photography

[BILLY D.]

ok, who is the go to guy for picture taking/ i have some questios regarding interchangeability of lenses.

i presently have a minolta sr-1 an srt101 and an xg-1 and beaucoup lenses and converters to go with them.

now to cut to the chase, is there a camera available, digital, that any of this equipment will fit on/ thanks for any info.

[Dale]

I wouldn't say that I am the 'Go To' guy but I can answer your question. The lenses that you currently have are MC and/or MD mount and they will not fit on any camera (digital or film) that is currently being manufactured by Minolta or any other manufacture. Sorry but that's the breaks. If you are looking at a new Digital SLR you are going to have to start all over with new lenses as well as the camera body.

[BILLY D.]

not exactly what i wanted to hear. those cameras and i go along way back and we are really old friends.

i like the digital idea, but i guess i can live without it.

thanks for your info.

[L. Cooper]

As one who had made the switch to digital from a long film history, if you switch, you will never regret it. However.........

Digital photography requires many things other than a camera. Is your computer up to the tasks (digital SLRs produce large files)? Are you comfortable with computers? Do you have the software to manipulate images (storage and enhancement)? If you answer yes, digital is likely to be a real joy. If you are not into technology, then digital photography may be more than you want to tackle. You must also include the costs of those things in the calculations of the cost of the switch to digital.

In addition, digital consumer point and shoots for family snapshots is one world. Digital SLRs is another world in terms of image quality and "computer geek" requirements.

Having said all that, I thing digital photography is absolutely marvelous. Instant feedback, complete control, and easy sharing of individual images and slide shows.

Digital is also the future. Nikon and Kodak both seem to be withdrawing from the film photography business. That is a sign of the times.

[Dale]

L. C. is correct about going digital. It's not going to be long and you will have no choice but to buy digital if you are buying a new camera. Nikon anounced this last week that they are only going to be making 2 film cameras...a $2500 unit and a very low end (199) all manual unit...and concentrating on the digital market. They are even shutting down production on their enlarging lenses for the dark room. Last year Kodak stopped all R&D in the film area and moved all of their color film production to China. I am sure it won't be long untill all of the other manufactures follow the same path.

Another note...Digital doesn't have to be as complex as some people make it out be. It can be as simple as taking a Point -N- Shoot digital, snapping shots, taking the memory card into your photo lab, put it in thier machine, pick out the photos you want, have them put the entire card onto a CD and your done. Erase the memory card and you are ready to go again.

OR...you can get a DSLR, shoot in full auto OR manual, put the images onto the computer (or not), make all of your color, levels, toning, saturation, contrast, sharpness, and etc. adjustments in Photoshop, save it to CD and take the CD to the photo lab for printing.

[mazter]

I agree Digital is the way to go, I bought a Richo Camera back in 98' & it still takes great Pics. But I have a Olympus Stylus Verve now & The thing I like about it is that you can take Movies on it too, They are in Quicktime format, But I take them & Make them a video file that will play in the Dvd Player, So Im putting together a Little show of my own if Im Fishing or Hunting, or Just playing around.
Keep those Cameras going, I like to see all the Pics from everyone.
Mazter

[BILLY D.]

TO ALL OF YOU WHO ANSWERED MY QUESTION, THANKS. I HAVE A BUNCH OF QUESTIONS YET TO BE RESOLVED. AS SOON AS I CAN PUT SOMETHING TOGETHER THAT MAKES SENSE I'LL DO SO, THEN WE CAN HAVE ANOTHER GO AT THIS.

THANX AGAIN.