Reccomend any good books/sites?

[Belvedeer]

So I hate to admit is as I am a big techie but I am a newbie digital photographer, I just don't know where to start. So far most of my good pictures are mostly based on luck more than actual skill. I have a camera that I bought from a friend for $50 as he just didn't want it anymore, I'd love to give you the model number and everything but it's currently on loan to another friend of mine. But it is a 3.2 megapixel with a 3x optical zoom, not state of the art but definitely a starter for me.

Eventually I'd like to move up to something like a Nikon D70, or some other digital SLR. I'm looking at buying a Konica Minolta DiMage Z2/3/4/10, but one of these models as they all have a decent price and options but I am open to suggestions for a good sub $300 digital camera.

But to the point of my post... When I have a camera I have no clue what most of the settings are for so the pictures I take are mostly from trial and error, and I'd like to get it down better so I don't botch a picture I really wanted.

So any suggestions on books I should read or sites I should go to? I want to focus on digital photography, so sites that are focused on that would be great.

Thanks in advance for any help you can throw my way!

 

[Deamiter]

The Minolta Z3 (and company) seem like they'd fit you very well. They have all the manual settings you need to get used to (besides manual focus of course, but that's expected). Unfortunately, you're going to have to expect some significant shutter lag (at around .1 seconds if you've pressed the release half-way which is not bad). If you're heavily into sports photography, you'll want to look at something less high-tech with faster shutter speed, but I really don't recommend that.

Do look at http://www.dpreview.com and do a features search to get a feel for the cameras in your price range. I suspect you'll come out with the DiMage, but you'll certainly learn something in reading the reviews and deciding which of the features listed is really important to you.

 

[Deamiter]

Oh, I forgot to mention that the Minolta batteries are what turned me off the DiMage. I guess if I'm being honest, a good set of NiMH AAs last as long or longer than the Li-Ion in my Nikon Coolpix 5700, but I really hate dealing with the memory effects in NiMH. Do some research into the batteries and make sure you run them dry before charging them. Also get an expensive (it won't be THAT bad) charger that is 'smart' in that it stops charging when they're full. A really great way to ruin NiMH batteries is to overcharge with a charger that simply sends the full charge every time even if they were only half depleated.

My impression has been that Minolta makes a second-rate digital camera and you'll find little artifacts like purple fringing at high zoom etc... However, at your price-range, it will give you features and function well beyond what you'd get in a really good compact. As a transition camera, I think you're on the right track.

I am looking forward (far into the future) to the day when I can buy the Nikon D70. Of course there might be a better (and better priced) SLR by the time I get to it, but that's my dream for now. It'd be such a great SLR that would keep me very happy for years before I'm rich enough (or more likely, committed enough) to invest in high-end digital backs.

 

[Belvedeer]

Thanks for all the info! I'll check out that site, but I'll likely end up with the DiMage as it seems to be the best fit for what I am after right now. But I hope to move up to the D70 within the next year or so.