Digital cameras.
 

Yes, I will count myself filthy rich the day I can justify the purchase of this lens to my spouse.

http://www.cambridgeworld.com/Minolt...300mm_tele.jpg

We can all dream.

Digital cameras.
 

Agreed. There's just something about a Nikon. It's like an SUV instead of a minivan - I know that the minivan does everything I need it to, but the guy next to me driving the Grand Cherokee / shoting with a Nikon is still going to snear.

In my mid-teens, my geek gear lust focused on three things: a Nikon F3, a Gretsch guitar and a Saab convertible. I could, in theory, afford all three at this point, if I didn't have a perfectly functional Minolta X-370, an American Strat and a lovely sedan. Of the three, I'm most likely to pull off the F3 these days. Or the Saab. Assuming Saab comes back to reality and starts asking the $35k they're worth new instead of $48k.

Digital cameras.
 

Look at the Minolta 7 before committing. There is a wireless flash that automatically does a 1:2 sync, which means you can get professional lighting quality off a fairly normal flash. And it means you get to be the dude who sticks a flash on the corner of the stage during your kid's play and runs around getting great shots in the middle of the performance -- mildly obnoxious, yes, but the kids and about half the other Dad's think you're cool, and the pictures are 10x what the other parents get.

Digital cameras.
 

Why are you buying a camera to impress someone else (who may shoot a canon and sneer at your nikon)?

Think like you do about computers. Do you want to run windows on a Dell or use an iMac?

Digital cameras.
 

If I stay with Minolta I'm sticking with my X-370. It takes great pictures and in the non-autofocus, auto-exposure realm its very highly considered, perhaps second only to the Nikons (and maybe the Canon T series, but the Canons aren't as hardy). At this point I have no interest in a remote flash, although the X-370 will take one. I don't like flash photography much anyway, and tend to concentrate outdoors. I'm sure as school plays become more prevalent in my life, this will change.

BTW, if anyone has a kid, etc. interested in learning analog photography, I recommend the 370 or its big brother the X-700. Both are solid, basic, easy to use and understand SLRs that take great pictures. And I understand you can get one cheap on eBay. Minolta apparently made the 370 for years and years, so almost new ones are available. They were packaged with a 50mm lens that's pretty good, but a wide variety were available for it.

Digital cameras.
 

Has a Canon owner ever really sneered at a Nikon?

Why do people by vintage Ferrarris when a Honda Accord will better them in every objective measurement at a fraction of the price? Just because.

I don't really have much investment sunk into my current set up (two lenses, one body, everything else is not camera specific (flash/tripod/etc.). And Nikon lenses and accessories are easier to come by and likely to be supported longer than just about anything else on the planet. So it's not completely irrational. Especially since AF holds no charm for me.

So I'm keeping a lookout for a good cheap F3 body and a blue thin body semi-hollow Gretsch, but I'm in no hurry.

Digital cameras.
 

Sounds like you should go the alt route to camera cool and get yourself a large format with a dark-cloth. Then sneer at those silly F-3s.

Digital cameras.
 

One word: Pinhole.

If you're going old-skool, I've got no dog in the fight. I started with the original Maxxum, which I used essentially manually (while only the eye focuses faster, only a snail moves slower), and have been all the happier with my 7. No idea what the older minoltas or nikons hold.

Digital cameras.
 

Personally, I view cameras as toys, and enjoy playing with just about all of them, but the Maxxum 7 has become my favorite. But I keep a supply of various dusty ebay purchases around, in all kinds of formats, and am happy to play with any camera.

The drawback to playing with Nikon's and Canon's, however, is that their greatest plus is the great lens selection, which means you have to sink thousands into them to get the most out of them. Thats thousands you don't get to play with elsewhere.

I see your pinhole and raise you by a Holga.

Digital cameras.
 

We're playing different games of poker,here, but just so you know, occasionally I think it cool to smear some silver on a glass plate and see what develops.

As for photography, I agree on the toy stuff, but I also think it's important to recognize that the goal is to get the image you want. While cameras of 25 years ago did that capably, the cameras of today are even better, between autoexposure, autofocus, autowind, and a host of other features. But that doesn't mean it's a point and shoot--knowing how to use those features still counts. I just don't see the fun in having to tote out a light meter to ensure the right exposure, and then pre-focus to take an action shot, ensuring that the action in fact is on the right plane (or blow out the DOF).

Digital cameras.
 

Way cool.

Digital cameras.
 

BTW, light meter on the Maxxum 7 is another competitive advantage - the honeycomb essentially builds in a zone system analysis of the image.

(and where's Bilmore - he's usually into this stuff?)

Digital cameras.
 

Catsup-
I'll see your pinhole and Holga and raise you by a Diana. Hipshots with plastic cameras are fun. Gotta love those light leaks. I did some searching on eBay and discovered that my plastic cameras are worth more than my old Rollies.

As for learning old skool photography, you can't beat the Pentax K1000. Bodies and lenses are easy to come by on the used the market.

Anne
Who, over the years, sunk thousands into her Nikon lens collection and doesn't regret a penny.

Digital cameras.
 

I hadn't compared it to other current offerings, but I cannot overstate the improvement from my original maxxum. The exposures have almost always been right, except when I've screwed around with some really weird long exposures. It's remarkable, and I've given up bracketing in all but the rarest situations (although it's really quite easy to do on the 7, as well).

Digital cameras.
 

Oh, if I weren't spoken for, I'd offer to show you my Graphic View if you would show me your Rollies.