So I'm gonna get a camera

Woo, finally have some money to play with. Probably shouldn't be spending a few hundred on a camera but I think I have enough reasons.

1. I want some decent pics of Buster
2. This is a beautiful part of the country, it displays all four seasons beautifully.
3. I have my cousins wedding in 4 weeks and am going to see most of my family, some of which I havn't seen in 4 years + and I want to take some pictures.
4. Christmas coming up, I want some family shots
5. Just after new years I'm probably going to go up and see mum, I can get some pics of their horses and the dogs to bring back with me. Especially Sophie, I don't think she has a long time left and I want to have a go at capturing her.

So thats me justifying it.. plus I've wanted a good camera for like 2 years so I'm just gonna get myself one.

Still, I probably don't want to be spending more than $800 tops and would prefer something closer to $500 but I dunno if thats going to happen. I was just looking at Nikon D60's on Ebay and it seems to be generally around $770. There are a couple for considerably less but they have a few days left to bid so they'll likley go up.

I'm gonna ask for your guys help on this because I'm really a total beginner and I just don't want to walk into a shop and end up buying something I regret later.

I'll want to be taking mostly outdoors animal shots, so probably a fair bit of action. But I also want to capture the landscape around the area.

These are a couple I was looking at.

1.
Nikon D60 + 18-55 VR Barely Used All Box Contents Incl. - eBay, Digital SLR, Digital Cameras, Cameras. (end time 06-Nov-09 20:32:46 AEDST)

2.
Nikon D60 Digital Camera with 18-55mm lens - eBay, Digital SLR, Digital Cameras, Cameras. (end time 06-Nov-09 17:18:02 AEDST)

3.
BRAND NEW Nikon D60+ 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II Lense KIT - eBay, Digital SLR, Digital Cameras, Cameras. (end time 05-Nov-09 21:37:34 AEDST)

4. - a D90
Nikon D90 + 18-105 VR Kit + 8GB SD - eBay, Digital SLR, Digital Cameras, Cameras. (end time 06-Nov-09 20:30:34 AEDST)

Thoughts? Suggestions?

I've had good luck with b&h camera. Their used stuff has always been in great condition for me. A d60 body and a Nikon Zoom Wide Angle-Telephoto 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S DX lens (just grabbed one that I might pick) ships to Australia via UPS for $633 and some change.

Go for the D90 So you won't have len's picking problem's in the future I'm going threw that now Trying to find lenses with a motor that don't cost $500. Go with the D90.

I think if you're just into doing basic things the D60 or D40x would be more than enough camera for you.

I messed with a D90 and it was a great camera. I haven't been disappointed with my D60 though at all and it would do the job you're talking about well. The kit lens I have I don't care for so I'd save up for a better lens but my kit lens took good pics for a long time. I just realized once I got my Tamron that I was missing out with my other lens, lol. The D90 is quite a price difference from the D60 so if you're looking at just wanting to be in the $500-$800 range, you won't find it with the D90 I don't think. The D90 kits on there are all $1200+.

Eventually I'll upgrade to maybe a D300 (I loooove messing with those lol). But if you want to see what a D60 can do in the hands of a total amateur (lol) my pics are almost all taken with the D60. There are a lot of people on this forum with D40s, D40x, D60s

ETA: I wonder why that D90 is only $444. The others are way more expensive.

Okay, what's wrong with the D90? Only $444? Something is wrong.

D90s are usually WAY expensive..... something seems off that it's only $444.

If you're looking to stay on a budget, I would get the D60. It's a GREAT camera, and it takes some really amazing pictures!

Okay, happy with a D60.
But thats really all I know I'm looking for, I have no idea what the lenses mean yet. The standard one seems to be the 18-55mm, will that be enough to play around with for a few months while I save up for a second one?
Is $770 a decent price for an Ebay D60 without getting ripped off?

BRAND NEW Nikon D60+ 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II Lense KIT - eBay, Digital SLR, Digital Cameras, Cameras. (end time 05-Nov-09 21:37:34 AEDST)

I liek this one, its a buy it now item and it says brand new with 12 month warranty.
I havn't had a chance to get into a shop yet to check out proces there though.

i bought my d60 as a refurb off adorama.com and i could not be happier with it. i got the camera and a refurbished 55-200mm lens for just under $500 iirc.

Thanks elegy. I was going to try to buy from Australia to save on postage but if I'm saving a few hundred dollars I'm probably just better ordering from the US. Looking at adorama now, plus I know they are legit, I don't have to worry about ordering some some random Ebayer

25438 Nikon D60 10.2 Megapixel Digital Slr Camera with 18-55mm vr zoom lens

??

Definitely looks like a better price!

Okay, I might buy that today.
Thanks guys

It won't add to my cart. What the hell...?

I emailed them, they said it was no longer available.
If I bought another one I'd have to buy a lens seperatley and it would still end up costing me over $700 so I might just go back to llooking at australian sellers for now.

Check craigslist you may even find someone close & you can pick it up.

I just ordered one, I asked around on an Australian forum I'm on and ended up getting a Canon EOS 450D. Can't wait for it to arrive! XD