rx-7

You can get a good idea for the size and feel of the D90 by holding a D80. All the reports point to very similar size and feel in the hands between the two.

One reason, among many others, why i went ahead and ordered the D90 is because i just love the way the D80 feels, not too big and heavy (Canon 40D) and not too small and light.

Without getting too technical, try this article:

http://anandtech.com/digitalcameras/showdoc.aspx?i=2896&p=1

Well, im a little surprised with myself but i feel good about my decision to go with the Pentax K100D instead of the Nikon and Canon offerings. It feels good in my hands and i like the large LCD. I especially like the SR feature, even if it is not as effective as IS or VR. It seems as though the Pentax has a slightly better kit lens than the XT and the D50 and that should satisfy my out of the box requirement until i can buy a good portrait lens.

Im going to make one more trip to my local camera shop to make sure this is what i want, then make the purchase. If anyone has any thoughts or comments, please post them.

Thanks for all your help,

Ajay

I forgot to mention, if i have to buy used components i would prefer to do it at a local shop where i can see the component personally.

If the 18-70mm really is much better than the kit lens then i think it is better for me to wait and buy it new.

Thanks,

Ajay

First off, thanks to everyone for their responses.

I definitely want to purchase more lenses in the future, i just can't now because i don't have enough money available right now. In order to ensure that i am buying into a line with a good assortment of lenses, i thought it would be best to stick with Canon or Nikon and buy as i go.

I haven't seen the K100D at any local stores but i have seen the Olympus E500 and the Sony Alpha 100. I went to a speciality store to see the D50. The initial impression i got was that the D50 looks and feels better than the XT. I like the "heft" of the Nikon and i confess im a little Nikon biased because i have been using their P&Ss for a long time. However, on paper the XT is considered to be superior and thats why i still want to keep it in the mix.

I know that Pentax, Olympus, and Sony (well, maybe not if the KM lenses are brought into the picture) don't have the array of lenses that Nikon and Canon offer. I also am a little suspicious of the Four Thirds consortium and would rather stick to the proven 3:2.

You guys must be thinking, oh no, not another one! Please please bear with me,

this shouldn't end up being your typical Canon vs Nikon flamefest...i hope.

I've narrowed down my search to these two wonderful cameras after reading many

reviews here and elsewhere. I wouldn't mind taking either one since i am very

much an amateur and have a lot to learn. The complication is that i can get the

D50 body only for an incredible $435 new while the XT body only is $495 new. I

would like to get either with a decent set of glass(or plastic) and this is

where i need your help. I want to get a body and a decent lens for $600.

I want a lens that is decent with wide angle but also has some zoom capability.

I will be shooting mostly family portraits and some landscape. Are the kit

lenses good enough for my needs until i learn the ropes? I would prefer a zoom

lens to a prime lens just because i will only have 1 lens to work with.

Essentially, im looking for something that is good out of the box for general

purpose photography for a year or so.

Thanks,

AJ

PS. How does the EF-S 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 compare to the EF 28-70mm f/2.8-4 DG AF.

What should i look for when shopping for zoom lenses? What brands?