equal and its personal preference.

OP asks about Nikon D40, this knowitall comes in and just says Canon Rebel XTi. helpful post there.

Broken,
From what i understand the D40 is not an Auto focus body, you need to get lenses with the auto focus in them. (please correct me if I'm wrong) i think it is also a cropped sensor body. Like the canon xt, xti.

if i were you i would go to store and hold a canon and then a nikon and see what is more comfortable for you. The benefit of a canon body for you is that the menu functions and interface are going to be more familiar since you have a Canon Point and Shoot. I personally had trouble finding things thru the nikons menu, but that because i've used a canon for years.

over all i think and this is just an opinion. canon is a tad sharper, nikon has much better High ISO.

depending on how far you imagine yourself going the next important thing to think about is lenses. The quality of each are pretty comparable, but some of the nikkor glass is harder to come by. but again that might not ever become a problem for you if you aren't ever going to spend over $1k on a lens. Other than that i would say it's all personal preference.

I went from a canon G5, to a rebel xt, to my 40d. I also own a Canon SD750 point and shoot.

i believe the D40 will autofocus but only with Nikon's AF-S lenses or something. some nikon lenses wont autofocus on that body and others will.

Not to hi-jack Broken's question, but more to clarify... some of you agree then if you are a mild 'hobbyist' with photography, a canon point and shoot user can step to a XT/XTi series and be happy?

yes. i would definitely agree with that. more than enough camera for a hobbyist photog.

what would you say the overall picture quality increase is from a nice point and shoot to something like a XTi or Nikon equivalent? If a nice point and shoot say takes pictures you'd rate 70% for overall clarity and quality, what would you rate one of the mentioned cameras above....

well with a point and shoot, taking a bad picture is virtually impossible because the camera does all the work for you. with a dslr, there is much more room for error which can result in poor pictures if the user doesnt know what he/she is doing. that said, pictures from a point and shoot are generally going to be NOWHERE near what a dslr will be. now of course you can get into higher end point and shoots that will be better than one that fits in your pocket. but there really is no comparison between a point and shoot and a dslr.

good questions jet and thanks for the info turbo and grimm, i will check out the canons as well then. I will have to run to BB to check them out i guess.

does anyone have an idea of cost of ownership for a nikon D40 vs a canon xti? (body, lenses, cards, batteries, etc; over time)

virtually the same. maybe the less expensive advantage going to nikon cause canon lenses are expensive but they're all slowly becoming roughly the same in price.

i noticed the nikon is $100 less and comes with a lense vs the canon that is just the body........ odd?

You probably saw the Canon Rebel XSi. It's their newest DSLR and it pwns. But will obviously be more expensive than the Nikon D40.

If you can find the Rebel XTi, that'll be a lot closer in price for the kit.

EDIT: Oh, and if you're serious about buying, after checking out your local retailers, check out www.dell.com

I know, I didn't think Dell sold anything good either. But they carry Nikon and Canon products and have surprisingly good prices. Just type the model of what you want in the search bar on their home page.