Possibly making the jump to DSLR...have a Q

okay all, i tried a search, yielded no results...
Anyhow- Husband is trying to get me to buy a digital SLR (i know- who'd I marry?). But i have a few Q's

1. If i get a DSLR would i be able to "grow" into it? I have a G3 and it is fine for me, but i am already sensing its limitations . (ie-cant just strap on a tele lens). I must admit at first it might be too much camera for me, but will i be able to grow into it?

2. For all you DSLR owners (Rebel, 10D, 20D i guess) how much have you spent so far on various stuff ie lenses.

3. here is a stupid question- the focus on a DSLR, does it work like a SLR or do they still have that stupid little knob that the G series has?

Thanks for all your help! You guys are the BEST!!!

The Digital Rebel is the low end canon right now for around $800 For the body $900 with the 18-55 lense After $100 rebate. This rebate can tripple if you want to drop some cash on 2 additional lenses that are on the rebate list but there are no cheap consumer lenses on the list. This camera would be the easiest to grow into but it has its limitations (doesnt like to track moving subjects very well). Other than that it is a great camera and is now available in BLACK!!!!! Some of the people have spent thousands and thousands, some people just buy the kit and a flash and maybe a tripod. Just remember if you get the rebel you can take that camera a long ways into the future and expand you knoledge with out limits (except fot sports). heres a good link to learn what the rebel can do

http://www.photoworksh​op.com/canon/lessons/i​ndex.html

The DSLR focus operates the same as the SLR, focusing is done within the lens (auto & manual).

Thanks all, Nevermind- I just bought the 20D!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Congratulations.

Don't be intimidated by the camera's capabilities. If uncertain, just put the camera on P or the green rectangle and 90% of your photos will turn out just fine.

The great thing about digital is that it doesn't cost anything to experiment. Keep trying different things and you will learn to improve your photography.

Have a good time.

One of the things I did when following the above advice, was when a shot came out really well I looked up the settings the camera chose and noted what it did for the picture. Then I tried to reproduce that result with the manual mode the next time I shot. This helped me learn what each individual setting does and how to use it to my advantage.

Headcase: you are wrong. I bought the Drebel w/ the kit in May for $900 so it has to be $100 less by now!

Oddly enough, it's not... unless you buy it online, of course. My semi-local Circuit City and Best Buy (not a camera store, I know) but they still have the Drebel kit for $999.95

You can definitely get a Drebel online for a bit cheaper. My friend bought a new kit off eBay for $720... just depends on where you're looking.

But congrats on the 20D, r2d2! I have one and I'm sure you'll love it. I'm coming from a G3 myself to the 20D, and at first it's kind of overwhelming with all the buttons and everything, but after using it for a little while you get very accustomed to how it works.

For your initial questions:
1- You can definitely grow into it as I mentioned above, just look through the manual some and everything will come clear as to how you do things... and if in doubt, ask here!

2- I've spent $1660 on the body, a Sigma 28-80mm, and a Sigma 100-300mm, and small random things like a bag, cleaning kit, tripd.... Also $75 on the 50mm prime. I also had 3 256mb CF cards, each of which cost me $13-$25 after rebates.

3- It focuses like an SLR, where you twist the end of the lens... it also has autofocus as well... it still has the same little wheel that the G3 has, but it serves a different purpose.

1. It's not really growing into it, a dSLR or any SLR in reality is at the top of the camera food chain. In terms of versatility, they are unmatched. There are med & large format equipment as well, but I wont discuss those.

2. Too much, my guesstimate is around $7500 <- was a part of my student loan though. as it is considered a part of my major, thank god.

3. Never used a G series camera, but yes, the dSLR works exactly as an AF series film SLR. But instead of exposing on to film you expose onto a chip.

Cheers

1. Yes, you will grow into it.

2. £3,000,000. ( roughly ) What the L.

3. Yes.

Cameron

hee hee. THanks all. My husbnd actually kicked me out of the house to go and buy it. Makes me wonder what HE did wrong!!

I purchassed it at 8:30pm and was up until 3:30-4:00am playing around with it. However, it is a bit hard to play with low house light, but hey- I got to play with the ISo's- I could have stayed up a few more hours, but had a busy Sunday to get to. I LOVE IT!!!! IT IS SOOOOO FAST!!! I dont wanna go to work tomorrow- i want to play- Thank God I have Thursday off, the weather better be nice!!!

Amanda

Hold onto your wallet!

That IS the trick- Isnt it!!! I am already looking up lenses for the future :P BUt after that- I swear- I am done!! Unless....