wtf?

used 40d = about 400$ and im sure he could get some short macro for around 300$. would fit the budget. no one is talking about pro equipment. where the heck you made that sort of assumption from?

he is talking in euros so he could get a d90 + a macro zoom (if that would fit the bill) for his budget

pretty much the same numbers in € than in $ because of lower taxes in usa, at least in finland. but some parts of europe the taxes are more like in usa, so he might be able to fit a used kit lens on the budget

he needs multi purpose lens, not 1 expensive macro lens that is no good for most other shots

In my opinion get Sony alpha 200,300,350 ONLY BODY ! Pick whatever you like or witch is cheaper!!!!
Then buy reverse ring 52mm to 62mm (no need AF confirmation) and buy Helios 44M 2/58! You just can't go wrong with this set up!
Why? Cus first of all, all Sony cameras can and should use ZEISS lenses and all m42 lenses! After market is full of them.
Let say I can provide you good camera + ring + lens for around 400$ ? Good price ? Want some samples ?
http://forums.d2jsp.org/topic.php?t=52041009&f=265
All done with Sony 300 + reversed Helios 44M 2/58. Ain't bad since I paid fuk all for ring and few boobs for lens

let us know what you will buy

The lowest Sony you posted I've seen around 400euros and the highest it's around 800 body only, atleast on webs from my country.
What's the difference between the d40 and 90d?
Because If the difference It's not esential for working I'd go for the cheaper, thanks guys, I see most of you know about it

d40 is limited in how regards to ease of use, the d90 has a top lcd which makes aperture, shutter speed, iso, wb, pic quality, battery life + a few other things easily accessible and with the d90s setup you can change them quickly. with the d40 you need to go into the menu settings then up and down select the thing you want to change etc. the d90 has dedicated buttons for a lot of those things. image quality is similar. The d90 has more mega pixels which is only useful if you want large prints. I myself owned both a d90 and a d40x in the past and the d90 was far superior in terms of ease of use- which in turn improves your photography knowledge. the d90 also has a MUCH better af system, which is the main reason you should not get a d40 over a d90. if you are looking at used bodys you could also consider d200 or d300 non s version as these too are great camera to learn with and not too basic that you will need to upgrade in a year. i still use my d200 alot even though i own a canon 5d.

Mate I don't think you understand what benefits you getting of having sony... all m42 lenses ! russians, polish, slovakian whole est europ will be open for you bro lenses are like 15$-2000$ in all rages : wide, 50's, 75's, 80's telezooms, macro and shit loads more
you have to remeber when you buying camera you going in to system and let's face you need for macro shoots only so pointless in my opinion go for cannon (watch the flame) any way good luck looking forward for your samples

m42 fit on pentax without adaptor and any other slr with an adaptor.

ofc but for canon you need adaptor and you loosing AF confirmation on some lenses.