Re: OT: autofocus

Oliver:
Consider an EOS digital Rebel kit, or an older EOS 20D (recently discontinued, so inexpensive). The 18-55mm EF kit lens has had good reviews. Both cameras handle just like film SLRs, but have all the advantages of digital - image review on LCD, histograms to check exposure among many.

Canon's EF 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5 is a good lens, with decent 'reach' and limited depth of field at the 85mm end. Mine's a backup to a 24-70mm f/2.8L.

With a digital SLR, you'd have relatively noise-free (grain-free) results up to ISO 800 - much better than film. There is the up-front cost difference - film cameras are available for a song these days, as everyone else points out. But in the long run, digital is cheaper - no film to buy and process. If you already have a computer with a decent amount of disk space, it;s a good wayt ot go.

There are the questions of image file backup versus film storage to consider. If you've been on this list for awhile, you've seen this debated a lot.


At 01:45 PM 7/27/2006, you wrote: 
I appreciate the many replies to my question. Allow me to respond.
On a typical bright day, my basic exposure for ISO 100 is f/8 at 1/250 or
f/4 at 1/1000 for a candid whose subject holds still.
IMO pre-focusing on an chosen distance and depth of focus is OK for
photographing an object whose trajectory is reasonably predictable. Rugrats
aka anklebiters exhibit Brownian motion.
IMO using a wide angle lens will likely result in the object of interest
occupying a small fraction of the frame, thus necessitating considerable
enlargement with attendant degradation of the image.
IMO too much depth of focus will cause distracting background to be too
sharp to be ignored by the viewer.
I am biased in favor of optical viewfinders and manual controls. I am not
prepared to squint at an iPod screen in bright sunlight while manipulating
an array of buttons that are smaller than those on my cellular telephone.
I will visit a few local camera stores (we only have a few) to handle the
suggested AF film cameras. How significant is AF speed for a prime 50mm or a
modest zoom (35-75 or so)?
Thanks again, and keep those comments coming!
Oliver




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