Looking for best SLR in 500 dollar range

[Bonapartist]

Hey, I've got enough money saved up and have gotten so fed up with my 110 dollar Korean camera that I'm ready to purchase my first digital SLR. That Korean camera is a total rot otherwise, but OMG, the macro shots!

My price range is between 400 and 700 dollars, including lenses - what are my best options in this range? Are there any ridiculously good deals online right now? Any advice for a burgeoning photographer getting in over his head beside don't cover the lens with your finger? I'm looking to do alot of outdoor, bright daylight kind of shooting.

What are the good camera review sites that are balanced and accurate? What is YOUR personal experience with your camera?

I'd love your help guys, and I appreciate the time you're taking for a new member's edification.

And what's your guys experiences purchasing cameras over Ebay? It seems like the deals are out there but everyone is a potential liability.

[TheWengler]

What are the good camera review sites that are balanced and accurate?

Well, I think this site is pretty good.

Specifically, what will you be shooting? What types of photography interest you most?

[bauerman]

Here is a good price on a Canon EOS Rebel XT - great camera and one that you can grow with: http://www.beachcamera.com/shop/prod...px?sku=CNDRXTB

That is a great reseller as well and one that I have dealt with a lot in the past. I use the Canon system and recommend it for a number of reasons, not the least of which is the amount of equipment (lenses, flashes, etc...) available for that system at reasonable prices from Canon and/or many third party vendors.

[Don Kondra]

I found this site helpful for side by side comparisons - http://www.dpreview.com/

Cheers, Don

[wilson44512]

Nikon D40 runs for about $500-$550 with 18-55mm lens kit
then you could get the 55-200mm VR lens for $250

[Bonapartist]

Thanks for all the advice so far. I'm looking to be doing alot of different types of photography, but a good amount of outdoor/scenic stuff specifically. I had a buddy who had a Rebel who used to rave about it, but that was at a point in my life when that sort of information went in one ear and out the other. That review site that was linked to is excellent, and I really appreciate you passing it on - There's about 350 user reviews on the Rebel alone. I'm leaning toward a Rebel at this point, but can anyone suggest an alternative?

[btuner]

Nikon D40 runs for about $500-$550 with 18-55mm lens kit
then you could get the 55-200mm VR lens for $250

yeah d40 is a great camera for the money, i got mine for $430 with the lens kit and picked up the 55-200mmVR for about $150

[raven15]

sorry, computer froze.

[raven15]

sorry, computer froze, I'm really tired.

[raven15]

Olympus E-510 w/ two kit lenses, 14-42 and 40-150mm. Image stabilized. Focal range equivalent 28-300mm. $650. very nice camera, especially outdoors.

Also, Pentax K100. Almost as cheap as Olympus, though only 6 Mp.