I've got lots of used lenses for Sony:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerryvo/1716941699/^ The 70-210 f/4 "beercan" lens on the left now belongs to Jim W - both lenses are about 20 years old.


Just picked up this gem last week:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerryvo/2350759795/^ Originally released in 1987, it'* easily akin to Canon'* "L" line of glass.

That said, all these DSLR cameras are far too good to make pissing matches. You can't really go wrong.

although i still love love love shooting film, moreso than digital

Okay my opinion. First of all I buy EVERYTHING from BHPHOTOVIDEO.com besides harddrives. They have very reasonable prices and great customer service. Watch out for other websites because they sell foreign cameras that do not have the same warranty as the US cameras. That has happened to me on a $6000 video camera I bought It and refused it and eventaully they sent out the US camera instead to replace the North Korean camera.

Now I do this stuff for a living (I have already scheduled 16 weddings for this year and shot about 6 of them this year so far about $2500/ per) and have had lots of experience with cameras both video and photo of various brands since I was a Videographer for the Marine Corps. I own all Nikon stuff and would turn back at all (at least not at this point). Just like Apple computers I am a very loyal customer of Nikon because In my opinion they are the best overall. Quality may be different or not as good as Canon or some other brand but functionality to me out performs any camera on the market. I do use the camera for a different purpose then you will and others that have given there opinion. But why would I use somethiing second best? Nikon is the best overall for ME plus there is a HUGH market for aftermarket accesories for Nikon.

Now for you, you probly wont know the difference in cameras until you get more professional about it. At your level they will just look different. I say go with the D40 or D80 since those are more consumer cameras not as expensive but look at other brands and check them out. Let me know if you have any questions about those cameras as I am very in tune with them.

Well I was going to wait for the Canon Rebel XSi, but went ahead and bought the Canon Rebel XTi. I got it for 650$ compared to the 1,000$ for the new XSi. So with $$$ I saved I am going to get extras, like a battery grip, extra battery filter, and bag/case, it is all in a kit for 300$.

I have only started to play with it but for that price, I can't complain. I am sure they will go lower in price once more and more stores get the XSi in stock.