Im in a position to want to move my photography to the next level...
I have the bucks.. so that is not a problem
I am looking at the Nikon D80 (dont want to spend much more than this...)

Im pretty sure that this is the camera I want to buy...

any opinions on the subject.. D40x just got released... and it is cheaper... which is positive..

it is also smaller... which is not necessarily a positive for me.. big hands and all....

I note also that the D80 was released a good 6 months ago.. how often do camera lines get rev'd.. D40 to D40x wasn't that big a time gap...

I don't need to buy today.. I am happy to wait for the next big thing... but I drool everytime I play at the shop..

(another reason for posting is to slow down the spontaneous shopping desire I have to go and get it this afternoon).

The life of DSLRs are usually about 18 months so the D80 is pretty early in its life cycle. If you have big hands the D80 will be the better camera as it has the better grip, good for the shots you have to take on the run or don't have the best stability.

The more important thing is going to be the lens that you purchase with the camera. The 18-135 kit lens that comes with the the D80 is good quality, compared to the 18-55 and 55-200 that comes with the D40x. A better lens is the 18-200 VR but that is obviously a little more money.

Being in Japan, don't forget to negotiate the price of the camera gear.

The D80 isn't being replaced any time soon - the D40 and D40x only came about because Sony dumped the sensor the D40 was using and Nikon had to use the new "entry level" sensor so they rebranded the camera D40x, normally this doesn't happen.

The D80 is a fantastic camera
I've got my eye on the D200, hah

The guys at Digital Photo Review seem to do good reviews of cameras.
Why not check them out?
http://www.dpreview.com

I basically have lived over there for 2 weeks reading their exhaustive reviews...

was interested in speaking to real people about their impressions (if they have it) or impressions overall...

I've played with a D80 and it feels pretty good and on paper is a nice mix price vs features especially when compared to the D40/D40X or the Canon 400D. I reckon it's good value for money especially when combined with the better kit lens (18-135) than 18-55 (either Nikon or Canon), and should serve you well for most 'general' conditions. It can use many older Nikkor lenses (if you have any) that the D40 can't, but I'm not sure what kind of pictures you want to take.

Personally I'm going to get another lens instead of upgrading my D50 to the D200, but when I do upgrade my body, I'm really keen on the weather sealing and tougher build.

btw bring a bib with if you 're going to drool in the shop

The D80 is a nice camera, however dont over look the d70s it has a better meter system then the D80, its has the same meter as the D200. The upped pegamexials of the D80 over the D70s dont account for much unless you are planning to some large prints - I have printed stuff from my D70s up to 40 x 50in, and the extra money youd save on the D70s would go nicely towards another lens. Before the shit fight comes, it doesnt really make a huge difference between 6.1 megapixels and 10 megapixels both are below the quality of 35mm film (the digital equivalent is around 22 megapixels). As some one who used to shoot medium format and 5 x 4inch I dont see the 6.1 megapixels a limiting factor of the D70s.

If you had the extra cash the follow decryption and myself and look at the D200, very nice camera and a great meter. I currently have the D70s and I am looking to add (thats add not replace - the D70 is a great camera)a D200 to my bag.

As for product replacements, Nikon is currently at the stage to replace the D2X but as yet the D3X is just vapor-ware (Nikon is more tight lipped then apple) no-one anything about it or a D200 replacement. This wont come around until august September anyway and wont be available in OZ until December, so you would still be very safe buy.

So yeah buy a D80 but dont over look a well priced D70s

I have a D50 and a D70 - I'll probably sell the D50 and use that cash to go towards the D200 too
The D200 is a real step up and is a bona fide pro body.

D1x and D2x user here so my thoughts are not overly relevant but I'll take a stab anyway Kuma.
D40 or D40x suffers from the fact it only takes DX coded lenses (other ones will work but only manually).
That's OK - but if you ever want to upgrade later on and have invested only in DX lenses and Nikon eventually goes full frame you'll kick yourself.
Buying either camera won't be a mistake - they'll both do admirable work.
My own advice would be to buy the camera that will allow you the MOST manual control. When you get the hang of using the cam you'll occassionally want to do a few creative moves yourself and override some of the camera's own interpretations.
I personally don't think Nikon will release a lower level camera during the rest of this year - but we'll have hints or releases of the upper to mid levels.

I bought the D80 last month and am loving it. I shunned the kit lenses and picked up the 18-200VR lens as well as a 50mm f1.8 lens. It was about AU$3k all up which is a fair wodge of cash but as an investment in something I get alot of pleasure out of, it's worth every penny.

I looked at the D70 and the Canon 400XTi. For me, I just prefer having the newer model of camera so the D70 was out. The Canon was too small and plastic-feeling for my liking so the D80 got the vote.

Give it a go. You won't regret it!

How do you find this lens? I'm interested in grabbing it one day as it looks *very* versatile, good for use as a "I don't know what lens to use" lens, particularly with the VR. It ain't cheap though

Kuma,

it's like computers. Same set of questions.

What is your intended use?
Subject matter?
Output choices?

What gear do you already own? (canon or Nikon)
Where do you want to go next?
What is your budget now & in the future?

Do you need an expandable system?

Most importantly - put your money into the GLASS.
Not the body. Bodies have a life cycle. Glass you'll have forever.
It's the resolving power of pro glass that is responsible for the 'look' of an image.

Throw me some questions and i'll do my best to help you

agree with all.. i would consider as a starter set to go for 10Mpix and of course good glass. bye the best you can, but i recon the D200 is sweet but may be replaced. maybe something will come after D80?

whatever u buy between D60 & D200, .. will be a good 'do most everything' camera and pretty forgiving while you learn. good luck and enjoy whatever way you choose

basically I have been using the Coolpix 5700 for my photography! when Im not using a compact.
I would like to step up and try my hand with an SLR (D-SLR that is)
subject matter.. portraits and landscapes...
budget now.. about $1500...
future?? aint no pyschic...

contents would be downloaded to iPhoto.. although thinking about aparture or lightroom
printing via apple photo books


as for what I need... expandable or not.. Im not really sure...
just taking my first steps towards serious (of the hobby variety) photography...


Appreciate everyone's feedback on the subject so far..
thx

I like the D80, but having had a bit of a play with it, and having heard a lot of feedback I wouldn't buy the 18-135.