What should an amateur photographer know about DSLR cameras?

Question

I'm not going to get a camera until next year (the lack of money, you know?) but I'm thinking about getting a D60 or a D40 (both by Nikon, but you're free to suggest cameras, but PLEASE give me a site or something about it). Would those be a good camera? What should I learn about the DSLRs before I get it? Are there any sites about what I should know?

Answer 1

The sites I tell people about most for camera info is DPreview.com and Ken Rockwell http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/recommen... if you are looking at Nikon Nikonians.org is added to the list

If you want my personal opinion the D60 give you a number of things you want. It has newer firmware and image processors, designed for the 10 mp sensor. It has an "Active Dust Reduction System with Airflow Control ". Nikon not putting a system on the D40 to deal with dust is one of the biggest drawbacks I see to the D40 ( though I think its still a great camera for the money) If you change lenses dust will get in and the camera needs a system to deal with it. With the D60 you get a VR lens. That will help with low light situations ( they may offer that now with the D40 but originally it was not) . The D60 has Adaptive Dynamic Range. Nikon calls it "Active D-Lighting," it lets you save some highlights that my otherwise be lost.

Answer 2

I've got the D40 (DP Review and Ken Rockwell's site are great places, btw). You don't need 10mp crammed onto the sensor as with the D60, unless you're going to print poster-sized prints. 6.1mp is plenty.

If you know basic photo skills, the only thing you need to know when going to a DSLR is how to operate the camera. The D40 has come down in price enough ($100 less than when I bought mine a year ago) to make it an excellent entry-level camera...and one capable of taking shots that rival more expensive ones. The 18-55mm kit lens is great, but I sprung for the 18-200mm VR for the vibration reduction, and so I wouldn't need a second zoom lens (550200mm, to be exact). I've had mine over a year, and have not had a single problem with it.

The most important feature, btw, of any camera, is the 10" behind the viewfinder.