Model at Train

While I agree that there is little reason to chase the latest and greatest, I do believe in the getting the best available gear when the time does come to buy.  In other word, when the time came to replace my Fuji S2 cameras, I purchased Nikon D200 and D80 cameras, not a pair of D70's or D100's.  It is not worth buying less than the best when you are spending the money.  It lasts longer . . .

Ed

But if you stick with the same brand digital, your lenses will go with you to your next purchase and work just fine.

When Minolta came out with their fancy new auto-focus cameras and told everybody the new camera would not support the old glass, I switched to Nikon.

If you buy the new "DX" (or digital only) lenses which are smaller and a bit cheaper you can't use them on film or full frame digitals. Something to keep in mind if you intend on moving to the full frame cameras in a couple of years when they are affordable.

Lol, yeah well, when he becomes the bread winner with his photography he can have first pick, until then I get to be the snotty one 

Travis,

You can mount just about any Nikkor lens made after 1958 or 1959 or 1960 . . . I forget when the F came out.  There have always been a few exceptions:  The 6 and 8mm fisheye lenses require a body that allows you to lock the mirror in the up position.  This was always limited to the top-of-the-line professional models.  The new "G" designated lenses will not work on many of the old bodies.  These lenses do not have an aperture ring and only work on bodies where you can control the aperture from the body.  There are also a few lenses that actually violated the official "F-mount" specs.  These lenses had parts that interfered with the contacts in the AF bodies.  These can't be mounted on an AF body without causing damage.  There are few of these:  The only one that I can remember is the PK-14 extension tube.  AF bodies require the newer PK-14A.  Of course, there are also the incredibly rare F3AF lenses.  These were ultrasonic focusing lenses (all of the AF capability was built into the lens itself) made for the F3.

That's all I can think of for now . . .

Ed

This is when I start getting that glazed over look and start thinking about puppies.

Ed, thanks for the information.  That's great to know.