Compatible Digital SLR

[Gary Lange]

You can always just keep what you have a invst in a Slide Scanner like I did. I bought a Konic Minolta DiMAGE Scan Dual IV and it works quite well. I have two Canon EOS 630's with a few lenses but I want the D30 with some new Digital Lenses. The Canon EOS Rebel XTi is a great little camera for a good price. It will take some respectable pictures and some great Bird Shots with the right lense.

[Jayhawk Chris]

I concur with BackCountry....

I have the D70s(they no longer make the D70) and I love it. I have had 3 other digital cameras before this and will never go back to film. I have put close to 20,000 pictures on each of my previous cameras. I would advise you that do not get caught up in the hype about how many megapixels a camera has. The human cannot distinguish over 2.5 megapixels ( I believe that number is right...I know for a fact it is not over 3) What is going to be most important to you is a good lense that captures light. You can have the best camera money can buy, but if you have a cheapo lense, you won't do yourself any good. I used to be a weekend photographer, but since I switched to digital about 7 years ago, I carry it with me everwhere. Everytime I jump in the car, I take my wallet, keys and camera. Every fishing or hunting trip, every business trip, the camera is the first thing I pack. There will be a learning curve on how to really get the most out of any camera. But with the auto features of most cameras, you will find that it will meet about 90% of your needs. if you are looking for more resources, try nikonians.org. It is a great website that is just for Nikon camera users. Scroll through the forum....there is not a question that you can think of that hasn't been asked already!

[ecce38]

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

Very good question indeed. I've been a pentax man for a long time. The new K10d camera will work with my dad's old 1979 KX film camera lenses. In fact, any pentax len ever produced. If you are satisfied with the pictures stick with them. Maybe future Sony digital SLR's will be backward compatible with them.

[James001]

Late to this discussion, but I agree strongly with the last post. I have a Pentax K10D and use it with old, manual K-mount Pentax lenses as well as newer ones. It's expensive to replace a full set of lenses, and the new ones don't always match up well to older glass unless you spend a lot (or even if you do). Of course, it is faster to shoot with a brand new, fully auto lens, but Pentax put image stabilization in the camera body, so it can be used with any Pentax or Pentax-compatible lens of any vintage. Best wishes.

Very good question indeed. I've been a pentax man for a long time. The new K10d camera will work with my dad's old 1979 KX film camera lenses. In fact, any pentax len ever produced. If you are satisfied with the pictures stick with them. Maybe future Sony digital SLR's will be backward compatible with them.

[Njardar]

I believe the older Minolta lenses will fit the Sony, but you may have to use the camera in manual, shutter priority or aperature priority modes. As you look at new cameras take an older lens with you and see what features work and what ones do not. I personally have a case with two 35mm Minolta backs and lenses that I do not use with my Minolta digital (same model that Sony makes now). You will also find that newer lenses are much lighter that the older ones, and while I use to carry three lenses I now carry two because of advances in variable focal length design. If you have an older flash it will not fit the newer alphas.

- Charlie

[wily]

I'm a shutterbug too.

this is the site that i follow for photography...

http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/

i've got a D30, and a good macro lens, and a couple mediocre telephotos...

you can pick-up a used D30 in good condition on ebay for $300 or so. A D10 is less.

if you don't like ebay -- go to www.keh.com

both are good cameras...and with canon the lens possibilities are almost endless.

you can pick-up a new point and shoot for under $200 that will take great pictures...or step it up a notch and buy a G series from canon.

[Geoff]

I hope you mean a 30D and not actually a D30. the D30 is VERY old, only 3 megapixal and leaves ALOT to be desired, plus if I paid 300 bucks for one i would feel royally ripped off, they arent fetching more then a 2 hundred bucks if that these days. granted they can take decent pictures, there are MUCH better cameras for the price.

[wily]

you're right...i mis-spoke. thanks

[Geoff]

no worries. I love my 30D. The only issue i have with Canon and Nikon and lenses is that back in the 80's, Both manufactures changed the lens mount style. This switch ment that you cant use any old film lenses on the digital bodies. if you have a new film lens, they work but some of the old really cool stuff doesnt work. pentax is currently leading the market in that end, with the K-X ( i believe its called ), that accepts every lens they have ever made on their new digital body. its pretty cool.