Hi everyone,

I've been wanting a digital SNR camera for quite a while now, so I decided I'm going to get one. However, I need help in choosing one.

I've never owned a digital SLR so I don't want to jump into something totally pro, but I don't want something with just the 'basics' either.

When it come to the brand, I'm leaning towards Nikon, but I'm basing that off of its reputation (and cool ads :D) rather than from experience. For those with experience, how does Nikon stand compared to Sony, Canon, others?

As for price range, I'm aiming for something $600 or under.

These ones have caught my interest:
Nikon D60 kit (http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10099767&catid=22553&test_cookie=1) - Future Shop currently has this $70 lower than Black's
Nikon D40 kit (http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10082555&catid=22553) - same price at Future Shop and Black's
Sony A300 kit (http://blackphotostore.com/english/proddetail.asp?sku=3307)

Are there any cameras you would recommend / not recommend? Any help would be welcomed! :)

Canon and Nikon are the big two in digital SLR's. The rest (Olympus, Sony, Pentax etc.) are all relatively small players in comparison. This is not to say they do not make good products. Pentax for example are noted for their compact size bodies and lenses.

Whatever brand you buy, you are really investing in their systems (lenses, flashes, motor drives etc.). Do you intend to buy lenses or accessories? Do you intend to upgrade to a better camera in the future? Canon and Nikon will have far larger range of lenses etc. versus the others.

By buying Canon or Nikon, you are more likely to find better deals on used lenses etc., since there are simply more owners of Canon and Nikon cameras. I have Canon, and lenses from pre digital film Canon cameras still work on the newer digital Canon cameras.

Most entry level SLR's will come with very cheap consumer grade zoom lenses with moderate zoom capability and slow glass. This is the first thing people usually replace or add to.

If you are unlikely to buy lenses and accessories, then look at the others also. Check out dpreview.com, and some of the other camera testing websites.

go w/ the d40 kit

Agreed. Nikon and Canon are both top-of-the-line choices, both in terms of camera body as well as lens. Not enough attention is given to that latter component and yet it's really what sets both these manufacturers apart from others.

I see that one of your two Nikon choices is on sale. Given there is only a small price difference between the two Nikon models, I'd go with the D60 (but I'd be less inclined if it were not on sale). If price is an important factor here, the D40 will serve you well. Might be worth checking out Ken Rockwell's (http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d40.htm) take on the D40. He can't say enough great things about it, even when up against more expensive models.

I bought a Nikon D50, It is a much nicer camera than the D40/D60, even with the lower MP count. Also the body is so much nicer that the D40/D60 at least for me, It is bigger so it fist my hands better (I have big hands), another thing is the LCD on the top, it was a big thing for me. But the main reason I got it was because of the built in AF motor, some thing the D40/D60 does no have, so that means no older AF lenses. So you are stuck with nikon AFS lenses or third party lenses with motors. My next camera in a year or so will be either a D700 or D300. So it depends how into it you are, if not in to it that much then the D50 may last longer. But what ever you do be sure to get the kit lenses (18-55 F3.5-5.6) It is very sharp, and cheep=)
I suggest henrys, they have some great deals, I think that free shipping is on until the end of november. Over all I think is the D50 is great that is what I would go for.

go w/ the d40 kit

+1; I own it and love it! :)

Ken Rockwell's (http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d40.htm) take on the D40. He can't say enough great things about it, even when up against more expensive models.
Except that Ken Rockwell is a wanker. ;-)

Can't go wrong with any modern DSLR, really. The best thing to do is go to a camera store and see how the ones in your price range feel in your hands.

I went with nikon simply because of this. Never looked back.

Personally, I would never recommend anyone a camera without really knowing what it is they want to photograph....

I shoot with Canon, I own a couple of Nikons both are very good brands with quite a broad range of models to choose from. Prices have dropped a lot on both brands as well.

The most important thing you should do is go to a store and try the prospective models out. What you want to keep in mind are things like how the camera feels in your hands, are the controls confusing or easy to understand, are there too many controls, too little, and if you wear eye glasses can you see through the viewfinder easily.

I would probably check out Henry's or a Black's that have the cameras you are considering in stock. Personally I would avoid Best Buy and Future Shop in terms of obtaining any meaningful advice. Most of these stores will price match each other.

One other consideration, do your friends have one brand or the other. This could be important if you need some coaching as I find most brands are fairly consistent in their operation so a person that is used to a particular brand should be helpful when you run into a problem.

Kevin

You're asking a question that is going to get a lot of conflicting opinions...

If you're using a DSLR for the first time then you really need to go to a store and hold the different models in your hands. Each camera has slightly different ergonomics. Buttons on the back of the camera are in different locations. Some models have LCD displays on the top of the body. If you wear glasses, some cameras have slightly better eye relief and larger, brighter viewfinders. If you find that your hands are a bit shaky, some bodies by Pentax, Olympus and Sony have image stabilization built in. Some bodies are just too small for people with big hands - Are you comfortable leaving your pinky under the body? Is the grip deep enough?

Camera bodies are updated rapidly in comparison to lenses. So what's good today from one manufacturer may not be so good in the future.

I'm a big believer in buying high quality lenses but they are NOT cheap (new or used) and they aren't needed by everyone. The vast majority of DSLR users are very happy buying entry level and mid grade lenses. They don't want, don't need or can't afford the pro grade lenses. Many are just as happy to buy a third party lens from Sigma, Tamron, or Tokina which in some cases are better than the equivalent brand names lenses or offer a focal length (prime) or focal length range (zoom) that is not available

And for a little entertainment, head over to the beginner's forum at dpreview.com

Beginners Questions Forum: Digital Photography Review (http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/forum.asp?forum=1002)

Wow, thanks for the wonderful advice everyone!

Personally, I would never recommend anyone a camera without really knowing what it is they want to photograph....
Everything. :) Nature, people, my cats, scenery. It's just recreational though. I love photography but I'm dying for something more than a point and shoot. I have an old film SLR that I love but it's somewhat beaten up and neglected.

The most important thing you should do is go to a store and try the prospective models out. What you want to keep in mind are things like how the camera feels in your hands, are the controls confusing or easy to understand, are there too many controls, too little, and if you wear eye glasses can you see through the viewfinder easily. I'll definitely do that (I wear glasses).

I would probably check out Henry's or a Black's that have the cameras you are considering in stock. Personally I would avoid Best Buy and Future Shop in terms of obtaining any meaningful advice. Most of these stores will price match each other. That's good to know about the price. I agree about Future Shop... I'm much rather buy a camera from a camera store. So I'll go to Blacks (unfortunately we don't have a Henry's here).

One other consideration, do your friends have one brand or the other. This could be important if you need some coaching as I find most brands are fairly consistent in their operation so a person that is used to a particular brand should be helpful when you run into a problem. None of my friends are into photography. :( I do have some acquaintances and friends of the family who are, though. I might check with them.

Camera bodies are updated rapidly in comparison to lenses. So what's good today from one manufacturer may not be so good in the future. Yeah, that part sucks. I probably wouldn't get a new camera for a good 3 years anyway, so I want something that will last but also won't bottom of the line in a year's time.

And for a little entertainment, head over to the beginner's forum at dpreview.com
Beginners Questions Forum: Digital Photography Review (http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/forum.asp?forum=1002)
Thanks!

I'd go with Blacks for nothing else than their price protection policy which I believe is still 30 days. That way if someone puts the camera you purchase on sale for less than you paid for it, Blacks will match the price.

If you wait until November 26th, that means that the 30 day will cover you for Boxing Day sales which unfortunately this year might be pretty substantial. All things point to resellers getting desperate to clear inventory this year.

Aside from being consistently the top two brands, the advantage of going CaNikon is that there are much more lenses available in the classifieds where you can find much better pricing versus retail and also get decent value for yours when you feel like upgrading or trading.

Personally, I wouldn't recommend any of the entries if you are at all wanting to get semi serious down the line. I would instead hit the classifieds. For a budget of $400 to $750, you can find bodies that allow for much better learning potential: Canon 30D, 40D, Nikon D80, D200

I got tired waiting for a good deal on a D90 so I found a D80 last week that has been lightly used and still has 7 months of warranty for $500 on Kijiji. Couldn't be more pleased.

I would get the Nikon D40, it's a great camera.

I would take the money you save between the D40 and D60 and get the SB-400 flash. You'll find that you're able to get a lot more usable photos that actually look good with it. Check Ken Rockwell's site for the SB-400 review, he's got some great examples there.

One thing that people don't think about enough when buying a camera is the ability to take good photographs indoors, where there is not a ton of light. For that reason, I recommend the Nikon 50mm f 1.8 lens, or the 1.4 if you want to go nuts. A lens that can work in lower light is very useful for portraits, since it allows enough light in that you don't need to shoot with a flash. 50mm on the DX sensor size is a bit zoomed in for my liking, which is the only disadvantage to those lenses.

I own Nikon gear myself, I've never used Canon, but Nikon seems to have superior features such as auto-ISO and other features that make the camera easier to use.

Bob

P.S. The screen on the D40 is so much better than the D50 / D70 that I would never recommend one of those older cameras over the newer one. It really makes a difference to have a nice big, clear screen!

Isn't the 40 woefully out of date?

I agree with the 'handling' recommendations above but would add that a battery grip is a fantastic way to improve an SLR that is too small/fiddly. You can either buy it later or have it as part of the kit. I would definitely recommend that you try cameras with the grip on in the shop.

I'm a VERY pro-canon person... I actually just converted a good friend who does professional photography to switch from Nikon to Canon.

She went with a used 30D.

Myself, I just sold my 3yr old gear, and picked up the Canon XSi - I got the deluxe accessory kit which has the grip and extra battery - also has a bag and a 52mm UV filter - but I'm not using either of those - if anyone wants to buy the brand new bag and filter - let me know!. I would suggest getting the Canon XS - it's a great starter SLR, compact, loads of features.

Having said all that.... I think that others here will agree with me... regardless of the brand that you get, just buy the body by itself. Invest in a decent lens - 18-200mm... you can get them as the regular lens, or with Optical/Image Stabilization (OS or IS).

I would suggest the Tamron or Sigma brands. Very comparable quality to the Nikon or Canon versions, but a few hundred dollars less. We're talking like $500 instead of $700 or 800.

I've had canon brand lenses, and I've sold them all and move solely to Sigma lenses.

I've got a 10-20mm and an 18-200 OS.

The body's will come and go... but lenses you'll keep for a long time.

I agree, you need to go into a local shop and hold the cameras. Feel the weight, the size, the shape.

Crap... I forgot...

You can always get the previous gen "intro" SLR's from Canon as refurbs...
Canon eStore -- Canada (http://estore.canon.ca/product_catalogue/refurbished.asp?category_id=3)

At work I've used the XT and the XTi. I think $290 for the XT and $380 for the XTi is AMAZING value. That would give you more room on the budget for the lens....

You have already received some excellent advice in this thread:

#1: all current entry-level dslrs are very competent cameras
#2: Try as many as you can -- there is no better camera than one you use and like to use.

The usual advice with SLRs was to choose the lens lineup first. However, many people who move to entry-level slrs are apparently happy with one or two zooms. All brands offer at least a double zoom kit. If you plan only casual photography, that may be enough.

One key feature imho that hasn't been mentioned is in body image stabilization (IS). Pentax, Sony and Oly have that, which means that all lenses will be stabilized, even 30 year old manual focus primes in the case of Pentax for example. This is a very useful feature, especially if you are used to it from your point&shoot. Canon and Nikon have IS in some of their lenses, but not all.

Canon + Nikon sit on around 80% of the market so they are obviously easier to find and more popular, but unless you absolutely want to be mainstream, I think it's good to "think different" and check out the alternatives.


I've never owned a digital SLR so I don't want to jump into something totally pro, but I don't want something with just the 'basics' either.

As for price range, I'm aiming for something $600 or under.


You may want to check Pentax' K200D (IS, weather sealed) or Oly's E-520 (IS), both under 600$ and quite a step above "basic".

Both brands have more basic (and cheaper) alternatives too.

I picked up a Pentax K10D earlier this year.

Pros:
* Price
* Image stabilization in body
* dust/rain sealing
* Great control layout
* Can use older lenses (I picked a 50mm f1/7 for $25. Manual focus, but great lens). And now it is stabilized by proxy.
* Sensor cleaning system in camera.

Cons:
* Pentax (who? not a big player in the SLR world compared to Canon/Nikon)
* May be harder to find. There is now the K20D and K200 cameras.

To be honest it seems to be almost a religious decision as to which brand to go with. And as has been mentioned, bodies may come and go, but lenses can stay with you. So if you buy a Pentax now and upgrade to a Canon tomorrow, you'll replace your lenses.

Isn't the 40 woefully out of date?
Hmm, that's a good question... anyone know the answer?

Hmm, that's a good question... anyone know the answer?

Well... depends who you ask. Nikonians will probably insist it's still an excellent camera while Canonites will tell you it was outdated the day it was announced.

The D40 is a camera with older technology (autofocusing and metering) regardless of whether you can still buy it new. This doesn't make it a bad camera but it does make it less likely that the camera will be supported with firmware upgrades in the future.

You're trading off lower initial cost and older technology for the D40 body versus higher cost and newer technology for a D60/80/90 body. Only you can decide if this is a good value for the dollar.

You're also going to hear that 6 MP doesn't cut it against 8, 10, 12, and 14 Megapixel cameras but that isn't really an issue if you don't print bigger than 8x10 and if you don't crop heavily.

I'm an admitted Nikon owner, but I wouldn't worry about firmware updates. Nikon very rarely updates camera software, it's not like a computer operating system where there are weekly / monthly bug fixes. For the most part, the software the camera ships with is how it stays.

The D40 isn't out of date, but if that's something that worries you, then get the D60. It's just a D40 with an upgraded chip.

The best advice is to go to a camera store and try them out. How it personally handles / feels might be a big deciding factor.

Bob

There's more to a camera than just the body. Your image quality will depend far more on what kind of glass (lens) you use and your mastery of light (wether ambient or flash).

So when you buy Nikon or Canon you are also buying into each one's list of lenses, flashes and other accessories all of which could impact your future upgrade path.

My best advice is for you to go to a local camera shop and actually play with the different cameras and see which ones feel good in your hand and fit your needs.

As far as your current choices, I'd recommend the D60 over the D40, mainly because the D60 allows you to have auto focus with older (pre AF-S category) lenses, so you'll have a few more options down the line. For example, the Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 lens mentioned earlier by one of the posters is a great lens, but it won't have auto focus on the D40. Then again, if you're into manual focus, it won't matter.

Otherwise, I'd recommend getting a used D50, D70(s) or D80.

So today I went to check out some cameras. Black's didn't have any D60s in, only D40s. I did like the feel of the camera, although the sales lady didn't know much about DSLRs.

Then I went to a local store (a place I really like because they're very Mac orientated... besides FutureShop they're the only store in the city that sells Mac computers). The guy told me that they don't bother carrying D40s anymore because they weren't selling well, and he thinks the D60 is a bigger bang for the buck. They're selling the D60 plus lens for $620 plus tax, but they also have a kit for $670 plus tax that includes the lens, memory card, and camera case. That sounds like an amazing deal to me... is it?

I might shop around a bit more but I'm leaning towards that kit. Since it's over my $600 budget my mom offered to pay the difference as a Christmas gift.:)

$670 for the kit - as long as the memory card is 2 gb or more in size - is a good deal, but if you do choose to buy, make sure that the lens included is the 18-55 with VR, and not the one without.

That's a decent lens - as sharp or sharper than some other, much more expensive lenses. It's a good all-purpose lens until you "move up" in the world.

And trust me, once you start working with your camera, and learning...you will get the urge to "move up" pretty quick.

Also - the best tip I could give you is to put the camera in "M" - full manual- mode and learn to work it that way. You'll pick it up super fast.

Good luck!

Thanks, but what's VR stand for? :)

Thanks, but what's VR stand for? :)

VR stands for Vibration Reduction iirc. It's Nikon's in-lens image stabilisers.

If you are not yet set on Nikon, you may want to check the Pentax K200D or Olympus E-520. Both feature in-body image stabilisation, which means *all* the lenses will be stabilised, even 30 year old manual focus primes (in the case of the Pentax). In addition the Pentax is weather-sealed. Both should be available for close to the price you quote or less.

I think The Source caries Oly and some Future Shop carry Pentax, in case you want to try holding those.

Note that neither D40 nor D60 can auto-focus with lenses that do not have internal motor (check the review on dpreview.com, for example). Not an issue if you are happy with the kit or double kit lens(es), but could be if you want to grow with this camera as essentially all legacy lenses will lose AF.

Also... shops do like to throw in things like memory card, etc. but you should keep in mind that a 2Gb SD card is about 10$ and a 4Gb around 15$ these days...

If you are not yet set on Nikon, you may want to check the Pentax K200D or Olympus E-520. Both feature in-body image stabilisation, which means *all* the lenses will be stabilised, even 30 year old manual focus primes (in the case of the Pentax). In addition the Pentax is weather-sealed. Both should be available for close to the price you quote or less.

I think The Source caries Oly and some Future Shop carry Pentax, in case you want to try holding those.
I think the specialty store I was at carries both those brands. Maybe I'll check in again and try out some others.

Note that neither D40 nor D60 can auto-focus with lenses that do not have internal motor (check the review on dpreview.com, for example). Not an issue if you are happy with the kit or double kit lens(es), but could be if you want to grow with this camera as essentially all legacy lenses will lose AF.

Which lenses come with internal motor? Is that something the newer ones have, or older ones, or just select ones?

Also... shops do like to throw in things like memory card, etc. but you should keep in mind that a 2Gb SD card is about 10$ and a 4Gb around 15$ these days...
That's good to know. How much do cases go for?

Note that neither D40 nor D60 can auto-focus with lenses that do not have internal motor (check the review on dpreview.com, for example). Not an issue if you are happy with the kit or double kit lens(es), but could be if you want to grow with this camera as essentially all legacy lenses will lose AF.

This is not so much a problem unless you take action shots. Focusing manually (and properly) does not take special talent to learn. I own and use the D40 with kit lens as well and it is not unusual for me to focus manually despite the lens possessing full AF capabilities.

PS: I love this camera. :)

Which lenses come with internal motor? Is that something the newer ones have, or older ones, or just select ones?

Nikon makes a small selection of AF-S lenses with built-in AF motors for the D40/D60 camera bodies that do not have the AF motor built into the body.

This is not so much a problem unless you take action shots. Focusing manually (and properly) does not take special talent to learn. I own and use the D40 with kit lens as well and it is not unusual for me to focus manually despite the lens possessing full AF capabilities.

PS: I love this camera. :)

I have a D40 and I love it. I only have 1 lens that I have to focus manually. Even if it could seem difficult, you have a focus confirmation "light" on the camera. So you can point to your subject, manually focus and get the green light and click!

A lot of the new lenses have a processor to allow the D40 and D60 to focus automatically.

Enjoy!

Nikon made some awesome glass like the AF 80-200 f/2.8. You can get a used copy in the $500-600 range. Its a faster and sharper lens than many of the current AF-S lenses. If you are really looking for the best glass for your system then you need to keep this in mind. Why lock yourself out of the possible use of many wonderful Nikon lenses?

PS Another caveat - if you want to use Nikon manual focus lenses (the old AI and AI-S lenses) the D40 and D60 will not meter at all with these lenses

Thanks everyone. :)

I will probably end up using manual focus a lot more than auto, so any issues with that aren't a big concern (for now, anyway).

Which lenses come with internal motor? Is that something the newer ones have, or older ones, or just select ones?


Most (all?) of the newly released Nikon lenses (and 3rd party) do have a motor I think. Some of the older but current (as in still sold new) lenses do, some don't. There is a list on page 3 of the dpreview review of the D60:
Nikon D60 Review: 3. Specifications: Digital Photography Review (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond60/page3.asp)

I think with the D40/D60 you're pretty much limited to newer lenses anyway if you want metering etc.

That's good to know. How much do cases go for?

That would really depend on the case. 50$ may in fact be a good deal if it's a quality case.

I think the specialty store I was at carries both those brands. Maybe I'll check in again and try out some others.


As somebody already mentioned, one of the key thing is to find a camera you are comfortable with. There is no better camera than one you use and like to use. And pretty much all entry-level dslrs are very competent cameras these days, so I would argue it's important to find one you feel at ease with.

I don't recall seeing where you are from, but I do recall you mentioning that there isn't a Henry's in your area. With that in mind, I'd stick to makes/models that are available from the stores in your area.

It's one thing for someone who is close to Toronto or one of the other big cities where there will be a retailer that carries brand 'x', but it's not a good thing if you are in a smaller community and the local retailers don't carry that same model. You might run into problems getting accessories/service/support etc.

Also while the suggestions about going with this model over that model because you can use this older lens are good for someone who can find those lenses used, it might not be relevant to your situation if there are no retailers that carry used gear. I heard that same argument when I was looking for my camera a year ago (I settled on the Nikon D80). I was a long ago Nikon user with an F3 (the top of the line pro body in it's day). I had a couple of older Nikon lenses but while I might use my 300 mm f4 lens on the new camera, I want auto focus, auto metering and exposure and vibration reduction. Basically I want all of the features that came with my new camera. I'm not a 'hobbiest' who wants to spend a lot of time tinkering. I just want to take pictures.

So while there may be some excellent older lenses, you have to ask yourself: a) are you ever going to want to use them, or are you going to want to stay brand new and b) are you in an area where it will you can practically find them.

With regards to the package. Take a look at the items included with the package and see if you can see them separately on the shelves, or something that comes close. Add their prices together and see if the package is really a good deal. Sometimes I find that the package only saves you $15-20 and that "I don't really love the case so if I buy the other three items separately and then buy the case that I really love" (or have someone buy it as a separate Xmas gift) it will be better for me. Also sometimes retailers will allow minor substitutions.

You mentioned that a relative might pay the difference as a Xmas present. Here's a golden opportunity. Let your other relatives know you are buying yourself a new camera. They might help with the other accessories you might want to purchase like a tripod.

One final suggestion that is a must for your new lens. Buy a good quality UV (reduces some of the haziness caused by UV rays) or NC (neutral contrast i.e. clear) filter for it and leave it on at all times. The main use is as protection. Something hits the front of a bare lens, you've got a broken lens. Something hits the front of a lens with a NC filter on it, you go out and replace the filter. I also feel more at ease (although still careful) cleaning the front of my filter. I rarely if ever touch the front of the actual lens. You can also look at a Polarizing filter too which works like sunglasses. Again an idea for a separate Xmas / birthday gift. I'm one of those people who believe that you shouldn't skimp on filters. I use only Nikon filters on my lenses. They are more expensive but why would I want to put a cheap filter on a Nikon lens?

Thanks for the great post, Oakbridge.

About filters: if the body comes with a lens, will is also come with a filter? I have some experience with film SLR so I know that they're a must-have.

Thanks for the great post, Oakbridge.

About filters: if the body comes with a lens, will is also come with a filter? I have some experience with film SLR so I know that they're a must-have.

No. Just like film SLRs, you'll have to source the filter yourself (tho' any decent camera store will have them).

UV filters are very cheap, usually in the ~$20 range.

Oakbridge is right on the money - don't use cheap filters on good lenses. You can potentially degrade the quality of your images. You'll also hear some photogrpahers say that you shouldn't put anything in front of the glass for the same reason.

Better yet, always use a lens hood to reduce flare and to provide protection from bumps and drops

You'll also hear some photogrpahers say that you shouldn't put anything in front of the glass for the same reason.

Better yet, always use a lens hood to reduce flare and to provide protection from bumps and drops

I've heard that advice from some photographers and it is all very well safely attached to a nice heavy tripod in a studio or a protected setting but makes no sense in the cut and thrust of outdoor, active on-the-go photography. It usually changes the first time a lens gets smashed or scratched on the front glass. A filter is the cheapest insurance you can get for your lens - just get high quality filters. There are a number of makers.

Lens hoods have uses - protecting your camera is not one of them. Hoods offer zero protection from frontal "attack".

Don't forget about Sony though. Even though Canon and Nikon are the big players, you can pickup used Minolta glass for pretty good prices, and they are very high quality lenses.

I use a Sony a100 and love it. You can checkout some sample pics that I have taken here: Zenfolio | MacMillan Photos (http://derekmac.zenfolio.com/)

All of the pictures there are taken with the a100 (except for the Europe ones). Like most have said, one of the most important things is that the camera feels comfortable in your hands.

Just an update... last week I got the D60 with 18-55 lens (no case and card deal, although the local store did match Future Shop's price). I haven't had the time to go through the manual but I've been playing around with it, and I love it. I can't wait for the holiday break so I can spend all day taking pictures. Thanks for everyone's advice and help. :)