sangram said:@AK3D: I'm not getting quotes for the D80 less than 35K, but I guess I'll look around a bit.
@Janitha: The 1000D is a little more than the D60 with essentially the same lens, so it's a toss-up between the two. I'm not even sure DSLR is the way to go for me, I wouldn't be using it more than a couple of times a month. And I have no issues with 'grey'. Till Canon entered India 5 years ago, the photographers I work with were using 'grey' products (including extremely expensive Hasselblads, and Nikons) due to no other choice, and they were doing quite well. The problem is at the lower end of the price bracket - professional cameras are built to last.
My question was more about whether the relatively small difference between a superzoom and a basic DSLR influences the decision to go one way or the other, and which makes more sense. I see the answer is relative, much like anything else.
sangram said:My problem is my monitor, actually. I am hating the IQ from compacts.
The D40 is just 6MP, but I love the IQ and results I'm seeing around the web with it. The image clarity is stunning, in spite of the lower resolution, and the few links that I see are scattered with pretty amazing results.
There will be a steep learning curve, but hopefully I'll manage decently. I'm now also looking at the Fuji 100Fs, so let's see.
sangram said:I got it from Gola Lane - some guy called Lalit photo. Decent guys. I'm still struggling with figuring out the camera and fluorescent light isn't helping, but we'll do some tests tomorrow.
Edit: The lens is 18-55VR. I pray it's not a reconditioned lens, which is a problem when you buy from grey mkt. The body looks and feels new, but I'm having some problems getting the VR to work properly.