Equipment Input for a first timer

im tempted to buy me a camera (first non-disposable of my own), and im of the mindset of buy something good that will last (or at least can be upgraded), so im looking between the canon 400d (Digital rebel xti) and the D40x. The place i would purchase from has the d40x with a 18-55mm lens for $988 (nz dollars) and the 400d with 18-55mm and 75-300mm lens for $1398 (also nz dollars). Im going to have a look at the bigger store on the other side of town soon to see if they offer the 400d with just the 18-55mm lens and if so at what price. I am currently leaning towards the 400d with both lens. Is that lens worth the price difference. And on a final note does the d40x accept cf cards as most reviews seem to say sd, and i was under the impression that cf was better suited to dslrs.

 

First thing you should do it pick up each body to feel out their ergonomics and find which fits best in your hand. They are both good cameras so it just comes down to personal preference. If you decide on the Canon I wouldn't bother with the 75-300 lens, if anything just get the 400D with the kit alone.

 

First off - if you read any reviews that say the Canon 400D uses SD cards, then ignore those reviews, it uses Compact Flash. I don't know anything about the Nikon D40X but a quick search shows it uses SD cards

As for the 400d with 18-55mm and 75-300mm lens - well neither of those lenses is particularly good. To get started, the 18-55mm is worth having because there is often not much difference in price for the body alone. If you want a reasonable tele zoom, then consider the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM instead of the 75-300mm
http://www.warehouseexpress.com/?photo/lenstech/canon/70300f456isusm.html

Also remember, in the long term the investment tends to be in the lenses - the camera bodies come and go, but good lenses will last you through several bodies.