Jim Spencer wrote:

Hi. I am planning to purchase a Minolta Maxxum 5 body and would like
advice on what lens to purchase. The camera will be used by my wife
to take snapshots of our children (probably using the auto mode
exclusively), and by me to learn photography (my only experience with
an SLR is from high school yearbook, 15 years ago.) We would like the
lens to be zoom. Our budget for body + lens is $200 or less.

For general snaps and photo training wheels, the 28-80 kit lens is decent
enough. As a rite of passage for learning photography, esp. composition, buying
the 50 mm f/1.7 is a good idea as well (and these are available new and used at
very good prices). At B&H the Maxxum 5 (QD) is $150 and the 28-80 is $70 (US
Warrany). The 50mm f/1.7 is $80.

Bill and Magnus will weigh in here, I'm sure.

(Note: I often reccomend the 24-105 as a GP lens, but it is outside your budget
by a bit).

What are the relative advantages/disadvantages to buying a refurbished
body or lens?

Maxxum 5 refurbished? Hmm. Better go new. (I say 'Hmm' cause it is a relatively
new model and I'd be surprised that there any refurbs on the market...)


Is the extended warranty for this camera a good idea?

No. Or rather only if it so cheap as to be inconsequential.

We plan to buy in the next several days. Thanks in advance for your
responses!

Go for it. Great little camera, great capability for the price If your hands
are large you might find it a bit hard to work with. For most ladies it is a
perfect size.

The built in flash is okay for snaps with high speed film (400-800), but
consider a future purchase of a 2500D or 3600HS D flash as well.

Cheers,
Alan.

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