Advice for a beginner.

[Bigwigg]

I currently own a Olympus D-490, (which I have been advised to upgrade). I am interested in digital photography, and the use of photoshop (I currently have Photoshop 6), and need some basic pointers on both. What camera should I upgrade to? Do I need to upgrade to Photoshop 7?

I really dont want to start on the wrong foot, so I thought that this was the perfect place to start.

Thanks.

[srphotography]

The camera you own is 2 mega pixel. Many consumer compact cameras are now 3, 4 and 5 mega pixel, as you will obviously be aware generally the more pixels the better the quality of the print. If you only ever print to 6"x4" then your current camera would be fine but if you now want to print 10"x8" and 20"x16" for example then you may need to look at other models.

The choice of digital cameras is vast, and will be down to personal preference. I used to be a big fan of Canon (Owning several 35mm EOS until recently) and when in the transition from using medium format Bronica to digital they where less than helpful at a trade show so I switched to Fuji and Nikon.

My Cameras:-
For Business...
Fuji S2 & Fuji S1(Backup) - Range of Nikon Lenses
Personal....
Nikon 990 (Me) Nikon 4300 (Wife) Nikon 2000 (Son now 8) - (My daughter 2 is yet to experience digital photography!)

Do you need Photoshop 7?
If 6 will do all you need to do then no, but if you like the new features of Photoshop 7 then it may be worth considering.

Photoshop 7 New Features (http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop/newfeatures.html)

Hope my comments help a little.... Anyone else?

Steve.

[Bigwigg]

Cheers steve...

After much decision making and advice taking, I have settled for the Olympus C750. It's well within my price range and pretty much does everything that I need, and then some.

I was about on the weekend looking for decent deals and the best that I could get was £380.

I dont think that I need PS7, I'm having enough trouble with 6!

[Bigwigg]

I bought my C750 earlier today, VERY nice indeed!!!!

I will be out this weekend, snapping away at just about everything that moves in my local woodland! I will be staying away from that digital zoom for the moment though.....

Lumix "man and machine" competition (http://www.panasonic-europe.com/lumix/awards/home.asp?lang=en)