Maximum PC

my mom has been using her Olympus D40 for a while now, and have developed into a pretty good photographer. she feels that she has outgrowned the camera though, and is looking for something that can do more.

she's not sure about whether to get an SLR camera or not, because she's afraid of the learning curve, that she'll waste the money if she never understands how to fully take advantage of an SLR camera.

anyone in the field have any suggestions? i really can't do much as she knows more about this than i do, all i have is the technical side knowledge.

looking for a camera under $1000 if anyone wants to make recommendations. best to have CompactFlash as i've already bought her one of those portable storage devices that supports CompactFlash and SmartMedia. she's currently interested in Nikon.

You could get one of those slr's that you can't change the lense on. They are like $600 I think. Or a full SLR canon digital rebel is like $880 with a lense?

I would say with that budget, go ahead and go for a DSLR.

The Canon Digital Rebel would be a good choice IMO.
You can buy it with a lens and start with that, and then when she wants she can simply upgrade the lens for different types of shooting.

But she can just check out http://www.dpreview.com/ and see if she sees something else she likes.

i'll pass that link on, thanks. her main worry right now is that she won't be able to know how to use the SLR to its fullest.

can you differentiate DSLR and SLR for me? she was saying something about a regular digital camera that acts like an SLR, and a real SLR digital camera.

Tell your mom not to sell herself short. If she had SLR equipment, she would learn to use it fairly quickly. Hands on experience is the best.

NO

DSLR is the only way to go.

Nikon D70 or Canon Digital Rebel. If you can find a camera store in your area that have used parts you can find awesome deals. Or Pawnshops.

DSLR is just a SLR digital camera? DSLR = or != SLR?

DSLR = Digital SLR.

The switch to SLR is much bigger than the switch from 35mm to digital. Yes, there will be a learning curve, but if you look at any of my threads in this folder, you'll see that even a total idiot like myself can get some good shots after even a short learning period.

Plus (with Canon at least), you can upgrade from one camera to another and keep your lenses. I like to think I will someday "graduate" to a 1Ds

thank you. i'll be sure to let my mom know that even 'an idiot like yourself' can get some good shots.

The Canon Digital Rebel is an excellent way to start. These were taken with one:

http://alaskawolf.fotopic.net

It will operate as an exceptional "point and shoot" camera BUT has the capability to allow her to advance her photographic skills as she desires.

$819 is a good price from a good company:

http://www.bestpriceaudiovideo.com/prod ... ?Class=652

Wolf