Sites that provide user reviews and pricing information: photo.askey.net, steves-digicams.com, megapixel.net, dcresource.com, pcphotreview.com, and imaging-resource.com. Plus at shortcourses.com you can view full text online "How To" manuals (select a camera, buy a camera, take/modify digital pictures, and complete field guides for using particular cameras).
Before I give you my 2 cents on gear, I would have to agree that most photo-geeks will go the route of digital AND film (as long as the cash holds out). If you HAVE to choose one, I would go the route of 1)a mid-level digicam (all of the cameras below were top prosumer last year but have been supplanted by the 3.34Gp cameras), 2)watch the discount rack for a photoprinter, and 3)find a website that will host and/or process your prints.
I've personally purchased and ab'used' Kodak DC280, Epson PC850Z, and the Olympus 2020Z; plus loaner experience with the Nikon 950. The Kodak is the best point-and-shoot camera in the group and the menus are GUI-driven. Plus it's tied with the Nikon for color saturation. The Epson produced the best outdoor photos, best trigger (lowest shutter lag), and USB download. The Nikon has the best optics and the pictures show it. But IMHO the Olympus wins best in show. As a point-and-shoot it's almost idiot proof, while simultaneously providing user controls that will satisfy many of the film snobs.
As for the argument that "some pix can only be achieved with film", the truth is that those pictures require an expensive camera, expensive lens(es), roll(s) of film, plus processing. A good digital camera and adequate understanding of Adobe Photoshop (expensive), PhotoSuite III (cheap), Corel Custom Photo (cheap), or Adobe PhotoDeluxe (usually free)will produce excellent pictures. You can then upload your images for online processing (6x4 for 39 cents each).
The Human Genome Project is releasing "real" sequences into the public domain as they become available. Academics and private companies alike are using this information which will ultimately benefit everyone; the very nature of a public good. Celera is using the public database and their own work to complete the genome (read fix the holes in their own data and speed the process). Ultimately, they will market this dbase to biopharm/techs to speed drug development which will still require 10-20 years and mad development cash. The real payback goes to PE Biosystems. Celera demonstrates the process, while PEB will cleanup on sales of equipment (PEB has a majority stake in CRA). Unfortunately, a good source has stated that CRA intends to pursue sequence patterns. I had the "honor" of attending lunch with a CRA figurehead, Dr. "He's so boring I forgot his first name" Smith (Nobel laureate, JHU emeritus). After a seminar that resembled a shareholders meeting more than an academic gathering, he made it clear that they will seek patents on techniques and derived sequences. Although the genomic law environment is a tad murky; the patent office, President Clinton, PM Blair, and a recent EU court decision have "recently" consistently implied that broad patents will "probably" not be granted. PS Don't buy any of those stocks . . . especially on margin.
Communism and socialism are no more responsible for the transgressions of Mao, Stalin, Pol Pot, et al than democracy and capitalism are responsible for the genocide and displacement/enslavement of native americans, native australians, and west africans. America was the aggressor in Cuba and Vietnam, while North Korea is a dictatorship formerly ruled by a psychotic father (and now a psychotic son). At every level, diplomacy for our country is a euphemism for beat the shit out of the little guy with a blunt object until they see the world as we do. Or we passively support violent uprisings with weapons, financing, etc. Violence is an accepted means by many societies to maintain the status quo or acquire greater resources. Some have avoided such conflicts (Canada, Iceland, Greenland), but then again ice cubes are cheap. Change is often violent but you are confounding the basic tenets of communism and socialism with the vehicles utilized to bring about change. America has liberated a diverse group of countries from Grenada to Kuwait. But we always use violent means. How is the 'American Way' different from the acts of others to support communism and socialism in the past?
Slashdot Mirror
Sites that provide user reviews and pricing information: photo.askey.net, steves-digicams.com, megapixel.net, dcresource.com, pcphotreview.com, and imaging-resource.com.
Plus at shortcourses.com you can view full text online "How To" manuals (select a camera, buy a camera, take/modify digital pictures, and complete field guides for using particular cameras).
Before I give you my 2 cents on gear, I would have to agree that most photo-geeks will go the route of digital AND film (as long as the cash holds out). If you HAVE to choose one, I would go the route of 1)a mid-level digicam (all of the cameras below were top prosumer last year but have been supplanted by the 3.34Gp cameras), 2)watch the discount rack for a photoprinter, and 3)find a website that will host and/or process your prints.
I've personally purchased and ab'used' Kodak DC280, Epson PC850Z, and the Olympus 2020Z; plus loaner experience with the Nikon 950. The Kodak is the best point-and-shoot camera in the group and the menus are GUI-driven. Plus it's tied with the Nikon for color saturation. The Epson produced the best outdoor photos, best trigger (lowest shutter lag), and USB download. The Nikon has the best optics and the pictures show it. But IMHO the Olympus wins best in show. As a point-and-shoot it's almost idiot proof, while simultaneously providing user controls that will satisfy many of the film snobs.
As for the argument that "some pix can only be achieved with film", the truth is that those pictures require an expensive camera, expensive lens(es), roll(s) of film, plus processing. A good digital camera and adequate understanding of Adobe Photoshop (expensive), PhotoSuite III (cheap), Corel Custom Photo (cheap), or Adobe PhotoDeluxe (usually free)will produce excellent pictures. You can then upload your images for online processing (6x4 for 39 cents each).
The Human Genome Project is releasing "real" sequences into the public domain as they become available. Academics and private companies alike are using this information which will ultimately benefit everyone; the very nature of a public good. Celera is using the public database and their own work to complete the genome (read fix the holes in their own data and speed the process). Ultimately, they will market this dbase to biopharm/techs to speed drug development which will still require 10-20 years and mad development cash. The real payback goes to PE Biosystems. Celera demonstrates the process, while PEB will cleanup on sales of equipment (PEB has a majority stake in CRA). Unfortunately, a good source has stated that CRA intends to pursue sequence patterns. I had the "honor" of attending lunch with a CRA figurehead, Dr. "He's so boring I forgot his first name" Smith (Nobel laureate, JHU emeritus). After a seminar that resembled a shareholders meeting more than an academic gathering, he made it clear that they will seek patents on techniques and derived sequences. Although the genomic law environment is a tad murky; the patent office, President Clinton, PM Blair, and a recent EU court decision have "recently" consistently implied that broad patents will "probably" not be granted. PS Don't buy any of those stocks . . . especially on margin.
Communism and socialism are no more responsible for the transgressions of Mao, Stalin, Pol Pot, et al than democracy and capitalism are responsible for the genocide and displacement/enslavement of native americans, native australians, and west africans. America was the aggressor in Cuba and Vietnam, while North Korea is a dictatorship formerly ruled by a psychotic father (and now a psychotic son). At every level, diplomacy for our country is a euphemism for beat the shit out of the little guy with a blunt object until they see the world as we do. Or we passively support violent uprisings with weapons, financing, etc. Violence is an accepted means by many societies to maintain the status quo or acquire greater resources. Some have avoided such conflicts (Canada, Iceland, Greenland), but then again ice cubes are cheap. Change is often violent but you are confounding the basic tenets of communism and socialism with the vehicles utilized to bring about change. America has liberated a diverse group of countries from Grenada to Kuwait. But we always use violent means. How is the 'American Way' different from the acts of others to support communism and socialism in the past?