Hi, my name is Phil and although I have always enjoyed photography, I find that only now that I have retired am I starting to really get the bug to pursue it as a serious hobby.

That said, and realizing all camera makers tend to do this, I am looking at springing for the Nikon DX 3300, in large part because it appears to have a better sensor than the comparable entry level Canon. I also see that Nikon doesn't sell just the body for this camera in the U.S. which means I'll be stuck with the kit lens. I was hoping some of you out there might then recommend a good "walk-around" lens to accompany the kit lens.

All suggestions and comments are much appreciated as I know I've got a lot to learn.

CanDo, welcome to the Hog.
I'll give you my take on that. There is a reason that there are more Canon shooters(but it's less than 2:1). Canon is an exciting company, just look at the new 7dll that was just released two weeks ago!
Canon has a lot going for it. I would caution picking a complete system based on the least expensive entry level product put out by any company, unless it's the last camera you ever plan to own.
Going to Canon is to go into a system that is more complete. From cameras to lenses to printers to the paper that will hang on your wall. And it all works seamlessly together.
Pros use Canon for the diversified line of lenses they can use. In the 50mm line alone you can use one of 4 lenses, ranging from f 1.0 to an inexpensive f 1.8. No other company even HAS the first two in an auto-focus lens.
There is a lot to a company beyond the entry level. Don't sell yourself short.
There IS a reason that Canon is the #1 camera company in the world. What do YOU think got them there?
Again, welcome and good luck. :thumbup:
SS

Hi, my name is Phil and although I have always enjoyed photography, I find that only now that I have retired am I starting to really get the bug to pursue it as a serious hobby.

I bought a Canon Rebel Xt about 8 yrs. ago and now want to upgrade to a new or newer camera. Since I don't have much invested in my current gear, (the only lens I bought with the camera was a Canon 17-85mm EF-S 1:4-5.6 IS USM Ultrasonic). Turns out, this lens is famous for developing a "focus hopping" problem rendering it virtually useless unless you want to keep it as an expensive 17mm prime lens. I'm not crazy about plunking over a couple hundred bucks for a repair that everyone agrees Canon should fix for free in a recall. That said, and realizing all camera makers tend to do this, I am looking at springing for the Nikon DX 3300, in large part because it appears to have a better sensor than the comparable entry level Canon. I also see that Nikon doesn't sell just the body for this camera in the U.S. which means I'll be stuck with the kit lens. I was hoping some of you out there might then recommend a good "walk-around" lens to accompany the kit lens.

All suggestions and comments are much appreciated as I know I've got a lot to learn.

CanDo, welcome to the Hog.
I'll give you my take on that. There is a reason that there are more Canon shooters(but it's less than 2:1). Canon is an exciting company, just look at the new 7dll that was just released two weeks ago!
Canon has a lot going for it. I would caution picking a complete system based on the least expensive entry level product put out by any company, unless it's the last camera you ever plan to own.
Going to Canon is to go into a system that is more complete. From cameras to lenses to printers to the paper that will hang on your wall. And it all works seamlessly together.
Pros use Canon for the diversified line of lenses they can use. In the 50mm line alone you can use one of 4 lenses, ranging from f 1.0 to an inexpensive f 1.8. No other company even HAS the first two in an auto-focus lens.
There is a lot to a company beyond the entry level. Don't sell yourself short.
There IS a reason that Canon is the #1 camera company in the world. What do YOU think got them there?
Again, welcome and good luck. :thumbup:
SS

Although I can probably afford a more expensive camera than entry level, I purposely want a camera with fewer, not more bells and whistles. I want to upgrade because technology has definitely improved since my last camera was purchased. From everything I've read, currently Nikon has the edge on sensor improvement over Canon. This may in fact BE the last camera I buy for the foreseeable future. I want to start out with very good glass so that if and when I do trade up my camera, I'll still have high quality glass to use with it. And I still have a bad taste in my mouth over that 17-85 lens that went bad on me. I appreciate so much all the feedback you guys have provided since I have returned to the forum.