need help deciding which nikon

[for.the.luv.of.pics]

I am going to finally pursue my dream of photography! I am just confused on which camera to get started with. I am very much a beginner and will not be taking classes anytime soon, I want to see how much I can learn on my own. I have narrowed it down to 3 cameras.

Nikon D5000 12.3MP DX-Format Digital SLR Camera w / 18-55mm VR Lens for $799
or
Nikon D3000 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera w/ 18-55mm & 55-200mm Lens for $699
or
Nikon D60 DSLR Camera w/18-55mm VR Lens for $549


Please help me decide which the best decision for me. I plan to mostly shoot family portraits and scenic shots to begin with and move up from there. Thank you for your help on this! I am afraid, on my own, I will pick a camera that will be too much and need classes right away for OR pick a camera that I will need to upgrade in a year.

Thanks again for any help!!

[radityopradipto]

Have you learned basic photography stuffs? Like how aperture, shutter speed and ISO affecting your pictures?
It's gonna be important when choosing your very first DSLR

[OsmosisStudios]

What's your budget? Like, absolute MAX.

[jnelson]

I agree with what others said about learning shutter, aperture, ISO, etc. Very important, auto mode will only produce good images for so long, then you find that you need MUCH more control over your camera because often, the machine is NOT right.

My suggestion would be that if you are looking at a D60, skip it and get the D40 and another lens like the 35mm af-s, that would put you at around 600-650, only 50-100 more than the D60, plus you have a great low light lens. The D60 is pretty much the same as the D40 but with more megapixels, not worth it IMO.

Although I love my D40, I think my next move will be to the D90 because of its fps, ISO, and how easy the settings are to change.

[radityopradipto]

basically, the more expensive you paid, the more convenience you got in changing settings and features you got... However, the question is "Are you going to make the most out of it with your current skill and knowledge?" That's the main thing you should consider
That's why I said if you got some knowledge already, go a bit further like D90...
D60 will be not enough as soon as you got the basic knowledge...
But if you're really new, go with D60/D3000 would be sufficient coz the features of D90 would be somehow not utilised max...
D300s is just if you're shooting sport, it's heavy and give the same result as D90... Not worth I reckon

[for.the.luv.of.pics]

I don't plan to operate it in auto mode, I plan to do all I can to learn about the camera I pick. I do not know about shutter speed and ISO and such but will be doing my best to learn. I will eventually be taking classes but not until next fall.
My price cap would probably be about $800-900. I do not want to go overboard on my first camera but I do want it to be a good one. I am leaning towards to the D3000 but not sure if that will be too much or not. What is the different between the D3000 and the D40?

Thank you all for your posts so far!!

[jnelson]

Among other things, i see the most notable differences are:
-4 megapixels
-.5 fps faster
-11 AF points vs 3
-live view
-better lcd screen
-in camera help mode

I personally dont see a huge value in the changes they made to the D3000. You could probably pick up a D40 kit with a 55-200 for about $150 less than the D3000.

If im missing something huge here someone please set me straight, because i dont think im following what Nikon is trying to do here with the D3000/5000 DSLR's.

[kirbinster]

The D5000 has the CMOS sensor like the D90 and D300 and will give you much better high ISO pictures.

[OsmosisStudios]

I'd say D5000 at least, D90 if you can swing it.

[Shokinen]

Originally Posted by for.the.luv.of.pics

I don't plan to operate it in auto mode

Than you should consider the D90. I know it's above your budget but Christmas is comming so you can ask some money to Santa if you been good this year

I switch from a D60 to a D90 (after 6 months.... ) when I realized I was always using the manual modes (P/A/S/M). Most settings can be change straight on the body while you'll need to go in the menu with the D60-D3000-D5000.