Please recommend a quality digital SLR no more than $1500.?

My old school SLR Nikon has about had it. I'm thinking it is time to go digital. I've been looking at both the Nikon D40 and the Rebel XTi but I am open to suggestions. I don't work as a photographer, nor plan to, but I do feel that I have somewhat of a knack for taking quality pictures and do help out friends and family at times with their "portraits" etc. I torture my children with a lot of attempts at "Anne Geddes-ing" them and I am willing to spend a decent amount to continue to get the high quality I had with my 35mm SLR. I see a lot of packages on ebay and places like that. I'm wanting to shoot for something like that, camera, lenses, case, a few filters maybe... So any suggestions for cameras I should go test out at Inkley's before I search for an online package?

I am also looking at the Canon EOS 40D .... forgot that one

What nikon did you have (Was it an autofocus nikon) and did you have lenses for it?

If you buy a nikon, it will be able to use most of the lenses you already have for your old camera so for the investment, A nikon may be a better option.

IIRC, the D200 (body) is definitely in your price range as well and with existing lenses would be a far better choice than a Canon.

In either case, make sure you try whatever camera you decide to buy.

HTH

Best digital camera under $1500 would be Canon EOS 40D. Easily the best in that price range. Very fast, live view, latest canon image sensor, also if you brought the kit has a IS lens still under 1500, get the kit save$ on lens.

My brother in law is a free lance pro photographer, his personal use cams are the Nikon D40 and the Nikon D300 kits. I love results from both.
Though the D300 is over your budget I think it's worth spending an extra few bucks. Having said that, the D40 is a great camera. It or it's next generation will be my next digicam as I want to graduate from the Canon S5 IS (which also is a GREAT camera, I suggest you give it a try as well).


oops, I had to check a few times and edit my post a few times....sorry :)
The Nikons my BIL uses are D40 and D300......not D3000

Yep Canon EOS 40D 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera with EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Standard Zoom Lens
is an excellent SLR camera. I got mine here http://www.monstermall.org/camera.html a while ago

A Nikon D200 is within that range, but I would spend around $300 more for a D300. Both of these cameras will be able to use the lens you already have, even if they are AI or AI-S manual focus.

If you have several lenses for your Nikon then obviously you'll want a Nikon DSLR. However, if you only have one lens for the Nikon then I suggest you take a look at the Sony A700.

The A700 is 12.2mp, has Super SteadyShot in the camera body, is weather resistant, has dust removal for the sensor, and you can use every Minolta Maxxum AF lens made since 1985. It also uses most all the accessories for the Konica-Minolta D5 & D7 DSLR cameras. Take a few minutes and read the reviews at imaging-resource.com or dcresource.com or photo.net or popphoto.net.

Shop at keh.com or adorama.com or bhphotovideo.com.

my suggestion
go to yahoo shopping
digital cameras
digital camera GUIDE
be sure to check titles on the left side
the guide should answer your questions