opinions needed please

[RB Will]

Hi all
Im looking to get a DSLR for Christmas but im new to this game and don't know what is good and what the jargon means with a lot of it. I need a Camers that is easy to pick up and shoot but will be able to go on to more advanced things as I progress and play with it, like change exposure time , zoom etc.
I have been looking at the Nikon D40x , not sure if it comes with a lens (what would be best?).
I was wondering what the general opion of them is here?
It needs to care for a wide range of pics, motorsport, cars, people, landscapes.
so are there any better camera/ lens combos available that are similar and similarly priced?
thanks

[GetCarter]

You are on the right lines with the Nikon. Most of us on here agree that Canon and Nikon are the front runners in DSLR cameras. Mid and top range Canons probably just pip Nikon at the moment, but many prefer the feel of the entry level D40x to the equiv Canon.

Most D40s comne with a lens - usually the 18-55 (IIRC) this is a good starting point, adding a 70-300 lens will cover motorsport and wildlife.

Have fun

[flat-planedCrank]

RB Will said:

Hi all
Im looking to get a DSLR for Christmas but im new to this game and don't know what is good and what the jargon means with a lot of it. I need a Camers that is easy to pick up and shoot but will be able to go on to more advanced things as I progress and play with it, like change exposure time , zoom etc.
I have been looking at the Nikon D40x , not sure if it comes with a lens (what would be best?).
I was wondering what the general opion of them is here?
It needs to care for a wide range of pics, motorsport, cars, people, landscapes.
so are there any better camera/ lens combos available that are similar and similarly priced?
thanks

I'd certainly agree that going for Nikon / Canon is a good idea, will really help with the range of lenses that are available to you.

The d40x has a good reputation, only downside you hear is that it will only take AF-S and AF-I lenses (this is because it doesn't have its own built-in drive motor). I believe that would effect some of nikkor's well-respected prime lenses.
(This isn't a problem for the canon equivalent as no EF mount (canon's lens system) camera's have built-in auto focus motors, its always in the lens.)

I'd take a look at http://www.dpreview.com/ they have some fairly in-depth reviews :
Nikon D40x - http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond40x/
Canon 400D - http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos400d/

Either way, i'd definitely suggest going to your local camera store and trying some camera's out. Sometimes you can love the on-the-paper spec but hate the way the camera feels / button layout / etc.. If you have memory cards that'll fit the camera's you are looking already then take them along, some stores don't mind you taking a few shots home to analyse at your leisure

As far as the jargon goes, you can always post on here and someone can usually decipher the relavent acronym

Cheers

[RB Will]

thanks guys great help as ever. unfortunately I have always been a sony man so have god knows how many memory sticks lying around but ah well sacrifices must be made.

[RobDickinson]

RB Will said:

thanks guys great help as ever. unfortunately I have always been a sony man so have god knows how many memory sticks lying around but ah well sacrifices must be made.

Sony make a few decent dSLR's mainly based on their Konika minolta purchase.

I think they take memory sticks but not sure.

[beano500]

Why a dSLR?

You could do a lot worse than something in the Panasonic Lumix range, which will still give you plenty of room to take control after you've bored yourself with any auto functions.

If you are going to have (or already have) a shedful of lenses for what you want to do then by all means go for the dSLR. Otherwise it's just a dust trap ready to happen, you always think you need another lens, then you want to upgrade the body and the next thing you'll have more debt than a small republic in Africa.....

But seriously, there's an awful lot you can do with a good range 10x or 12x zoom "bridge" camera with an image stabiliser system built in....

[_dobbo_]

Memory cards are the tiniest drop in the ocean cost wise once you start down the DSLR route - so I wouldn't base a purchase on what existing cards you have. That said, the Sony alpha cameras are very good, but lens choice is limited and expensive.

I'd avoid the D40 on the basis it has no auto focus motor in the body, and look at either a D50 or a 400D. Get your hands on both in a shop and decide from there. Enjoy!