considering Oly 5050, 4000, 4040

[digitaldiver]

Cobra, the 5050 is a fine camera system. I agree with Dee that a used 4040 should be your only alternative, but I am going to suggest that you put that D-SLR program on hold for at least a couple years.

The obsolescence factor on D-SLR's is even worse than fixed lens viewfinder cameras. In fact, the camera you mentioned (Canon D-60) has been discontinued before the backorders have all been filled.

The 5050 is solid, proven, reliable, and economical to house. If my wife hadn't given me and Olympus E-20 for Christmas, that is what I would have right now. As it is, I am scared to death that my $2,500 electronic housing could fry just by looking at it cross-eyed. I shot an Oly C-series in an Oly PT housing for three years, and shelved a full blown Nikonos rig to do it.

You won't be sorry.

 

[ReyeR]

That's what I meant with 'Maybe with the C5050 you won't need to...... at least for a while.'

The 2nd and 3rd generation CCD technology has already hit the ceiling. Look at this site: Fuji's already on a 4th generation CCD which looks very exciting. See: http://www.dpreview.com/news/0301/03012202fujisuperccdsr.asp
and the flash presentation on:
http://www.fujifilm.co.uk/fujidc/

Cobra, while I understand your concern about shutter lag - I would follow CCD technology closely before investing (? if there is such a term for digicams) a large amount in a digicam like the D60 and it's housing. This is one of the things I didn't know much about (or didn't do enough research on) before buying the C5050. I was lucky because it turned out to be an exceptional camera in terms of functionality and, as always, Olympus's excellent imaging optics and technology is a winner.

 

[cobra]

yes, the oly 5050 is a fine camera system. so is the sony 707 that i currently use. so is the G2 that i've used, and the oly 3000 that i borrowed for several weeks, the coolpix 5000 and the coolpix 5700.

however, all of these systems, had a noticable shutter lag time that the D100 didn't. a slowness of autofocus that the D60 doesn't. or the interchangeable optics, the very fast shutter speed, the lack of optical distortion.

i realize that these 'pro-sumer' cameras have a lot to offer -- why i'm considering purchasing one. i am also very aware of what they don't have. so i'll live with 'pro-sumer' until i can afford otherwise. as long as i keep selling my art, where i use those 'optical defects' as 'artistic choices' that day may come sooner than later.

on the obsolescense/new technology front yes, technology changes on the DSLR are fast -- but it's like upgrading your computer. you don't *have* to buy a new one just because a new one is on the market. as long as it still works for you, and serves your purpose, no reason to 'upgrade'. same comment about the new technologies that are around the horizon -- those new technologies are always around the horizon. i know a guy who has been waiting for new technology in printers for about a year and half. every time his dream printer comes out, another manufacturer announces some breakthrough a couple of months away...

i come from the computer and software industry. from experience i've stopped looking at tomorrow's technology and make my choices from what's on sale today. otherwise i'd miss all those pictures that i took today.