New camera advice

[TossBranAbi]

If he is experienced with SLRs, I would go with the more advanced one for his sake. Then you can either use it in full auto mode or have him teach you how to use it. They really aren't hard to understand once you have one in your hand and can snap photos with it and see what settings give you what results.

I have the XTi and am happy with it. Eventually I would like to get a higher up model but for now it does what I want it to do. I shot that wedding last weekend and the results from the camera were great. Of course you have to know how to use it to get good results unless you are shooting in full auto. I also have a point and shoot because an SLR is big and heavy to carry everywhere, but I don't use it much because it is so aggravating to me that I can't make it do what I want it to do and the results aren't that spectacular.

Office depot has the XTi kit on sale right now for $639, take that price to a store that will pricematch Office depot and use a coupon and you are golden.

 

[x19er]

I got the Nikon D40 in the summer and I love it. It's light, compact and lots of fun to use. Don't just use price as a comparison as to how good the camera's are - the Nikon really is a lot of camera for the money. The only draw back is that the auto focussing is not in the camera body but in the lens - so if you want to buy additional lenses in the future they have to have the same system or they will not autofocus but the third party lens manufacturers are starting to produce these type of lenses too now and they are cheaper than Nikon lenses. I find it very easy to find your way around, not stressful to get the hang of, gives lovely colour photos, in no time at all you have it off the auto settings and are setting up your photos yourself - I can't say enough good things about it really

To give you an idea of the quality of the photos you will get (I'm no expert mind ) the most recent photos in my gallery are taken with the D40 and so are these:

http://www.photoboard.eu/photography/showphoto.php?photo=2511&cat=500&ppuser=95
http://www.photoboard.eu/photography/showphoto.php?photo=2590&cat=500&ppuser=95
http://www.photoboard.eu/photography/showphoto.php?photo=2604&cat=500&ppuser=95
http://www.photoboard.eu/photography/showphoto.php?photo=2581&cat=500&ppuser=95

 

[Griffin'sMom]

Ditto on the Canons. The quality of the photos is better on the Canon, but the Nikons tend to have it better with the color....though one way or another all photos usually need a little post processing.

Good Luck in your decision.

 

[jimseabee]

Use abobe lightroom to "develop your photos" We figured out if we shoot in the "raw picture mode" we get better photos and are easier to fix the light issues and color saturation.

 

[Widges]

OK, so after much discussion over the Rebel XTi and the 40D we have made our decision.

I have just ordered the 40D. When it arrives I shall be playing with it and you will all be fed up of my questions & pictures!!

Thank you all for your help, it was/is much appreciated.