masede

Very nice, finally the 14MP sensor is (somewhat) officially confirmed. I don't get all the complainers saying it looks similar to a K10D, it's an "evolution" model so it'll look much like a K10D with some slight refinements, same as the K200D (leaked photos) vs K100D; Also, take a look at the Canon and Nikon lines, the 40D *still* resembles the ancient D30, while a Nikon D300 could easily be mistaken for a D200 if you're not paying attention; but no one complains about C&N, Pentax is an easy target for complainers. I'm excited about this new camera, but I don't think I'll buy one for at least 3-4 months after it shows up on store shelves, if not a little longer, my two K10Ds are doing a fine job.

cheers!

I go to The University of Georgia and my major is computer science, but I am planning on moving to Vancouver, Canada at the end of the year because the tuition here is very high, and I can't afford it anymore. I chose Vancouver for two main reasons, first, I have a friend who lives there and recommended a University to me, second, it is a very beautiful city (heck the whole province of BC is very beautiful) which should afford me many picture taking opportunities. I spent all my savings, which were intended for a new computer on my current gear, an Elan 7, EF 50mm f/1.4 and 70-200mm f/4L. Need something longer than a 200mm for birds etc but I can't afford any lens from Canon that has an L next to it anymore.

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Oh, and please take a look at my portfolio, if you've not already done so.

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-Assad

Well I *do* love photography and *am* a student in every sense of the word (I go to college and am learning photography, although my major is not photography and don't have too much money to spare for more hardware either).

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<b>But</b>, people like <b>Henry Ed Fly's fiance</b> deserve the lens more than I do.

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-Assad

I'm new to photography and have been learning since a couple of months ago. I would not mind the lens, but whats the catch?

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-Assad Khan

Well, it *is* an SLR, and if its like any normal SLR, there will be a mirror behind the lens and behind the mirror will be a shutter and behind the shutter will be the CCD. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but that seems logical.

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-Assad.

It was $270. Its a Minolta DiMAGE Scan Dual III. I don't need fancy Digital ICE scanners right now because I don't have a single old negative, I'm starting fresh, so when negatives come back from the lab, they have some dust on them and almost no scratches, but the little dust that is there can be very easily removed with a brush. I very carefully clean the negatives before feeding them into the scanner and the spots that won't go with a brush or air, I take care of them in Photoshop Elements. :)

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I mulled buying a Canon FS4000, but its just not worthit for me at this stage. I'll spend more money on my gear when I get better, in the meantime, I'll save every penny and get the best lenses that are within my grasp.

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-Assad

Well, as a newbie, I feel that I will learn more with film cameras rather than digital ones. I want to think about all the important aspects of photography real hard before I press the shutter release because I know that I am spending time and money on each picture that I take. Being cautious helps. And you also have you wait for the film to come back from the photofinisher/processor before you can see the results, which makes you imagine the picture in your mind when you look through the viewfinder.

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This is just my (a newbie's) approach to learning photography. Learning through being careful and taking time to think rather than by taking tons of pictures and hoping that among the hundreds taken in a day, a few will turn out to be good by some luck.

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In other words, I'm trying hard to keep myself from spending the $999. :)

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-Assad

My average cost of digitizing an average 24 exposure roll is:

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$5 for the film,

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$2 for processing into negatives only, at Walmart.

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Price of 300D: $999+shipping. I can take approximately 3600 pictures, have them processed and then scan them into my computer for $999, without losing the proper focal length of my expensive lenses. And I also get to do it all using good quality bodies and not some plasticky, fragile camera. So this is not for me.

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Assad

I think I'll wait. My Elan 7/Pentax Spotmatic SP and Minolta DiMAGE Scan Dual III combo is serving me well, and until full-frame DSLRs become cheaper or I get richer, I'm going to continue using this setup.

-Assad

Guys, I found the perfect replacement battery for the Pentax Spotmatic and others that require those PX400 mercury battery.

Look for the Silver Oxide Watch Battery #389, 1.5V, capacity is 85 mAh and equivalents are: SR1130W, V389. The battery fits perfectly, it does not need to be centered, you just need to push it in a little while screwing the battery cover back in. I tested a roll for the accuracy of the meter and it is accurate.

Hope this helps.