Caroline, if you go to the Beginners' Questions Forum at DPReview (linked below) and use the Search function, you'll find your question has been discussed there many times. You'll probably find enough information to make your decision.

Here is a link that might be useful: Beginners' Questions

PS: I hope you'll reconsider learning to use a viewfinder, though. Live view is generally not used in DSLRs the way it is in point and shoot cameras. And a potential problem is that DSLRs tend to be too heavy to hold out in front of you for very long.

I have a Nikon D90 - which is the same as the D5000, but with a few more features. the D90 is more expensive though.

The D5000 does not have a focus motor for lenses - so if you buy any lenses - they will need to have a focus motor in them. Those lenses are typically a bit more $$.

I bought my D90 with the 18-105 mm lens. This will take pictures up close - and with a decent zoom - without changing lenses. The Tamron 18-270 is available with a Nikon focus motor for about $600 - it will work with the d5000.

As far as the "Live View" goes - on either camera - it is not good! It is very slow and my experience has been poor pictures with it. I have used both the Rebel XTI and D90 live view. This goes for any DSLR

The viewfinder on the D90 is quiet good - and I can actually make a MUCH better shot using that, compared to a screen on the back. It is not tiny at all. If you have never used a DSLR - it is quite different than the point & shoot, as far as using the viewfinder. I can use it easily with my glasses on also.

Make sure you purchase a filter for your lens - no mater what lense you get. Many people new to DSLR don't do this. An inexpensive filter will protect your expensive lens. If you scratch your filter, just put a new one on! :)

In comparing the D90/D5000 to the Rebel - it is a pretty even draw. I think the Nikon does a much better job in low light.

If you are interested in video - the Nikon's will take great video. A Rebel T1i will also take video. You DO use the live view when you take video.

Thanks for all this great info! And keep it coming.

In the past, I have used a view finder on an SLR camera. But it is my old manual, Vietnam-era, combat camera, black body Nikon F with the large "professional" light meter. Now that is a camera, LOL. Every bit and piece on it is heavy metal; it's a work of art.

I've drug it around the world and did most of my military photography with it. (I was a photojournalist.) I love it; but it's time to move forward. Maybe. Perhaps?

My eyes are older, and it seems so hard peering through the viewfinder on this D3000. And we won't even talk about all the controls. I feel like I'm entering a brave new world! LOL

Would you keep the D3000, or upgrade to the D5000 and use the viewfinder instead of the Live View? Is that an option?

Or, would you go with the Canon Rebel T1i? Or, would you chose something else altogether?

I want to take photos of my birds, birds at the feeders and my Purple Martin colony. I also want to take photos of the dogs out hunting, and wildlife photos.

Caroline, did you check out the viewfinder on the D5000? Maybe you'd like it better. Or take a look at the D90. I've heard that at least one of the Nikons has an especially nice, large viewfinder.