Advice please on where to start

[GeorgiaAristocat]

I would like to thank everyone for your responses, even if you did start speaking some strange foreign language and I couldn't understand all the advice you were trying to give me . . .

I think I will save all this information and review it after I have read a couple of books and picked a camera and started trying it out. I actually made my own camera in the 4th grade and we learned how to develop, but that knowledge has sadly vanished in the ensuing years (and years and years and years.)

I would ask what you thought about the best "starter" DSLR, but I have a feeling that the subsequent debate would knock me on my . . . behind.

So, instead, I will simply say thanks again!

 

[Kelly Grannell]

As a Canon person, I would choose Nikon D50 with 18-200 VR lens to start.

Why?

1. Canon starter dSLR (RebelXT) is far too small for my hands, so for me a battery grip is a must, an additional $100 in expenditure.
2. Canon haven't got their act together and release 18-200 IS lens.

There are 2 major caveats on the Nikon D50
1. Battery grip is not even an option, so if one day you feel the need to get a battery grip for vertical shooting, then you're SOL.
2. The LCD status screen does not have backlighting. If you shoot outdoors or in a somewhat bright environment all the time, then this is not going to be a problem. I tend to shoot indoors and in low-light situation, the no-backlighting on the LCD is a big problem for people like me.

Again, as a walkaround and starter camera, if I have the extra budget and Canon still haven't got their act together by releasing (at least) 18-125 IS lens, I will buy the D50 with 18-200 VR lens.

 

[goodferry]

Here is a website I used to help me learn about the various settings available in creative modes
http://photoworkshop.com/canon/
if you click on "Click Here to Learn More", there are some great explanations of the various settings available, even if you don't get a canon.
Hope that helps!