http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FPentax-Digital-Reduction-18-55mm-3-5-5-6%2Fdp%2FB0012Q72IY%3Fie%3DUTF8%26s%3Dphoto%26qid%3D1255838046%26sr%3D1-1&tag=wii-world-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325

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# For the best photo quality, the relatively old Canon EOS Rebel XS still delivers, especially in low light, and its kit lens is the best of the group. It does have some operational annoyances, though, such as hard-to-see AF points in the viewfinder and no spot meter, and it lacks in-body image stabilization.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FCanon-XS-Digital-18-55mm-Black%2Fdp%2FB001CBKJGG%3Fie%3DUTF8%26s%3Dphoto%26qid%3D1255838526%26sr%3D1-1&tag=wii-world-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325

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# For the first-timer friendliest, the Nikon D3000 provides a guided shooting mode that can help you get up to speed. But it also has the most limited feature set of the bunch–there’s no exposure or flash exposure bracketing, for example.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FNikon-D3000-Digital-18-55mm-3-5-5-6G%2Fdp%2FB002JCSV5I%3Fie%3DUTF8%26s%3Dphoto%26qid%3D1255838646%26sr%3D1-1&tag=wii-world-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325

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AF and AF-d lenses will meter on Nikon DSLR but will not autofocus on the D60/D40x/D40 cameras. Not a big deal as manual focusing is not a terribly difficult skill

AF-s and AF-I will give you full function on all Nikon DSLR

Some pre AI lenses and home conversions to AI may be more problematic and there are some invasive fisheye lenses that can break the mirror on new Nikons so those are cautions

What lenses did you get? There is some great legacy glass out there that gives wonderfull results in a very durable mostly metal and glass lens ( not much plastic) These things will last you a lifetime. Congrats on getting it. Also what film camera ?

if you know what you like then online vs brick and mortar is moot. U just want the maximum bang for your dollar. cheapest way is via online, I like Amazon, I buy alot of stuff there, LOL, with dedicated photo stores be careful some are flyby places, take the money and bail. Adorama sounds good. We have Ritz and Penn near where I work.

Here is the complete list of all the Nikon lenses and bodies and their compatibility

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/compatibility-lens.htm

Also most Nikon dSLRs, except for the D700, D3, and D3x, are “crop frame”. This means the sensor is smaller than a 35mm film*, and as a consequence the field of view you get at a certain focal length changes by a factor of “x1.5″ when compared to your film camera. For example a 50mm lens will look a bit more like 75mm. This is can be annoying if you shoot wide angle, because suddenly your lenses aren’t as wide. But otherwise it just takes a little getting used to.

*To give you a visual idea of what I’m talking about, the forth box starting from the top is a nikon sensor compared to 35mm film:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ec/SensorSizes.png

I am assuming you are really asking about the digital SLR cameras from the top brand name manufacturers. There are a good many of them as well as some others. Let me link you up with DP Review.com so that you can compare and contrast all of the great digital SLRs out there and you can form your own conclusions. Have fun reading… there is lots to see on these pages. )

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/

If the lens is very old (so-called pre-AI, manufactured from 1959-1977) you need to be careful, because those lenses may damage a Nikon DSLR unless they are slightly modified.

To be fully functional on all Nikon DSLRs (including D40, D40x and D60), you need a lens with an AF-S designation (or AF-I – but those are rare). You may use lenses without AF-S/AF-I om those bodies, but auto focus will not work.

For other combinations, refer to the table provided by Ken Rockwell (see link). His article also tell you how to recognise a particular type of lens.

Canon still lists the EOS-1v, EOS ELAN 7NE, EOS Rebel T2, and EOS Rebel K2 on their website but these have been out for a while now. The company claims to offer continued support for their cameras but have hinted at the possibility of a pull-out.

Sony never made SLRs.

Olympus was out a while ago. Its last SLRs were the OM-3Ti and the OM-4T/Ti.

Minolta is no longer in the camera business.