- Do you like to work with the computer and Photoshop?
- How large do you want to print on a more regular basis?
- Do you plan to use a solid tripod and carry it more often than not?
- What kind of subjects do you like to photograph?
- How important is photography to you?
- Of course the budget is important too. Buying a camera and a few lenses is not all!

Good Evening Ladies and Gentlemen,

I'm a kind of newb to photography but have been taking pictures here and there for a couple of years. I really don't know any of the terminology, but I'd really like to do more in photography. So, let me answer the above questions in order:

- Yes, computers are no problem for me.
- Normally medium 8.5" x 11" sizes, but I'd like to be able to blow them up to much larger dimensions if need be, like 16"?
- I'm not sure what a "solid" tripod is, but I like using monopods
- Sports like: baseball, football, soccer, lacrosse, etc. in day or night. But I'd also like to be able to do scenic shots during the day or night (like large overviews of the new city I live in from atop hills)
- Not greatly important, but a hobby I'd like to learn and develop and become profeccient at.
- My budget right now is about $1,000 to $1,500 for a camera body, small, and large lens.

My family likes to go Sony and for the past year and a half or so I've been able to use the Sony Alpha 100 with the 17-55mm and 75-300mm lens.

Thanks for any advice you can give me...and if there's something outside of my budget but would be a great camera for my specifications please don't hesitate to suggest that one too.

Cheers,

-Dirk