Is this a wacky idea and why?

Yes, it's a wacky idea. My mom has a D80 and it took me all of 10 minutes to pick it up, turn it on, learn to change the settings, and know it well enough to teach her how to use it. It's the same basic principle as a 40D -- a dial up top, a dial in the back. Small things like where to change the preferences can be easily picked up by a small bit of trial and error and maybe printing a pocket reference guide for the field.

AndreaBFS wrote in post #5815825
Yes, it's a wacky idea. My mom has a D80 and it took me all of 10 minutes to pick it up, turn it on, learn to change the settings, and know it well enough to teach her how to use it. It's the same basic principle as a 40D -- a dial up top, a dial in the back. Small things like where to change the preferences can be easily picked up by a small bit of trial and error and maybe printing a pocket reference guide for the field.

I've actually already owned a D80 and wasn't a huge fan of it. But if I get that body instead of all the Canon gear I have now, I could also afford the flash, tripod, and meter. I feel it's very important for me to learn this stuff on the Nikon body. So my decision has been made. Thanks.