I've nearly gone and done it... a D-SLR

http://www.steves-digicams.com/2005_reviews/maxxum5d_pg7.html

Minolta Maxxum 5D.

Not as many MP as the Canon Digital Rebel XT, but it'll use all my existing lenses AND has image stabilization to boot, unlike the XT.

At 150ppi, it'll do the 13x19" enlargements I love. Still, 300ppi would be a lot nicer detail, but that'd be closer to a 12MP sensor.

Of course, the two online e-tailers that have the best prices (Butterfly Photo and Dell.com) have !&@^#%$ user ratings. http://www.resellerratings.com

Everyone else has it for $800. :grumble:

If you can't beat them, you might as well join them.

:evilgrin:

But the BEST snaps I've taken came from film. Digital is great for many things, but not all... (I've yet to see a waterfall picture NOT look overexposed and overly whitewashed... never will either.)

And as the price of a higher end high-zoom consumer camera is like $200 less than that of a similarly megapixel D-SLR, why not go that route instead? Same zoom factors, infinitely better sensor that should hopefully take decent pics (you can imagine the number of hours and websites I've visited just to read the lowdown on image quality...)

But all things considered, I paid $800 for my CD Mavica in 2002. It finally paid for itself after 2 years. Assuming camera companies are into quality over cutting-for-profits, any DSLR should be and remain a high quality-built piece of work. And not just a piece.

}(

When we're all broke from buying this "stuff" we can ride the trains and live on the open rail roads. I've learned how to start fires by striking a lens against the body... :D

Why is Amazon rated so low? I've bought "almost" everything from them and only had one "bad" experience.... had to wait 4 months to get a lens hood. They have your 5D for $749 plus you get a free memory card or credit toward a better card. Essentially getting it for $725 if you factor in the memory card.

BTW... I developed a contact at bh a while back when a few were considering a group buy. Will work with us on group buys.... if you can get a few others to part with their enormous tax refunds :eyes: and buy some "stuff" ya' might be able to get a deal with them... and your rating thing gives them high marks.
:shrug:

Personally... I'd wait and save up for the rebel. You'll have a ton more options with the various brands of EF lenses (new and used) to pick from. IMO... you'll get a longer life from your investment.

Film is an investment... one Minolta film camera has lasted me 5+ years. (hence my interest in their digital version. Same lenses and adapters will work. And as such saves me a TON of money.)

Digital things are toys; meant to be discarded and shiny newer ones bought on a regular basis. Indeed, I seem to be replacing my digital camera every 2 years (Agfa CL18->Sony Mavica CD500->Canon A620), noting that the replacement has its own unique disadvantages (and the non-changing advantages) to film. At least to a 'prosumer-cum-professional' like I am. (regular joes, again won't care about the end result, hence the great sales of those paltry kodak products...)

Now if we were a moneyless society, I'd likely go digitial-SLR sooner... but an 8MP pan'n'scan is what I do most; saving the big zooms for wildlife - where I already have the equipment, and at $8/roll ($6 for the film, $2 for processing) I'd have to go through a LOT of rolls to make up the price. (by next summer, a higher megapixel piece of plastic will be out anyway that would be worthy.)

Oh, as far as P&S cameras go... kodak's are rubbish and nikon has dropped their quality a LOT. (probably because the real $ is in the D-SLR line, but nikon's D-SLR line is laughable thanks to the moire problem they have yet to properly resolve!) Canon, Minolta, or Pentax for me... and I've often been tempted by Canon's line...

I dunno. I know digital will be inevitable one day. Assuming our economy allows people to live again rather than going for the lowest common denominator. (which I doubt)

That little "toy" has been dropped, kicked, bumped, banged, crunched, and slammed. Still works like it did the day I bought it. I have a large rubberband holding the battery case together...but that's my only "problem" with it.

To be honest.... when I hold a filmsie body now it feels like a "toy" to me compared to the DSLR I use. Maybe they're making plastic heavier these days. ;)

You have a bunch of "stuff" already? Then yes, it makes sense to get something that would work with what you have. Saves ya' a ton of money.

I'm a doom and gloomer when it comes to the economy. Don't see it ever coming back to a level that allows the workin' folk a chance to see past tommorrow in my life time. My attitude? Fuck it. If I can't afford to retire and can't afford to need medical attention... if the only thing I can afford to do is die... then I'm going out having some fun.
:hi:

I'm contemplating selling of the Nikon for a Minolta myself :). The Minolta stabilization system works extremely well (had it in my old Dimage A1 and was blown away by it).

...make sure you know the magnification factor for that camera. You may find that your existing lenses may effectively become longer (and less useful) than they were with your 35mm.

No doubt some people are unpleasantly surprised to find out that their expensive and useful 20mm lens from their 35mm SLR film system behaves as a less desireable 30mm lens when used on a Digital SLR system. That's one thing that's helped keep me from adding a digital SLR body- I don't weant to lose the use of my great wide angle lenses. Plus, you lose metering when using manual focus lenses- at least with the Nikon digital bodies I've looked at.

rectalinear AF. I use it on my nikon D70, and it is a very good wide angle lens for digital.

before you buy anything else.
Really, for the price, the D70 is nothing short of phenominal.