No comments about Nikon D40 Digital Camera w/18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Lens - 4 GB SD Memory Card, Spare EN-EL9 Lithium-Ion Battery, Lowepro Holster-Style Case, Nikon DVDs on Photography, Mack 3 Year Extended Warranty , USB 2.0 SD Card Reader.

No comments about Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi 12.2-Megapixel SLR Camera & Canon EFS 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Zoom Lens + Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III Zoom Lens + 4GB SD Memory Card + LP-E5 Battery + Case + Cameta Bonus Accessory Kit.

5 comments about Olympus E1 5.5MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only).

1. I have owned this camera for about 2 months now and I am very happy with it. It is not the fastest or the highest image quaility in its class, but it is the best priced for its overall quality. I have already t ested it's durability and it has passed with flying colors. As a landscape designer it is used regularly in all conditions and has performed flawlessly. Do your homework and you will see it is a solid camera at a fair price



2. Four month satisfied owner after a lot of research.If one goes on raw comparative specs alone, the E-1 may fall short on some comparisons,such as number of megapixels (5) and number of lenses available(ca. 12). But handling it and looking at the untouched results,will impress one,-don't reveal the source and see. It is a tough,professional machine,and weather sealed, and has no history of breakdowns in a year from users and no major glitches... Having said that, some users don't want or need a professional level camera. If you don't need these special adjustment capabilities, don't mess with this level of camera. It is rather heavy, and huge manual to absorb. The dust reduction system and the high quality lenses of superb design are very large advantages to all. Will the E system be around in ten years you say? I don't know, and you don't know,but the camera will be usable for a long time. Certainly until every suburban home has a 36" high definition flat panel TV in their living room and moves on to covet a 65".
   Update as of 9-1-2006:
   If anything,my respect for this camera increases. It is chunky,not what Olympuses are supposed to be to many,and is even heavier with the accessory HDL-2 grip. I have not pushed the enlargements to the point where I need more than the alloted megapixels,not even close. I have not fully exploited all the capabilities (read multiple options) of the camera,but it is definitely not in the DSLR beginner category. This Fall will likely see news on an upgrade,and some interesting E series bodies. If one is still satisfied with well thought out good design,water proofing,and superb( their mid price line) lenses,with a definite and future limited variety vis a vis Canon et al,then this camera is still a hard to go wrong choice. The downside: Canon and Nikon and now Sony are still the places that folks who own Canon EOS and Nikon and Minolta autofocus lenses will seek out first and who may need a broader choice of accessories or rental super telephotos. For those who have no stable of lenses,and just want to jump in,how can one go wrong with the E-1 and the 14-54 plus one Olympus flash is still my view.
   (Caveat: If you are subject to buyer's remorse,better wait until Photokina on September 26. The future of this camera and the E system will be shaped by what Olympus displays or outlines its E system offerings at that time...that said,do not hesitate to go for this at a budget closeout price,one third of what I paid in July 2004. It is a camera that grows on you if you like its hefty quality feel, weatherproofing,the buttons versus menu approach.)



3. I've been using E1 with Zuiko Digital 14-54 f/2.8-3.5 for several months now, and I must report that I am thoroughly pleased with its operation. It performs flawlessly, without any glitches, and is a solid, well built and reliable photographic tool. It is a joy to use in the field.
   Image quality is nothing short of excellent. A3 sized prints from E1 easily match my best slide scans from 35mm film. The images are clean, vivid, sharp, with beautiful colors, which reminds me of Kodak emulsions. Once I made a beautiful, clean A4 print from a small cropped segment of a portrait; at this enlargement, the entire picture would exceed A2 paper size. 5 megapixels yes, but 5 megapixels of extreme signal quality. Unlike Canon, Kodak didn't put hardware noise reduction on its sensors, so with help of NeatImage or Noise Ninja, one can make very clean prints even at ISO 800. However, ISO 1600 and 3200 display banding artifacts, and are useful mostly for black&white images. Those B&W images, however, respond very well to noise reduction and produce very good A4 prints. As for the 14-54 lens, it is very sharp from f/3.5-f/11, has very good but not excellent bokeh, has extremely useful range from moderately wide to moderately tele (28-108mm in 35mm equivalents), and works best at the long end. There it really shines as a portrait lens. However, it displays some vignetting at the long end, and some cyan fringing in the corners at the wide and.
   So, the strong points of this camera are its absolute image quality, color fidelity, buid quality and ergonomics. On the minus side, however, there is autofocus, which leaves much room for improvement. It is slow and of little use in low light. Also, the buffer could clear faster, especially with microdrive, whose full potential isn't utilized.
   
   Conclusion: it's an excellent camera, whose real competitor is Canon 20D. Canon has a solid resolution advantage, produces good images, and works better at high ISO values. However, E1 is better built, it has an excellent kit lens which is every bit as good as Canon L zooms and rivals good primes, has built-in sensor cleaning, is splash-proof and an excellent overall package. Choice between them is a matter of individual preference and taste. What made it for me was the range of focal lengths. With Olympus, I can cover my needs with just two lenses, and 14-54 is designed just right. It's wide enough and long enough for me not to need anything else for most applications. With a 35mm legacy and 1.6x crop factor, Canon's lens range is just inconvenient. Most lenses are either not wide enough or not long enough or cover the wrong range. With Olympus, I still didn't feel any desperate need to buy a second lens; 108mm equivalent is just right for portraiture, and 28mm is just wide enough for the kind of landscapes I usually shoot.



4. We have been using the E1 for 15 months now and I can say we are very pleased. I love the sharpness of the lenses. Our company does commercial and portrait work and we are able to go to 30x40 sized prints and they are sharp, much sharper than 35mm and even some 645 neg's we used to use. Color rendition seems to be right on, bit on the warm side but very little. Most work is done with studio lights. All in all the camera preforms the way we want it to. Would we recommend the E1 .... We now own 4 E1's.



5. This is a real professional digital camera but it's easy to use for those just beginning. With excellent color rendention, you can shoot RAW for more control or use the Fine jpeg and it will pop your eyes out with a image quality found in only the best of cameras.

5 comments about Canon Digital Rebel XTi 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens (Silver).

1. Got this camera as gift and after 3 months this camera was not producing good pictures, most of the pictures are fade or like blurr.



2. I previously owned a measly point and shoot camera, so upgrading to this camera was a huge jump for me. it took some time getting used to, but once I've learned was quite easy to use. i shoot manually without (much) trouble now.
   
   The lens that came with this camera was pretty crappy (EF-S 18-55mm USM). You should definitely get a better lens for the full experience. I recently bought Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 for pretty cheap and it takes the most amazing pictures with this camera



3. I was very pleased with the prompt delivery and the many features on this camera. My friend does some professional photography and this is the camera he uses. I'm still figuring it all out but it takes crisp clean photos.



4. This is my first SLR. With my little experience on photography, I can tell that this is a great camera even for the simple users for home photography. You can use the flash and regulate the photo brightness (add some shadow if the pic is over exposed, I use the free software Picasa2). You will need a very steady hand and a steady subject to click without flash under little low brightness or dimmed environment.
   
   I use lenses with Image Stabilizer and I have also found the Cannon's relatively cheaper fixed 50 mm lens going very good with the camera especially for low light photos.
   
   I would like to add that I do not know much of photography to comment well on this product.



5. I couldn't ask for an easier camera that took better pictures. I am a huge fan.

No comments about Nikon D80/D90 Accessory Kit! Includes: (2) EN-EL3E Batteries for Nikon + Nikon SLR Camera Case + (2) Nikon School DVD's + 4GB Secure Digital Memory Card + 3 in 1 Cleaning Kit + USB 2.0 Multi Card Reader.

2 comments about Sony alpha DSLR-A350 14 Megapixel SLR Digital Camera Body.

1. Excellent camera and price. Purchase couldn't have been easier. The quality of the pictures has blown me away! Can't wait to learn all of the features available but was up and shooting as soon as it was out of the box. Very easy to use.



2. I've had my A350 for over a month. I shot about 400 photos with it over the last weekend. I've hesitated to use it, due to what I presumed was bad design. It turns out that my camera has a misaligned viewfinder. I was having to aim lower, guessing what was the proper place to point at, and then take my shot. Sometimes I got what I was trying to photograph. Sometimes the image was cut off. Looks like this camera is going back for repairs. After that, who knows, it might be a great camera.

5 comments about Olympus Evolt E300 8MP Digital SLR with Zuiko 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6 Digital SLR Lens.

1. I love this camera, it photographs great, it has great lenses. Now the great thing about this camera is that you can pick the types of photographic scenes you'll be taking in automatic setup or you can customize scene exposures and other photography features like in the oldschool 35mm cameras did such as so you can get streak in lights and other effects that the old film cameras were able to do. The pictures come out superbly.
   
   The only negetive I have to say is, the manual could use a little improvement and their is a sound when you photograph that's it. If you can live with those two faults, then its an awesome camera to get.
   
   Merry x-mas



2. This camera is well worth every penny. I shoot mostly wildlife and landscape photograpy and both my Zuiko 14-45mm and 40-150mm lenses see plenty of action. The 14-45 is a great all purpose lense that doubles both as a semi-wide angle and a short Telescopic lens. The 40-150 is a short tele that performs as it is supposed to.
   Picture quality is the best I have had yet out of a camera. This is my third olympus camera for this reason alone because in the long run this is what matters most.
   I compared this to the equivalent Canon, Nikon and Minolta Cameras and am glad i make this choice. The lens kit is superior, the battery life is nearly eternal (I have taken approx 3000 shots and recharged the battery only 3 times), and the camera is very durable.
   Olympus also upgraded its software package that has been greatly improved from their previous software.
   All in all, this is a steal for the price, especially since the E330 is now on the market.



3. I bought this camera in September of 2005. In the last year and a half it has served me very well. I have taken 7500 pictures and the camera is going strong! I have taken pictures in all settings, light and dark, bright light and shadow, and the photos turn out nicely. Very little editing is required, if any, to have a great looking shot.
   
   Pros:
   -Solid, aluminum body
   -Strong built-in flash
   -Great picture quality
   -Easy to use menu
   -Both lenses perform well. Both focus quickly and the zoom on both is smooth and performs almost to perfection.
   -Battery life is superb. Even when using the flash I have gotten over 500 shots on a single charge. Up to 850 without the flash.
   -Manual mode is easy to switch to and works well.
   -The many different scene modes come in handy.
   -There are many different picture quality settings that allow you to fine tune to just the exact setting you want.
   -ISO 100-400 provide great shots, 800 is slightly noisy, and 1600 (with noise reduction) is okay, but almost unusable unless you absolutely have to have a shot.
   -I have used the camera to take 350 consecutive shots, just holding the shutter button, and I had no problems with buffering. That worked flawlessly.
   
   Cons:
   -Occasionally the camera will have problems focusing in very dark situations (almost night) and the flash will strobe to find an object to focus on. I personally turn this feature off and usually focusing is okay.
   -I'm not very impressed with the Olympus Camedia software; therefore, I don't use it unless I am updating the firmware for the camera. Windows XP handles the camera just fine and that it was I use for transferring images.
   -Limited availability of aftermarket lenses and flashes. They are available, but are over-priced.
   
   Overall, I have been very impressed with the camera. You can not beat to quality of the pictures and camera for the price. I have used both the Nikon D70 and Canon 20D and I prefer the Olympus over them both. The build quality of the Olympus far outweigh both of the others. I would recommend this camera to anyone interested in a digital SLR!



4. I was very exctied to receive this item, as it was a valentines day gift for my wife, until she tried to use it, so far its been in twice for repair for the same problem, the lenses will not focus. I'm not sure if this is the fault of the manufaturer or not, but I am giving the store the benefit of the doubt and giving them 5 stars, this is for price of this item, and the quickness in which I received it.



5. Fantastic camera. I've been able to take some great shots with this baby and have had no problems. I'm using PNY Optima Pro 2GB CompactFlash 133X (20MB/Sec Read/Wrte Speed) Flash Memory Card P-CF2GB-133W-DVDC for memory (About 950 pics on HQ) and my time between shots is less than a sec. I don't even notice anytime between shots really. I've has some fun using OM1 lens with this body thanks to the Olympus OM Lens to Olympus 4/3 System Camera Body Adapter, if your interested in using an OM lens with the 4/3 body let me tell you it works beautifully. Battery last really long I've been taking between 300-600 shots a day on the one battery and still had tons of juice left. [...] Ease of use is great with only a small learning curve. I highly recommend looking at Olympus when it come time to buy a DSLR and the E-300 is def a fav of mine.

No comments about Canon Digital Rebel XSi SLR "Black" Camera Body with Canon EF 75-300mm f/4.0-5.6 III.

5 comments about Nikon D2Xs 12.4 Megapixel Digital SLR Camera.

1. An amazing construction - the D2Xs is a paradox in itself. Strong as an ox and yet as delicate as a butterfly - this camera is control and power in one rock hard package. Simply the finest Pro camera you can buy without needing a 2nd mortgage. In the words of a Mr F. Bueller "It is so choice. If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up."
   
   Every feature you can think of in a camera is present - and many you can't think of. Many a night I'd reading the manual - commenting to myself 'I wonder....oh - they already did'
   
   I would write a longer review - but the beast is calling me again...quietly ...from its bag... I must obey! I must heed that slumbering monster's will. I must go out and capture the world in digital form.
   
   I'll finish off with another Ferris quote. "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in awhile, you could miss it".
   
   Well - he obviously DIDN'T know about the D2Xs speed-framing mode...



2. I'm not going to go over the technical aspects of this camera. There are lots of other places that do that. Anyhow, I shoot professionally on the side, and this camera does just about everything well, except for sports photography. The autofocus and noise level is not nearly as good as its chief competitor. The high speed crop (8fps) reduces the quality of the image, and I'm not talking about megapixels. By the way, all you Nikon shooters (including myself) waiting for the D3H with 10 megapixel, 10 fps, and a 3-inch LCD screen, the wait is over... it's called the Canon EOS-1D Mark III. Because of the type of assignments I cover, I'm going to try out the new Canon EOS-1D Mark III when it releases this summer. I'll continue to shoot with the D2Xs for non-sporting events because it's still a very capable camera and the fact that I've already invested a lot of money on Nikon lenses.
   
   8/23/07 - No! I probably made the jump over to Canon a little too soon now that the D3 is coming out in November.



3. Nikon D2Xs 12.4 Megapixel Digital SLR Camera
   
   The Nikon D2Xs is truly the professional (or very serious amateur) photographer's dream machine. My previous and current equipment includes Canon EOS 850 film (retired), Konica film (retired), Olympus C3030 (donated) and various other equipment over the years. I still own and use my Nikon D70s and find it to be a wonderful tool, but the D2Xs is the ulitmate machine.
   
   I read many articles and reviews about professional level digital SLR cameras, and I was a little aprehensive about the D2Xs because I wasn't sure I was ready for it, experience wise. That's proven not to be the case, and I find this camera is actually easier to use than other equipment I've owned. There are no pre-programmed (i.e., landscape, portrait, night landscape, etc.) settings like on the D70s or the Canon. That kind of forces you to use the P (most automatic settings) or aperture/shutter preferred options. I find it pretty straight forward, since the pre-programmed settings can be a little confusing in their own right.
   
   This camera is big but feels very steady to use. Ergonomics are supreme, and the menus (not used that often since every key setting is selectable with a button) are easy to read in bright sunlight.
   
   This is a very well done product that takes pictures capable of being blown up to poster size without a problem or loss of quality. This is a beautiful piece of gear if you can afford it. I chose it between the Canon Mark's and other options in the 12+MP range because I liked it best of all.



4. I have been a professional photographer for more than 42 years and a photography teacher for 38 years. This is simply, the best camera I have ever owned. This is the first audio focus camera that focuses faster than me, its a bit heavy, but I'm a bit older. Couple this camera with a fast lens, (f1.4D, f1.8D, f2.0D, f2.8D), and if the pictures are not good, then its you. With the new Nikon D3 coming out in November 2007, this camera will be available used as well as new, get one you will not be disappointed. :-)



5. I jumped in the ocean with the Nikon D2X---got the camera in late February 2005, on the first day they were available in Scotland. I also bought the underwater housing for it almost emmediately. The Austrian housing manufacturer, Subal, had used the nearly identical body and controls of Nikon's D2H to develop a housing for the D2X before it had even shipped.
   The results of those initial dives made me very happy. I was impressed first with the D2X's image quality, a massive jump, over the previous digital SLR, a Nikon D100. The D2X is better pixel-to-pixel than the D100 by a clear margin, and it's got twice as many of those pixels.
   Another thing that I think is a massive advantage to the D2X is the large viewing screen. Even inside the housing, it's easy to see in good detail, which allows me to make faster and more definitive judgments about my images. On dives, where time is the rarest commodity, any feature that improves efficiency takes on much greater importance than it might on land.

No comments about Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi 12.2-Megapixel SLR Camera (SILVER) with Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Zoom Lens + Canon BG-E5 Battery Grip + LP-E5 Battery + Case + Cameta Bonus Accessory Kit.