So lately I've been on a big photography knack again. I've been wanting to do more and more advanced stuff, but I am very limited by the many P&S cameras I have.

I was Googling around and decided I want to buy a DSLR. The only problem is, I don't want to spend a lot of money. On Ebay, I was able to find a Nikon D40 for about $380ish with shipping. I know it retails for around $600... what I'm asking is: is this a decent camera?

I'm open to suggestions to other brands, other cameras, I just don't want to spend an arm and a leg! Also, on a side note, do lenses from a 35mm SLR fit onto the new DSLRs? I have a few laying around which could hold be over until I can buy a really nice lense!

Nikon D50
Nikon D40
Canon 350D / XT

All great and around the $450 mark brand new.

Lens are based on their mount. Nikon uses F mount. Canon (Rebel/xxD) uses EF-S/EF mount.

Where did you see those for $450 new, I could only find like $600+!

http://www.butterflyphoto.com/product.html...NREBELXTKITBLAK

http://www.us1photo.com/catalog/product_in...roducts_id=4409

IMO, D50 > D40/D40x and the canon 350D/XT > D40/D40x.

I just think the D40 is really a sub-par DSLR when compared to others in the same price bracket.

I'm a D50 user, and I bought the D50 long after it was discontinued, and I'm glad I did.

It depends on what features you are after in a dslr that is only offered by other brands like Pentax, Olympus, Sony, Samsung. This is "you get what you pay" situation. Other brands aren't anymore expensive either but I think are somewhat cheaper than the big brands like Canon and Nikon. And since you are new to dslr, you might want something not hard to use but allow you to grow with as well.

You need to find out what mount they are and then either get a dslr with fitting mount or an adapter.

I like your idea Kboom, something that's easy to start out on and will allow for future growth. This is a big investment for me, as I am only 17 and I don't want to be purchasing a new camera in a few years, I'd like to get one that lasts!

The Canon Rebel XT is looking nice for it's price range!

I'm hoping for a pretty feature rich camera for the $350-400+/- price range!

I bought a Nikon D70 before there was any dSLR that was more entry-level than that... Frankly I'm glad I did get my D70 because now there's just too many options spread out to accommodate newbies in the field. I say if you think you're going to be enjoying taking pictures for a few years, just go ahead and future proof yourself and get a D80... Or you may as well get a D60. I would advise against a D40 simply because down the line it's going to be missing quite a few features that you might consider useful. But if you don't think that will happen, then go for it.

As for lenses, be prepared to shell out some cash if you want quality. I bought my Nikon 18-200mm VR lens for roughly $800 CAD, and my Sigma 105mm macro lens for roughly $600 CAD. They're both pricey but they both take some amazing shots, and with the range on the 18-200mm I don't need any other lens on me for general purpose shooting.

No point in getting a D60 as it's basically the same as the D40 line.

Yeah, same. The fact that the D40(x) lacks an AF motor is a damn shame considering there are some of us with a lot of older AF Nikkors without the built-in AF motor.

There's no differences? Well then go with the D80.

I've been looking for the Canon XT/350D. I can find it new for $400... and new for $450 on Ebay? I was hoping to find it a little cheaper on Ebay, I have $400 to spend, but I'd like to save some =D. Anyone know of any good deals?

Ebay is always expensive. I'd suggest craigslist.

Well I bit the bullet and got a refurbished Canon XT for $420 on Ebay. Now the hard part... waiting for it to come and watching $420 leave my bank account.