We (wife & I) are thinking about getting a digital camera and a photo printer along with it. Want to get a camera that we can switch lenses like you can with a film type SLR and used in both auto and manual modes.........are there any brands and models that we should look at and also any that we should stay away from? I know that software has alot to do with how easy it is to process the photos.need advice on that subject also.........and printers.......thanks :)

I've been looking at the SLR's as well. I like the Canon Digital Rebel. I use an EOS 630, so they operate very similarly. I have decided to wait for a while though. The prices are all over the board right now, and I have a medium format Mamiya in my near future, so my camera funds are going in that direction for a while. I have seen the DRebel for around 800 with 2 USM lenses, tripod and a bunch of goodies. That ad is in the December Shutterbug in the CCI ad. I've never ordered from them, just passing info along. It is a a package set which seems the best way to go, especially since I have seen just the body going for around 700 or more. With the Canon you get essentially the same guts as the upper models of Canon Dig. SLR's, with a lighter duty, Plastic instead of Metal body, a tad less mirror damping and you lose a few user changeable settings, as in focus mode in action settings and things like that, but not a big deal to most folks. It does have aperture priority and shutter priority like any other SLR, so it is very useable in a semi-pro set-up. Look it up at dpreview.com. They have great reviews of all the camera's. These are just things I have picked up reading and checking the web. I haven't had a chance to get my hands on one yet, though maybe this week I will have to play hooky and do it. :D
As I think about it though, is there a reason you want the interchangeable lenses? Most of the mid to upper end "point and shoot", and I use that term loosely with the upperend units, as they are way more than a point and shoot, have lenses and adapters to give you macro and telephoto capability, let alone the ones with 10 and 12X optical zoom. The best reason to go with the SLR's though is the availability of the lenses, which at least as the Canon's go, the EOS lenses have been out for over 10 years and they are now on the used market at great prices. There is just something fun about pulling another lens out of your bag and clicking it on and shooting.
Sorry for the rambling, but camera's are as addicting as audio gear to me, even though I get less of a chance to shoot as I do to listen, which in both cases isn't near enough.

If you do get a DSLR I would highly recommend one with the Anti-Shake feature, having used one for a couple weeks now it is almost invaluable how many more GOOD pictures you can take with it than you would one without it. Shutter speeds as low as 1/15th of a second come out perfect as long as you can hold the camera fairly steady. I routinely take them as low as 1/40th of a second without even worrying how steady to hold it. The minus side is that a DSLR with that feature is going to run you probably about a grand without lenses. If I had the money I would spend the extra for it. If not then make sure you get a tripod or keep your shutter speeds up with high zoom, which means only daytime pictures. I was taking some pictures on a cloudy day at an equivalent 1600mm at 1/40th without any blur at all.

I found the Digital Rebel for around 470 bucks mail-order with lens, and 404 without, and since I have the lens with my EOS 630, I think I will be going that way, the price is great and for 400 bucks, how can you go wrong. Though the Nikon D70 is with lens for 604. I am going to call tomorrow and see if those are for refurbs, but I don't think so.
The anti-shake is a cool feature, I have it on my Camcorder. A tripod makes up for it though and I like a tripod.......... makes me look like I know what I'm doing :D

Though the Nikon D70 is with lens for 604.

That seems awfully cheap for a "new" one. If you can score a D70 for $604 by all means GET IT. My brother bought one about 3 months ago ( $1,200 CAN) and it is a peach of a camera.


Mike

Well, as usual, I should have done my research before running my mouth, or fingers anyway. I just spent the last 3 or so hours looking up the low price dealers. Seems they either bait and switch, push acc. that should come with the camera anyway, or ship from the grey market. Looks like the Rebel is legitemitly (sp) going for 700 or so and Nikon for around 900 or so, still a great buy as the picture quality is much better than most PandS's. So I will need to put away a few more pennies, and do more research. Now there is a whole new ccd-cmos design coming out in the near future............ Sheesh, worse than computers.

The D70 is the new standard in digital at it's price point. I did a fair amount of research before getting mine, (Leica Digilux 2/Panasonic Lumix DMC-LC1) and the Nikon is superior to the Cannon as far as image quality is concerned. (sorry VinylHanger) However, check the reviews via google to make the decision for yourself.

According to the photo store I went into, the D70 produces a higher quality image than even the Nikon pro cameras at this point, though that won't be for long. There are only one or two DSLRs that have higher image quality, I belive the pro Cannon(s) are there. One thing to consider is the pixel shape, the Nikon does have square pixels, which makes it tougher to push the envelope as to enlargement size. (I have a good friend who's a pro photog) This shouldn't be an issue with the larger chip, however.

I'd think you could get highter quality Nikon lenses for the $$ also. Cannon does have very high quality lenses, but they have a couple lines. As I understand it, their lower line of lenses aren't much. Look into it, you'll want fast glass (f 2.0-2.8) for the highest quality and more ease of use.

These are only my opinions, check around and read the reviews before you spend the $$.

If you really don't need to interchangable lenses, Panasonic has a new camera out in the DMC-FZ20, 12x Zoom Leica 2.8 lens at 5.36 megapixels. You'll get DSLR quality in this with an amazing lens. (yes, the lens makes a huge difference) The lens is about 36mm to 43mm equivilent, as much lens as most folks will ever need.

Anyway, good luck. At least take a look at the Panasonic. With the Leica optics, you really can't go wrong.

I just got the Nikon D70 kit from buydig.com for $1147 not including a $100 rebate direct from Nikon.

It's an awesome camera but, I've got to admit, a little intimidating for the novice photographer. It does have automatic presets but the amount of control you have over your shots is going to take a lot of experimentation on my part.

Good luck.

I've been a Nikon user ever since the F series first came out, graduated to the F2S and etc. It is hard to fault Nikon on any level, I just wish the D70 had AS built-in. I'm very interested in the Minolta 7D for it's AS feature. I was also very interested in the Panasonic Lumix, but the Minolta DiMAGE Z3 seem to have all the features for $150.00 less. The mid to upper mid range of digital camera's seem to be extremely competitive and is very subjective. Best advice is just go out and check them out at the stores.

Great first look at the Minolta D7.

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/MAX7/D7A.HTM

I've been a Nikon user ever since the F series first came out, graduated to the F2S and etc. It is hard to fault Nikon on any level, I just wish the D70 had AS built-in. I'm very interested in the Minolta 7D for it's AS feature. I was also very interested in the Panasonic Lumix, but the Minolta DiMAGE Z3 seem to have all the features for $150.00 less. The mid to upper mid range of digital camera's seem to be extremely competitive and is very subjective. Best advice is just go out and check them out at the stores.

Great first look at the Minolta D7.

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/MAX7/D7A.HTM


I am obviously biased but the D70 is winning all the awards for a reason!!!!! Popular Photography named it Camera of the Year for 2004. The AS is a neat feature but most pros just buy Canon or Nikon lens with this feature built in if they need it. How many weddings have you seen shot with a Minolta? I have never seen it. It used to be all Mamiya or Hasselblad but now with the advent of pro quality Digital SLR's they are mostly Canon and Nikon. WHY?? Because they have the highest quality equipment and the nicest resulting photos. When your livelihood depends on a client buying your pics then only the best will do. Try this site on for size. http://www.kenrockwell.com
Pat.

That seems awfully cheap for a "new" one. If you can score a D70 for $604 by all means GET IT. My brother bought one about 3 months ago ( $1,200 CAN) and it is a peach of a camera.


Mike

$1200 Canadian......I wish...$1799 plus tax and a memory card... $2100+... at least I got $150 back when price dropped a litle..

Pat.

I too would like a D70. Anyone with experience with the online retailers? Some have some great deals now, Ritz among others. Any recs on reputable outfits/contact people etc? Any help much appreciated. Thanks all.
Tyler

Any camera you buy is only a tool, it's the person behind the viewfinder that makes great photo's. I doubt you will see too much difference in the optical quality of Nikon vs Minolta in most circumstances. Nikon has a certain prestige and that is liking driving a Rolls compared to a Yugo. If you look at the lens line-up for both, you will probably see as many if not more available lenses for the Minolta, since because it's AS is built-into the body, you can use an AF lense. If you want AS in a Nikon expect to take out a mortgage on your house for it. I'm a convert for the AS feature, I'm able to take many more good pictures when I'm at 500mm+ without worrying about camera shake. It isn't always prudent to be carrying a tripod around, even when taking macro's at close ranges and low light I still get good pics with 1/4 sec shutter speeds. I'd like to see that with any other camera that doesn't have AS feature. Now I believe the new Nikon D2x will have it, but it's $12,000.00. Lens built AS is expensive and makes a much heavier lens due to the extra glass and components inside. Minolta uses CCD AS which is extremely small and light. If Nikon made one like Minolta's for the same price, then I'd say jump on it, but they don't so...I'd say try them both out, the 7D and D70 and see how many more good pictures you get with AS.

I have the Panny FZ 20 and it's really good. The lens retains f2.8 brightness throughout the zoom range. I'm new to foto's but even I can take decent pics now. It's macro mode works well and the optical image stabilizer helps to ensure that the long zoom is useable even without a tripod.

It's not an SLR, thus you can compose your shot on the large LCD and you will shoot what you see in terms of brightness, focus and color. The electronic view finder is eye-glass friendly so even the missus can use it.

The AF is fast enough for what I do (much faster than some of the others i've tried.)

Over all a nice cam.

I can mail you some sample pics that i took if your interested.

regards

gerrit

I've heard good things about the Panasonic FZ20, only two things though that steered me away from it was the size, almost as big as a SLR and the price, nearly $200.00 more than the Minolta DiMAGE Z3.

As I said above, buydig.com had the lowest prices along with some of the highest customer reviews. Not only did I buy from them, two other people I work with bought their Nikons from them as well.

Highly recommended (and no, I don't have any interest in the company).

One other point: after you make your initial purchase from them, you get free shipping on your next purchase made within 30 days. So of course, I had to buy an additional lens. Once you get started, you know how hard it is to stop.

That is true once you get going...

It all depends on what you're looking for in a camera. The Panasonic has the Leica lens, which is pretty much unbeatable for the $$. But, it may not have every feature you're after. I personally like Leica a lot and the way they capture color, etc.

As to the Nikon, that's an amazing camera. I have to admit I've thought more and more about something along those lines, as the are really quick with focus with great lens options. However, in order for me to get one, I feel I'd really need to commit to digital and leave film behind, which I'm not quite ready to do. For now, I'm really happy with the Panasonic DMC LC-1 (Leica Digilux 2) as I've gotten some decent images with it. I do wish it was a little quicker and had better macro. But I really can't complain.

The Panasonic is definetly a better deal than the Leica digital camera. Try out www.dpreview.com for excellent reviews of just about every digital camera out there.