D40 or D80

what are you going to be shooting mostly?

If you are going to be using flashes and action photography I would edge away from them because of the sync speed. The D80 is a nice camera but instead I would look at.

D70s
50mm 1.8 AF
18-70mm DX
and a bag and memory card

the d40 has the same sync speed as the d70s. and i will be mostly using it for biking and travle photos

my bad i was thinking of the D40x

i still say d70

get the D40. invest your money into your glass not the body. camera bodies keep changing. getting the better lenses will pay off.

yea but a used d70 runs for less than a new d40

go to keh.com
get a d70
50mm
18-70

dont bother getting any of the kit 18-55's or any nockoff 3rd party quantray or tamron lenses

d40. you dont need an 80

Neither, go with Canon. Nikon glass and bodies used to rule the world, but like every Empire, they fell. I've used both and Canon does it for me and 80% of the pros out there. Look at the sidelines of any major sporting event, all you see is white lenses(Canon), except the guys still in the stone age(Nikon).

Either way, cheap glass blows and you'll be pissed with the lack of contrast and sharpness.

you can't necissarly say that

sure canon is better is some aspects as well as nikon is better in other aspects.

Also is the kid looking for a camera to go shoot a professional baseball game from the sidelines?

if he wanted a pro body and pro lenses and was willing to spend thousands sure canon would be good but he isnt.

for the price range Nikon beats out Canon.

For this price range in canon he would be looking at a Rebel XT or Rebel XTI. Have you ever held one of these and felt how cheaply built they are. Just that alone turns many away. The sync speed is lower also. What if he wants to shoot fisheye? Nikon's 10.5 is one of, if not the best digital slr fisheyes avalible

i here what your saying but spidy is right for the price nikon is better. the only canon i would possibly look at is the 30d but then i would have to have a crapy lens for a long time.

I knew I'd strike a chord with the Nikon lovers.

First off, the bottom line of the post was spend money on glass.

Second, the D40 is the only DSLR in the Nikon line with that sync speed, all others are 200 or 250. So there is no place to upgrade to for that one specific feature.

Third, my focus is long term. Unless your a casual "take pictures of my cat" photog, you'll inevitably upgrade everything you have at some point, unless your a trust fund baby and buy what you want when you want it.

I know so many photogs that bought Nikon DSLR's because they were cheaper and are kicking themselves for doing so. They know they should be using Canon, but since they've bought all this stuff for Nikon they can't afford to switch and lose the depreciated value. Plus, everything on a Nikon is backwards on a Canon. Zoom, focus, shutter/aperture dials, and feature terminology. If you do switch at some point it will be a real struggle.

In closing, I say all these things because I know. After talking to Nikon and Canon Reps, Canon R&D, pros in the field who use or have used both brands, and knowing tons of people that have(or want to) switch to Canon and non who have switched to Nikon, Canon picked up the ball when Nikon dropped it.

Photography and equipment is as progressive as skiing. A triple twister spread ain't winnin' no freestyle comps anymore.

PS- I used a Digital Rebel for three year and it's still going. I beat the absolute piss out of it. Shooting in heavy snow, mist, -20F to +100F, shot after shot it never let me down, but it still feels cheap.

Even the 18-55 kit lens isn't crappy. It's not great but it will get you going. For biking and travel that lens will do just fine. Add a long zoom and your set for a while. If your worried about a fisheye Tokina makes a fisheye zoom for the same price as Nikon's 10.5 and it prob wont be long before a Canon hits the shelves.

well for the money, the nikon is still a better choice. He didnt state he planned on making a career out of photography. Everyone takes their sides on Nikon vs. Canon. Some will side to canon while whilie others nikon. This arguement never goes anywhere productive so we mine as well end it.

for the flash sync....... the nikon still has a d50 and d70 which are just as good as the canon competitors and both have the flash sync of 1/500 and the d70 has the possibilty of going higher

back to the thread

go with

Nikon D70s
18-70mm
50mm 1.8

this wont run you too much for a solid setup and it can lead to many great photos

Nor did he state he didn't plan on making a career in photography. Even a mid to advanced hobbyist requires more out their equip that entry level cameras don't provide. But hey, what do I know. Just trying to help someone make an informed decision, not recommending cameras that are out of production(D70,D50).

In addition to a wide-normal zoom and fast 50, you might want to consider an on-camera flash. The flash built in to the camera is garbage and should be only used in extreme situations.