help?
i really need a new camera but
i really dont know what one is
really good in performance

How much money are you willing to spend?

Yes, that's the point.
If you want to begin with a entry level DSLR, you can look at the Nikon D40. $525 on Amazon
Another one, but a little more expansive is the Canon Rebel Xti. $730 on Amazon

is there a place i can go buy them? instead of the internet purchacing it

yes - a shop :-)

try Adorama or B&H - both have large stores in NY

Personally I'd advise Adorama over B&H. Their customer support is better 8•)

their prices aren't, however...

Will they not price match? We have a store here in calgary that is always cheaper than everywhere else, so i try there first, but they never have anything in stock. So on my last two lenses i went somewhere else and they gave me the price of the cheaper store.

between 5 and 15 dollars difference for the XTi and D40X :-)

here's what I used as a point of reference... the highly sought-after nikon 18-200 VR sells for $750 at B&H, $800 at J&R..and a whopping $919 at Adorama...
seems like just a teensy bit of gouging, if you ask me..so why would I shop at a store that does that? online, or otherwise..

that is a big example rob but its worth noting that the B&H price is for an imported non US product that doesnt have a nikon warranty but a B&H one instead.

in the case of the cameras, personally for the sake of 5 bucks i wouldnt be too fussed one way or the other.

actually, the price is the same for both the US-made, and grey market lens. they do normally charge a small percentage for "imports" on other items, though. so let's add the $30-50 dollar difference that might be found on other items...still a bargain, no?

yes. it always pays to shop around though as typically one supplier isnt consistently cheaper. found that out plenty of times. Over here i always look at Amazon first as they often prove to be the cheapest source.

Not a bargain when you need service - my company switched because we never got the internal sensor and lens satisfactorily cleaned after having it brought in for service over 10 times in 2 years. Every time it was over a week's wait to get the camera back.

Adorama cleaned it w/in 24 hours and actually got it clean.

I'd also bet most of the time the price difference really isn't that great, especially as these 2 are w/in 20 blocks of each other and in direct competition.

I've been in both, and while B&H is bigger and more impressive @ a glance, talking to the guys in both, on average, Adorama's guys seem to have the more in depth info, and rarely have to look it up for you.

interesting, and a valid point. I guess it boils down to preference...price point, or service after the fact. I'd probably still go for the former, and just do my own research first.

Hey! I just bought a Nikon D40X, although a little expensive, I've really enjoyed it so far. Just thought I'd give you my two cents, but everyone else probably has more knowledge on cameras than I do :)