Ah, you're going for the next range up from what I was looking at. ;o)
I have a vertical grip for my rebel, I know they're out there for most cameras. I'd be surprised if there was a digital SLR out there without at least a 3rd party vertical grip available.
My dad has the Nikon 70D, it's a nice camera, but between those options (canon/nikon) I'd definitely go with the 20D. It's faster, sharper, and smoother in just about all respects. The 10D the closest competitor to the 70D, and the 20D is significantly better than the older 10D.
The Fuji S3, yeah. If you can find a place that will sell it to you affordably, it'd definitely be the best option on your list, but I'd be wary of too good a deal.
I barely looked at the Konica Maxxum, because it was just being released and was out of my price range when I bought mine. Do you know Steve's Digicam site? Great reviews, great site. http://www.steves-digicams.com/2005_reviews/maxxum7d_pg7.html He seems to have loved the Maxxum 7D, which is a good sign. He puts it on a pretty even field with the 20D.
One of the great things about the Canon cameras is their extremely low 'grainyness' or noise at all ISOs. The Nikons, Konica, and even the Fuji have more noise than most Canons. It's one place they really stand out, and it's what won me over to buying one. (Plus the price, I'm a cheap bastid.)
The nice lens I got for my canon is one with Image Stabilization, and I can tell you that it's a great feature. Having it built into the body on the Maxxum is huge.
The only reason I'd be wary of the Maxxum is that it has a much smaller lens selection than the bigger names, so you'd be somewhat limited in what you can get for it.
Honestly it's a great crop of cameras you're looking at, and I don't think you'll go wrong with any of them. Look for features you like, and a lens system/selection you're happy with.
no subject
I have a vertical grip for my rebel, I know they're out there for most cameras. I'd be surprised if there was a digital SLR out there without at least a 3rd party vertical grip available.
My dad has the Nikon 70D, it's a nice camera, but between those options (canon/nikon) I'd definitely go with the 20D. It's faster, sharper, and smoother in just about all respects. The 10D the closest competitor to the 70D, and the 20D is significantly better than the older 10D.
The Fuji S3, yeah. If you can find a place that will sell it to you affordably, it'd definitely be the best option on your list, but I'd be wary of too good a deal.
I barely looked at the Konica Maxxum, because it was just being released and was out of my price range when I bought mine. Do you know Steve's Digicam site? Great reviews, great site. http://www.steves-digicams.com/2005_reviews/maxxum7d_pg7.html
He seems to have loved the Maxxum 7D, which is a good sign. He puts it on a pretty even field with the 20D.
One of the great things about the Canon cameras is their extremely low 'grainyness' or noise at all ISOs. The Nikons, Konica, and even the Fuji have more noise than most Canons. It's one place they really stand out, and it's what won me over to buying one. (Plus the price, I'm a cheap bastid.)
The nice lens I got for my canon is one with Image Stabilization, and I can tell you that it's a great feature. Having it built into the body on the Maxxum is huge.
The only reason I'd be wary of the Maxxum is that it has a much smaller lens selection than the bigger names, so you'd be somewhat limited in what you can get for it.
Honestly it's a great crop of cameras you're looking at, and I don't think you'll go wrong with any of them. Look for features you like, and a lens system/selection you're happy with.
And yes, we should go shooting. ;o)