The "Magic Three"

[Foots]

Hi All,

Thanks for the warm welcome!

I have been taking pictures for about 6 years, first with a pocket camera, then my Lumix and now am ready for the big time.

After reading Bambi's thread, it seems in the DSLR the Nikon D5000 or the Canon Rebel T1i will meet my needs. I don't want anything that weighs more then that.

What I find difficult is choosing the lens(s) for the camera. I think Nikon has IS in the body by requires Nikon Lens while Canon has IS in the lens but you can use other manufacturers.

I am starting from scratch. ....if you could have only 3 lens which would you choose?

I can't really claim any specialty. I take the usual home, family, pets and garden photos. Other than that, I love the quirky, people caught unaware, skies and light. And, I have no aspirations to be a "professional" With my current camera I haven't been able to take night photos or even in dark places. I would like to learn that.

I print my own pictures usually at 8.5 x 11. I would like to go bigger.

Bambi, you got a good price - looks like you saved from list - are you a good negotiator?

Here is one of my first photos taken on the pocket camera - megapixels less than a cell phone today. It's not photography but just fun.