[Cougra]

As mentioned in another thread, I'm looking around for a new DSLR camera and was wondering what you think about this set up for a starter package.

First of all I love taking photos of landscapes, flowers/leaves and fish/aquariums so I would like a starter package for these and will add to the lens collection as finances allow but I would love to have some feedback on any lens you think I should have and WHY I should have that particular lens.

I'm still torn between the Canon and Nikon entry level systems as I have no experience with SLR cameras and want something simple to learn on for now. I know that each have their good points and bad points. I've heard great reviews on both companies. Enough of that here is what I'm looking into getting:

System 1 - Canon
CANON D-REBEL XTI BLACK W/18-55 EF-S
CANON EF-S 60MM F2.8 MACRO USM LENS
CANON SPEEDLITE 580EX II FLASH
2GB COMPACT FLASH W/RECOVERY

System 2 - Nikon
NIKON D40X DSLR W/ NIKON 18-55 II LENS
NIKON SB-800 SPEEDLIGHT IRAF FLASH
NIKON 60MM/F2.8 MACRO DAF
2GB SECURE DIGITAL W/RECOVERY MEMORY CARD

There is a fairly large price difference between the two camera systems here but I don't want that to interfere with the advice given.

Now I can save about $150 by downgrading the flash to the previous models (420EX for Canon or SB-600 for the Nikon) but I'll be losing a bit of functionality and power by doing so. I've been told that the previous models will be fine for the types of photography I want to do and that it'll be easier to learn if I don't have manual settings for the flash as well as learning everything with camera itself. However I'm a good learner and am thinking about the future as well.

One thing I like about the Nikon is that all their lenses can be used on all their cameras whereas Canon has two different types of lens some of which can't be used on their higher end cameras. However it's going to be a long time if ever before I switch to those higher end models.

I know that the kit lens isn't reputed to be a great lens but I'm not sure what other lens would be good for landscapes without breaking the bank since I'll be spending a lot of money all at once for this camera system and it may be a while before I can afford the next lens.

Eventually I'll also want to get a good telephoto lens for wildlife photography however I don't know much about them.