... and my g/f decided she *really* likes it. To the point of, I'm thinking of getting her a Nikon DSLR for her birthday.

We went to a Ritz to check out the D40, D50 and D70s. It seems that of the 3, the D50 would work out best:

1. Will use all (3) lenses I currently have (18-55, 55-200, and 50/1.8).
2. It can use my batteries (but not vice versa)
3. Also uses SD cards
4. Will keep future lens purchases wide open for both of us.
5. Should be able to act as a master to my SB-600, but this last point I can't verify. Anyone?

So, with all of that in mind, should I get her a D50 now (while I can find one, and the body is going for about $450)?

Or should I wait til closer to her birthday (July) and get either a (hopefully lower priced) D80 or whatever Nikon comes out with?

Decisions, decisions..

give her the d80 and get whatever new comes out;)

I suspect you know...so if that's the case...maybe you need a ring not a camera? :-P

All kidding aside...I'd probably hold out (on the camera). Let her keep using it, and see if it's a genuine interest, or a little fling (still talking about the camera). Better products are always coming down the pike, so don't buy until you're good and ready (camera...but maybe I'm talking about the GF a little as well).

She likes photography as much as I do. She has a good eye for composition, and does stunning B&W work (my opinion). She'd love to have a DSLR, we're both quite capable of being able to afford it so no worries there.

As far as the g/f goes...life is good ;)

Back to the original line of thought, I can pick up a decent DSLR body (the D50) for the price of a mid- to high-end P&S. If the 'shutter bug' doesn't take hold as I suspect it will, I can either have a spare body or put it up on craigslist.

Thanks for your 'food for thought' :)

most notable is the gorgeous screen. I just bought one and am loving it. It gives me the control I need if I want it, and is light enough to carry around with ease. It comes with a good lens, 18-55mm. The D40 will only auto focus with AF-S lenses, so that is one possible drawback if you have a bunch of the older ones lying around.

Much more info on <a href="http://kenrockwell.com/nikon/d40/users-guide/index.htm">Ken Rockwell's D40 page</a>.