Which SLR? Nikon - D40, D40X, D80 or Canon 400D

Hi frnds,

i'm gonna buy my first digital SLR but bit confused on the following options...

1) D40 - Body Only and then buy any decent lens
2) D40- Kit lens - Very economical
3) D40X - Body only and buy any decent lens
4) D40X- Kit lens - again economical
5) D80 - Body only and any decent lens
6) D80 - Kit lens - Bit costly
7) Canon 400D - Kit lens

I've read few comments abt D80 and found that it is not value for money deal.
kindly suggest which one would be best of these as I do not have any plans to buy another SLR for another 4 years.....
my max budget is for D80..can not go beyond that....
lemme know the which ontion is best....

I hav the same option and i wouldnotbe upgrading my new camera for next 3-4 years.
I almost ended up purchased d80 coz of its features.

Then i started looking for lens for d80, then i realized i hav better(better suited me) options for lens available in canon then the Nikon,That is cheaper than the Nikon lens.

If u r looking serious into photography then just get clear with Ur requirement. what u wanna achieve in photography ? what will be ur next upgrade?? plan accordingly.

Rite now I will be purchasing 400D + canon 300mm F4 IS lens in week or two.

i feel that what lies behind the camera, makes the difference.
dont get carried away by market strategies and the glamour behind individual camera model.
I feel that if you are buying SLR for the first time.... then visit DCRESOURCE......try to find out what are you needs and which camera suits you the best.
Nikon is always preferable for simple reason that it can have a wide variety of lenses.
D80 and D40x are on heat nowadays....but it is like a race.....everytime you feel that you can have camera with 'more functions' by spending additional hundreds of dollars....
a simple basic SLR with a good lens like 18-200 VRII can produce stunning pictures rather that a costly SLR with kit lens...do keep this in your mind......
regards

i totally agree with that rahul, instead o buying the kit lense u shold go for....

1. D80 body .....because u dont plan to upgrade soon.
2. 18-200 VR lense..... coz u want potraits, nature and wildlife, though i think u'll need to invest subsiquntly on a bigger lense for wildlife, but since u r new to digi photo this is the best option

hi frnds..
many many thansk to all for your suggestions..
probably i might end with being a D80 owner with 18-200VR lens...
thogh the combination is costky but D80 have compatibility advanteage with the non AF lens...and with D80..i have advantage of using the killer lens also...i.e. 50mm.1.8f....
i'm finding the given combibation for arnd 11K(55k INR) HKD in hongkong....which is a bit costly...as per my approved budget...
anyway...any ore suggestions.....why D80..?? :-)
good topic to discuss.....

you select d40x as it is good for beginer. has good pixel size you can sell it easily later.after 3 or 4 year as you get mor interested in photography you can go for the better one at that perod. But thing is tha fo d40 x you need AF-S Lens not AF, for autofocusing. with AF lens you will get manual function only. but as a beginer it is better to get into manual rather than auto so that you can learn more......

all the best ....

Nikon D40x would be the best opiton. Best Buy Price: 33,990.00 (with 2GB Card and Carry Case) offical price with Company Warranty

i would suggest go for Nikon D-80 if you like robust cameras
as Canon in holding gives a very plastic feel...
more over Nikkor offers more lens options and are comparatively cheaper then Canon...and you can easily build your range on Nikon...
Dun go for D-40x, it doesnt have a drive in motor for auto focusing the lens so wenever you have to buy a lens yu ll be stuck up in buying a lens with a inbuilt motor....
so i would personally say go for Nikon D-80 and it would cost you around 42000.
but dun go for kit lens 18-135mm it has barrel distortion...rather take one 18-55mm and one 70-300mm. this will also cost almost same..