I went with the D40 and the 18-55 and the 55-200VR. I can already tell that I want a 300 or more. I think the D80 would be a good(great) start. I wanted it but couldn't fork out that much cash for something I wasn't sure I was really going to like(photography). I like, and kinda wish I had gone with the D80. I will survive with the D40 for now.

Joe, welcome to the world of photography. There is always that "decision". If you are just starting out, and can afford it, I would go with the d300.

Reasoning:

I struggled with upgrading my d80 to a d300, or spend the same money on a bad *** 2.8 VR. I went with buying the body because I know that I will have some type of lens on the body 100% of the time and the 2.8 VR 70-200 would be on the body limited amounts of time.

Here is what I would do if I were in your shoes.

Buy the D300. I have the 18-200 VR 3.5/5.6 and it stays on my D80 a majority of the time. I have bigger lenses, the 80-200 2.8 and the 80-400 VR 3.5/5.6

The D300 will be more camera than you can learn in a few years and like I said, you will have it on a lens 100% of the time instead of a lens on the body part of the time. You can always buy a bad to the bone lens at at later time.

Nothing against the D40 or D60 (in my opinion only) but they are only a step above a point and shoot in the options and the fact that you can interchange lenses. Also, the D80 and D100 will shoot AF lenses and the mentioned you have to spend $$$ on the AF-S only lenses

Change that last sentence to Also, the D80 and D300 ...

The D300 isn't user friendly for a beginning photog, and you might be better served to dive in with the D80 during the beginning. Use the D80 to get better with manual and custom mode settings as you learn. The D300 has no real simple settings, scene modes (like the point and shoot variety-landscape-portrait etc.), no Green Auto mode to make the camera do it all for you. As such, the flash doesn't have a mode where it pops up automatically. It will require more advanced photography work from the get go. You will learn but it will take time and you could potentially lose a lot of shots along the way as you learn. The D300 will not be fast for run and gun shots till you learn it's in's and outs.

As you learn, buy glass and move into a higher end, and more complex camera body if you feel you need to. You might be surprised how much the D80 will do for you right out of the box.

Any of the DSLRs by Canon or Nikon will deliver spectacular shots if the shooter leans hard on light and composition first and foremost. Features and functionality is only there if you get the basics down and even then, many of these features aren't pushed for the average shooter. Ansel Adams shot some wonderful photography with gear that doesn't rival the technology we have available now course Ansel focused on panoramic scenes. His gear couldnt' hang with wildlife, outdoor pics in the world we run in. You will find there are times the moment will not allow setup time to make the shot before the scene is gone...having a few auto settings to lean on will still get the job done...otherwise the shot will not happen.

Sorry, but I disagree with Danny on the camera. No one new to photography should drop $2000 on a camera, unless they have a lot of cash they just don't need. Get something sub $1000 and figure out how much you'll use it and learn the ropes with it. If you spend $2000 and it sits in the closet, it was a bad idea...an expensive bad idea. I might suggest you even look at decent used equipment. Folks upgrade like crazy these days and great cameras with under a couple thousand shutter actuations hit the market all the time. You'll save some cash and be able to figure out what you need to upgrade to when the time is right, and you know what you're doing.

Get an entry level body...d40, d60, d80, or a Canon Rebel. You can put a nice lens on any of those bodies and get great pics. Any decent lens you buy can be moved from body to body.

Most people use a wide angle more than any other lens. 18-55 or so is the norm and it is good for landscapes, people, parties, pets, etc. If you want to carry it while hunting, for sporting events, you'll need some sort of zoom. The 70-200 range is good for this and there are many ways to get that kind of lens Again, I would not buy a $1500+ lens to see if you're going to enjoy it. I know of several people that have bought nice lenses in that range and they think they perform poorly because they don't yet know how to use them. More than anything, a beginner needs knowledge, not expensive equipment, to get good pics.

I bought a nice lens a while back that I know performs. I've borrowed one before and got sharp pics from it. This recent purchase was off a bit. I exchanged it for the exact same model, hoping to get a better copy. I did. I think these situations are rare and yes, they happen to both Canon and Nikon users alike. In all likelihood, I could have had the thing fixed at no cost, but being within the window for returns, I opted to return it. The new one is much better.

I hope this helps. The level of investment one could make into this sort of thing is nothing to be taken lightly. Think about it, research, LEARN and come back with more questions.

What Casey said

Sorry, Rob. It took me a while to pen that up.

What Rob said!

Note my comment

I disagree with both Rob and Casey

See what I said about "decisions" and the world of photography?

If you are willing to learn and read A LOT then I would go with a more advanced camera that you can keep a very long time.

If it starts sitting in the closet then sell it. But if you know you are SERIOUS about starting to take up the hobby, then buy a quality body.

Liken it to archery. Why buy a sub-grade Mathews if you know you are serious bout archery. Just buy a BowTech and be serious

JUST KIDDING!!!!!!!!!

You say that you want to take "nice" pictures.
Canon's Rebel XTi and the Nikon equal both take outstanding pictures. Seems like the Canon XTi won the May 15th contest
Thing to remember is that the guy running the camera took the picture. I doubt that an additional $3,000 hanging around his neck would have made much difference.

Good thread guys. I am in the same boat as Joe H. except I was into photography 25 years ago and really loved it. Now I am starting over with the digital world and appreciate the advice you guys posted here.

I'll agree with Casey and Rob and add one more thought.

A D40 w/18-55 kit lens will cost less than $500 (same D80 kit will be twice that) and do more than most people will be able to figure out during their first year of REALLY working had at learning. A year from now, if you need more of a camera, technology equal to today's D300 will be MUCH cheaper.

Good luck and jump in the water, it's fun!

they don't call him the wildman for nothin

I agree with Danny AND Rob & Casey.

If you are already familiar with SLR photography, know you're already serious about getting into digital, like to read and learn about camera stuff, AND can afford some good lenses as well as a D300, then it would be the way to go.

I am already wishing I'd have bought a more advanced camera, after buying an entry level Canon in January. But I couldn't have afforded all the lenses and a more advanced body so soon. I still want more lenses and a more advanced body, but EVERYBODY always wants "one more lens" and the latest body. I'll add and upgrade here and there as I go.

Joe, if you're not familiar with the terminology and photography in general, then a more basic camera with fewer bells and whistles might be a better way to go - like Casey and Rob said. If you buy a Nikon or a Canon or something else that is "quality", you'll be able to sell it later and do OK. Whether you are selling to upgrade or selling because it isn't for you, you'll be able to come out OK on it.

Remember, the lower level cameras today are better than the top of the line camera bodies from just a few years ago. Pros were turning out some phenominal images "way back then" too, so it's not like you can't get a good picture with a cheaper camera.

Be sure and include in your "camera budget" some room for an instructional book and/or video or two.

I am in the same boat as you and will be purchasing a SLR soon. I also found that this site has a ton of info.