DSLR for a beginner

[CarlaN]

I am looking to b uy a DSLR. This will be my 1st DSLR and am looking to see what you suggest - d40, d40x, D60, D3000? Any thoughts? Pros and cons of any of them?
Thanks!!
Carla

[Shokinen]

I started with a D60 and I would start with the same category (so D3000 today). At first, I was overwelm by terms like ISO, Aperture and Shutterspeed, RAW but I forced myself to keep shooting in Manual. I forced myself to shoot in RAW. After a months of experiences / analysis / reading and most of all very fun experiences, i started understanding the relation between settings and how it could affect my pictures.

I upgraded this summer to a D90 when I realized I was always carrying my camera and I wanted the change many setting right on the body instead of going into the menu. But I had no idea this would be something I would want when I started.

If I had to do it again, I would do the same thing. The D60 was user friendly enough for me to smoothly jump into SLR world yet, versatile enough to try different type of photopgraphy and pullout some very nice shots. Some people will recommend a D40 because it's cheaper, I rather by the latest technology (that's me).

This was taken with my old D60, the 18-55mm that came with it and a 40$ tripod.



My 2 cents

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by CarlaN

d40, d40x, D60, D3000?

D40: If you can find a store that has one, this can be a good option. Its got better than average results in higher-ISO noise, is small and light and a great starter. Its also cheap, especially since it's recently been discontinued

D40x: Wouldnt bother, and that's assuming you can find one. The D40x was replaced by the D60 years ago.

D60: Just replaced by the D3000. Unless you need the larger screen, more AF points or the Guide mode, this too can be a good option

D3000: Newest one out, has a good feature set but can be a handful. Has a better AF than the D60 and the new Guide feature which could be good for a newcomer to SLRs.

You're leaving out the D5000, too, which would likely be your best overall bet, though at that point I'd just spring for the D90. Depends on what your budget is and how strict that number is.

[Eduardo]

D40, no question, but of course if you can still find it. I'm also a beginner in DSLR world, and got my D40 cheap a couple of months ago just before it became discontinued. It's the best thing I did - do not see the need for any other camera, plus the money I saved I now can use to buy lenses - just got my 35mm 1.8 and a 55-200mm VR, both great and cheap.
better models are generally for people who shoot a lot - what they do is to make it a lot easier and quicker to change settings (convenience) and sometimes more durable (if you shoot a lot).

[radityopradipto]

Just for sharing guys, I bought my first DSLR straight to Nikon D90, because basically I learned photography before through my prosumer Lumix FZ-8 before. If you're already know the basic stuffs of photography, I'd suggest you go a little bit further than just D60/D3000. May be D5000 or D90 would be a great start though...

[leCouturier]

My very first DSLR was the D40...and it's still my everyday-use camera.
Unless I know exactly what kind of pictures I want, I take the D40 with me. I love it because it is small and lightweight, very easy to carry around.

I've also grown a sort of affinity for it, so I can't imagine ever replacing this one.