bmwhere?

It really depends on whether you really want to get into photography or just want an simple SLR for the advantage of changeable lenses that you don't get with a compact. The D3000/D3100 is the very bottom level of the Nikon DSLR range, so is pretty limited in its capabilities. I would liken it to having a top end compact camera with the advantage of changeable lenses, great for casual snapping in auto mode, but if you start getting into your photography, you'll very quickly find its limitations. The D5000 is then the next model up and represents the entry level model for people who want to play a bit more with the camera controls and take their photography a little more seriously. Nikon are due to release the D5100 very soon which is probably also why the sales guy is pushing the D5000 before he has to drop the prices even more. To compare the Nikon and Canon range: D3000 = 1000D D3100 = 1100D D5000 = 550D [D5100 = 600D] <- both coming soon D90 = ~ 40D or 50D D7000 = 60D D300s = 7D D700 = 5D MkII D3s = 1D MkIV D3x = 1Ds MkIII Personally, if you're really want to get into photography, I'd be inclined to wait for the D5100 or 600D to be released, then get the outgoing D5000/550D models at a bargain price.

Not tried the reader for True Grip Stu, will give it a go this weekend if I find time My favourite apps: "Beautiful Widgets" for combined clock and weather (pay app but worth it) "Bergfex" (also pay app) for detailed ski/snow reports (see http://www.bergfex.com/). "GPS Status" (Free) for, well, GPS status "ShopSavvy" + "Barcode Scanner" (both free), barcode scanning apps for cheaper shopping! "Astro" (Free) file managing app "Deco 2000" (Free) dive table app "Depth of Field Calculator" (Free) for calculating Photo DoF "ConvertPad" (Free) standard unit converter "Oanda" (free) currency converter (has a nice cheat sheet widget) (See http://www.oanda.com) "Earthquake" (free) interesting app gives notification of earthquakes around the world!

As a pointer, the Canon 500D is currently £499 with 18-55 kit lens on Amazon, the 550D is another £100. Once the 600D comes out, then you may be able to pick up the 550D for around the £500 mark, or get an even cheaper 500D and another lens! The thing to bear in mind, is that once you get and SLR and get into photography, then the chances are you will upgrade at a later date. Because you generally buy lenses separate from the body (with the exception of your first camera) you will normally keep the lenses as you upgrade the body and vice versa, so the choice of brand you make now will almost certainly be the brand you will stick with forever! That's why its really important to have an equally good play with both to decide which is better for you. Anyone who tries to tell you Canon is better than Nikon or vice-versa is full of sh1t. Everyone always says their brand is better and can give you many reasons why, but the truth is, there's almost nothing to separate them, particularly for amateurs, and you're choice of lenses will always make more difference than the camera body. Even at the pro end of the scale, you can generally only say one is better than the other if you have a particular speciality the one brand excels in over the other! As for the photo competition.... I'll be annoyed if you don't enter

The best tip I can give you is to try both Nikons and Canons (and any other for that matter) in the shop! Have a good play, change all the different settings, use the camera menus etc and see which one you feel more comfortable with. The Nikon vs Canon argument is so long and drawn out, but the reality is, there is so little between them all, that the best one is the one you can use! Some people 'get' the Nikon way, other people 'get' the Canon way; Unless you try both, you won't know which is the best for you! Don't let the sales person steer you towards one brand over the other, he probably just gets more commission. Also, as Andyjudge says above, have a look for an outgoing model, you may be able to pick up a killer deal on a discontinued model! As a fore warning, Canon will release the 600D and 1100D from March, once they are on the market, the 500D/550D/1000D will all drop in price, so could be very worth while to hold off a couple of weeks!

welcome back Paul, good to see the blue label again Wonder if it will ever return to orange.... or even black

+1 for sticky hatch brakes! Think its mostly the handbrake as leaving it off after driving it in the wet is usually ok, but think its sometimes the pads themselves sticking, so the handbrake trick doesn't help! Had the car coming on 3 years now and its always done it, so I'm pretty confident in won't do any harm! My brakes still work fine and wear is about the same as it was with the 03 STi

Nice, makes me wish I had a tax disc!

Welcome to the club (another hatch owner here )

Great looking hatch Although black is better

Welcome to the club

Welcome to the club

Welcome back, and welcome to the hatch club

Bit late, but Happy New Year all Limited internet access at the mo, hence late reply! Spent New Year at a big party in a vinyard on Waihiki island just out from Auckland in NZ. Was something special partying ourside for New Year in shorts, t-shirt & flip-flops

Why not head across to Ferrari world at the Abu Dahbi F1 circuit and ride the worlds fastest rollercoaster!

+1 for sotto-zeros, they're fantastic tyres!

As for the speed rating, you can also get V rated winter tyres, so still within manufacturer speed ratings!

There is very minimal additional costs with winter tyres, particularly if you have them on a second set of wheels. Well worth getting them IMHO! Performance on dry roads should match or better normal tyres, depending on temperature, throughout the winter months. In wet weather traction and stopping distance will be greatly improved.

Congratulations! I'm sure she'll bring you far more joy than the Scooby ever did!

Only +36C here in Cairns today! Water temperature is a measly 28 degrees

Welcome to the forums

careful what you wish for

DAMN!!!! I'm off to Sydney next week, but don't get there until 6th That would have been sooooo cool to see! Oh well, back to plan a) surfing on Bondi Beach

Glad you've seen the light now if only the rest of the UK would do the same The Sottozero's really are amazing tyres. I've been driving winter tyres for around 10 years now and was still taken aback when I tried them, they are leagues above anything else I've tried!

Feel for you Ace! The Scooby is a really tough car to follow!