Camera Neck Strap – Best Price!

I recommend to anyone seriously contemplating the purchase of a new digital SLR camera to consider these two primary questions:
1. How much money do you have to spend???? $500.? $800.? $1,500.?
2. What level of photography do you aspire to "progress to" in the coming years ? (i.e. basic beginner, intermediate, or professional/business use).
For most beginners to intermediates I usually suggest one of these two manufacturers: Canon vs Nikon

1. Canon EOS Rebel model XSi. (Also known as the Canon 450D in Britain) The "kit" package comes with an 18-55mm zoom lens. The camera has pop-up flash, 12.2 Megapixels, and shutter speeds up to 1/4000th, 100-1,600 ISO sensitivity, 7 auto exposure Scene modes, PLUS Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority and Programmed Exposure Modes and Manual. It also has a 3 inch LCD screen, 3.5 frames continuous per second max., 9 point AF system, Live View Functioning and the ability to record photos in 3, 6 or 12 Megapixels PLUS numerous other great features found only on more expensive cameras. Wal-Mart is also selling them now for about $799. Sam’s Club also has them for $729. I also think that Amazon dot com has them for around $650. Here’s some more info about this FANTASTIC camera: http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/XSI/XSIA.HTM#

I bought one of these 6 months ago and use it as my "back up" camera. I absolutely love it. I have gotten some fantastic photos with it and cannot praise it enough. I routinely enlarge my photos to make 8×10’s and 11×14 size enlargements with no noticeable distortion or loss of detail in the pictures.
Another excellent choice from Canon includes the Rebel XS (also known as the EOS 1000D) which is a 10 megapixel camera which comes with the 18-55mm lens. It sells for around $550-600. US Dollars. http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/XS/XSA.HTM

2. Nikon D-90: If you prefer to use Nikon equipment I strongly recommend the Nikon D-90 which has 12.3 Megapixels, 3 inch monitor with Live View, 200-3,200 ISO sensitivity, 11 point AF system with Face Priority, 4.5 frames per second in continuous mode, 5 advanced Scene modes for auto exposure plus Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, Programmed Auto plus Manual. The D-90 sells for around $900-950. (Body ONLY. The 18-55mm lens cost an additional $150.-175.) Typically, Nikon equipment is slightly more expensive than Canon equipment, but (having owned both Nikon and Canon cameras), I have seldom noticed BETTER quality results using Nikon equipment. Here’s some more info about this Nikon: http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/D90/D90A.HTM
Another great choice is the 10.2 megapixel Nikon D-60 kit ($649) which also comes with the 18-55mm lens. All of these Nikon’s can be found at Best Buy or Amazon dot com for a very low price. To learn more about this Nikon check this site out: http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/ND60/ND60A.HTM

If you are convinced that Nikon is the way to go, but don’t have as much money to spend, there are several other models to consider.You might prefer the 6.1 megapixel Nikon D-40 ($499) kit that comes with the 18-55mm lens. To learn more this Nikon camera check this site out: http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/ND40/ND40A.HTM

These selections are probably the best choices for any beginner to intermediate skill level, offering the most lenses and other accessories, dealers and places to purchase.

I strongly recommend that ALL beginners buy a good book on digital photography AND take a class or two from a Vocational school or Community Education Center in your area.
You can learn more about the technical specifications of each of these two cameras at these websites:
http://www.usa.canon.com
http://www.nikonusa.com

Good Luck

The Nikon D40, D50, or D60 sounds like the camera you would be looking at.

Look on eBay, Im gonna put the price range from around $250 (on a great deal) to $400 on an average deal.

All three cameras give great quality, come at a pretty decent price for a professional level camera and give the professional look that you explained you wanted.

Best of luck with selecting your camera, and your photography.

Nikon D40X.