IMHO, there are only 2 reasons to go to an SLR, film or digital. One is the ability for reflex/ttl viewing and the other is the array of lenses ans accessories fir the camera.
What are you shooting with now? What limitations have you experienced? Have you a brand loyalty or perhaps some 35mm lenses that will fit the new dslr? What FEATURES do you need that are not afforded to you now? Where do you believe your photography take you, at least in the immediate future?
Sorry to be a bother, but w/o this kind of info, it would be just picking a name out of a hat.

Image quality in a DSLR is proportional to the price you pay for the camera. That means an inexpensive DSLR will not give you as high a resolution file as a more expensive DSLR. When looking for a DSLR, always avoid the bottom of the line and start looking at the next model up, or newer model of the same camera if it's a higher megapixel count. That will give you the tools you need. It's up to you on how you use them to create images. Remember that it's not the camera as much as the person behind it and how they use it to capture their vision.

Anyone have any good or bad things to say about the Pentax ist digital SLR camera, I'm thinking about buying one, main reason I want Pentax is all my equipment and lenses are for Pentax and K-mount.

Jim

JAW,

My son has a Pentax *ist DS (now replaced by a slightly upgraded DL) and I have a Nikon D70, both 6MP dSLRs. We go out shooting a lot together, both color and infrared and edit and print many pictures. I think the Pentax is one fine camera for a very reasonable price. Performance is in most regards equal to my Nikon D70, a camera I am very happy with. The only difference I can tell is that the Pentax is slightly less sensitive to infrared (their hot mirror filter is more effective in what it was designed to do - block infrared). I think you can't go wrong with the Pentax.

Frans Waterlander
frans2001@netzero.net

I too was going to buy the Pentax as I have shot with Pentax for years ever since my first ME Super. I asked many dealer about the Pentax and they all said it was a good camera BUT...there was always a but. They ALL said the same thing; but you can pay the same amount and get the Nikon D50 which they all felt was a better camera. I went with the Nikon. None of my Pentax lenses were AUTO so I figured it would be nice to get some new auto focus lenses and if I was going to do that I would go with the NIKON. I will tell you, the D50 is a great camera and takes very nice photos. I would highly recomend it.

When considering upgrading to a digital camera. I feel to look long term is not a consideration. It is better to look at what your needs are. If you do not need to change lens then the price becomes less of a factor. Then if you already have lens it is a good idea to look that direction. I feel probably the D70 or the 20D might be your best investment for the dollar when looking at what you get. Cmaeras like the DX2 and 5D are investments more geared toward professional people who can make them pay for themselves then look towards the upgrade in a couple years. It is really hard not to see something as a long term investment for your dollar,but I feel digital is an individual need decision. Most of the time a D70 or 20D serves most peoples needs very well from what I read and hear. Monte Johnson.