i guess the first thing is never say never, we don't know what companies will produce in the future.

I probably wouldn't buy a Sony because most of their products are overpriced tat, their cameras may not be, I knew plenty of people that have worked in Sony service (along the M3) and they all slate it.

The main thing that would stop me buying a camera, oddly enough, is not the camera itself, it's the extras.

I bought Canon because they have a great range of accessories.

Image quality wise, their is not a lot to chose between them these days, certainly not enough for amateurs to worry about anway.

I certainly think you are safe if you are on the Canon/Nikon path.

As far as DSLR go - I can only imagine myself buying Canon or Nikon in the future. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with other brands but I never had any reason to change.

The Nikon D50 was right for me when I bought it and the Canon 40D was right for me when I bought that.

Although I've a few lenses for each, If I ever get around to buying serious lenses then I would have to make my mind up between Nikon or Canon.

Well, I have to backtrack on what I said a few months ago
As my next camera is going to be a Nikon

Like for like performance differences are likely marginal e.g. Canon 50d/40 vs. Nikon D300, 5D vs. D700 etc. but price, handling and availability of system lenses and accessories do make a difference. I'd be happy with a Canon or a Nikon but I think the build quality of Nikon's are better. I started with a Nikon as I already had my own lens from when I borrowed a D200 but if I knew what I knew now I would probably have got a secondhand 5D. From an amateur perspective many amateurs have Canons and there is an abundance of secondhand kit available cheaper than Nikon. However there is something about having a Nikon.

Can't get on with Olympus and Pentax. Too small for my big mitts and I don't like the Sony design or 'clunky' shutter mechanism (on the early DSLR's at least).

It is a nice feeling when you finally come to a decision Suzi, bet you are now looking forward to getting your hands on it. Have to say I would have bought a Nikon but they are so uncomfortable for me to handle but I love my Nikon point and shoot.

I've had, Sony's, Pentax, Olympus, Zenith!, and Praktica as SLRs - I've also had Fuji & other P&S's.

As far as DSLR's go - I've only had Canon & now Nikon - I have to say for simplicity and user friendliness the Canon wins - but for features and totally amazing shots, I'm in awe of the Nikon D300.

I think my camera of refusal would be a Zenith LOL (Sorry, but they were an affordable rage when I was about 15 years old).

I had a Zenith EM in the 70's and I am ever so glad I did because it taught me to understand the mechanics of cameras and photography. Even so I may not get it right but at least I understand what is going on some of the time. I had to meter manually in those days (still have a Weston Euro Master). It's a bit like computers, I originally had Spectrums and BBC's in the 80's, and DOS and early Windows PC's in the 90's. Many people haven't a clue what is going on behind the Windows GUI but at least I have a clue what's happening when it all goes wrong or I want to clone a disk etc.

The Zenith was built out of old T-series Russian tanks I think with wrought iron and rhino hide trim!

The D300 is an excellent camera and I immediatly enjoy that feeling reminiscent of my D200 I used abroad. For anyone reading this thread that hasn't really tried other cameras hands on other than their own I would encourage you to have a play. Particularly if you have a more amateur model go and see what you get further up the range. For example the Nikon D200/D300 has so many more functions accessable from dedicated buttons than a D80 or 90, it is a lot more solid and robust. The D3 is in a league again but who the hell would want to lug that around. As I suggested before I don't think the picture quality will be that different between many current models at A3, A4 or less, but ergonomics and system accesories make a difference.

Isn't it lovely that there are so many different views and yet nobody is wrong.

I didn't buy a Nikon simply as I found them less idiot friendly than the equivalent Canon model (price based comparison).

I didn't buy an Olympus as I still have my old 35mm OM1n

I didn't buy a Sony as they felt really plastic. Oh, and they make teles not cameras. Well in my world anyway.

I did buy the Canon 450D and I am very happy with it and I even know what most of the buttons do after a few months.

I liked the feel of it, the layout and useability (is that a word?) of the controls and especially the huge range of lenses and toys available.

i don't think i'd refuse any camera however, I do love nikon and the way they fit my hands, and just everything about nikon over canon - sorry but then, i have a canon ae1 program which i love too.

i guess, really, all i want is a hasselblad dslr, a leica rangefinder and a rolleiflex TLR! hehe - i dont want much!

xx

Iv'e owned a Yashika Mat 124 and two Mamiya Secor 645s. I loved the Mat 124 for it's simplicity & the 645s for their technical excellance.