Looking for a camera since I am taking a photography class now. I'm completely new to photography outside of random tourist p&s stuff. I have been doing some reading and researching on what to get and have come to a few options but can't quite pick. At first I was leaning towards the K100D kit with the rebate coming to $400, then I played with that and an E510 and kinda liked the oly a bit more with the 2 lens kit at $650 (and reading the lenses were a bit better than the pentax one). And then I started looking up the XTi and the D40. I'm wondering how the kit lenses are in the XTi and the D40 2lens kits. For my current budget I think the K100D is the only one I couild afford to buy the body and then get a better lens; the others would be too much so I'd have to go with the kit for now (Trying not to pass $700 at the moment). I still have to see an XTi and D40 in person, but given those options what would suit a beginner well? I liked the 2 lens kits in that it would give more versatility, but it wouldn't be worth it if they aren't good lenses.
  • K100D kit $400

  • E-510 2 lens kit $650

  • D40 2 lens kit $640

  • XTi kit $585

  • K100D + a better lens $~550-650