I'd say you would be good to go with either the Nikon or Cannon DSLR. Both are quality manufacturers with plenty of accessories to add on different lenses, filters, etc and both come with many different features. I tend to lean a bit more towards Cannon and my brother likes Nikon better but both are good in my book. Good luck on whatever you get!

 

Thanks, I may go shopping tonight, won't be buying for a little while since I have to sink some money into a new clutch for my baby lol... it's a big black baby but still my baby. (that sounds racist but I swear it's not)

 

my cousin is into photography and he started out with a nikon d60 dslr, it started as a hobby and from there he gradually became pretty good at it.. now he joins competitions and he occasionally makes some money from it... he said that a d40 or a d40x is a pretty decent starting point...

 

thanks Max, I'll check out the d40.

 

One thing not touched on too much are the accessories & availability of them. Trust me when I say "make sure you have plenty of accessories availabe". Nothing is worse than getting new equiptment only to find out parts, toys & repair for it will be a PITA. Nikon & Canon are very popular for accessories.
I have a Sigma SD14 DSLR, awesome camera, just have to get lenses from Sigma. (they make tons of lenses for Nikon etc, great quality)

 

I just used my dad's Canon Rebel XS this afternoon and DAMN I LIKE THAT CAMERA!!

 

I've decided I'm definitely going with the Nikon D60. I'm debating on a package deal with two lenses right now... 18-55mm and 55-200mm, both VR (Vibration Reduction).

 

D60 has been on my wish list for some time now. I saw an ad in last Sunday's paper for D60 body and one lens for $549. I think it was Wolf Camera but I know a lot of them went out of business around here a while back. XSi or XTi would be nice as well.

I'd be happy with any dSLR though...

 

ya, I just found a good deal on a d40 though (only difference between that and the d60 is the megapixels) case, card, table tripod, floor tripod, card reader, lens cleaning kit, 18-55mm lens and some other stuff for 480bucks USD... It's on eBay and I'm going to wait for the exchange rate to work better in my favour, the auction is only done on the 31st.

Then I'll buy a 55-200mm VR lens from Australia for a really good price lol.

 

A friend at work just recommended the Nikon D5000 to me and I think that is what I will be going with. I stopped down at the camera shop today and looked at the one they had there. The movable LCD screen is a definite nice feature. The D5000 has a higher ISO setting for better low light picture taking ability. It also has 720p video taking ability. But, it is about $150 more than the XSi.