Type of camera/lens/accesories : Semi Pro / DSLR
Budget: 1500-2000
Preferable brand : None
Any specific models in mind? : Panasonic Lumix LX3 / Canon 1000D

How much do I have to pay for a DSLR 24mm F2.0 lens? I'm wondering how much do I have to pay to have "LX3 spec" lens for DSLR. I'm not sure if portability will be an issue to me. I consider myself a beginner after quiting "land photography" for quite a few years.

Hmm.. Are you sure? If I'm not mistaken, the focal range of the compact size camera as stated around the edges of the lens is in 35mm equivalent format.

Hey bro, I suspect that your pictures are under-exposed. What's your firmware version? I think the latest firmware has solved this issue. If yours is the latest firmware, then I think you can solve this problem by raising the exposure by 0.3ev.

Yes, LX3 is quite good at macro. You can check it out at http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/915980

Welcome to the LX3 family~ This camera is getting really popular. I'm tempted after looking at the photos taken by the fellow forummers. They're really stunning and amazing. The image quality is even more superior to entry DSLR.

Sounds like a LX3 to me. Hehe~

24mm Ultra wide angle at F/2.0.

The smaller the X (F/X) or the F-number, the bigger the aperture, thus greater photons will strike the CCD and the image will be brighter. The value of the ISO the higher, the brigher the exposure will be. ISO refers to the sensitivity.

Thanks for reading my amateur explanation.

Hmm.. I'm not sure about this. It couldn't be the exposure time.

Go ahead! LX3 is a very good camera for everything among the prosumer cameras except long range photo. Check out the LX3 user forum for more info.

I would say the 1000D and D60 are better than D40 & D40x. You can always check about them at www.dpreview.com

Have you tried your best to bargain? You could ask for a cleaning kit, a flare hood, a CF card, etc. Just try asking and you may get it.

The image stabilization technology of Nikon is called VR.

Hi there, I'm a LX3 user too. For your information, the shutter speed and the aperture can be set without going into the menu. You just play with the joystick will do. For me, the G10 is quite bulky and LX3 has a slightly better noise control. LX3 has a very wide angle lens (24mm) and this can come in handy for you to snap group photo and scenery shot.

The disadvantage of the LX3 is that it lacks of a userful zoom range at native resolution. You can get extended optical zoom by lowering the resolution. If my memory serves me right, you can get 4.5x optical zoom when you lower down your resolution to 4M/3M. I would say the digital zoom is not that bad. If you need to shoot something very far badly, it may help you.

Just my humble opinion.

Hmm.. The most interesting thing of the LX3 to me is the 24mm wide-angle at F2.0. F2.0 allows us to create bokeh effect more easily if compare to other F2.8 compact cameras.

You may read more about the TZ5 (TZ7 review isn't available yet at dpreview.com) @ http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Q408enthusiastgroup/

Do you mind to reward me a leather casing?

Since you already have your own preferrence, just go ahead. It seems like you're not bothered by the price tag.

If money isn't an issue, I would say go directly for the 40D. 40D obviously wins over the 450D.

Azbro, have you tried to survey thoroughly? In Kluang, I can get around RM1.6k but I chose to buy at LYN @ RM1550.

So you mentioned Panasonic LX3? This is the only compact camera that does very well at ISO400 and ISO800. If compared to DSLR, it's not so well though.

Haha.. you will regret not buying a LX3 if you're not looking at superzoom and DSLR. It really worth every penny you spent.

By the way, Nikon's ccd is supplied by Sony. Canon supplies itself.

I guess it's related to the image processor or Sony PnS uses a smaller chip because the camera is slimmer? I'm not sure. By the way, don't forget about the lens.

Obviously, you're left with Panasonic Lumix LX3. Well, Fujifilm F200EXR is within your range too but it's not on sale yet.

LX3 has 24mm wide angle lens while the lowest focal ratio at this focal length is f/2.0. You can get the "blurring effect" (bokeh) easier than other compact cameras.