i need help picking out a digital camera

If I were you starting out with digital, I would probably go with Nikon or Canon.  This is assuming that you are planning on getting serious with photography down the road.  Nikon and Canon are kinda the industry standard, they have better cameras, pro cameras (pentax only makes consumer level digitals), better lenses and all that.  Maybe look into the Nikon D50 or D70s which would be closer to your price rance, or even a used d100 you can get pretty cheap.  (im a nikon guy).  Or the canon Rebel or a used 20d would be in your price range, and down the road when you get more serious you can upgrade and not have to replace your glass.

cheers,

Trevor

well i am pretty serious about photography (its my major and life) but anyway. ok so pentax only makes consumer digital slr camera. i didnt know that. if you dont mind me asking whats the differents. i really dont know i pretty much shoot all my work with my 645

Difference between consumer and pro models? You mean besides the price? The pro models use different materials – like magnesium bodies as opposed to plastic for the consumers. Basically they are built to last, withstand the rigours of life on the road and hard everyday use – they really are built to last. As far as the lenses go (and I can only speak for Canon here) – the pro lenses are sealed against dust and moisture, use very expensive glass and the image quality is top class. Again they are built to last. Some of the consumer lenses have plastic barrels, and some consumer camera bodies even have plastic lens-mounts. Pick up an EOS 1 or the equivalent Nikon and compare the feel to the Eos 300 series.

Also take a look at the next level down – Nikon D200 or Canon Eos20D/30D. A lot of pros use these as backups, and they are also very good. Check for used pro gear as well. Don’t skimp on the lenses though – rather buy one good lens  to start with than several cheaper lenses. You’ll never regret it.

Any chance the new Pentax K10D with its weatherproofing and new features will ease itself into the semi/pro-sumer bracket?
I believe Pentax are pitching this at the D200 (and Canon equivalent) level …
I already have a pentax, but if the new K10D hadnt arrived, i mightve considered jumping ship to – well the only ones i could possibly afford [body only..] at the moment – Nikon D200 and its Canon equivalent..

Trevor’s advice is solid. Canon or Nikon is where you want to be. They have many features, even in the lower price range of DSLRs, that you will need to know about. Unless Pentax has morped into something really differnt, that’s not where you wanna go.

Agreed with the above. Stick with Canon or Nikon. Buy fixed lenses or a couple to start out, like a 20mm or 24mm 2.8 and a 50 1.8. They are cheaper and still good. You can bang up your 50mm too because its only 50 bux, throw it away and replace next year haha…that or spend the extra G. holla, soy estudiante tambien tio…its a good solution for awhile.

DOM

Agreed with the above. Stick with Canon or Nikon. Buy fixed lenses or a couple to start out, like a 20mm or 24mm 2.8 and a 50 1.8. They are cheaper and still good. You can bang up your 50mm too because its only 50 bux, throw it away and replace next year haha…that or spend the extra G. holla, soy estudiante tambien tio…its a good solution for awhile.

DOM

Yeah. Try Nikon or Canon. I picked Nikon because I can use my old lenses. But it doesn´t matter. Nikon or Canon is the same thing (don’t matter what other says) and is the standard for this bussiness.

I would advise on Canon due to the high ISO, low light performance.

actually, if it’s old lenses you’re aiming at, Pentax is the best option, as every body takes every lens – and you still have metering, etc. although you can mount old (manual) lenses to cheaper Nikons, you have no light metering.

manual Pentax lenses from way back are of great quality.
the biggest problem is the market of used Pentax gear – it might be really hard to get a good and cheap lens

Hi, Adam,

If you go Nikon, you can probably get a used/refurbished D70s for about that price range. The D70, though, is more or less the same camera (once you upgrade the firmware) except for a smaller LCD screen.

W

Having a bunch of old Pentax glass [and having access to] was the sole reason for going digital with Pentax before.
Nikon was the only other brand in my sights but the cheaper digital startup cost [for me personally] of Pentax drew me :)

Cheers!