I have the S85. You can not replace the fixed lens (S70 is the same way.) Digital cameras that can replace lens' run in a whole different catagory. They are typically refered to as digital SLR's.
You can buy add on lens' (teleconverters) for the S85 (just like the S70) - like you can buy 2x teleconverters, or wide angle teleconverters... but with these you loose quality. I bought a 2x telephoto teleconverter thinking I'd boost my range and have the range I was always looking for - till I printed my shots. Each shot lost so much quality. Detail, color, a lot of quality was lost. It's to be expected - after all these fixed lens' were designed for a certain range. Converters force the fixed lens to behave in a way it wasn't designed. They do the job... just poorly.
If you start wanting a camera that has interchangeable lens' then you are looking at digital cameras like the Canon D30 ($1500), Canon D60 ($2000), Fuji S2 ($2400), Nikon D100 ($2000).
The price is what has kept me so far from obtaining one. I love the quality and full manual control on those cameras. I'm impressed with each one. Other then going for a digital SLR, you might want to consider fixed digital cameras with large zoom ranges - I believe the Canon Pro 90 can reach up to 387mm equivalent. The Sony 707 get's pretty high as well... into the upper 200mm range.
* This message has been edited by the author on 10/2/2002 7:19:47 PM.
* This message has been edited by the author on 10/2/2002 7:20:04 PM. |
