Need opinions...

[Curious Cat]

Hi. M a slr user in the past - Nikon AF601
M very "rusty" because hav not been using for awhile.
Thinking about getting a dslr (finally!!!)
Went to snoop around the shops with a helpful friend recently.. played with D60, D90, E420.
D90 to pricey at this moment for me - also too fancy, so not really considering
D60 alittle too cramp for my fingers
E420 very lite and not so cramp for my grip
however, I don't know if I should "convert" - always like nikon products..
Any opinions, suggestions, other models to rec?

[mactigasuku]

Originally Posted by Curious Cat Hi. M a slr user in the past - Nikon AF601 M very "rusty" because hav not been using for awhile. Thinking about getting a dslr (finally!!!) Went to snoop around the shops with a helpful friend recently.. played with D60, D90, E420. D90 to pricey at this moment for me - also too fancy, so not really considering D60 alittle too cramp for my fingers E420 very lite and not so cramp for my grip however, I don't know if I should "convert" - always like nikon products.. Any opinions, suggestions, other models to rec?

I have always like Nikon products. My last/latest Nikon body was the F801.

I am using the E520 now.

Even if you have any legacy Nikkor lens, you'll end up having to buy new Nikkor lenses coz the old Nikkors have fairly limited function in the new DSLR bodies so having older (esp if you are not buying the D300 body upwards) Nikkor lenses should not be a consideration - IMHO.

[aryanto]

explore e520, e3 or wait for e30.

[microcosm]

Originally Posted by Curious Cat Hi. M a slr user in the past - Nikon AF601 M very "rusty" because hav not been using for awhile. Thinking about getting a dslr (finally!!!) Went to snoop around the shops with a helpful friend recently.. played with D60, D90, E420. D90 to pricey at this moment for me - also too fancy, so not really considering D60 alittle too cramp for my fingers E420 very lite and not so cramp for my grip however, I don't know if I should "convert" - always like nikon products.. Any opinions, suggestions, other models to rec?

I was a Nikon shooter from Nikon F2AS to F4s. (with many other bodies in between).

From the looks of it, you have a fundamentals in photography, and for the Olympus camp, the E-30 would be the ideal camera for you but you will have to wait for its release in Q1 next year, or, take advantage of the year end Pro bundle, which includes the E-3 + 12-60 + FL50R flash. That is a great deal! You will kick yourself for missing it. All you need to add is a 50-200SWD and you are covered in focal length, from (based on 135 format) 24mm - 400mm. These two lenses basically cover almost everything a serious hobbyist would need.

If you have about $11-12k and would like to stick to Nikon, then I highly recommend the D700 with the "Trinity" lenses. That is all you need. The rest is merely "customisation parts" to "pimp up" the D700. Like vertical grip and a SB900 flash unit.

For the Canon camp, currently there is nothing more enticing than the Canon 5D MkII for its resolution power and processing engine.

In terms of budget outlay, Olympus will be the most affordable while Canon will be the most pricey if you go for the fastest "L" lenses covering a similar focal length like the Olympus offering

Hope this shed some light.

For more information, please go through the stickies section above and read through some of the articles that have been highlighted and archived. They will give you a better insight into the Olympus (Four Thirds) standard.

Cheers.

[olymac]

Originally Posted by Curious Cat Hi. M a slr user in the past - Nikon AF601 M very "rusty" because hav not been using for awhile. Thinking about getting a dslr (finally!!!) Went to snoop around the shops with a helpful friend recently.. played with D60, D90, E420. D90 to pricey at this moment for me - also too fancy, so not really considering D60 alittle too cramp for my fingers E420 very lite and not so cramp for my grip however, I don't know if I should "convert" - always like nikon products.. Any opinions, suggestions, other models to rec?

Everything in life have a BUDGET.

What is yours?