I have researched the e-500 as well, looks like a good camera, interesting fourththirds system.

Not that it should be a huge concern, but olympus did drop their film SLR line, so I am someone apprehensive to buy into their digital line because of that, compared to Nikon and Canon.

Reeferadict I will check out those places you mentioned, thanks.

Oh, and the E-500 is out for me because of the lack of image stabilization, and pooper high-ISO performance. Not that it is a bad camera, but I am looking to buy into a system for the long term, and low-light photography will eventually be important to me.

Another place that I have found for used equipment that there appears to be some good buys is "photogon". I have never bought anything off of the site though so cannot recommend one way or another.

Thanks for the link Ruth.

reeferaddict was stating a good point earlier about IS not helping with fast moving objects.

If you're on a budget, you can go for a good non-IS lense, and put that investment into a good tripod and a monopod. You MUST have those handy for lots of shots, and I'd choose a tripod/monopod over an IS lense. I love my monopod. Special ordered the Manfrotto 680B (monopod 16" when compacted), and the #234 rotating head. I take it out with my whenever I go out photographing. No need for an IS system :) I also use the wired remote, so I can just hold the monopod steady, and my pressing of the button doesn't cause any motion blur.

and I don't think ANY is lense would handle touchy macro shots well, especially if you get into adding extension tubes and other stuff. A tripod can't really screw up (unless you have a cheap head. then it sucks)

and the tripod/mono pod are investments you probably will NEVER bother upgrading, but will get LOTS of use from. Stay away from ball heads if you want something long lasting, and just remember to tighten till it's just snug. Overtightening shortens the life of your head.

Once you've been photographing for a while, you can then decide on what to spend your money on for specialty lenses. Just like how reefaddict first bought a rebel, then upgraded to a 20D based on his own experience he got from using the Rebel. (and how I bought a digitel rebel, then a film Elan, and now I'm thinking of going pro-medium format Hasselblad. Film vs. gear *grins*). I think he also said he never had a "real" macro lense. Me neither, as I use extension tubes, and I'm contemplating a bellows system, as I might be able to get one for a great deal.

I myself like straight, non-zoom lenses, but that's my tastes :) Oh, and for low light photography, go film ;) Supplement your digital with a film body. The body won't cost more than $250 new anyways, with today's film body prices. And a profesional film processing center can develop your film, and scan it for you on a great machine, giving you like a 20 megapixel or higher image in most cases. You can get some nice high speed film, and you can even pull it down a bit and get amazing photographs out of it for low light.

And buy a Holga! lmao. you'll love it hehe (can you tell i'm an art student? lmao)

oh and I've started building a 4x5 view camera for macro photography. I can give anyone plans for it once I'm finished if they're interested. It'll be a multi-lense system, not costing me more than $100 to build. Getting the glass from an optical surplus. 200 megapixels of film, baby, yeah!

Do you take your monopod hiking? I am buying this camera partly for my vacation on Vancouver island.

Well DO make sure you look me up so you can see some of this "L" glass in person! :mrgreen:

Where is Mill Bay?

North of Victoria - 30 minutes...

sigma and leica have announced a whole new line of lenses, some with IS. With the 4/3rds system, any lenses designed for panasonic, samsung or kodak will all be compatable for olympus as well. With the 4/3rds your also going to be dealing with samller lighter lenses and a larger CCD. So even if olympus drops the line ( which hopefully won't happen) There will still be lenses out there for it.

tb