Quote - If you are holding the DSLR with a proper technique...your left hand should be nowhere near that dohickey...

LOL. You may well be right that I wasn't holding it properly. I was holding it the way that came natural to me, and learning to work with a DSLR "properly" may take me a while. Once I do,it may not be a problem at all. That said, I have made up my mind, and the Canon 400D/XTi it will be. While I have read only good things about the Nikon 40x, and it felt really god in my hands, the lack of an autofocusing motor in the camera body made the difference. I liked handling the Canon almost as much as holding the Nikon, so I could concentrate on the technical aspects for my decision. I briefly considered the Nikon D80, but it seems it is more expensive here in Germany than it is (for example) in the US, and with the "cash back" deal Canon has going right now the monetary difference will be quite big. The money I save by buying the Canon can go towards a dedicated macro or telephoto lense whenever I feel I need it, but until then I think the Canon should serve me well enough. :) I'll let you fine folks know when I get the camera, and how I like using it. :) Many thanks again to everyone who helped me make up my mind. I love you guys. hugs