looking for some help deciding on a DSLR set-up for the wife for christmas, looking for others input of what they like. ill be looking for used in the <500 price range through work. Just looking for something thats user friendly and thats fun to shoot. Ill be using it some but not a big photography guy, but she loves to shoot and she needs better that that Purse camera shes using now

 

Canon XSi. It'll save you a bit of money, and is a great beginners camera IMO. The layout is simple, and everything is easy to use.

 

im looking at a canon xsi/d60/a300

 

I've only had experience with a Nikon D40 and D5000. But comparing the XSi to the D40, the XSi is much simpler to use, and still has a lot of potential.

 

Remove Sony from your list.
Use both Nikon and Canon.
Buy whichever feels more natural to you.

/thread

 

^ What Jon said. Go to the store, check both out in person and go with what you're more comfortable using.

 

^yeah its not for me and will be a surprise, thanks for the help though, i was looking for others opinions, and no search wont help, im not looking for the canon v. nikon battle with fanboys. i want people honest opinions on Dslr's

 

im not a photographer, can barely use the camera on my phone, im more at home with a wrench that a camera

 

The opinions you'll get will be "I have Canon, so Canon is better" or "I have Nikon, so Nikon is better."

With that said, the D60 is useless and the D5000 sucks. D40 or D90.

 

well what do you prefer and why? what do you like Carbon?

 

I followed this advice.

I bought a D40. Then I sold it for a D80. Then I sold it for a D90. I have zero intentions of ever leaving my D90.

 

I love my D40. The D90 is an amazing camera, I just can't justify upgrading at this point.

 

thanks for the advice, i like aspects of all three ive played with at work, but im leaning towards the Nikons we have

 

i think for someone starting out Canon works more in their favor. the controls are a bit easier to get a handle on and when they want to start upgrading the glass is a bit cheaper
i 2nd the xsi

 

we have a d60/d90/d300 priced at 350/500/750, just dont know if i can justify the 750

 

^ Like carbon said, forget the d60. Go for the D40 or D90 if you're really looking for a Nikon.

 

I'm looking at an Xsi for myself, but anything else I should buy with it?

 

i have the xsi, i got with a 55-250mm lens, i think it goes very well with the 18-55 kit lens.
i like xsi, it is my first dslr camera.
for night photography and long exposure, i recommend getting a tripod and a remote

 

D90 for $500?? Buy that immediately. That is an amazing deal.

 

Yeah really. Used D90's go for $750 at least. And a used D300 is usually right at 1k.