I am about to purchase a Digital SLR, but have a dilema, can anyone help.

I curently have a Minolta SLR and want to upgrade to digital. Should I go for a Konica Minolta Dynax D5 as I am told I can use my current AF lenses (35-70 & 70-300) or shoud I start from scratch with a Nikon D70 or even D50 and new lenses?

I am also concerned that Minolta are ceasing production as Sony have taken them over, will I be able to get lenses etc in the future or will Sony change the fittings???

Also, anyone recommend a decent value for money PC suite to edit my pics, nothing too major cropping and enhancements mainly

Any thoughts or comments will be much appreciated.

As for hardware... I would stick with Canon or Nikon. They won't stop producing cameras, and the range of lenses is huge.

If you want photo editing software, Irfanview is good and totally freeware. If you want a buy for software, Adobe Photoshop Elements is very good.

That was what I thought, but as I say I do have the Minolta lenses, which will probably do all I need, unless I really get into photography and start craving fisheyes and filters etc... I am a bit of a badge snob as well so, i am tempted by Nikon.

Those that have Nikon will probably disagree, but I always thought and was told Nikon for film, Canon for digital.

You though are the sole arbitor in all this, as you will be using it all and want to feel comfortable with your purchase. I would suggest a run out to a decent photo store to see what you like.

Cheers Kentish, sounds like a plan, I'm off on Thursday so I'll get my visa card warmed up!!

Cheers Kentish, sounds like a plan, I'm off on Thursday so I'll get my visa card warmed up!!

You also might want to check some on-line retailers for prices. Jessops will price match if it means they get a sale.

I am about to purchase a Digital SLR' date=' but have a dilema, can anyone help.

I curently have a Minolta SLR and want to upgrade to digital. Should I go for a Konica Minolta Dynax D5 as I am told I can use my current AF lenses (35-70 & 70-300) or shoud I start from scratch with a Nikon D70 or even D50 and new lenses?

I am also concerned that Minolta are ceasing production as Sony have taken them over, will I be able to get lenses etc in the future or will Sony change the fittings???

Also, anyone recommend a decent value for money PC suite to edit my pics, nothing too major cropping and enhancements mainly

Any thoughts or comments will be much appreciated.[/quote']

Hi

The Minolta cameras are out of production. As a Dynax system user with a big investement in lenses, I am keeping an eye on this. It would appear that Sony are due to launch a DSLR and a variety of lenses. New Tamron MAF fit lenses are now being produced marked Sony / Minolta and it is part of the deal that Sony use the existing KM AF mount. Leakage from Sony suggests that there will be several models of DSLR and "over a dozen different lenses for purchase".

Your existing lenses will or should work with the 5D, but consider the x1.5 crop of a DSLR and you have a 52-105 and a 105-450. Add in the 18-70 kit lens and you have good coverage range.

Personally, I have just invested more in the system (a5D for the missus and a new super wide lens) and am not too concerned about the future. Sony have stated that they want 25% of the DSLR market. Consider Nikon have around 12% of it at the moment and that the people who make Nikons sensors are about to launch their own cameras and the position with Nikon looks little better. Canon will be around for a long time and are strongest in the market currently.

One good thing about the uncertainty is that I got the Missus' 5D for £438 with kit lens.

The safe bet would be Canon, but IMO the better camera in the 5D end of the market is the Nikon. Again my opinion, the Minolta 5D is bettter ergonomically than both the 350 and D50. You also get built in image stabilisation with the Minolta, something that I find very useful. Image quality is a subjective thing, but I would take Nikon or KM over the Canon for their colour rendition, paricularly skin tones.

edit: Software wise, I would recommend is Photoshop Elements or Paint Shop Pro.

Chris

Cheers Chris & aeveryone else,

I have now bought the Minolta which works fine with my current lenses, got it for