emr

All Maxxum lenses are interchangeable, including the 5 and the QTSI.

There have been rumors of a 5D in the first quarter of '05. I am sure it would have 6MP to compete with the DRebel (not because the extra MP's are that important but for marketing purposes) and would keep the Anti-shake, since that is a part of their prosumer cameras. I'm guessing the difference would be similar to the differences between the film 5 and 7--nearly the same features, but ergonomically the 7 is way better. If that is the route they go, I'd be very happy with the 5D. Hope the rumors are true...

I own a 5 myself, belong to an online minolta group, and this is the first time I've heard of anyone having this issue. I think you just got "lucky."

From the perspective of a beginner, I would not be so quick to recommend a cheaper camera for one major reason: I don't know about the 20D specifically, but higher-end cameras often have much better ergonomics, and the importance of ease of use is something that should not be overlooked. I bought my first SLR, a Maxxum 5, about a year ago. It is an outstanding camera in many respects, will take fantastic photos in the right hands (not mine, yet) and as far as features are concerned both the mid-level Maxxum 7 at more than double the price and and the pro-level Maxxum 9 at what is now 7-8 times the price of the 5 have only a few additional features and improvements that I would rarely, if ever, use. Ergonomically, however, the differences are night and day. I now realize that features are not the end-all, be-all, that I don't really like to have to go through menus to get to a frequently-used setting and that the wonderful "everything-is-at-your-fingertips" 7 would have been a better choice even for a rank beginner like me.

 

I now want to get a DSLR and I'm seriously contemplating the 20D or the new Maxxum 7D at $1,600. I can get a D300 for about $1,000 less and a Maxxum 5D, which I'm sure will be a sub-$1,000 DSLR, is rumored to be making a debut in the spring, but I think I will just wait and save my money and get a camera I will be happy with for a number of years. I'd rather spend $1,500 on a camera which I will be happy with for 3-4 years than $700 on a camera which will be getting on my nerves a year from now. Much cheaper, in the long run.

If you have the money, I would absoulutely go for the Maxxum/Dynax 7. It is a superb camera, and for around US$400, they are practically giving it away. I have the 5, and while it is a great camera feature-wise, ergonomically it is only so-so. On the other hand, it is small and light and only about $150 online these days, and it has almost all the features of the 7. The 70, the 5's replacement, is supposed to be an ergonomic improvement over the 5, although it is missing a couple of the 5's features (and adds a couple).

 

As far as lenses, there are great bargains to be had on ebay on Minolta AF stuff.

I'm disappointed in the price, but probably going to settle in and wait for the price to drop from the introductory price. This camera is not competition for the D70 or Digital Rebel, it is taking on the 20D. The built-in Anti-Shake is a big feature. A D70 with just one IS lens will cost the same as the 7D, and with this camera I can still use all my old lenses and have the AS, too. Rumors abound regarding a 5D showing up maybe in first quarter of '05, and if that camera has AS, it would be the deal of a lifetime. I lived without DSLR for all these years, I can hold out for a few more months.

OK, correction, the Minimum Advertised Price will be $1599 to start, with dealer cost apparently not much below that. I wouldn't expect it to drop to even $1400 for at least six months, probably more.

I've heard the USA MSRP will be $1600. We'll see if the street price stays at that level or not.

I believe you are absolutely correct. I set up a profile for prints from digital, not for web publishing which is what I assume the other image applications are set up for. Where's my brain?

I have a photo that I played with briefly in PS. It looks great in PS,

but when I open it with other imaging software, like Microsoft Paint,

or some other imaging software, it looks way too dark. It's not my

imagination, I've compared the picture opened side-by-side. I can't

figure out what is going on. Any ideas?