Les Jones

I went with the Nikon d40 (importantly, NOT THE d40x which isn't worth the significantly added cost) for two reasons.

First, I already have a number of Nikons and am somewhat invested in the "Nikon system." I think more than anything, compatibility with existing equipment should be your overriding concern if your already a photographer.

The second reason I chose the Nikon was because it was such a good deal. Ken Rockwell's site gives a glowing review to the d40 and thats just all the better with the 2 lens deal that Nikon is running.

A third consideration, but much less of one, has been my experience with my nikon coolpix point and shoot digital camera which is bombproof - even more so than the industructable kodak point and shoot. That, and the fact that our communications director has a Cannon and has run into some problems with it (I think it has more to do with his care of it, but still).

I'm going to be in Knoxville next week (yeah, its the annual Christmas trek down to Chattanooga). If you want, you can check my d40 out.

Let me know if your gonna be around. I think Uncle will be.

I'll give you a reason for my choice (Canon): I personally prefer being able to choose portrait, auto, TV, P, action, etc, on the outside of the camera, meaning with a dial. I know that you have limited capability in that area with a Nikon, but Canon has more options there. The fewer things I have to do "inside" the camera (in the menu), the better. That's just me, though. :-)

I just bought the D40x last week, and I love it, fast, responsive, makes me look REALLY good, and very hard to fool or trip up. I've been taking it to work with me for work use/bragging, so if you want to swing by any day but Saturday and play with it, feel free.

I checked out the Canon pretty thoroughly, but it just didn't do things as intutively as the Nikon, and din't feel as responsive. It's really personal preference, which ever one you like best in your hand, they ARE both very good Pro-sumer cameras. My favorite just happens to be the Nikon, and I haven't regretted it, 500 photos later.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d40.htm

Not me, but he makes very good points. I got the D40x for the same price as a D40, as I wouldn't have spent the extra for the 10mp, but the resolution's insane, and sharp right down to the pixel.

ColtCCO

Wow. Ken Rockwell makes a pretty persuasive argument for the Nikon D40 and its lenses, and a lot of his tutorials are built around Nikons.

Having a guru using the same camera would be nice. Is there an equivalent guy for Canon cameras?

Top: I'd love to try the D40 when you're in.

Another point to consider: If you are ever going to use electronic flash, Nikon "probably" has the better system. I have a D50 which is only 6mp but since I don't need to make 16X24 prints it's good enough for me.

Ben makes a good point about flashes. With all these camera's, the pop up flash is pretty pathetic. If your serious about lighting, your better off with a seperate flash. In that regard, the Nikon products are far and away superior to Cannon's, though in truth it is much easier to interchange flashes from one system to another (though Nikon has great proprietary ir remote fklashes too).

For great lighting tips, check out strobist.blogspot.com

I'm gonna build a ring flash over xmas. Great great project.

I have been taking all sorts of pictures for decades. Taken classes. Been in competitions, etc. I had old school SLRs for ever. I realized that through all that, I never used but one lens. Now, I have need for a macro, but my Canon handles that with the one lens. So, the whole need for an SLR is moot. Be practical. Look at the controls that you would use and how you set them. Look at the way you compose the picture. If you have the camera on a tripod at waist level, can you even see the LCD? My G6 allows me to turn it up to me and I can take pictures all day long like that and see everything. SO glad for that.

I gave up on the SLR. But, would have gone with the XT. Got the G6. Can't say which I'd buy if money didn't matter, but probably still the XT.