I own a Pentax K1000 (35mm). I used it for over 30 years.
Three years ago, when I wanted a new digital, I was looking at a Pentax. The one I wanted, wasn't available anywhere, even online. So, my hubby bought me a Nikon D50, which I love.
He also bought me a zoom lens 55 - 200, at that time. I use my zoom all the time, even for close ups. I also have a micro lens, which I hardly ever use.
I needed the heaviness of the camera. I can't hold the smaller ones, I have shakey hands. Also, with my camera there is a setting where all I have to do, is just hold the shutter release button down and take more than one picture at a time. I recently went to my great nephew's karate competition and stood there and took over 40 pictures in a row - without that lag time that smaller cameras have after you hit the shutter release button. I ended up with over 700 pictures that day.
Let us know which camera you choose.
Good luck.
Ellen
