Getting a DSLR, going crazy in the mean time

I need a support group!

The last time I upgraded my camera system was in 1996 when I borrowed, and was eventually given ownship of, my parents' Pentax K-1000 to replace the $20 p&s that I had been carrying around since the 4th grade.

I did receive a Pentax ZX-10 as a present 7 years ago, but that produced more cursing and jokes than quality material in the time before it's short, sad, plastic life came to an end due to a 3 foot drop in a parking lot.

Anyway, needless to say, I do not have a stockpile of quality gear. The K-1000 has served me very very well and will continue to long after any purchase I make dies or is upgraded. But I needed something else in the worst possible way.

So I did it. I plunkered down $907 for a *istDS body and 3-5 ground shipping at one of those only reputable online dealers that has them in stock.

So what's the problem now? SLEEPING! I am so freakin' excited. I know, I know, it's just a camera, but I am thinking of all of those pictures I could never pull off that now with a meter with a MUCH wide range, mirror lockup, continuous auto focus, instant feedback, ect., I can now take.

Somebody throw gatoraid on my head or something!

I just needed to get that out. My family mostly just roll their eyes and ask what is wrong with my Nikon CP 4500 (great camera, digicam limitations).

Trust me, no but a photographer understands why anyone would plunk out $1000 for a camera! I love my rebel! Especially since I can use the lenses from my rebel 35mm. I do want to visit BH in the city to pick up some portable backups and check out some good portable flash systems - most of the portraits I do are on location (or suddenly at a hospital with premie triplets!). The only thing I did have an issue with was the flash being too bright for closer portraits but once I made my coffee filter flash difuser they became very nice! I also adjusted the white filter which made things better too. I use my cell phone hands free head set from body glove to double as a remote switch for my rebel, so that saved me money! lol

Hmm, my biggest decision now is deciding what accessories to ask for for christmas!
So Rebel Users - what would you ask for?! I'm at a loss! lol Maybe a macro lens and ring lite, or the wireless remote controller or portable studio lighting... hmmmmmmmmmmm :D

Congrads, heard a lot of good things about it. One thing - you mention the body but no lens. I don't think the lenses from your K1000 will work on this one.

Janie, this sounds serious. I may want to let my mom hold on to my checkbook before I start buying toys for the new baby!

another view, all K mount lenses are supported with full functionality. Even M42's (circa '65?) are supported, though with an adaptor and limited functionality. Pentax's DSLRs are the most backwards compatable of any brand. It's a beautiful thing.

Oh yeah, and as soon as I'm done paying for *istDS I'll upgrade to a 24 F2 FA IF AL (67). I've never been very happy with kit lenses and generally let my feet do the zooming.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tijean

all K mount lenses are supported with full functionality

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No kidding! Had no idea.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tijean

I need a support group!

So I did it. I plunkered down $907 for a *istDS body and 3-5 ground shipping at one of those only reputable online dealers that has them in stock.....My family mostly just roll their eyes and ask what is wrong with my Nikon CP 4500 (great camera, digicam limitations).

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I can relate. I bought a Nikon 300mm f/4. It's big and really heavy -- all metal and glass with a tripod mount and a built-in hood. My wife said I must be the only non-professional photographer onthe planet who thinks he needs a lens like that.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tijean

I need a support group!

The last time I upgraded my camera system was in 1996 when I borrowed, and was eventually given ownship of, my parents' Pentax K-1000 to replace the $20 p&s that I had been carrying around since the 4th grade.

I did receive a Pentax ZX-10 as a present 7 years ago, but that produced more cursing and jokes than quality material in the time before it's short, sad, plastic life came to an end due to a 3 foot drop in a parking lot.

Anyway, needless to say, I do not have a stockpile of quality gear. The K-1000 has served me very very well and will continue to long after any purchase I make dies or is upgraded. But I needed something else in the worst possible way.

So I did it. I plunkered down $907 for a *istDS body and 3-5 ground shipping at one of those only reputable online dealers that has them in stock.

So what's the problem now? SLEEPING! I am so freakin' excited. I know, I know, it's just a camera, but I am thinking of all of those pictures I could never pull off that now with a meter with a MUCH wide range, mirror lockup, continuous auto focus, instant feedback, ect., I can now take.

Somebody throw gatoraid on my head or something!

I just needed to get that out. My family mostly just roll their eyes and ask what is wrong with my Nikon CP 4500 (great camera, digicam limitations).

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Congrats!

I can easily relate to your excitement and I am sure that you will LOVE this new camera. I almost bought the original *ist last spring but I finally chose the D70. The *ist had superb ergonomics and a beautiful finish. I assume that the *istDS must retain most of these qualities.

regards

Seb

Hi, my name is Brian and I am a photographer who shells out lots of money for my camera gear, film, processing and related stuff..
:D :p :rolleyes: ;)
You are in good company!

Good luck in the upgrade!

Keep shooting and posting here! There is a wealth of information here!

Brian

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lava Lamp

I can relate. I bought a Nikon 300mm f/4. It's big and really heavy -- all metal and glass with a tripod mount and a built-in hood. My wife said I must be the only non-professional photographer on the planet who thinks he needs a lens like that.

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You can tell her you're not the only one, me too !!
Provided I buy Nikon and not Canon - oh the decisions :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tijean

I need a support group!

The last time I upgraded my camera system was in 1996 when I borrowed, and was eventually given ownship of, my parents' Pentax K-1000 to replace the $20 p&s that I had been carrying around since the 4th grade.

I did receive a Pentax ZX-10 as a present 7 years ago, but that produced more cursing and jokes than quality material in the time before it's short, sad, plastic life came to an end due to a 3 foot drop in a parking lot.

Anyway, needless to say, I do not have a stockpile of quality gear. The K-1000 has served me very very well and will continue to long after any purchase I make dies or is upgraded. But I needed something else in the worst possible way.

So I did it. I plunkered down $907 for a *istDS body and 3-5 ground shipping at one of those only reputable online dealers that has them in stock.

So what's the problem now? SLEEPING! I am so freakin' excited. I know, I know, it's just a camera, but I am thinking of all of those pictures I could never pull off that now with a meter with a MUCH wide range, mirror lockup, continuous auto focus, instant feedback, ect., I can now take.

Somebody throw gatoraid on my head or something!

I just needed to get that out. My family mostly just roll their eyes and ask what is wrong with my Nikon CP 4500 (great camera, digicam limitations).

---

Reading your post, I understand why I'm not overexcited about my D70. You're impatient to discover the features of a modern SLR. I already had lots of film SLR's. The D70 was just - oh I've bought yet ANOTHER camera which you don't have to put film in and the results look - different.

I've tried to use the D70. Last weekend I invited some friends around for a portrait session, specially to try out the D70. Despite all my precautions - disaster!! The D70 flash didn't trigger the studio flashes. My Hasselblad just seemed to leap into my hands, the first film was loaded in an instant and I shot 5 films in an hour or so in the usual fun session.

Of course I will persevere. I know why I bought the D70 - to save me time. I now have two weeks work to develop the films and scan the results from last weekend instead of having them immediately.

Charles

Remember that song? I know the feeling. I'm an equipment junkie, always wanting the latest doublewopjinglehopwhopperbopper, and I never lose that feeling while waiting for that new piece of equipment to arrive from B&H. I'm on pins and needles right now too, waiting for the last pieces of a new 4 light 1200w Norman lighting system to get here from B&H. Congratulations on the new camera, post some pics too :)

It's here! Now I just have to figure out what all these flashing lights, cryptic buttoms, and knobs do. Oh my! I'm a little frightened, I must admit. The K1000 had THREE things to pay attention to - shutter speed dial, apature ring, and match stick light meter. This thing is, wow, whiz bang. I checked FedEx's online tracking, saw that it had arrived this morning, went home during lunch and picked 'er up. I have never been so eager for 5pm to hit (can you tell I'm a bit distracted?) - though I have to be in class at 6! It may be a bit rude to take pictures in class, so maybe I'll get in a few shots before I go in. Ug. I took a few quick ones stopped at a light coming back to work. Well, back to work with me.