Camera Question.. I need to replace a camera that...................

[Bonhomme Richard]

was stolen a couple of years ago. The camera was a Nikon FE2 and I loved using it, mostly for wildlife work. I haven't replaced it cause I really haven't the money to spend like that. Anyway I initially was leaning toward digital but I just can't seem to get used to them and I want to be able to take good pictures in all kinds of outdoor lighting. I am looking at getting another SLR.
Do you think I am making the right decision or do I not understand the digitals? My kids have 5 pixel digitals that I could borrow if I wanted to post on the net.
Also, if I stay with an SLR is there something out there now that's not too expensive and comparable to the Nikon FE2. One thing about the FE2 was that I wasn't out of business if the battery craped out working in below freezing temps.
Thanks for any suggestions.

[Don_G]

1. You Might Check eBay

There was a complete Olympus OM-2 Black body with 5 lenses there for about $700 a few months ago. They also have decent deals on digital cameras too.

I would check the availability and prices out first.

[Bonhomme Richard]

2. Thanks, I've been watching ebay for the FE2's............

but I'm not sure if I want another.

[Don_G]

3. It Dosen't Have To Be An FE2

Does it? I loved my OM-2 and I'm sure there are good quality 35MM SLR's on eBay with comperable features to your Nikon.

[Bonhomme Richard]

4. It doesn't have to be Nikon..........

I need to do some serious research into the different features of other camera's. I have really been out of the loop.

[MercutioATC]

10. Check out the following site:

www.dpreview.com

They have stats and reviews on all of the digital cameras available as well as a huge user forum.

[exJW]

5. Go digital

LOL, I sound like an evangelist.

Seriously, unless you really won't shoot very much, spending 1K for a slr digital now, will be cheaper than spending 250.00 for a film camera, when you start thinking of how much film and processing cost, how big of a pain it is to get it done right, the trips to the lab/store. Then you'll want it scanned anyway!

People imagine that film and digital are vastly different. They aren't. One stores your image with electronics, and the other stores your image with chemicals.

btw, if you like doing wildlife stuff, you'll like the "lens factor" of all digital cameras in the 1000 to 2000 dollar price range. As the chip is smaller than .35 mm, the lens has a narrower perspective (ie: its "longer") so a 100mm is really a 150, a 200 is really more like a 300 and so on. You also have more inherent d.o.f. from having a smaller imaging field (which is a plus or minus depending on your style).

[exJW]

6. ps..

Nikon now makes a combo manual/electronic camera I think, that is like a combination of a FE2/FM2. It's fairly expensive though, relative to what you can get otherwise.

[MercutioATC]

7. How about a digital SLR?

I have a Canon D30 (about 3 generations old, now), a Canon 28-135 IS lens and a Canon 100-400 IS lens. I've taken shots that have been blown up to 13x19 and they look great.

For less-than-artistic examples of what a digital SLR can do, check out

www.slantzero.com

and go to the "pictures" section. Everything but the first few gigs (the first few are the ones at the bottom) were taken with my D30. Of course, monitor resolution isn't anywhere near print resolution...you'll have to take my word that a 3.25 megapixel digital SLR with decent glass can take great pics.

[exJW]

11. Precisely

In fact, a Canon d-30 should be able to be had on ebay for 350 bucks(?) or so. It would make a great deal for almost any amature photography who wanted to do serious work and have full manual control with the option of automatic. A d-60 would be twice as nice.

[MercutioATC]

13. ...and the great thing is that, while the bodies depreciate, glass doesn't

...well, not much, anyway. You can upgrade the body as needed and keep all of the great glass you've bought.

My 100-400 IS lens lists for about $20 less than it did when I bought it 2 1/2 years ago...

[Bonhomme Richard]

8. It seems that digitals.................

1. appear to take a while to be ready for the next shot. I swear I watched people with digitals have to wait for the unit to focus or power up or something.

2.Won't I also be explicitly tied to the battery? If I'm shooting at 10°F chances are the battery will be dead.

Am I wrong about the digitals?

[MercutioATC]

9. You're right about most digital point-and-shoots...

However, digital SLRs have a shutter and work the same way as a film camera does, except the light hits an electronic sensor instead of light-sensitive film.

There's no lag with a digital SLR (and they accept film SLR lenses).

[Bonhomme Richard]

12. I haven't been out shooting in quite.......................

a few years but with the kids mostly out of the house now I want to spend a lot more time in the woods. I love being out in the winter and if digitals are battery dependent that could pose a major problem.

[MercutioATC]

14. My D30 will take 250-300 shots on a single battery.

I carry two when I shoot, and I've gone over 600 shots without running out of power (the batteries are about $40 each, and are, of course, rechargeable).

[Bonhomme Richard]

15. Thanks for all your help..................

I have to run but I am going to look into the digital slr's. Sounds like they will meet my needs. Especially if I can still use my lenses.
Thanks again.