I've owend a whole series of the Fujis....the 6900z, the 602 and finaly the S7000. These are terrific cameras for learning about photography but the lack of interchangeable lenses is thier biggest drawback for serious work. That being said, the Fuji prosumer cameras give you a very SLR like feel in their use, provided you utilize the camera like an SLR.....that means learning about how to use the PASM modes and work with an external flash. If you've gotten thru that, then the jump to a DSLR should be easy for you, as the two cameras function quite similarly in terms of technique..

Since wildlife and macro are your two interests, Canon would be your best choice as they have the largest system of lense to support you as your skills develop. If your intent is to be professional, then Canon support is what you need..

If you are looking at primarily hobby or serious enthusiast photography, either of the big two, Canon or Nikon will serve you well. Canon has beter lens support for wildlife though Nikon ofter is said to have the best flash systems. Other brands will serve just as well but will be more limited in available lenses and flash systems, in their current systems..

I shoot Pentax, and right now the Pentax DSLRs seem to be the bang for the buck if you are budget conscious. But the availability of long telephotos for wildlife is limited at the moment..

For your budget of $3k, you can get into any system, but for pro wildife aspirations, Canon would be your best best in my opinion..

JohnPentax *ist-D, K100D, Oly Stylushttp://www.pbase.com/jglover..

Consider Canon EOS 30D for good IQ at high ISOs, burst rate and overall build quality...

Wordweaver wrote:.

Hi, Hopefully I will be heading back to school in a month to studyphotography and writing (have to wait to see if I am accepted). Ihave been using a Fuji S7000 just for fun, but now it's time to getserious. I am planning on concentrating on wildlife photographywith an emphasis on wildflowers to start which means macrophotography. I want a camera that I will be able to add on to asneeded eventually I plan on doing wildlife that moves faster thanflowers and perhaps landscapes. At this point there is no portraitphotography in my future. Budget is probably around $3000.



Regards, Ajayhttp://picasaweb.google.com/ajay0612..

Thanks for the response. Yes, I have learned how to use the S7000 manually. In fact, I don't like using the automatic settings. A couple of drawbacks with the Fuji have been poorer quality photos indoors than outdoors with natural light. I seldom use the flash since I don't like the results (I probably need to get an external flash). Also I sometimes have difficulty getting the correct white balance..

I have been using this camera for over two years now (I used it for my undergraduate thesis) an feel that photography is something that is going to stay with me for a long time. Hopefully I can turn into into a profession since I hate sitting at a desk..

If I were to chose a Canon, which model would be a good match? I frequent Flickr and have been looking at photos that I like and then looking to see which camera took the photos. So far, the result is almost always a Nikon or a Canon..

Also, I am a Mac person so I need a camera that is compatible with Mac. I have heard that Canon is the choice. I am open to anything and will not buy a camera for it's name. Incidentally, I live in Vermont where there are very few camera shops, especially ones that carry a variety, so this message board is a huge help to me.If you are not willing to see more than is visible, you won't see anything.-Ruth Bernhard..

Just reconfirming. Is the budget really $3000!.

Wordweaver wrote:.

Budget is probably around $3000. Anypointers would be great..

Regards, Ajayhttp://picasaweb.google.com/ajay0612..

For now it is. Why do you ask? Too low? Too high? for what I plan on doing.If you are not willing to see more than is visible, you won't see anything.-Ruth Bernhard..

Wordweaver wrote:.

Thanks for the response. Yes, I have learned how to use the S7000manually. In fact, I don't like using the automatic settings. Acouple of drawbacks with the Fuji have been poorer quality photosindoors than outdoors with natural light. I seldom use the flashsince I don't like the results (I probably need to get an externalflash). Also I sometimes have difficulty getting the correct whitebalance..

I have been using this camera for over two years now (I used it formy undergraduate thesis) an feel that photography is something thatis going to stay with me for a long time. Hopefully I can turn intointo a profession since I hate sitting at a desk..

If I were to chose a Canon, which model would be a good match? Ifrequent Flickr and have been looking at photos that I like andthen looking to see which camera took the photos. So far, theresult is almost always a Nikon or a Canon..

Also, I am a Mac person so I need a camera that is compatible withMac. I have heard that Canon is the choice. I am open to anythingand will not buy a camera for it's name. Incidentally, I live inVermont where there are very few camera shops, especially ones thatcarry a variety, so this message board is a huge help to me..

Hi Ruth,.

Good for you using the manual settings. I never use any of the pic modes on any of my digitals, almost always either Aperture priority or the standard program mode. I really like a camera that has program shift available as well so you can quickly override the the camer'a choice of settings. The Pentax *istD's hyperprogram mode is terrific. Even though the camera is three years old I still find myself using that body the most as I am so comfortable with the modes and controls. A whole lot depends on your comfort zone with the camera you select, so it is a good idea to try out a few bodies....but I realize that is difficult where you live.



Indoor and flash have always been the problems with the Fuji prosumer camera in my opinion. I was never able to get a decently exposed flash image with the built in flash......you have to go with an external flash for the best results..

As far a specific Canon model goes, I'm not able to really suggest one as I am unfamiliar with the features available on the verious bodies nor have I shot with a Canon since I owned and AE-1 many moons ago. But in terms of possibly going professional, Canon and Nikon are your two logical choices due to the large systems available with each camera and the easy availability of gear for rental should need a specific piece of gear..

I would think with your budget, you should be able to put together a really nice system with a couple of L quality IS lenses. I would think most folks would probably recommend the 30D as a good mid level starter body. Add a couple of pro level lenses and you are at your budget limit..

With the Nikon system ,probably the D80 would be the logical choice and a couple of lense would set you back about the same as Canon..

Any camera you choose will serve you well, whether it is Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Sony, Fuji.....it is really a matter of your needs and the availablilty of lense and accessories in the system..

JohnPentax *ist-D, K100D, Oly Stylushttp://www.pbase.com/jglover..

With $3000 and a plan to expand in future, most of us are probably drooling a little. .

DSLR, something rugged, not a base model. A D80, D200, 30D. These will serve you well when you move onto something that move faster than flowers ! They will also survive life in the field a lot better..

Good lightweight tripod or monopod. Never mind anti-shake - a really good tripod !.

Lenses. Most of your budget is lenses. You need a macro to start - as you want to do flowers. You need to research lenses a lot to understand just how difficult this choice will be. I'd suggest researching lenses should be more important than researching cameras..

Tough bag(s) for camera(s) and lenses..

Keep the S7000 for family stuff, or get a matching base entry model that can take your lenses ( e.g. if you get a D80, get a D40 for family/informal stuff ). A second DSLR would also function as a backup model..

I don't use it, but I'm sure you should budget for Photoshop..

Good boots and hiking gear - you did say wildlife ? And a compass and good swiss-army knife - very handy do dah..

Backup batteries - you can't recharge in a field..

See how easy it is to spend that budget ? .

Many wildlife photographers' websites will have good information which you can base your research on..

Heck of a big step from an S7000..

StephenG.

Fuji S9600Fuji S5200Fuji F30Fuji E900Canon A710ISPCLinuxOS..

Without evening knowing anything about Canon in any detail, this was my thought on a $3k kit as well.......

JohnPentax *ist-D, K100D, Oly Stylushttp://www.pbase.com/jglover..

Thanks, I will check out the 30D in detail and see what I think. I'm about a month away from buying, so I have time (yes, it takes me this long to buy anything).

If you are not willing to see more than is visible, you won't see anything.-Ruth Bernhard..

I've been looking at the Nikon D200 and the Canon 5D. There is a about $1000 difference in the body for both of them and I am wondering if the Canon is really that much better. Also if I were to buy the Canon, I wouldn't have much money left for everything else. I would also like ideas for a decent starter lens and a macro lens. In time I will add more lens.If you are not willing to see more than is visible, you won't see anything.-Ruth Bernhard..