SLR -> Digital P&S -> DSLR

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

I used to take pictures with my Minolta Maxxum 7000. Have been doing so
for over 6 years now. For about the last 3-4 years, I have always got a
digital copy of the pictures with the hard copies. I think I am ready
to take the leap and move on to total Digital (and leave the films
behind).

In this effort I have recently (Sep '04) purchased a P&S (DiMage G400)
and am trying to figure out what DSLR to get.

* I consider myself to be a notch (or 2) below a prosumer
* My primary reason (interest) for taking pictures are our daughters
(then our family followed by our friends)
* I also like to take pictures of clouds, nature (lakes and such),
city (urban life) etc
* I cannot afford more than $800 (but might be able to stretch upto
$1,000) (
* Would REALLY like to use the lens / flash I've already got (for my
Maxxum 7000)

I'm looking at the

* Nikon D70
* Canon Digital Rebel (EOS 300)
* Minolta Maxxum 7D

So far I've found the Nikon to be the cheapest (still out of my reach
at this point) but was thinking that with the Maxxum 7D I might get
away with not having to get new lens / flash (which would save me some
$$$).

I haven't yet really comapred the 3 cameras yet (I'm still tryin got
narrow down to a list that I can afford) and that is what I was hopnig
you all could help me with. Also are there other cameras that I should
be looking at (given all of my constraints above)?

Really apprecaite, and look forward to, any / all your feedback.
- manzoor

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

Manzoorul Hassan wrote:
> I used to take pictures with my Minolta Maxxum 7000. Have been doing
so
> for over 6 years now. For about the last 3-4 years, I have always got
a
> digital copy of the pictures with the hard copies. I think I am ready
> to take the leap and move on to total Digital (and leave the films
> behind).
>
> In this effort I have recently (Sep '04) purchased a P&S (DiMage
G400)
> and am trying to figure out what DSLR to get.
>
> * I consider myself to be a notch (or 2) below a prosumer
> * My primary reason (interest) for taking pictures are our daughters
> (then our family followed by our friends)
> * I also like to take pictures of clouds, nature (lakes and such),
> city (urban life) etc
> * I cannot afford more than $800 (but might be able to stretch upto
> $1,000) (
> * Would REALLY like to use the lens / flash I've already got (for my
> Maxxum 7000)
>
> I'm looking at the
>
> * Nikon D70
> * Canon Digital Rebel (EOS 300)
> * Minolta Maxxum 7D

Amongst these three and with $800-1000 as the budget, the 300D is the
only choice. Remember, you will end up spending a $100 on the extra
battery, compact flash, bag, filters etc after you've purchased the
dSLR body and one lens. So effectively you can spend only $900 on the
dSLR+lens. The 300D is US$700 for body+kit lens after a $100 rebate in
the US.

The Nikon d70 is still $1200 after a $100 rebate for the body+lens.

Sorry, but doesn't look like you have much choice with that budget.
- Siddhartha

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

Thanx for your suggestions and comments. Aside from my budget, of the 3
which would you consider to be the better one? Any other one that I
should consider?

I am still trying to find out if my existing stuff (lense and flash)
will work with the new 7D.

- manzoor