I agree, but given my name, then you can guess I'm biased too. Had a look at the 450D at Focus on Imaging recently. Very like the 400D, but with the availability of live view on the rear screen. Guess who's saving his pennies!!!!

I was planning on getting a Canon camera; possibly the Canon EOS 400D?

Thats the one i have. Its a great 1st DSLR and at a good price. At the end of the day, if you get close to a bird you will get a good picture regardless of the camera. The best photo of the Rose-breasted Grosbeak on the Isles of Scilly last October was taken by a man with a small digital camera!

So would you recomend it to an enthusiastic amateur like me? Is it user friendly?

Here's another Great Crested Grebe. This was taken at Radipole Lake RSPB last Wednesday - when it was still sunny and reasonably warm!



I use a Canon 350D with a 100-400m lens and a 1.4 extender/
This shot was taken at a speed of 1/160 and an aperture of F10 and an ISO speed of 200.

Wow. Nice picture. You got there just in time, this is the final day for entering your photos!