Calling all Camera Experts

[Martin Keene]

Cant see them throwing all those nice Minoltas in the skip yet

Most of them seem to prefer the Cannon EOS1, not sure why. Tabliod press seem to prefer Nikon, at least for digital

[Nick M]

The thing that above all else, even my inherent impatience with waiting for processing, drives me ever closer to digital photography is the appalling variation in processing houses' quality. I've had such a load of rubbish from so many processors that, prior to the dawn of digital cameras, I had pretty well turned exclusively to transparencies because of the fewer steps twixt lens and eyeball compared with prints.

Who know of a reliable processor that doesn't cost the earth?

Precisely why I got rid of my medium format Mamiya and went for a D70.

Things I miss :

- outright image quality of enlargements

- the HUGE viewfinder

Things I don't miss :

- the weight (maybe a moot point in light of my recent lens acquisition which weighs 3.5lbs on its own....)

- the *need* for a tripod all the time

- the slowness of setting it up for a picture - no way could you use it effectively for sports photography

- the cost / hassle of processing images

If you get some decent lenses then the D70 is very, very impressive.  I reckon I'll see a useable life of 3-5 years out of it before a) it's showing signs of tiredness (lots of electronics to go wrong too) and b) DSLRs have improved enough to warrant an upgrade.

[Bob Green]

I get better action shots with my 30 year old Rolleiflex 35 SLR on 400 ASA film than with any digital camera I've tried. Just my two-pennyworth.

It's a bit late for the reply but now we are talking quality and longevity of class.  Try one in medium format which will not become obsolete within weeks.  As awkward to use as my old Hasselblad but patience will produce stunning images.

As for a good processing house, convert a room into a darkroom and play to your hearts content.  Just make sure the development of the roll is perfect.

Edited to say when I want mamby pamby images, I use a cheap digital camera  

[Man On The Clapham Omnibus]

Bob Green, I have done processing at home, on and off, for a number years but only monochrome. Colour has always been a bit daunting. I have to admit that the advent of digital cameras has been something of a relief in that respect 'cos i never really enjoyed the darkroom that much.