[Brandy]

I'm hoping that I can get some help in making a decision here! I was stuck trying to make a decision between the D40 and the D40X. A little background...I lusted over a friend's D70 for a couple of years and then in October when I was crewing an ultracycling race, one of our crew members brought along his D40X with 18-200mm lens. Thunk. I was in love. I grabbed that thing at every opportunity and when we got home and looked at the images I fell even harder. Pictures taken during with the race with my Fuji Finepix S5100 were nothing compared to the images from the D40X. I've been thinking about it ever since.

So...fast forward to last week and we're in a position to upgrade our equipment and itching to purchase. My thought was D40 vs. D40X with a two lens package...18-55 and 55-200. Are the extra megapixels worth it the extra $200?? We're not in a position to spend the $$ on a 18-200mm lens right now so we would need to go with the two lenses.

Then I found a D80 with a 18-135mm lens that seems to similar in price to the D40X with the two lenses. Hmmm...is the D80 better? Will the one 18-135mm lens suit my needs?

Kids will be one purpose for the camera but mainly we need to get good shots during these ultracycling races to pass along to sponsors.

Help!?!?!