The great camera debate.

As I have mentioned before, I am in the process of saving up for a Digital SLR camera. I had the sneaking suspicion that Sean was planning on buying one for me for my birthday when I brought this fact up to him and he responded with: "Or, you could wait until August."

Hehe. I love him.

Anyway. I've been thinking of it more and more as August is rapidly approaching, and we were recently talking about it again.

Sean: You still want the Nikon D50, right?
me: I am undecided. I thought I did, but now I don't know.
Sean: Well, you should decide. Like, by Saturday.

Huh??? My birthday is two months away! I thought I had more time! So, now I am starting to stress out a little, because I keep reading reviews and blogs and articles to try to determine which DSLR is the best for me, and I still can't decide. I don't really think he's going to go out this weekend and get me a camera, but I feel like I should at least know which one I'm (he's/we're?) saving up for by now.

Up until the other day, I thought I'd at least decided that I wanted a Nikon, (my manual SLR camera is a Nikon N2000), but then I talked to my dad.

Dad: You should look into the Canon Rebel.
me: Yeah, I was thinking about that one too, but my manual SLR is a Nikon, and I like it a lot.
Dad: This isn't the time to be brand loyal. If the Canon is a better camera, get that one.
me: Ok, I'll look into it. But I read that while Canons used to be MUCH better, they're about the same at this point.
Dad: Ok. What do I know? I've only been a photographer for 40 years.

So, I briefly looked at the Canon series, and when my brain started to bleed I went back to my decision to get a Nikon. Maybe it's because I like the weight and feel of the Nikons. Maybe it's because my friends that do professional photography all use them. Or maybe I just like being brand loyal.

Anyway, long story short (too late), I think I have FINALLY decided on the Nikon D40X, D60 or D80. I would prefer to spend a little less on the body (eliminating the D80 which I don't like the look of as much anyway) so that I can someday afford this amazing lens that I found (mom, dad, my birthday is August 16, as you remember, and I will be accepting cash). Plus, I don't want Sean to buy me more camera than I need just because he loves to spoil me. I also will be looking into a different flash, and I'll need a camera bag and memory cards. Shh, don't tell Sean, or he'll try to buy them for me, and I think I need to get them for myself!

I will primarily be using the camera for life, travel, and macro shots. I don't shoot a lot of sports, and I don't really shoot portraits, but you never know. Are there any photogs out there with an opinion, review, or recommendation? I'm about 65% sold on the D60 and 35% leaning towards the D40X.