I shoot Canon, though Nikon is certainly in the same league. I've heard that Canon's glass is overall a bit better, but you're really splitting hairs at that point. I'd strongly recommend staying with one of those two brands, as that's where you'll get the widest availability of glass and other accessories, and the best support.

Go to a camera store and play with both brands to see what feels best to you. Consider it carefully, though, because it's generally going to be a decision that you'll be living with for many years.

Between Canon and Nikon systems, it really does come down to the lens library. The comparative quality of the two brands is so razor close as to be fairly arbitrary, but I find the cost point of like glass to be significantly different.

For example:
Canon's "nifty fifty" 50mm 1.8 is $85
www.adorama.com/CA5018AFU.html
Nikon's 50mm 1.8 is $110.
www.adorama.com/NK5018AFDU.html

Canon's 24-70mm 2.8 is $1,190
www.adorama.com/CA2470AFU.html
Nikon's 24-70mm 2.8 is $1,700
www.adorama.com/NK2470AFSU.html

Both Canon and Nikon's 70-200mm 2.8 are between $1,650 and $1,700, but Canon also offers a non-IS version for $1,200.

Just something to factor in when deciding...

> IDEALLY i'd like to get a body and everyday lens and a Tele or zoom, for about $12-1500.
> The rest i'd like to spend on some lighting equip- as portraiture and nude are what i want to explore next.
>
> It's 'tween the Nikon D80 (or 300 if i'm feeling particularly rich...) , or the Cannon DigiRebel XSi...
> i have no previous lenses- so i'm not in either camp yet..... Is it 'true' that Cannon has the best glass overall.....??
>
> ALTHO - the Pentax K200(or K20- if i'm feeling above...) is becoming a sentimental fave

IMHO the biggest reason to go Pentax is that they give a weather-sealed body for notably less $$$ than any other maker (at least, they *did* with the K10, and I'm presuming the K20 is still a price/feature leader in this regard). Sounds like studio work is one of your main interests, though, and enviro-seals are less useful there. Another notable item, IMHO, are those nice little "pancake" lenses, which make the cameras less-obvious for when you're shooting candids and other low-key situations. Finally, Pentax is one of the sensor-shift antishake makers (vs. CaNikon's "IS" & "VR" in-lens systems). Each system offers different benefits over the other, but both in-body and in-lens antishake do the job and are WELL worth getting -- if you go Pentax, be SURE you go with one of their anti-shaken bodies!

Going with CaNikon is a no-brainer, of course -- they're both great systems, and though the pace of development is increasingly frantic (newer/better is coming fast and furious), either choice should make you happy for years and years and years. IMHO, the *ONE* thing that really makes these two stand out from the pack isn't their "systems" (fine though those are!), but the "professional" support: if you're a pro, Canon and Nikon are the only two who can give you worldwide access to really-fast-turnaround support, beyond the wildest dreams of most "consumer" support-experiences. This, in the end, is why most pro's use these two. Because when they have a contract on the line and a deadline looming, they do NOT want to waste their time on the phone tracing their camera: they want a loaner in-hand to keep working. However, *DO* note that this kind of support doesn't come cheap, and both Canon and Nikon *do* also have a "general consumer" grade of customer-support which is no better (that I've ever heard) than any of the other makers' support.

I would argue that Canon doesn't have "the best glass overall" -- but that they have a few specific advantages (and a few disadvantages, for that matter). Their advantages have included faster lenses (50/1.0, 85/1.2, etc... *IF* you have the budget for 'em!), and a bit more on the telephoto end of things; also, they were the only OEM to currently offer T/S (aka PC) lenses, though Nikon's announced that they'll be producing their own shortly (this year). On the other hand, Canon's notably weaker on the wide-angle end of things... their wide-angle lenses, in general, have been among their weakest offerings (relative to how well Canon lenses stand up in other niches). The "classical" portraits and nudes aren't done with wide-angle lenses, but there are some interesting perspectives to be had shooting people wide (I see you know this, though -- that portrait of the guy grabbing the fence is niiiiice!)...

For "classic" portraits and nudes, you probably looking at lenses like an 85/1.4 or even a 50/1.8... or maybe a macro (though some feel they're "too sharp" for flattering portraiture). It's all good, here... everyone makes great offerings: every maker, and every brand-idealogue, can (rightly) claim, "our 85/1.4 is a glorious piece o' glass, and you'll NEVER be sorry you bought it!" Ditto the 50mm's, & the macro's.

I haven't seen the XSi, so I can't comment on it. The D80 is, IMHO, a great camera; I'd call it "best in class" except that it's really in a class of its own, a little above most other "amateur" models, but not *quite* up with the "semi-pro" models. The other notable plus for Nikon, particularly relevant for you: they're noted as having the best flash-system going.

Last but not least, I'll suggest you give Sony a consideration; I saw that you've been shooting with a KonicaMinolta model, and Sony's the "heir" to that lineup. Sony's a200 (go a350 if you love live-view) -- and a700 if you're feeling rich -- are worthy models, and Sony's coming on gangbusters, with new camera-models and new lenses at an astonishing rate (plus a booming trade in the used KonicaMinolta glass from the Maxxum/Dynax line, 100% compatible with new Sony's). Note that currently, Sony's a-mount is the ONLY way to get Zeiss lenses in an Autofocus (though Zeiss manufactures in CaNikon mounts, they're MF-only), and Sony's 16-80 Zeiss is the only "everyday walkaround" lens to be had from Zeiss.

Bottom line, though: really, they're ALL good choices these days. These makers all put out great bodies, great lenses, great flashes; and if there's some little hole or glitch in a particular system's lineup, 3rd party makers are available to pick up the slack (don't like the Canon or Sony flashes? Look at Metz... Want a nice wide-angle, but "stuck" with Canon? Check out some of those fast-wide primes from Sigma, or the amazingly lightweight 11-18 wide-zoom from Tamron. Etc...) .

So... what to do? Go to one of the better camera stores (Adorama or B&H are the names I'd suggest) and actually *HANDLE* each of the lower-end models you are considering. See which "feels best" in-hand. See which menu-system navigates smoothly for you. These can be very idiosyncratic things for many people. If you don't have a clear favorite, and/or you feel like these models are "just lacking a little something" THEN look at the higher-end models; and consider all of THEM as a class, too.

And... happy shooting!


- Steve

They're all good cameras with good lens systems. You can't go wrong with any of them.

Go to some camera stores, pick up the cameras, feel how they fit in your hand, go through the menus to see how the interfaces work, and most importantly take some pictures. Some cameras will be too big, some too small. Some will be too heavy or too light. Some will have small viewfinders and some of the interfaces will seem too complex. But one of them will feel "right" to you. Buy that one.

That's how I bought my Nikon D80. I looked at all the cameras at the time, and the D80 just felt right in my hand, plus it had a great viewfinder. I love it and use it all the time.

I recently upgraded from the D200 to the D300 and there have been no negatives. It impresses me as focusing faster and more acurately than the D200. Note, I'm using the 18-200 as a walk around lens and I'm happy with the results.

Note, you also might be able to find a used D200/18-200 combination for less than the $1500 top end of your range and I for one would trust a used D200 more than a new D80 just because of the builld.

Take a look at the Canon D5. Its a great camera provided you use a good Canon lens. The image quality has a slight edge over Nikon. Also Canon makes their own sensors a big plus.