1) Looks like you have a good camera there! I read a bunch of stuff about it online, and there are not many negatives at all. A camera with these features a few years ago would have been hundreds of dollars, maybe over $500.

You might find that sometimes when you push the shutter button it takes a picture right away, and sometimes there is a bit of a delay. It's important to know what's going on so that when it matters, you will be able to take a photo exactly when you want.

The main factor is focus. If you're using manual focus, it will take the photos as quick as possible. If you're using auto-focus, when you press the shutter button, it first has to focus, and then it takes the picture. The time it takes to achieve focus varies quite dramatically depending on several conditions.

But there is a trick. Most cameras will let you push the shutter button down halfway to autofocus. So when you're close to ready to take your photo, press the shutter button down a little. It will focus, and it will hold the focus as long as you're still holding the button down. Then when you're ready to take the photo, push the button down the rest of the way - and BAM, it takes it right then. This will become second-nature if you do it often, and it will help you see what's in focus right before you snap your photo.

Nice camera - can't wait to see some sample pics!

2) Very cool! I don't know what any of those features mean but they sound impressive. Andrew's a camera fanatic and yesterday I told him I wanted to get a somewhat decent camera (it's TOTALLY humzoo's fault...the iPhone pictures that I've been putting up are painful to look at). He's getting me a digital SLR, a Nikon d60. I think my brother and Dad are Canon loyalists, so this may cause a familial rift. I'd love to hear how you like your camera and see some photos!

3) Dave, please note that Sally is getting a real camera. Where is mine? Do your husbandly duties.

4) Ah, the Canon vs. Nikon discussion.

I am trying to decide what camera I want as well. I have been looking at the Canon XT's and the Nikon D Series..

I am actually leaning towards the Canon DSLR because it seems like it will be compatible with my lenses from my Canon SLR.
Also, the Canon has more focus points, which would be more important if I want to get artsy.
It has more mega-pixels too, which I think means you can play Tetris on it.

5) Betsy, I did a little research the other day on the lens issue, and I'm just not sure what to tell you. I THINK your old lenses will work, but I'm not totally sure. My best advice is to take an old lens with you to Best Buy and try to fit it in the Canon there in the store. They might look at you weird and kick you out, but you'll have an interesting blog to write if they do.

One issue with your lenses that WILL make a difference (if they fit) is that the imaging chip on your camera is smaller than the film negative in your old camera. This means that you will see a smaller field of view on your dSLR. It basically feels like your lenses are "zoomed in" a little more, if that makes sense. This is not a problem, as long as you are just aware of what's going on. If you have a fisheye or wide angle lens, you'll notice that it's not as wide anymore.

On the Nikon/Canon debate, I recommend what I have experience with, which is Canons. Nikon's may very well be just as good if not better, but I don't have any personal experience. The photos I get from my Canon only seem handicapped by my photography skills, not the camera.

6) Great camera Kate! Can't wait to see some photos. Your best investment now will be to get a bounce flash. Honestly for me, its the number one factor for differentiating amateur and semi-professional indoor photography. Of course composition and timing are all very, very important as well but having a nice soft natural-looking light on your subject is key.

I am a Nikon nut! I am on my second Nikon (cause I dropped my first one... http://www.dennydeaton.com/blog/index.php?id=21). I love Nikon but Canon makes a great camera as well. Sally, the d60 is a sweet camera for sure! I have the D200, its awesome and I'll be able to use it for years to come.

Dave, get your wife a new camera. You should be ashamed of yourself.

7) A new camera would make a great Mother's Day gift!!

8) Kati,
Add more pictures, please.
kthnxbye

9) Dave, thanks for the tip about holding the shutter down 1/2way. That's helped my photos go from blurry to better. Still working on really cool but that might take a bit. And maybe another lense for the birds until I teach them to stand still and let me get really close for a picture.