first DSLR help!

Alright, after reading for an extended amount of time, mainly on dpreview.com, it is finally time to make a purchase. I've narrowed it down to the three choices listed below. Please try to suggest one of them, and not an alternative that isn't listed. I'm looking for good all round photography.

Nikon D50
Olympus E-500
Konica Minolta 5D

Which one? Thanks!

Good build,
Good lens line up
IS build in the camera
Might have been my chose, if I had not owned Canon equipment,

...although the Oly E-500 kit is nice too. BUT, higher ISO's (above 400) are a little noiser than Minolta and Nikon, BUT the lens are Quality, (Oly does NOT make Consumer grade glass. Only Quality glass)

Minolta 5D
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Peter



Enjoy your photography images, even if your wife doesn't ! ;-(
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DSLR Camera used in profile.

Of course you understand that you may be creating a firestorm with this topic, but I will tell you that, after three weeks of just getting to know my new Oly E-500, I have never felt this way about any camera I've owned. This is my first DSLR and I've worked and dreamed hard and long to finally buy it.

The kit price with the two great lenses, and the feel of the camera in my hands was what intially won me over, but I'm getting happier with my choice everyday. Fantastic pics and lots of control! Much easier to navigate than my Oly 5050.

Good luck to you!
Clair

Of course I knew the storm would come, but hey it's more fun that way .

One issue that I would like Minolta owners to address is the issue with the pre-flash that causes blink. I've read about it, but is it really as bad as people say it is.

Also, more ?'s are popping into my head. Which camera has the best menu and button layout. I think that I like the D50 in this respect, but I don't have much experience with DSLR so I don't know which one truely makes more sense. I know it's personal preference but some input would still be greatly appreciated.

tylernim said:

Of course I knew the storm would come, but hey it's more fun that
way .

One issue that I would like Minolta owners to address is the issue
with the pre-flash that causes blink. I've read about it, but is
it really as bad as people say it is.

Click to expand...

It's blown out of proportion.

I've got a niece that I like to photograph, and I've had some shots with her with partially closed eyes (but, they are in the minority of total shots taken). She's an exception (most subjects don't react that way).

All DSLR models are going to have a preflash to gauge exposure. That's because there is no OTF (off the film metering) with a DSLR (and the sensors are too reflective to lend themselves to this purpose). So, the manufacturers needed to redesign the flash systems to use a preflash.

The exception to needing a preflash is using a flash with it's own built in sensor to measure reflected light during the exposure.

Auto Thyristor flashes were very popular at one time. But, now, dedicated flashes from major manufacturers have been designed to rely on the camera's metering for exposure. In order to more accurately gauge exposure, a preflash is used.

If it ever becomes a problem, you can still find flashes with built in sensors. Some are even dedicated (so that they are aware of the camera settings being used for aperture and ISO speed). An example of a dedicated flash for the KM 5D is the Metz 54MZ4 using the latest SCA3302 adapter for Minolta.

This Metz has an auto mode you can use that eliminates the need for a preflash. That's because it's using it's own built in sensor to terminate the flash when it sees the correct amount of reflected light from the subject for the aperture and ISO speed used.

So, if having a preflash is a big issue, there are ways around it.

Also, thanks to this model's built in Anti-shake, combined with the ability to shoot at up to ISO 3200, you'll find yourself needing a flash less often anyway. ;-)

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JimC
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The fact that you are considering the D50 tells me you have budget constraints. Nothing to be ashamed of, but if this is the case, the Olympus has a very limited range of lenses in the budget range. I'd have gotten it if I could have used a Sigma zoom with it but no....
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