Legit wildlife slr Lens/Body under $200? YES

[Limbwalker]

That quote should be a sticky at the very top of this section of the forum. It's better to start on the cheap than to waste a lifetime of opportunities waiting to put enough money aside to buy the latest technology.

Absolutely. I wouldn't trade anything for the images I captured with my "lowly" 20D and Tokina 400mm lens, or all the images I took when the only camera I owned was a G10 "point and shoot."

There is a lot of value in the process and the experience, and sometimes that gets forgotten. For many folks, just having a camera gives them reason to get out and pursue a great image, and along the way, an experience happens. It doesn't really matter what that camera is. That's not the point.

[Limbwalker]

Some images from today with my "budget" combo.

A natural honeycomb under a live oak limb, and a Crested Caracara.

The blown highlights show a weakness in the K2000 sensor, but the for $79, that lens is delivering a pretty good image.

All natural honey by johnmagera, on Flickr

Busy, busy by johnmagera, on Flickr

Honeycomb highway by johnmagera, on Flickr

Crested Caracara by johnmagera, on Flickr

[griffbowhunter]

Great pics