I am going to take the plunge- help me choose

[kshapero]

Isn't this a rangefinder forum? I would think your question would be better served at dpreview. Anyway good luck on your purchase.

 

[mfunnell]

For what it's worth, from a user of Canon SLRs, I'd go with the earlier recommendation of one of the Pentax cameras. Pentax really seems to try for as much compatability as possible with all their "legacy" lenses, they produce an interesting range of made-for-digital primes (something other manufacturers seem less than fully interested in), they produce some nicely small DSLR bodies - and the 1.5x crop-factor for their APS-C sensor seems, to me, to make better use of old lenses than the 2x crop-factor the otherwise admirable Olympus range gives you. If it were me, I'd look closely at a 2nd-hand K100D or K100D Super.

...Mike

 

[Trius]

'Cuz Ricoh knows their place in the world. 😉 I was talking to a knowledgeable camera shopkeeper today, who said that Ricoh NEVER made an SLR -- they were all jobbed out to companies like Cosina. And I presume they never made too many (if any) lenses, either. They are a brand. They are clearly in the niche of point-and-shoot. Now they may actually make the GRD, etc., I don't know. But the point is, the market for DSLRs is crowded and cutthroat. So Ricoh wisely stays where it knows it can compete.

If it were not for my affinity to Olympus and owning a bit of Zuiko glass, I would probably go Pentax for DSLR. The ability to mount K and M42 glass is pretty attractive.

 

[kuzano]

Olympus e-420, or even e-520

Olympus e-420, or even e-520

With the sudden rash of new Olympus camera bodies, I just bought a low count e-420 for $300US. I've had e300 (2), e510 (2) and an e500. I also have an E-1 and a Panasonic L-1.

I was amazed at how small the e420 body is, and it's current technology. In fact, I was not put off by lack of IS, because I am using the Leica Elmarit 14-50 with IS. The Leica lens dwarfs the 420 body.

My reason for using Olympus is that I have a number of OM Zuiko prime and zoom lenses and am using them on Olympus 4/3 bodies. I have a near mint 50 1.4 that is perfect on the 420, along with a Zuiko 24, which gives me 50 and 100 focal length.

Compared to all the previous Oly bodies I've had, the 420 is fantastic. I was going to jump to micro 4/3, but the 420 is so diminutive, I'll stop there for the time being.

This 420 has a Katzeye split image screen for assisting with manual focus on the legacy lenses and was about $50 more than the going price for other 420's, because of the Katzeye focus screen advantage.

The e420 (low count shutters) seem to be selling at $250 to $300 US for the body, with the 520 (IS in body) seems to be about $100 more.

Kit lenses (14-42 and 40-150) seem to be selling at $90 to $120 US.

That sounds to be in your budget, is very current, and should hold those values for a bit. Oly's 4/3 sensor is matching most of the ASP-c sensors I have compared it to. For instance, I ran one of my Oly 510's with Kit lens, against a Rebel XSi (12mp) with the canon kit lens. Shot a number of duplicate, tripod mounted pictures matching shots. The Oly matched the Canon images throughout the shots. Granted there are other factors to consider, but Olympus is ahead on physical size, and matching enough for my standards on IQ.

My current 4/3 inventory is The E-1, the Panasonic L1, and the 420. The 420 is the camera going out the door with me more every day. I will probably sell the E-1 and hang on to the L1 because of it's unique analog style controls, but the e420 is the preferred camera right now, for size, and IQ advantages.

Some of the best prices you will find on Olympus equipment will be on the classified section of the forum at

www.fourthirdsphoto.com

Take a look. Always a lot of items rolling through and at respectable prices.

 

[aureliaaurita]

this is a rangefinder forum yes, but people here know their stuff

besides which- I cannot afford a 'digital' rangefinder, given that the cheapest come in at £2000 😉 be inclusive, I contribute elsewhere on this forum...don't see why this i such an obtuse question to be asking with so many responses.

I am still hovering around the olympus 410 / 420s

pentax appeals but the manner in which you mount the ricohs sounds barbaric- I'm a little afraid of such things, it took all my metal to ductape a holga

thank you for teh help all, it has not gone unheeded.....stalking some internet auctions as we speak.

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

this is a rangefinder forum yes, but people here know their stuff

besides which- I cannot afford a 'digital' rangefinder, given that the cheapest come in at £2000 😉 be inclusive, I contribute elsewhere on this forum...don't see why this i such an obtuse question to be asking with so many responses.

I am still hovering around the olympus 410 / 420s

pentax appeals but the manner in which you mount the ricohs sounds barbaric- I'm a little afraid of such things, it took all my metal to ductape a holga

thank you for teh help all, it has not gone unheeded.....stalking some internet auctions as we speak.

Don't heed these 'purists' - yes it is a rangefinder forum, but I would bet that most of the use here nowadays (and a lot of the pictures posted) are from DSLR or digital compact! 😉
Dave.

 

[tedwhite]

Regarding Pentax. I've been using them for decades. Dead simple, wonderfully reliable, small bodies, great lenses. Currently using both film (Spotmatics) and digital (K20D) Pentax cameras. My first Pentax DSLR was the *istDS (silly name). Only 6 megapixels but that seemed to be enough, made some quite nice 11X14's. So all my old M42 Super Takumar screw-mount lenses - I have seven - go right on ($25 adapter). As others have stated, these lenses can be had cheaply and they're very good. You set the camera on manual and aperture preferred, focuse wide open, then stop down, and the camera does the rest. Really very easy. Of course, their made-for-DSLR lenses are all AF.

IMHO, it's the least expensive way to get into DSLR photography.

 

[35mmdelux]

Wit them kind of shillings Id get a PS digicam. Maybe a Canon 880 PowerShot thingy and have money left over for a nice memory chip. 14mp, take anywhere.

 

[jamiewakeham]

Huge point in favour of a Pentax - in-the-body image stabilisation! As long as the subject's not moving too fast, you can easily get away with handholding a 50mm at 1/15th and a 35mm at 1/10th; maybe even less. A K10D with a fast prime is a wonderful low-light tool.

On the negative side, if you're a fan of flash then steer clear. Flash metering is nowhere near as good as Canon's.

Cheers
Jamie

 

[aureliaaurita]

Wit them kind of shillings Id get a PS digicam. Maybe a Canon 880 PowerShot thingy and have money left over for a nice memory chip. 14mp, take anywhere.

if I were sticking with compact I would stick with my ricoh 😉

don't forget it's £250 sterling, translates to about $400

I've spotted quite a few going for less so far

lots of votes for a pentax, haven't really done my research on that front as I have spent the afternoon entering competitions for the new olympus pen :bang:

 

[aizan]

you can get a used olympus e-420 and the consumer kit zoom for a little bit over your budget. if you can live without image stabilization, that would be my recommendation. add the 25mm pancake later on for a really small package.

 

[kuvvy]

For that dosh I've got a mint Oly e420 for sale if you're interested aliceelizabeth. Barely used really, working perfectly of course, in fact used it yesterday to shoot at my daughters wedding and I'll include a Zuiko 50mm 1.8 and OM/4thirds adaptor. M me.

 

[aureliaaurita]

hello kuvvy I'm being dippy and cannot find your message button! message me and I will endeavour to reply

 

[fuji645]

I like the look of the pentax but am still for some reason drawn to olympus

mostly for the lenses I feel but then I don't know what pentax's reputation is in that department

Just bought a Pentax K2000 with a 18-55mm 3.5-5.6 kit lens, 10.2M. Great camera, sharp lens. Viewfinder is excellent with 85% lifesize view. I've used Pentax Takumar lenses in the past (had a great 105 mm 2.5 screw mount years ago). Give Pentax a try--you won't be disappointed.

 

[Chris101]

hello kuvvy I'm being dippy and cannot find your message button! message me and I will endeavour to reply

Don't be dippy AE! Click on his name and a menu will appear. One of the choices is send a message.