I need Digital SLR help!?

I would suggest that you check out the Digital SLR Guide website -

http://www.digital-slr-guide.com/index.h...

They are geared toward matching a user to an appropriate DSLR using a step by step approach to finding a good match. They provide a number of valuable tools to help sort out the huge amount of information put out by the camera makers. Their business model is to sell inexpensive on-line photography courses to users so they provide good guidance in the hopes of gaining customers who want to get the most out of a DSLR.

They also seem to provide pretty good reviews of various cameras and up to date news on product releases & problems.

What you may not know is that, even if a DSLR has "Live View" mode it is generally better to use the Optical Viewfinder to -

1) extend battery life

2) get faster Auto-Focus response

3) keep the camera more stable

Use Live View to compose pictures when it improves your ability to take pictures from an awkward angle, provides assistance in composing and/or focusing because of screen aids or it allows you to better estimate exposure or lighting effects.

Also, one huge advantage of DSLR cameras is that "shutter lag", the delay between pressing the shutter release and and taking the exposure, is much shorter (again assuming you are NOT using Live View mode) than with most other types of digital cameras.

HTH. Good luck. Email me if you have specific questions.

There are many digital SLR cameras on the market that will give you far more "bang for the buck" than any models of the over priced Cannon or Nikon brands. This is not only true for the upfront cost, but in particular for the addons, such as extra lenses, external flashes, filters and (if needed) adapter rings, remote controls,etc. Stay away from the DSLR units that don't use a mirror to view directly through the lens as the SLRs use as they have one heck of a shutter lag problem.

Minolta, Konika, Pentax and Olympus (for a top few) generally come as a "starter kit" meaning you not only get the camera body but (generally) an 18x55mm lens as well. In most cases their batteries are cheaper as they don't use propriatory packaged units. However, if you have the deep pockets, then I have absolutely nothing against a Cannon or a Nikon.

You want the nikon D40 with the 18-55mm lens.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/recommen...

The nikon D40 is nikon's entry level DSLR with loads of great features at a really low price, which may allow you to get the 55-200mm lens (for things you cant get close enough to).

Before you get a DSLR, take a look at this page:

http://www.megapixelmyth.com/

The nikon D60 is exactly the same as the D40, but with more pointless megapixels, at a MUCH higher price. I'd go with the D40.

Hope this helps and here are some sites to get you started:

dpreview.com - reviews and previews

kenrockwell.com - reviews, image quality tests, and more...

flickr.com - get an account and show off your photography to the world! also you get comments on your photos, join groups with tutorials, and talk to loads of pros.

Happy shooting!

Canons are pretty easy to handle and get a hang of for a beginner, and still work pretty great once you know your way around Digital SLRs. It's all about researching playing with them and seeing them, and figuring out which one seems right for you.

The Cannon 400D is a very good dslr camera and is also one of the cheapest. If you search around you may be able to find it for a bit over £300. It also has very good reviews