so, i've decided to go all out and buy a top range camera.
i've narrowed down the field to the 4 linked below.
all i want is live view and pop up flash and no need think i'm flying a jet plane.
i just want to do upper body portraits mainly.
anyone care to recommend one of the below or even suggest another, i'm prepared to pay up to $AU 2,000/60,000 baht.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Olympus/oly_e3.asp
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Nikon/nikon_d40x.asp
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond80/
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Cano...asp?dontcount=1

This post has been edited by slapman: Feb 17 2008, 12:00 AM

Can't see what Canon model you are considering (link not working), but I'll give you my 2 cents.

I just bought an EOS 40D about 3 days ago. I have not yet been through the entire book and figured out everything there is to know about it, but so far I am impressed with how easy it is to use (though it is the first digital SLR that I have owned, so what do I know?).

I paid around $2000USD for the camera with 28-135mm zoom lens kit, Canon 580exII flash, memory card, extra batteries, and a descent tripod. This camera has loads of fully automatic shooting modes, as well as manual everything, built-in flash and live-view. But - does not seem to auto-focus in live view, I think that is a limitation of this camera (can't focus when the mirror is locked). Not a problem for me, but maybe not good for you, not sure if the other cameras in your list are the same.

One thing I can recommend, though - a good hot-shoe flash works wonders over the built-in. The puny built-in flash makes everything look like a "regular snapshot". With the external flash, you can bounce the light off the ceiling for indoors, or use a diffuser, and the extra outdoor range and power is amazing. I was very impressed with the 580 flash I got, it calculates exposure automatically with the camera, even using bounce-flash, and can be easily adjusted as well.

Maybe more info than you wanted, but there is what I know about the camera I got, don't know about the others.

thanks for the info, i'll check it out.
i hope i can take pics like this.
check the legs out on the first one !.
the skintones on #2 and streetcool on #3







This post has been edited by slapman: Feb 16 2008, 09:48 PM

I did some research a while back. I picked up the Evolt 330. This is the Evolt 410. Sorta took the place of the 330. This camera is by far the best bang for your buck. This website has just about the best deals as well. It has two sets of lenses that comes with this package. Live screen for taking photos. I have a really good friend of mine that does underwater cave exploration and photo spreads for magazines. He recommended this one to me. You cant order with these people over the weekend though. Have to wait to a weekday. Hope this helps



http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/4882...tal_Camera.html

dame.. i can eat that for days....

I have got myself a E-510. One real advantage of this one is the in-camera Image Stabilisation so you always have IS no matter what lens you are using. Have also got myself the 12-60 and 70-300 len's which give me an effective focal length of 24mm - 600mm. As a relative newbie to DSLR's I can thoroughly reccomend it, easy to use/learn and with a bit of patience you can get some amazing results. It is also pretty small and easy to carry, I did a 15 mile hike last week carrying the camera and spare lens and tripod/batteryies etc and it was easy...some of the cameras you mentioned are bigger and heavier.

The only bad thing about this camera is the 2.5" lcd is not all that, the newer cameras are coming out with a bigger lcd with more pixels on it.

One thing to remember. Whichever camera you buy you will be buying into their system which means their lenses and batteries. So in 3 or 4 years time when you want to upgrade again it would be wise to buy the same make so you can use your lenses....and quality lenses don't come cheap.

If your not already well versed in the art of DSLR's then it is well worth taking the time to read the manual/web and practice a lot as it will make a difference to your pictures and style.

Happy shooting !

weeks/years !.

This post has been edited by slapman: Feb 16 2008, 10:03 PM

great advice, thanks muchly.
the mission is to really show up some of the beauty available there. at the risk of sounding like a wanker i think i do ok in the glamour portraiture department. i want to go a bit sharper.
DAVE tell me more !.

You don't sound like a wanker at all mate. We know what you are capable of with photos. You post some of the best pics here. The better camera you get the better for us. I know fuck all about cameras so there is no point me giving you advice on them.

Slap mate I want to thank for the advice on my Fuji F31, got some great shots, but will try better next trip to reach your standard, which as Shuggy has inferred is the best on the boards....

Any of them are good, howver I love the Nikon products, especially the D200 with 70-200 lens. However I bought a Canon G9 which takes great pictures and is much easier to travel with. I will be posting the pictures I took with it in my trip report.

Being an E-300 owner I don't think you can go to far wrong with an Olympus - they certainly are small and light making excellent walkabout cameras. Forget dpreview.com if you want an unbiased review as the site owner obviously prefers one make over the rest. For Oly stuff I prefer this guy -

http://www.wrotniak.net/photo/oly-e/index.html

He's a professional photographer and knows what he's talking about. I would agree about buying a flashgun as well - the softer lighting effect is well worth it. I could never have achieved the following with a pop-up flash: