SLR choices

FILM
Nikon
SLR
N55 - 28-80mm - $200
N65 - 28-90mm - $200

Minolta
SLRs
Maxxum 3 Date - 35-80 Zoom Lens - $139.98
Maxxum 50 Date Kit 28-100 lens, - $165(J&R)
Maxxum 5 (Dynax 5) Date - With 28-100 Zoom Lens - $205
Maxxum QTsi - 28-80 Zoom Lens - $169.98
STsi - 28-80 Zoom Lens $189.98

Canon
SLR
EOS Rebel K2 - 28-80mm - $190(dof)
EOS Rebel GII - 28-90mm - $190(dof)

Pentax
SLR
ZX-60 Date - w/ Quantaray 28-90 AF Zoom - $200(dof)

price range: $150-$250
any opinions of these? if you prefer one, what does it have that
others do not?

Group: rec.photo.equipment.35mm Date: Thu, Mar 10, 2005, 8:26pm (CST-2)
From:

(Mr.Bolshoy=A0Huy) wrote:

FILM
Nikon
SLR
N55 - 28-80mm - $200
N65 - 28-90mm - $200
Minolta
SLRs
Maxxum 3 Date - 35-80 Zoom Lens - $139.98
Maxxum 50 Date Kit 28-100 lens, - $165(J&R)
Maxxum 5 (Dynax 5) Date - With 28-100 Zoom Lens - $205
Maxxum QTsi - 28-80 Zoom Lens - $169.98
STsi - 28-80 Zoom Lens $189.98
Canon
SLR
EOS Rebel K2 - 28-80mm - $190(dof)
EOS Rebel GII - 28-90mm - $190(dof)
Pentax
SLR
ZX-60 Date - w/ Quantaray 28-90 AF Zoom - $200(dof)
price range: $150-$250
any opinions of these? if you prefer one, what does it have that others
do not?

I would choose the Maxxum 5 (Dynax 5) out of those. The Maxxum 5 has
depth of field preview among other things, not sure what all it has that
the others lack, I have not read up on it in a while. The Rebel T2
compares well with the Maxxum 5. My advise would be to look for a used
Canon Elan II or 7 or a used Nikon N80. The Maxxum 7 is a fine camera
but I don't think you will find one in very good condition for less than
$300.



Cody,

http://community-2.webtv.net/AnOverc...otographyLinks

Group: rec.photo.equipment.35mm Date: Thu, Mar 10, 2005, 8:26pm (CST-2)
From:

(Mr.Bolshoy=A0Huy) wrote:

FILM
Nikon
SLR
N55 - 28-80mm - $200
N65 - 28-90mm - $200
Minolta
SLRs
Maxxum 3 Date - 35-80 Zoom Lens - $139.98
Maxxum 50 Date Kit 28-100 lens, - $165(J&R)
Maxxum 5 (Dynax 5) Date - With 28-100 Zoom Lens - $205
Maxxum QTsi - 28-80 Zoom Lens - $169.98
STsi - 28-80 Zoom Lens $189.98
Canon
SLR
EOS Rebel K2 - 28-80mm - $190(dof)
EOS Rebel GII - 28-90mm - $190(dof)
Pentax
SLR
ZX-60 Date - w/ Quantaray 28-90 AF Zoom - $200(dof)
price range: $150-$250
any opinions of these? if you prefer one, what does it have that others
do not?

I would choose the Maxxum 5 (Dynax 5) out of those. The Maxxum 5 has
depth of field preview among other things, not sure what all it has that
the others lack, I have not read up on it in a while. The Rebel T2
compares well with the Maxxum 5. My advise would be to look for a used
Canon Elan II or 7 or a used Nikon N80. The Maxxum 7 is a fine camera
but I don't think you will find one in very good condition for less than
$300.




Cody,

http://community-2.webtv.net/AnOverc...otographyLinks

Mr.Bolshoy Huy wrote:
FILM
Nikon
SLR
N55 - 28-80mm - $200
N65 - 28-90mm - $200

Minolta
SLRs
Maxxum 3 Date - 35-80 Zoom Lens - $139.98
Maxxum 50 Date Kit 28-100 lens, - $165(J&R)
Maxxum 5 (Dynax 5) Date - With 28-100 Zoom Lens - $205
Maxxum QTsi - 28-80 Zoom Lens - $169.98
STsi - 28-80 Zoom Lens $189.98

Canon
SLR
EOS Rebel K2 - 28-80mm - $190(dof)
EOS Rebel GII - 28-90mm - $190(dof)

Pentax
SLR
ZX-60 Date - w/ Quantaray 28-90 AF Zoom - $200(dof)

price range: $150-$250
any opinions of these? if you prefer one, what does it have that
others do not?


You don't talk about your needs or expectations, but I'll swing at the
ball anyway:

DON'T: Maxxum 3, Nikon 55

Avoid: Maxxum 50, Nikon 65

I Suggest: Maxxum 5

I don't know anything about the Pentax.

--
-- r.p.e.35mm user resource: http://www.aliasimages.com/rpe35mmur.htm
-- r.p.d.slr-systems: http://www.aliasimages.com/rpdslrsysur.htm
-- [SI] gallery & rulz: http://www.pbase.com/shootin
-- e-meil: there's no such thing as a FreeLunch.

Alan Browne wrote:


I don't know anything about the Pentax.


It is probally best to check whether it has the crippled lens mount or not.

--
http://www.petezilla.co.uk

In article . com,
Mr.Bolshoy Huy wrote:

price range: $150-$250
any opinions of these? if you prefer one, what does it have that
others do not?

I'm mostly a Nikon guy, so my advice will have that slant.

DO avoid the N55 and N65. I'd rather have a used N70. Since the camera
has a somewhat undeserved negative reputation, you can pick them up
pretty cheaply. The reputation comes not from a mechanical or
operational shortcoming, but because the LCD menu system is rather
unintuitive. but once you learn where everything is, it's quite good. I
use mine in preference to my N90s.

"DO avoid the N55 and N65."

WHY?

that's like saying go see "Aviator" instead of "Constantine". It tells
me nothing about the movie.
My reason is because I am not into exorcism films.
what is yours?

"Mr.Bolshoy Huy" wrote in message
oups.com...
"DO avoid the N55 and N65."

WHY?

that's like saying go see "Aviator" instead of "Constantine". It tells
me nothing about the movie.
My reason is because I am not into exorcism films.
what is yours?


With movies, though, there's no reason you can't see both, but that aside,
Constantine ROCKED! Exorcism film? There's one in the opening scene, but
that just provides entrance into the plot as well as characterization.
Certainly not an exorcism film. You must also keep in mind that Constantine
began life as a comic book entitled Hell Blazer. The main character is part
detective, part sorcerer, and the whole thing is a bit over the top.

The aviator looked good, but was a snooze fest overall. Can't believe it
was even considered for best picture.

Why avoid the Nikon 55/65? Because there are other cameras that offer more
for less. If you just want to take snap shots and not really think about
photography, the 55/65 will probably be fine. If you want to think about
your photography, then you need a camera offering more control.

--
Regards,
Matt Clara
www.mattclara.com

"Mr.Bolshoy Huy" wrote in message
ups.com...
FILM
Nikon
SLR
N55 - 28-80mm - $200
N65 - 28-90mm - $200

Minolta
SLRs
Maxxum 3 Date - 35-80 Zoom Lens - $139.98
Maxxum 50 Date Kit 28-100 lens, - $165(J&R)
Maxxum 5 (Dynax 5) Date - With 28-100 Zoom Lens - $205
Maxxum QTsi - 28-80 Zoom Lens - $169.98
STsi - 28-80 Zoom Lens $189.98

Canon
SLR
EOS Rebel K2 - 28-80mm - $190(dof)
EOS Rebel GII - 28-90mm - $190(dof)

Pentax
SLR
ZX-60 Date - w/ Quantaray 28-90 AF Zoom - $200(dof)

price range: $150-$250
any opinions of these? if you prefer one, what does it have that
others do not?



You've had knowledgeable replies about the Nikon, Canon, and Minolta
choices, so here is my view on the Pentax. "No."

I've used Pentax professionally for a long time, mainly for two reasons.
The lenses give me the best 'look' of any of the big manufacturers - this is
a very personal, but important thing - and the handling and ergonomics
are always excellent. Pentax ergonomics tend to favour more compact
bodies, yet ones that still handle easily in my fairly large hands.

So from the brands you've listed, I'd always want a Pentax, but not not,
ahhh say not, the ZX-60.

Also, half the reason for wanting a Pentax is their superb lenses - and if
you get it with that Quantaray you aren't getting that benefit.


-ooOoo- Things against the ZX-60:

It is very much Pentax's entry level offering, and aimed very much at the
'leave it on auto-everything' brigade. Therefore lots of fancy 'picture
modes' in which the camera takes over the control that you'd rather
exercise yourself. So what do you lose to pay for all that automation? -
sophisticated metering, option of spot metering, and build quality.

I think it lacks DoF field preview - I'd never buy an SLR that lacked that.

It uses the 'crippled K-AF mount'. What that means is it will only work
with lenses having an 'A' setting on the aperture ring. That's fine if you
want to use only new lenses since all current ones do (except a couple of
very specialist designs, like the Pentax 28mm f3.5 Shift lens). All AF
lenses for Pentax will have the A setting too. However, there's a lot of
_first rate_ used Pentax glass out there, and if you have the crippled
mount you are limited to using the A and later series: you won't be able to
use the, often cheaper but equally good, K and M series choices. So
going with this mount closes off a large chunk of the best value for money
used optics on the planet.

That Quantaray lens...

Looks nasty. (OK, that's just my opinion...)


-ooOoo- Other Pentaxes:

Only available used, the ZX-10 and ZX-7 are similar cameras without
the crippled mount. Both have a better viewfinder than the ZX-60, and
both have more sophisticated meters. The ZX-7 should also autofocus in
a stop dimmer light than the 10 or the 60. I still don't think either has
DoF preview though.

The ZX-L should be available new. This has the better mount and better
meter of the two above, and adds DoF preview and the option of spot
metering. Has some sensible custom function options too. You might get
a deal on this for no more money than the ZX-60 if you hunt for it.
(Looks nicer too.)

The ZX-5n should also be available new and would be my choice in this
sort of price bracket. This does away with all those 'modes', instead
giving you just intuitive and easy access to everything you actually need.
No 'mode dial' to mess with: if you want full auto you just leave lens and
shutter speed dials both set on 'A' - for shutter priority just set a
shutter
speed, for aperture priority just set an aperture, for full manual set both.
Simple, quick, logical. The viewfinder is higher magnification than the
other ZX options too. Downsides are a top shutter speed of 'only'
1/2000 - probably not a problem really: ultra high shutter speeds sell
cameras, but they are seldom all that useful - and an AF system that is
accurate, but not mega fast. Plenty fast enough for most things, but I
wouldn't use it to shoot ice-hockey from the edge of the rink. Overall a
very nice camera, with superb ergonomics. I have an MZ-3 as my back
up AF body, or for when I want to travel extra light: this is basically a
ZX-5n with a more expensive shutter in it, so the handling is exactly the
same - having used it over a long time I can confirm how nice to use it is.


-ooOoo- Lenses:

If you get one of these, get a Pentax lens to go with it. The current
28-105mm is a good zoom: definitely from the consumer end of the Pentax
range, but a whole lot better than 'entry level' zooms often are.

If you want to get something used, the 28-70mm f4 FA AL is a great
lens at (usually) a cheap price. It's very small, constant aperture, and
very sharp - for a low cost 'standard range' (in focal length terms) zoom
this is hard to beat. I use one as my 'lightweight' option, as an
alternative
to the splendid but expensive 24-90mm, or the even more splendid but
ridiculously heavy 28-70mm f2.8. The only downside to this lens, really,
is that the front element rotates while focusing: this can be an annoyance
if
you like to shoot in AF with a polariser (or ND grad.) a lot. Doesn't
bother me: if I'm using a polariser I'm probably shooting a landscape and
so focusing manually anyway - in which case you just focus first, and then
set the polariser.

The previous version of the FA 28-105mm is not quite as good as the
current one, a little bigger, and a little slower. It was made for Pentax
by
Tamron, but has genuine Pentax coatings on the glass, so is more flare
resistant and contrastier than the equivalent Tamron version. This can be
a bargain, if you think 70mm on the long end is too short for you to want
the (optically superior) 28-70mm. The first FA 28-105mm design (a big,
black, power-zoom lens) is the best optically of this focal length range,
but is _very_ big and heavy.


-ooOoo-

If you can find a ZX-5n, that would be better than any of the other
options on the list above, in my opinion. The ZX-L is not as nice, but
still
up with the best in this price range, and does have all those 'modes' if you
really want them. Both let you use the wonderful Pentax lenses.

If you _have_ to have one of the body/lens combinations on that list, I
would still avoid the ZX-60/Quantaray combination, and would probably get
the Maxxum 5.

Hope this helps.



Peter

Alan Browne wrote:

[Bolshoy Huy] you don't talk about your needs or expectations...

Exactly.

If you're a novice just learning photography, which could well
be the case, I think you'd be better off with a good inexpensive
digital camera like the Panasonic FZ3 or FZ15. Both will make back
their extra cost within a year on film and development savings.