Johnny B Goode wrote:
I'll recommend the T3i with the 40mm pancake and 70-200L. ... The Nikon seems to be the better option if only the lenses functioned from body to body.
Actually I think Nikon has had a better history of maintaining compatibility. Look at the whole EF / EF-S thing on Canon. At least Nikon lenses will mount on pretty much any Nikon body. The rub is that the entry-level bodies lack the ability to autofocus the old lenses. If buying an entry level body, you stick with AF-S lenses and you're good.
I agree with a previous poster that 40mm would not be good as their widest option. I would say get an 18-55 kit zoom for a beginner. If 40mm is all you have, the most basic photo situations become impossible. "Hey take our photo around the restaurant table!" Sure, let me back up into the parking lot.
