Compatible Digital SLR

[LostMyWife]

I am thinking about putting my 35mm cameras into moth balls and get a digital SLR. I have a lot of lenses that fit my two Minolta Maxxum cameras.

I am looking for a digital that will allow me to use the lenses that I have. Now that Minolta has bailed on me, any idea what my options are with a non minolta camera. I understand Sony bought out Minolta's camera division. Will my lenses work on their new cameras? I do not want to buy an old Minolta digital camera.

Maybe I am being penny wise and dollar foolish. If so, let me know.

Thanks

LMW

[jdmidwest]

LMW, you would have to check the tread diameters to see if they will match the new camera. I bought a Minolta Dimage 2 years ago before they sold out. Great little camera with alot of SLR features. The lens diameter is more like a camcorder than a standard SLR so lenses and accessories are few. I was able to come up with a few filters to fit it at Creve Couer camera shop in STL. Digital is the way to go, you can touch up your own photos with a program like Photoshop Express and have them ready to email or print. And, best of all, you can delete bad shots without having to pay for prints. Canon makes great digital SLR's. Most of the photographers I work with locally use them.

[Rusty]

I know, not on topic, but take a look at this http://www.h20camera.com/home

[LostMyWife]

LMW, you would have to check the tread diameters to see if they will match the new camera. I bought a Minolta Dimage 2 years ago before they sold out. Great little camera with alot of SLR features. The lens diameter is more like a camcorder than a standard SLR so lenses and accessories are few. I was able to come up with a few filters to fit it at Creve Couer camera shop in STL. Digital is the way to go, you can touch up your own photos with a program like Photoshop Express and have them ready to email or print. And, best of all, you can delete bad shots without having to pay for prints. Canon makes great digital SLR's. Most of the photographers I work with locally use them.

I have looked at the Canon OES. Expensive, and none of my autofocus lens fit. SOme friends of mine have one and they love theirs.

I looked at the Dimage. But the only place you can find one is eBay. And they are not cheap. Plus, I want soemthing with all of the new features.

I know, not on topic, but take a look at this http://www.h20camera.com/home

Now that is a neat little camera. Looks to be under $300 at circuit city

[Rusty]

They are really COOL. This is on my wish list for this year. I hope, I hope, I hope.

[Gary Lange]

I believe that the Sony Alpha 100 or whatever it is uses the Minolta Mount. Here is a Digital Camera Review site that should have the info on the cameras. I friend has the Sony and it takes awesome Pic's.

http://dpreview.com/

[LostMyWife]

I believe that the Sony Alpha 100 or whatever it is uses the Minolta Mount. Here is a Digital Camera Review site that should have the info on the cameras. I friend has the Sony and it takes awesome Pic's.

http://dpreview.com/

Thanks Gary

BTW, do you think I should move on or stay with the Minolta lenses? The dollar wise, penny foolish side of the argument

[Gary Lange]

It is hard to say as some older lenses are not compatable with the Digital Systems. I would ask around some and see what they say about it. If your lenses are good lenses and are compatable with the Sony System then your fine. If not your options are open and you can look at all the systems and pick out whatever you think is best. Currently, Canon is the only company producing a full-frame digital camera. These offer potentially superior image quality due to both the number and size of the pixels on the sensor. Many pixels packed on a small sensor can generate increased noise and give a less satisfing image at higher ISO settings. I got this from the new Outdoor Photography Mag. You may be better off with a new Canon 30D and some new lenses in the long run and sell the older stuff. Pick up Outdoor Photography and read some of the articles it is a good Magazine.

[LostMyWife]

Gary

I read the articles that I found online. I did a few searches and what I found was that I am not ready for the big time with the Canon. The prices that I found were way over the self imposed limits of a weekend shutterbug.

The pictures we posted of Tney were taken on disposables cameras. I do want to get past that. I use to be able to hike into the mountains in Colorado with my Minolta Maxxum and take some great shots, but I am far from the point of going out for $3400 on a camera. Not that I would not enjoy it, but I might have to find a new place to live.

The Canon EOS Rebel looked interesting. When I go digital I will be looking around the $1K price. I know I will get what I am paying for. I also read that while my lenses would fit the Nikon, the quality of a lense built for a 35mm camera may not yield a quality digital picture.

Maybe I need to hang on to my old Maxxums and buy a cheaper digital to take pics on the water.

The info you offered up was great. It told me what I needed to look at and that told what I was looking to spend.

As always, thanks for the comments

[Micheal Kyle]

LMW

It was great to meet you the other day down at Taney, I hope that you did not get the sickness that I had.

If you all ready have the lenses that will fit the Nikon and it sounds like you do you may want to take a look at the D70. I bought that for my wife a couple of years ago and it is great and under 1000. If you want to spend a little more you may take a look at the D200 just for the frame it should run around 15-1600. Just my 2 cents worth good luck.

Michael