going D-SLR please help

[joeverzosa]

I'm about to take the next step and buy a beginner D-SLR set-up...I was thinking either a Nikon D60 or D80...Will these any of these cameras be overwhelming to a beginner in SLR or should I start with a D40...Please keep in mind I would like to hold on to the camera for awhile (I still have and use my Minolta Dimage Z1 which I have had since early 2004)...I'm going to take some digital photography classes at the local community college, so I would like to have a good camera...Thanks...

[Frog]

I bought my D80 as a beginner for digital slr. It has enough auto functions to get you by as you learn. The main thing is to make sure you do study and put to practice what you learn and then practice some more. There's still stuff on it I haven't figured out but that's because I haven't needed them.

[Franglais]

The D60 replaces the D40. It's essentially a D40x with a device to stop dust getting on the sensor and a sortware routine that improves the image in contrasty situations (D-lighting).

The D80 is a much nicer camera (bigger viewfinder, much more options) but you can use it just like a D40/D60 if you want. People say it will be replaced before summer by the D90 which should be even nicer.

[fx101]

The D60 replaces the D40. It's essentially a D40x with a device to stop dust getting on the sensor and a sortware routine that improves the image in contrasty situations (D-lighting).

The D80 is a much nicer camera (bigger viewfinder, much more options) but you can use it just like a D40/D60 if you want. People say it will be replaced before summer by the D90 which should be even nicer.

Which is precisely when you should buy the D80 because it's unlikely that the D80s/D90 going to be a big enough revision to warrant the extra $300 over the street price of a D80 that it's going to cost. It might do the D300 12 megapixel sensor but that's not too big an improvement except for the high iso performance (but that's why you buy LARGE apperture lenses anyways) and sensor cleaning. The D80 is a great camera that takes pictures with enough detail to make stunning 8x10 lightjet prints (at 304dpi) and even more if you stitch a multi-shot panorama using a proper pano-head. Buy the D80 because you will also have a focus motor meaning you can use any autofocus lens made after 1980 by Nikon (and use third party lenses). Also the D80's viewfinder is a true pentaprism (a.k.a really bright and sharp) and has far more manual functionality than the D60 will permit. Plus it's a better deal.