Camera Lens

Mindful I would need a digital imager resolution of 5 or 6-MP automatically eliminated many makes and models of cameras. My choice would now be based on camera style and quality of zoom lenses. Having some years of experience with 35mm SLR Minoltas, Nikons and Canons, I considered the Minolta Dimage 7i with 5.0-MP and 28-200 mm 7x optical zoom lens (35 mm equivalent) a viable option. I was pleased to find quality digital SLR bodies sans lenses. The body available for the Sigma SD9 had 3.4-MP and Fuji S2 Pro had 6.1-MP but featured Fuji Super CCD array, an innovation I had read about but never fully understood. Possessing an assortment of AF lenses for Nikon and Canon, it seemed prudent to purchase one of these digital SLR camera bodies and use my existing lenses, adding others if needed.

Both Nikon D100 (6.1-MP CCD) and Canon EOS D60 (6.3-MP CMOS) featured the numerous automatic and manual settings of their high-end conventional film counterparts, and I found it difficult to argue one was better than the other. Brand name lenses and mounts were available for both, the prices close, the weights comparable, and both looked and handled in a fashion similar to 35mm models. Both used CompactFlash media format and bore 1.8 inch LCDs. When Nikon announced a price drop from $1,999 to $1,699 for the Nikon D100, I decided this was my opportunity and I had one delivered to me the next day.

Dr. Russell A. Rohde, APSA, PPSA

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