First off, both cameras will give you "great image quality", but that may be subjective depending on how much you expect.

Second, both will have VERY long battery life compared to any point-and-shoot you've had. One battery usually lasts me for a few days of fairly consistent shooting.

Third, memory card won't have anything to do with the camera. But I'd stick to the brand names for now (SanDisk & others) and get at least 2GB worth.

That all said, I'd go with the Rebel XTi/400D because I know for a fact I can soundly recommend it (having used one myself). Also, I'm not sure about some different lens compatibility transfer stuff with the Nikon, maybe a Nikonian can chime in on that.

- Scott

Originally Posted by jjswee

That is the biggest complaint about the D40 series. They removed the auto focus motor from the body and it now relies on the lens carrying the auto focus. This limits the number of lenses you can use.

http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/index.html

Look at that list. Only the lenses that read "AF-S" can have autofocus with the D40. The "AF" lenses WILL fit and take pictures, but they will be manual focus only.

Oh wow. That would DEFINITELY make me go with the Canon. Why would they do that?

Oh wow, that's pretty slick. But yeah, if you're looking to be a bit more serious about it, I'd steer clear because of the limitations.

Moved to "what to buy".

Originally Posted by emsmap

I am also going to take a photograhy class in my college, so I am siked about it!!

These guys have got you covered, but I just wanted to say I absolutely love hearing statements like that.

No problem.

Stick around and keep asking question, we're always this helpful. Seriously.

Originally Posted by emsmap

It feels good to hear some nice and respectful moderators in here. Thanks for everything! Im going to go to ritz camera again to check about my options. Do any of you all know the best place for deals such as (Ritz Camera, Circuit City, Best Buy, Target etc..)?

I'd purchase it online once you know what you want. The prices are usually much better. A lot of us like www.bhphoto.com.

Agreed with all above, I also vote in the XTi direction, Im not a fan of the Nikon menu system and the lack of AF motor gives it limitations for growing.

As far as purchasing goes,

B&H and Adorama are the two places to look at. Also check out the slick deals forum, I know there are some nice savings in there on the XTi.

Originally Posted by emsmap

I have another question about my camera I will be getting. How do I put my signature in the bottom right of each photo?

This will get the frame part out of the way:
Adding a Frame Tutorial

Then you can just use the add text feature of Photoshop and create/place/edit a text box wherever you want it to be.

Hope that helps. If you have any trouble, make a new thread and you'll get some quick (better) help.

- Scott

Originally Posted by emsmap

I have another question about my camera I will be getting. How do I put my signature in the bottom right of each photo?

You're gonna have to do that with photo editing software, like Photoshop or the like. You could probably do it in mspaint, but you may not like the end result. Some cameras can put time stamps, and possibly some customizable characters in the bottom right (not sure if the Rebel or Nikon have this ability, I never thought to check), but most would agree that that is unappealing.

Oh yeah, and what I put above is if you want to add a frame THEN put your name in the bottom right. Not sure if that's what you're after.

Originally Posted by emsmap

Well shoot lol I was aiming toward the Nikon D40. I have read like 10 different discussions about Nikon vs Canon but the only real difference I seen was that the Canon Rebel has the dust protector. What else is better?

Neither is better, but the D40x makes us uneasy with the lack of AF being IN the body and not being able to use certain lenses.

Now the higher up Nikon models without that issue would be a complete toss-up between the two. I just like Canon because I know and use Canon cameras.

Originally Posted by emsmap

Well shoot lol I was aiming toward the Nikon D40.

Also, I'm pretty sure the Nikon D40 and Nikon D40x are two different cameras, which one are you looking for comparison on?

Okay--everyone keeps cueing the Nikonians, and none of us have shown up (I was at work all day).

Canon switched to having motor-in-lens lenses in the 80s with their whole lineup, and everybody had to switch over their gear, while Nikon remained backwards compatible up until the D40. In order to have a camera as small and straightforward as the D40, they designed the body without a motor to drive the AF. Also, as others have mentioned, it is because the D40 is more geared towards the beginner DSLR user, who will not have a large cache of older lenses that won't work on the D40.

I won't be redundant and go over what others have said. I found the D40 to be too small for my hands, but otherwise a pretty slick package. As I see it, unless you get really serious about photography, the ability to only use AF-S lenses is not as big an issue as it may seem. You can get a AF-S 18-55 kit lens, and a 55-200mm VR AF-S lens and you have a very nice kit that covers a long range and works perfect on your D40.

In general, Canon and Nikon users choose their cameras based on the overall system and the ergonomics they prefer. I prefer Nikons, but I have been using them for awhile and that's what I'm used to. Scott, Matt, and others prefer Canon ergonomics. Neither is better or worse, just different.

Remember that in the grand scheme of things, the lenses and the peripheral equipment in the system are more important than the body, especially in this digital age of rapid innovation. Your bodies will come and go, and from year to year, Nikon and Canon will leapfrog each other. Last year, Canon was clearly on top with the 5D, the 30D, and the 1DmkII. This year, Nikon has the D300 and the D3...

Of course, the MOST important piece of equipment is you. These are all tools to help you take photos, but I have seen people with some $$$ equipment that can't take good photos to save their lives (see Stime's story about the guy with the 1DmkII or III). You can take great photos with a crappy camera, and vice versa--good cameras just make it easier over a wider variety of conditions. In whatever you do, DON'T FORGET THAT PART.

So anyway, to make a long story short: pick which one you like best and that provides the best path for you to follow as you develop. Listen to what we have to say, but choose what works best for YOU.

Try pbase or smugmug or flickr... just search d40 or rebel--I bet you'll get some stuff. 90% of my photos on NSOP are taken with a D70, which is the same sensor as the D40...

YMMV

Originally Posted by emsmap

Thanks again for so much help!! Another question would be. Where can I find some pictures taken with the Nikon D40, Nikon D40x and the Canon Rebel?

For general reviews i would start at dpreview.

And for example pics, I think you can go to flickr and sort images by camera type. I've never actually done it, so maybe someone else can chime in.

edit: Yep, Markitos has you covered because I can't type fast enough.

Originally Posted by tardypizza

For general reviews i would start at dpreview.

And for example pics, I think you can go to flickr and sort images by camera type. I've never actually done it, so maybe someone else can chime in.

edit: Yep, Markitos has you covered because I can't type fast enough.

Ninja Markitos strikes again!!

^ exactly as Mark said, it comes down to what YOU prefer... Both will take great shots and none of us will look at you funny whichever route you decide.

jjswee is exactly right. DO NOT compare this cameras based on sample shots, its all about the person behind the camera with dSLRs. I can show you awesome shots taken with a 350D (Rebel XT) and garbage shots taken with a 30D, just from my personal archives.

I used Sandisk ultra IIs in 2GB and 4GB flavors, but I use Compact Flash, not SD. Sandisk and Lexar are both approved by Nikon, but the D40 manual will have a list of Nikon approved SD cards.

Your battery should last forever. Seriously--I've never run my D70 battery low enough to find out--I charge it after a few days or weeks just to top it off, but I've never had a problem. From what I hear the D40 is similar, provided that you aren't constantly using the LCD.

It's never a bad idea to have an extra battery, and they are around $40, I think. I have shot 1000+ photos on one charge on the D70--I think for an all day car show, you'd be fine. But, like I said, you could always bring an extra battery, just in case (but I think you'll run out of SD card space before you kill the battery).

It depends... do you shoot inside a lot? See this thread for some discussion of flash.

Basically, if you shoot indoors and you don't want your pictures to look like n00b P&S photos, an external flash which you can bounce off of things is what you need.

The SB-600 is the best value for Nikon, but the SB-400 is smaller, cheaper, and can be bounced (i.e., might work great on the D40 for you).

Originally Posted by emsmap

is a better flash worth it?

As said above if you plan on taking indoor photography a flash is the best piece of equipment to own.

I wouldn't worry about getting too much extra gear for now. Just get the camera, shoot with it, and learn. You'll be able to decide what you need to buy better after you know what you're doing.

- Scott

The D40x is 10.1 mp, the D40 is 6. That is the only substantive difference, AFAIK. 6mp is plenty unless you are cropping a lot or making posters and examining them from a few inches (and even then, 6mp is pretty good).

Speaking of nikonians, nikonians.org is another place to look in addition to dpreview to check stuff out.

I always like having an extra battery. It does last forever, I think I was getting 1000+ shots with my D70, that just means I totally forget about it and am suprised when it actually does die so the extra is something I definitely needed.

I shoot alot indoors and use the flash all the time, I'm lazy and not very good with settings and stuff like that. The SB-600 would probably be good, I am of the mind that better is always better and is less work for me so I would say the 600 over the 400 for the flash.

I have had SanDisk and Lexar CF cards and prefer the SanDisk myself, no failures and they are speedy cards. For the D40 I would suspect the Ultra II's are good.

Enjoy and show us your pictures.

Congrats! Be sure to post them up here after you shoot all day.

I'll chime and mention that if you buy a spare battery, pony up and get a Nikon brand battery. I bought a cheap Adorama brand battery, and it is awful. Dies quick, and without warning. By quick, I'm talking 75 shots or so. My Nikon battery is good for who-knows-how-long... I charge it rarely.

edit: I actually think it's B&H's brand... whoever sells Impact.

^ Although, I have 3 batteries that were purchased on Ebay for a few dollars each and they, if anything, outperform my Canon batteries. So not all off-brands are bad, just be careful.

Originally Posted by LateApex

Impact.

that's weird... I have an impact for my 5D and it's OEM. The impact is good for about 50% more shots. Both seem to last forever though. I've never ran both down, and the only time I've ever run one down in a day and needed to use the second was in the cold... I usually shoot for 2+ weeks on one till it flashes, then swap to the other.

Originally Posted by jacobsen1

that's weird... I have an impact for my 5D and it's OEM. The impact is good for about 50% more shots. Both seem to last forever though. I've never ran both down, and the only time I've ever run one down in a day and needed to use the second was in the cold... I usually shoot for 2+ weeks on one till it flashes, then swap to the other.

Same here. I'd never run a battery down until these last 3 morning in the near zero temps. Killed one every morning in a short time of shooting. Luckily, I think I have 4 or 5 so no problems, but still a bit surprising.