Your Message:
: Hi I'm looking at purchasing a Entry level(ish) 3mm SLR camera, the main models that I am considering are (with the kit lenses):- : Minolta Dynax 404si Kit [Lens: 28-80mm] : Metering: Centreweighted, Evaluative, spot : Pentax MZ60 Date [Lens: Sigma 28-90mm] : Metering: Evaluative : Canon EOS 300 Kit [Lens: 28-80mm] : Metering: Evaluative, spot, program : Nikon F65 AF Silver Kit [Lens: 28-80mm] : Metering: Centreweighted, Evaluative : I am not adverse to any other suggestions of models, these are models that I know I can get and afford. I live in Australia BTW. : The important issues:- : Flexibility + expandibility, control and QUALITY(lens mostly) : I will use the camera for:- : Portrait, Landscape, Point and shoot, Travel, Studio and basically everything else :) : I could almost get by, with my needs, with a completely manual camera. This is my first purchase of a SLR camera (I'm a Graphic design student) and it makes sense to get an autofocus one for the flexibility so i can use it outside my work for happy snappy pictures. At the moment I'm budget conscious and will be using the base lens for at least several years - so the quality of the base lens over the competitors is a major contributing factor in camera selection. But the price and availability of lens of that brand is something I wish to consider. Technology wise I will have to make some decision over which metering systems are best for my uses, I would appreciate some advice on that issue (I'm finding it a bit confusing). They all seem to have the same weight and size mostly, so that is not a concern but build durability is. The shutter speeds for them all seem adequate. When it gets down to it I would sacrifice features for quality. : Some of my thoughts on the camera's mentioned : I have used the Nikon f6 and found it very easy to use and have been impressed by the quality, I have also heard very good testimonials about Nikon as a brand. Also at my university i have access to a wide range of Nikon lenses. : For some reason I'm not drawn to the canon - it doesn't scream the quality that I'm after. But Canon lenses seem to be less expensive than Nikon's? So that's food for thought : The Pentax MZ60 is interesting especially the Timed long exposures feature - although it doesn't is not advanced metering system wised as all the others - Perhaps this camera is more entry level than the others? And there is not as wide of range of lens as there is for the Nikon and Canon : Minolta Dynax 404si I've heard bad things about the autofocus system (slow, noisy etc) but aside from that it looks like a great buy. Again the same thing with the lenses - it's not Canon or Nikon. : whew! thats alot : thanks loads in advance