Where do I start?

[Nicole]

The auto-focus thing is because there isn't a drive motor in the D40 body, so the auto-focus only works with lenses that have a motor in them. These lenses cost more, though many of the recent lenses do have the necessary motors. There are some prime lenses that have them too, I believe that they are Sigma lenses. Though the old lenses will still focus manually.

I don't think that Nikon is limiting yourself, though that may be a biased Nikon opinion, and I'm sure there are plenty of Canon owners that would tell you otherwise

[jiminyClickit]

Phayke, Welcome

Another approach: follow link to Flickr, where you can find photos taken with any camera you have on your list, by beginners and professionals and in between:

http://www.flickr.com/cameras/fujifilm/finepix_s3100/

The link goes to my camera, and this one to my Flickr site:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/4714645...7601884783420/

The Fuji is what I started with, learned on, still use. I think it won't ultimately matter what you choose first; if you like it, you'll keep it. If you don't, you'll trade. Meanwhile, you will be taking photographs and learning photography.

[Phayke]

@Nicole
I'm assuming that the kit lens that comes with it is compatible?

@JiminyClickit
That's really cool! I didn't know flickr had options like that, I always thought it was a general image host like er..photobucket. So now I can at least see how a potential camera is able to take different types of shots. (I really like the urban stuff) Is there a way to see larger versions? I'd love to snap some wallpapers for my 22 inch monitor.

[jiminyClickit]

Phayke,

Click on the samples? That should take you to each person's photostream.

[Nicole]

Yes indeed, the kit lens that it comes with is compatible, so it's not a worry. And most of the newest lenses (without knowing the entire Nikon lineup off the top of my head) are compatible.

As far as larger sizes off Flickr, a good way to find images that are available at large sizes is to search Creative Commons. Otherwise, the images are All Rights Reserved, and shouldn't be used without the photographer's permission.

[Bumblebee Bruin]

I would say there are 3 main things to learn in photography.

1 - What constitutes a good photograph. The technical aspect of a photograph. Look for free online courses like the one I have linked or check out a local photography store that might offer affordable photography classes. I know National Camera Exchange here in Minneapolis offers them very affordable. I have read many good tips here on the DPS forums. I sometimes have issues with this part of photography because I am focusing to much on the other aspects of photography.

2 - Which brings me to #2. Mastering your camera and the features it has. I believe it is the combination of the 2 that will make a great photograph. DPS has lots of good information on what each setting is on a camera otherwise just search the web for the type camera you get.

3 - The last thing to learn is post processing. By using a digital camera it bring post processing to the hands of every photographer vs. the select who have a dark room. I am still working on #1 & 2.

Now to what kind of camera you are looking for. If you would go film you will find your self really focusing on all the rules of photography and everything of the photography b/c you will want to get it just right. So you don't print all tons of unwanted picts. (I found that Costco will just put the picts on a disk with out prints for an affordable price).

If you are looking for a digital camera, it really depends what you want to learn. If you are really new to photography a P&S would work just fine. I know my sister-in-law's P&S has alot of manual settings like the DSLRs however you are limited to the internal lens on your wide angle and zoom. I believe she spent $250-300 for her canon P&S

I spent the extra $ to get a DSLR so I can have the variety of settings & Range in lenses for the type of photography I wanted to do. I spent $1000 on everything I have (except the 28-90mm lens. That came with my film SLR see my signature for my other items) I got the body, lenses, bag, memory card at Costco and then I purchased the rest at National Camera Exchange. Having a larger camera means you have a larger bag to carry it around in and it is more noticeable where ever you go.

I hope I helpful and not to long winded but I really wanted to let you know what I have learned on my journey in photography

[Phayke]

Originally Posted by jiminyClickit

Phayke,

Click on the samples? That should take you to each person's photostream.

Got it! Didn't notice the zoom box before. Thats much better.

@Nicole
I meant in order to see how well a camera's pictures look in a higher resolution in case I'd like to use some of mine as a wallpaper later on.

@Bumblebee Bruin
Thanks, it's a little less overwhelming when you put it that way. I'm really considering getting a DSLR, having something that takes a longer time to master means that I'll feel less pressed to upgrade right away. I actually have a friend that's into photography and she has a Nikon D40, she said it's good for beginning, so I might go to a store and see if I can check one out. Especially helpful having a friend that's familiar with the same gear you have. Maybe I can find a place that does layaway, the price would sting a little bit less and payments would make it less of an impulse buy and something I'm more likely to stick with.

edit: Hmm, yeah. It seems like only some have larger sizes. I suppose Jiminy's gallery is shared under creative commons?

[mattdm]

Originally Posted by Phayke

So an entry level SLR camera will be better for beginning than a point and shoot? What benefits will spending the extra on one have?

Few point & shoot cameras have much by way of manual control — they try to do everything for you. Hence, point & shoot. If you buy a model with features that let you really experiment with it yourself, you'll probably pay more than the entry-level dSLR.

I know if I get further into things I would be interested in upgrading to a mid-range DSLR camera down the road, would this change my decision?

Yes, because you'd be able to keep any accessories, including lenses, and transfer them to your new camera. And you can probably sell your used dSLR body for more than you could a used point&shoot — or, you could keep it around as a backup, still useful.

I've also read that certain lenses are only compatible with certain brands of cameras, so I think if I were to buy a DSLR camera as my first camera, it would effect the nicer camera I may upgrade to, if I plan on reusing any lenses. I'm guessing it would be best to stick with a major brand so that my choices aren't limited down the road?

In fact, all brands of cameras are only compatible with their own lenses, with a few exceptions where two companies share the same lens mount (Olympus/Panasonic, Pentax/Samsung, Nikon/Fujifilm). Same goes with flashes.

There's basically the two major brands, Canon and Nikon, and then three secondary brands, Olympus, Pentax, and Sony. They all have a decent lens selection (although the big two a lot more than the others) and any of them will be good.

I'm not sure what a normal-range prime lens is. I'm guessing normal range is the most common distance from a subject? Opposed to very close up or far away?

Yes. It's called "normal" because the perspective viewed through the lens is basically the same as what you see with your eye — no wide-angle stretching or telephoto flattening.

What is a prime lens? What is the significance of the mm numbers, and lack of zoom?

"Prime" simply means no zoom. This means better optical quality for the same price, smaller size, and perhaps most crucially, wider apertures (more light gathering, more ability to focus on a single thing while blurring the background).

And, I think there's other advantages (read this essay by someone who shares this view) as a learning tool. (And particularly I think this meshes with what you said in your initial post.)

The mm numbers are the focal length of the lens — short numbers are wide angle, large numbers are telephoto. With "normal" in the middle, of course. For zooms, you'll see a range like 18-250mm (a lens that goes from relatively wide to pretty far telephoto — lots of zoom equals lots of compromise).

All lenses have a basic version? What does that mean? (forgive me, I don't know anything about cameras) Also, do I get a lens seperate from the camera, and just buy the body? Aren't lenses expensive? Maybe you can link me to some setups that are financially feasable? (I've only really started thinking about this since the beginning of this month!)

Thirty years ago, camera bodies came with cheap 50mm prime lenses, but as zoom technology has improved, they now all come with cheap zoom lenses.

So, as for specific suggestions:

Canon Rebel XT, $335, + 50mm lens, $85. But 50mm is really a bit too long for what I'm suggesting, so you might instead (or possibly also) get the 35mm f/2 for $230. Or Sigma makes an excellent 30mm f/1.4 for Canon mount for just a little more than the cost of the camera body.

Like I said, I'm personally partial to Pentax, and last year you could have gotten a K100D for around that price, but their new models are all a little more expensive and it's harder to find a bargain-basement entry-level setup — looking more at spending $1000, although of course for a more advanced camera and better lens which might last you a bit longer. (You could spend that on a more advanced Canon, too, of course.) Same goes for Nikon because of the autofocus limitation. And Olympus and Sony I don't know enough about to be the one making the recommendations.

The rest of your post, I'm still lost on a lot of it, but I might understand more once I get a camera.

Yep.

[mattdm]

Originally Posted by RexK_Cozumel

If you are just starting out I would recommend you stay away from the prime lenses as you will probabbly want a little bit of zoom and also prime lenses are expensive (other than the 50mm)

Well, good lenses of any type are expensive. Prime lenses are in general much cheaper than the equivalent zooms. (And can do tricks zooms can't.)

[Saralonde]

I don't know how much I can add to this conversation, but here is what I found for a good price on a new dslr at reputable dealers. I included the kit lens on each because it is the most economical and versatile way to start with a dslr.
Canon Rebel XT with kit lens $447 (free shipping).
Nikon D40 with kit lens $497 (free shipping).
Side by side comparison

If this is too much for you, point and shoots can be excellent cameras and help you to learn the basics, too. Even if you decide to go further in photography, a point and shoot is a nice camera to have around when you don't want to carry your larger dslr.

As for the Canon/Nikon debate? Don't obsess about it, either one is good.