pentax k10d vs. a nikon d40 or d80

[alita]

My old Nikon N65 has finally been put to rest and I am now in the market for a DSLR.. I dont have a lot of experience with digital, but want to get the best one possible and learn on it. I have heard rave reviews about the canon rebel xti, but (and this is going to sound quite silly), I dont like the way it feels. I went to best buy, picked it up, and went "yuck". I dont know what it is, but its like trying on someone elses shoes. So I think I have it narrowed down to either the pentax K10D or either a Nikon D80 or D40 ... Does anyone have these, and can you give me some pros and cons? I do a LOT of macro (bugs, frogs, fungi, fish), and also birding.. so I know I'm going to have to invest in various lenses once I pick the camera body out. I love that the pentax is weatherproofed.. I spent more money cleaning my nikon ove the years than I originally paid for it..

If theres another one I'm missing in this class, please let me know.. Im basically going on internet info and reviews online since our town is lacking a good camera store..

 

[Anonymous]

I think you old lens for the N65 should work on the new Nikon DSLR's. I have the D50 and like it allot. I looked at my friends new D40 and I hated it. Its small and allot of the quicker function buttons like ISO change, White balance and others. To change these you need to go through the menu's. Now that I have experience with the D50 if I was buying again I would look at the D80.

 

[Len]

D80 is my pick Nikon macro glass is incomparable in terms of picture quality, although Canon has some very interesting specialty macros.

 

[Anonymous]

D80 was my pick, love it

 

[WRASSER]

Len,

is there a web site you can recommend for the D80.


thanks

 

[sparau]

Regarding websites - if you meant review then i would suggest these guys are excellent if you arent already viewing them:

http://dpreview.com/

They have good indepth reviews - with example shots and analysis.

I know what you mean about the canon - my wife (a scientific photographer) felt the same so we currently have a d70s and it is very good.

In general on the digi SLR front - it wont be long before the full 35mm backs come down into the consumer market. ie. like the 1d mk3, better low light capabilities, speed and 1:1 with lenses - ie that 19mm wide angle is actually wide rather than 27mm.

a bt off topic - but give me 6 months to get a reef happening and i'll get Sheri onto photoing some underwater