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On Mon, 17 Nov 2003 14:21:34 -0800, CR Optiker <> wrote:

>On Mon, 17 Nov 2003 16:47:39 -0500, JohnH wrote:
>
>> On Mon, 17 Nov 2003 12:45:05 -0800, CR Optiker <> wrote:
>>
>>>Anybody out there offering serious comments comparing these? I have read
>>
>> Not trying to be a smarta$$, but most of us have probably not owned all three
>> and therefore cannot give you a comparison. I own a 5700 and love it. Any
>> problems I've had with the pics were my fault. The batteries are somewhat
>> expensive.
>>
>> John
>> On the 'Poco Loco' out of Deale, MD
>
>John...I understand that most folks haven't owned all three, but I'd be
>happy to have comments based on what others ahve heard or read. Thanks for
>your comments. Another 5700 user replied direct and was also very happy
>with it, with one or two small complaints.
>
>Thanks again!
>Optiker
Hey guy! If you do buy a 5700, come back and let us know. Maybe we can share
some knowledge.
John
On the 'Poco Loco' out of Deale, MD

On Tue, 18 Nov 2003 00:50:56 +0000, Donald Gray
<> wrote:

>On Mon, 17 Nov 2003 14:21:34 -0800, CR Optiker <>
>wrote:
>
>>On Mon, 17 Nov 2003 16:47:39 -0500, JohnH wrote:
>>
>>> On Mon, 17 Nov 2003 12:45:05 -0800, CR Optiker <> wrote:
>>>
>>>>Anybody out there offering serious comments comparing these? I have read
>>>
>>> Not trying to be a smarta$$, but most of us have probably not owned all three
>>> and therefore cannot give you a comparison. I own a 5700 and love it. Any
>>> problems I've had with the pics were my fault. The batteries are somewhat
>>> expensive.
>>>
>>> John
>>> On the 'Poco Loco' out of Deale, MD
>>
>>John...I understand that most folks haven't owned all three, but I'd be
>>happy to have comments based on what others ahve heard or read. Thanks for
>>your comments. Another 5700 user replied direct and was also very happy
>>with it, with one or two small complaints.
>>
>I have just entered the digi scene with a 5700.
>
>Very please with it. My only complaint is that it needs some time and
>dedication to get to grips with. Especially for an old timer more used
>to 2.25sq or 5"x4". Its a complex beast - versatile and is reasonably
>tolerant to my ham fists.
>
>However, I'm starting to get some good results in spite of Reading The
>Fine Manual!
>The zoom of the 5700 is something else...

Probably my biggest problem with the 5700 is inadvertently hitting buttons with
fingers on my left hand when I think I'm just gripping the camera. It uses CF
memory real fast when you hit the size button a couple times while thinking the
pictures are being taken in normal jpeg size!

John
On the 'Poco Loco' out of Deale, MD

On Mon, 17 Nov 2003 15:49:42 -0800, CR Optiker <> wrote:

>On 17 Nov 2003 22:56:55 GMT, HRosita wrote:
>
>> Hi,
>>
>> I own the Minlota Dimage 7hi and am very happy with it. At the time I bought it
>> I compared it with the Nikon 5700 and decided on the Minolta for the following
>> reasons:
>>
>> Manual zoom ring on the lens
>> 49mm Lens accepts filters without additional equipment
>> I like the 28 mm wide angle
>> I already have the remote cord
>> It uses 4 AA batteries (does not apply to the A1).
>> There was more but I don't remember now.
>>
>> I my D7hi was not less than 1 year old I would buy the A1 in a heartbeat
>> because of the image stabilization.
>>
>> I know nothing about the Fuji camera but have a Fuji A303 (3 MB)for carry along
>> and it performs well.
>> Rosita
>
>Rosita...Thanks! Good points. How's the D7hi on batteries? As I recall,
>that was one of the issues reported in the reviews. Did you find it to be
>true, or was your use such that it wasn't an issue?
>
>Optiker
Hi again, I'm not Rosita, but as far as the 5700 goes, I bought an extra
rechargeable. It has come in handy often. I also carry a 'disposable' for
emergencies. At about $17 a pop, the disposable gets used only for emergencies.
The rechargeables are fairly quick charging, about an hour or so.

John
On the 'Poco Loco' out of Deale, MD

On Mon, 17 Nov 2003 21:14:51 -0500, in rec.photo.digital JohnH
<88> wrote:

>Probably my biggest problem with the 5700 is inadvertently hitting buttons with
>fingers on my left hand when I think I'm just gripping the camera. It uses CF
>memory real fast when you hit the size button a couple times while thinking the
>pictures are being taken in normal jpeg size!

The add-on MB-E5700 battery grip besides increasing battery capacity with
AA format and makes portrait shots easier with it's added controls, also
gives one's left hand a better place to hold. I've always used it and I'm
not sure I'd like the camera without it.
__________________________________________________ ______
Ed Ruf Lifetime AMA# 344007 ()
http://members.cox.net/egruf
See images taken with my CP-990 and 5700 at
http://members.cox.net/egruf-digicam

>CR Optiker wrote:



>How's the D7hi on batteries? As I recall,
>that was one of the issues reported in the reviews.

I use high capacity batterries and (1800 or more Mah) and on one shoot they
lasted for over 200 images with the LCD active.

I always carry a fresh spare pack in the camera bag and if I am going for an
entire day, two spare sets. I understand that the A1 has a proprietary battery
that lasts more.

By the way, the Nikon 5700 has been on the market for over a year. Personally I
would look to the cameras that came on the market during/after the summer of
2003 which applies to both the Minolta A1 and the Fuji Fine Pix S7000.
Rosita

Paul wrote:
> Or you could not be such a jerk, and give the guy the benefit of your
> experience.

All right, I will.

I tried the Dimage D7 in the store, but didn't like the video
viewfinder. I like the concept in principle, but it just didn't make me
want to take pictures with it. Don't know about the other two cameras,
but I believe they are the same arrangement w respect to viewfinders,
most features.

They probably all take fine pictures, but as soon as I picked up the Oly
E20 and looked through the optical viewfinder, I just HAD to have one.
It had all of the features of the Dimage, such as through the lens
viewing and composing, plus live preview and an optical viewfinder that
was just huge and gorgeous. For me, that was it.

The point is, the individual features of these cameras and the handling
and "feel" are all different, and one may turn you on to photography
more than another. You've just got to see if you can find a store that
carries them, and try them out in your hands, study the feature sets,
and see which one your inner self goes for and settles on. My
experience, wishes, desires, and likes and dislikes have no bearing
whatsoever on yours.

That's why I don't like posts that ask us to tell someone which camera
to choose. You tell me - which car should I choose?

Gary Eickmeier

On Tue, 18 Nov 2003 07:12:59 -0500, Ed Ruf <EG*nospam*> wrote:

>On Mon, 17 Nov 2003 21:14:51 -0500, in rec.photo.digital JohnH
><88> wrote:
>
>>Probably my biggest problem with the 5700 is inadvertently hitting buttons with
>>fingers on my left hand when I think I'm just gripping the camera. It uses CF
>>memory real fast when you hit the size button a couple times while thinking the
>>pictures are being taken in normal jpeg size!
>
>The add-on MB-E5700 battery grip besides increasing battery capacity with
>AA format and makes portrait shots easier with it's added controls, also
>gives one's left hand a better place to hold. I've always used it and I'm
>not sure I'd like the camera without it.
>_________________________________________________ _______
>Ed Ruf Lifetime AMA# 344007 ()
>http://members.cox.net/egruf
>See images taken with my CP-990 and 5700 at
>http://members.cox.net/egruf-digicam

Thanks for the tip!

John
On the 'Poco Loco' out of Deale, MD

On Tue, 18 Nov 2003 13:20:37 GMT, Gary Eickmeier wrote:

>
> The point is, the individual features of these cameras and the handling
> and "feel" are all different, and one may turn you on to photography
> more than another. You've just got to see if you can find a store that
> carries them, and try them out in your hands, study the feature sets,
> and see which one your inner self goes for and settles on. My
> experience, wishes, desires, and likes and dislikes have no bearing
> whatsoever on yours.
>
> That's why I don't like posts that ask us to tell someone which camera
> to choose. You tell me - which car should I choose?
>
> Gary Eickmeier

Gary...I really do understand that it's a very individual decision.
However, unlike many posts with subject lines like "Tell me which camera to
buy", I didn't ask which to buy. I asked for comnparisons - information
that would help me make an informed decision.

I do thank you for your comments regarding the D7 and E20. In the case of
the E20, I'm sure that if I had a DSLR in my hands with the right lens, I'd
feel that way too, but I've ruled out a DSLR for a number of reasons,
otherwise the Digital Rebel would be a strong candidate. I drooled over the
E20 reviews, but $1200 minimum starting price is out of range, even if I
didn't have other reasons form ruling out DSLRs.

Thanks again for being willing to share your experience.

Optiker

On Mon, 17 Nov 2003 14:21:34 -0800, CR Optiker wrote:

>I'd be
> happy to have comments based on what others ahve heard or read. Thanks for
> your comments. Another 5700 user replied direct and was also very happy
> with it, with one or two small complaints.
>

Don, John and Ed...Thanks for your responses. I've now had not only some
very pleased 5700 users, but one very negative reply sent direct to me (see
below).
--------------
I have the 5700 and have been very disappointed in three things:

battery life stinks
low contrast focus problems
low light focus problems (I'm not just talking about night, I'm talking
about the living room with several lamps)

This camers DOES NOT have an illuminator which helps in low light (many
do). Also, if you are intending on buying a flash attachment, this camera
WILL NOT support auto zoom, auto red eye, and AF illuminator features!!!
Please be aware of this before you buy this camera.
---------------
I have access to a 5700 at work and had a chance yesterday to spend a half
hour "playing" with it. In general, I found it pretty easy to use - that
comment tells you that I didn't get into it very deeply, but I did run it
through some of the scenarios I'd expect to use it for that are outside of
the everyday use - macro and tele mostly. I liked what I saw, but I'm still
undecided - still looking for that one comment that exposes something I
can't live with...or can't live without.

Thanks again!
Optiker

On 18 Nov 2003 12:14:12 GMT, HRosita wrote:

> I use high capacity batterries and (1800 or more Mah) and on one shoot they
> lasted for over 200 images with the LCD active.
>
> I always carry a fresh spare pack in the camera bag and if I am going for an
> entire day, two spare sets. I understand that the A1 has a proprietary battery
> that lasts more.
>
> By the way, the Nikon 5700 has been on the market for over a year. Personally I
> would look to the cameras that came on the market during/after the summer of
> 2003 which applies to both the Minolta A1 and the Fuji Fine Pix S7000.
> Rosita

Rosita...That's consistent with what I've read. I'm guessing that I'd lean
towards high capacity rechargeable, and might buy a second set if I find
that I'm shooting enough to need it. I'm not a professional - at least,
this camera won't be for profesional use - but both my wife and I will use
it and we could find we use it a lot more than we use our film cameras (she
uses a Minolta and I use a Nikon), so we might need a second set.

Yes, the fact that it's a year old is a factor, and in fact, is one of the
reasons that the Minolta and Fuji are strong contenders. If it wasn't for
Phil's fairly strong comments regarding no better than average image
quality, I probably would have the Minolta by now. The Fuji uses AAA
batteries, and has some other advantages, but as I said in another reply,
none of the three has a real show-stopper yet, nor a unique feature I can't
live without.

To be perfectly honest, if it wasn't for the relatively poor macro
performance, I'd still be seriously looking at the Oly 750, but strong
macro is a high priority.

Thanks again for your comments.
Optiker