Suggest me a DSLR: Canon 350D or 400D or Nikon D40X

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Always been interested in taking up photography as a hobby so after a long time of deciding, im gonna take the plunge.

Since im a newbie to DSLRs im planning on sticking with the kit lens for learning the tricks of the trade and getting better lenses later.

So, the photography gurus out there, suggest me a good entry level DSLR!

Thanks in advance!! :)
 
Well either the 350D or 400D. Nikon is good, but the lenses tend to be expensive. And you will soon want to get at least one other lens. Go with the 350D. It has most of what you need of the 400D, especially if you are a beginner.
 
350D hits perfect balance of price / performance.

If you have money to spend on 400D with the kit lens then sure nothing like it.

But 350D is great camera. for the asking price.

Can be little annoying to start with if you have never used SLR before. But its not that difficult to learn controls. Over the time you will get hang of how to operate it in manual mode.
 
I think you should first decide on the system - Canon or Nikon and then on the particular camera and lens.

Both are very good ones but Nikon is an expensive option. If you are ok with spending more, IMO you should go for Nikon. But I would have to agree that Canon has more vfm lenses to choose from.
 
Thanks for the inputs. Iv decided on going along with Canon. So its either the 350D or the 400D..

The 400D seems to come with the self cleaning dust feature which seems pretty useful to me especially when using in india..

The 350D comes for around 590$ while the 400D is comin to around 740$..
 
Baah.. Iv had enough of research.. My heads swimming with facts/figures on the cameras that i got a near headache..

Just wanted to ask. If i can fit the 400D within my budget, is buying it a decision that i would regret? If not, i would definately go ahead with the Rebel Xti..

Gonna go sleep then. Will order it in the morning. :(
 
No, you wont regret.

Just make sure you are ok with having to lug an SLR whereever you go. Basically check if you are ok with all the pros and cons of having a DSLR ( at this stage, you might have already done it by now).
 
Dont buy the 400D because of the vibrating sensor, it is a marketing gimmick and that feature is useless at keeping the sensor clean. But the 'Dust Delete Data' feature is really handy. If it fits your budget, by all means get the 400D because it is overall a reasonable improvement over the 350D considering everything.

But remember, the body is only as good as the lens in front of it.... If photo quality is your priority, you will need to spend a lot more than you spent on the camera if you want HQ glass... and atleast 20-30k if you want decent quality lenses.
 
^^30K is bare minimum. If you have the budget, try to avoid kit lenses. They are pretty bad :P. The only exception to the rule is the Nikon 18-70 which is a very nice kit lens. Out of those cameras, its 350D hands down. 400D is not worth the extra cash. Infact sans the second info display and higher ISO noise, I'd say its a downgrade than an upgrade. Better spend it on quality glass instead. D40/D40X are seriously a joke. Only autofocuses DX lenses wtf :|. Thats so damn lame. If you can afford the D80 body, get that.... its a brilliant body for the asking price. However stay clear from the D40/D40X. Even the older D50 body is way better than either of those two.
 
random2 said:
No, you wont regret.
Just make sure you are ok with having to lug an SLR whereever you go. Basically check if you are ok with all the pros and cons of having a DSLR ( at this stage, you might have already done it by now).
Click to expand...

Yup, goin along with a DSLR! :)

wolfff said:
Dont buy the 400D because of the vibrating sensor, it is a marketing gimmick and that feature is useless at keeping the sensor clean. But the 'Dust Delete Data' feature is really handy. If it fits your budget, by all means get the 400D because it is overall a reasonable improvement over the 350D considering everything.
Click to expand...

Yeah, there seems to be mixed response to the vibrating sensor as per different reports..

Chaos said:
^^30K is bare minimum. If you have the budget, try to avoid kit lenses. They are pretty bad :P. The only exception to the rule is the Nikon 18-70 which is a very nice kit lens. Out of those cameras, its 350D hands down. 400D is not worth the extra cash. Infact sans the second info display and higher ISO noise, I'd say its a downgrade than an upgrade. Better spend it on quality glass instead. D40/D40X are seriously a joke. Only autofocuses DX lenses wtf :|. Thats so damn lame. If you can afford the D80 body, get that.... its a brilliant body for the asking price. However stay clear from the D40/D40X. Even the older D50 body is way better than either of those two.
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Goin along with the Canon. Since im a newbie to the DSLR world thought of sticking with the kits lens for now till i identify which lens to buy later. Skipping the kit lens may save 40-60$ but it seems to be a good lens to learn on as iv heard..
Iv finally settled on the 400D as though the 350D seems a bargain i though il go with the current model as of now.

Anything else, i need to buy along with the kit at this stage? Iv settled on a 2GB 133X kingston memory card.
 
For now you are set. Dont add anything right now. Use the cam for around 500-1000 snaps, then you will have a better idea on what you would need.
 
Shakensoul said:
Go for sandisk memory cards, they are more reliable.
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Oops.. The crime has already been committed!!

Canon Rebel XTi including Kit lens(Black) + Kingston 2 GB Compact card Ultimate + Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi/400D Digital Field Guide book ordered!! Will get it on friday... :)

Once again, a thanx to all who chipped in to help!! :hap2:
 
random2 said:
B & H had a similar deal. But I think you got free shipping @ Amazon. Anyways have a nice time with your toys :)
Click to expand...

Yeah, checked out BHs offer as well as a couple of others including Beach Camera and Butterfly photo..

But went along with Amazon coz of the free 2 day shipping. :)
 
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