EPTAnd that pic you posted is mostly a mix of 2 special things: Photoshop and maybe some rather unsusual lens with a special feature (there are quite some unique ones out there)
I own a whole Nikon system: Nikon D7000/D5000/D50/F80 (analog) with 35 1.8/50 1.8/60 2.0/18-105/17-50 2.8/70-300mm lenses, flash etc etc.
You can visit my flickr via my signature and see which camera with which lense took which picture.
The biggest question: What do you plan to photograph?
This HEAVILY influences the focal length you will be using later and which lenses will be optimal. On top it will show if you need lenses with a high aperture or not (mostly: the lower the aperture number the pricier, except some nice nikon lenses).
If you really want to take photography serious, you might want to first think about the thing you want to photograph. THEN decide on a system with a sight on the Lenses available. (e.g. Nikon DX/FX system: mm-> 100mm on a DX are equal to 150mm on a FX when comparing the picture angle (called "crop" factor)
![[image loading]](https://cdn.photographylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Nikon-DX-vs-FX.jpg)
Here you can see how it turns out with different mm: http://www.europe-nikon.com/en_GB/product/nikkor-lenses/simulator
Nikon Cameras: http://imaging.nikon.com/lineup/dslr/index.htm (DX and FX labelled)
Nikon Lenses: http://imaging.nikon.com/lineup/lens/index.htm
(Also labelled DX/FX. Important: All lenses with F-Mount work on all cameras. BUT: DX lenses on FX bodies will generate a round "shadow" on the outside as the lens isnt built for the FX sensor which is bigger as a DX sensor (You can run your FX cam in DX mode though and will have "normal" pics with reduced resolution though) not all features are always supported (e.g. AF-D lens on a D5000= no auto-focus)
If you want to take macros...you want some good macro lenses and you need to know which one goes with which camera (Nikon DX - smaller sensor vs Nikon FX bigger sensor). If you want to take people photography outside, you maybe want a portrait lens (35/50/60/85/105mm and all create different angles on different sensors =D). Ppl photography in a studio? you wont need high aperture (low aperture number 1.8 e.g.), as you will have your lights settled.
Picturing the starry sky? better Have FX with a high aperture and lower mm.
Zoo? Better DX with a high mm (I got a 300mm which is equal to 450mm on FX and sometimes it still isnt enough...) and maybe low aperture for darker days.
Wanna do video aswell?????
You see...lots of things... =D
Look at Pentax. Some nice cameras, but the lenses...dude...you will invest hundreds of dollars, the used market is shit aswell.
Nikon has pretty good sensors, a vivid used market and low budget (not equal low quality!) lenses. I buy all my stuff on the used market nowadays and I can sell the lens for the same price a year later, so I am doin absolutely fine with Nikon.
My advice: Go into a store, try all cameras and if they fit your hand etc.
For starters (as you want to take it seriously), I would entry with a used Nikon D7000 or D7100 (both awesome DX Cameras) and a kit objective like the 18-105mm (18-55 will limit you too much, though it can be used as a slight macro lens). If you got used to it and want something with lower aprture number (1.8-2.8) you can choose from 35 or 50 1.8 for a low price. and the more you get used to what you want to photograph you will know your needs when it comes to lenses.
Why no D3xxx/D5xxx you might ask? Well...they are good cameras, but they lack some features I never want to miss anymore. No intern Auto-focus engine, which means you will have to buy lenses with built in AF (AF-S in Nikon description). And manually focussing on a D3xxx/D5xxx isnt fun at all due to the really small viewfinder. So deciding on a D3xxx/D5xxx will make a lot of odler nice lenses rather unusuable. Also, the D7xxx has one more selecting wheel on the body, which really is handy, aswell as a small display on the camera body. D7xxx misses on a flippable Display though (only thing I miss from my D5000 times)
I know this is quite a lot I wrote and most likely a bit messy, but it is a real big topic one can talk about...body, lenses, etc etc
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