Yes - that is the best approach. When I first got into digital, I kept on using Nikon because I had some lenses and I knew I could still use them with the new camera.. of course, I wound up replacing them as soon as my business took off and the difference between what I had and what I have is really tremendous.

I truly think that the body's are the replaceable pieces while the Glass will always be used.. and the glass is what retains it's value. D200 bodies cost over $1700 new.. they are now being sold for $800 - that's a 50% drop in just a few years. A 70-200 VR lens costs $1500 new and is selling for close to $1200 used... big difference. The good lenses will also retain value while Bodies are something to sell each year or lose value quickly.

Just so you know.. all those items I pointed to yesterday sold already.. the used market moves very quickly! Good luck!@

Wow that is amazing that the market moves that quickly! Thank you so much for pointing out that site.
Have you ever had a problem with buying from there?

Also I was reading on a camera site where if you buy a used Nikon lens that the manufactures warrenty doesn't follow through to the next buyer?
Like in the case of that $600.00 lens that was almost brand new with a 5 yr nikon warrenty?

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Yes - I trust it implicity.. it has been around for a long time and there is a very tight good/bad list that is kept for each sale. Great site for buying all stuff.. I've probably spent close to 12,000 (and saved at least that much) buying used there. buy with confidence..

Yes - that is true for many used products - many times, the original owner will state they will help you if you should have a problem that requires warrenty... ie: they will submit for repair for you. Sometimes, you will find fully transfereble extended plans (like MACK).

To be honest though.. this is only a real problem for the body.. the lens will not go bad unless you drop it or it has a problem from previous misuse.

But.. I guess that is the risk you must take to buy used or over the internet. I've been very lucky and only had one product that I wasn't happy with initially... my 17-55 lens. I paid over $950 for this and the person had just had a house fire in a closet that week... he said there wasn't an odor to the lens because he got it out of the house quickly... but when I received it, it did have a strong smokey odor... he offered to take it back but it was literally in brand new shape and about $200 cheaper than the next newest used lens available.. so I kept it. Put it in a box with some baking soda for 2 weeks.. the smell was better and then just keeping it out of my bag when not in use for a month took care of the rest of the smell... but, it was interesting for awhile.

Ok now to pick your brain some more Pesto...
(should I start a new thread?LOL)

I am a happy user of a FujiFinePixS2Pro (with a Nikon SB-28 flash and a Tamron (gasp I know) 28-300 lense with a circular polarizer, uv filter and a couple others that I rarely use) but it is over 4 years old (approaching 5) and has been used/moved/travelled/etc a ton. So I have a feeling it is approaching the end of its life sometime soon. So I would like to get a new camera/setup as a backup/replacement. I don't really want the "beginner" model of the dSLR and I do crop A LOT mostly due to the fact that my boys are always far away from me and by the time I get close the shot is gone. So I really do need pixels to work with. Although since not all pixels are equal, sheer number doesn't always apply.

Anyway, what do you think about the new camera's coming out with the viewing from the LCD? I know its way overpriced right now, but could I wait a year and buy it then? Or should I buy an older model now for fear of my camera dying on me in the next year?

And so what non-entry level camera would you recommend for someone who does crop a lot, zooms a lot, or just uses bounce flash inside (at night) a lot?

I would love to save money and use my speedlight that I already have but it may not work with the newer cameras as it is OLD (I got it used/refurbished).

Thoughts?...

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Being a Nikon user for over 15 years now.. I have an affinity for their products. However, if you really have no real pro level gear already, Canon and Olympus have some really really nice stuff. If the "live view" via the LCD is important to you, then I would recommend either the new D300 from Nikon or the Olympus Evolt 510. I think the Live View is the next big thing that all companies will scramble to include on their consumer DSLR's... not a bad idea for the hard to see shots and unusual angle usage.. and really helpful to for tripod framing,etc.

The 510 is a entry level but will run you around $600.. the D300 is an advanced level camera and runs almost triple at $1600 of so... So, I'd recommend the Evolt. Both are 10mp so you have lots of room for cropping. Both have sensor cleaners which is another "must have" addition to today's cameras.. I really like the Nikon.. but then again... I have 10000 worth of Nikon lenses so it makes sense to stick with it.

Anyway.. I'd do some research and see what folks are saying. I don't like dpreview forums any longer (they have gone waaayyy downhill).. but the reviews are still complete - see here:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/olympuse510/page31.asp

Good Luck!

Thanks I'll look at that one, never heard of it, but I've just started looking again!

Kim aka Sprauncey1

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I have the Nikon D80 and the Nikon 600 flash (one step down from the one you are considering) You might want to check out this flash as I've found it capable of doing everything I've wanted it to do.
Nikon 600 flash

Yes.. the SB600 is a great flash.. it is a bit less powerful than it's big brother the SB800... the real downside to it is that it cannot be used as a "commander" to power other flash units where the sB800 can... not a big deal if you don't need to control other flashes.. but something to consider. The power difference isn't that big of a deal unless you are using it professionally...

I must say though... that for the price listed in the link - you can get an SB800 barely used online which is always my choice if I can find a copy.