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You should only use the mirror lockup function when you need to clean the sensor, not when you change lenses. Also, you should make sure there's plenty of battery power (or have the camera plugged in for A/C power to be safe) before using this function. FYI, this is also *not* the same mirror...

Chris, Noise level is pretty comparable across all those cameras when you compare the RAW files. The D50 JPEGs showed lower noise than D70 partly because of in-camera noise reduction that D70 did not have -- and the D70 JPEG engine wasn't too good in general either. The D80 and D200 may...

Chris, You can download the free, but no longer updated, Nikon View for basic RAW conversion (and photo file management and transfer) at Nikon's own site: http://support.nikontech.com/cgi-bin...php?p_faqid=61 Don't bother w/ the newer PictureProject as it's worse than NV by all accounts...

So did you get that D50 kit? RE: your old film SLR kit, you're probably better off just holding on to them than try to sell them at this point unless you don't have space for them. You never know. Maybe you'll find use for them some time in the future. OTOH, maybe you can donate them to some...

Chris, If the 18-70 doesn't suit you, I'd suggest checking out the Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 or maybe Sigma 18-50 f/2.8 Macro. The Tamron choice would assume you're not going for the D40/D40x. _Man_

Keith, With the $$$ saved on the 18-70, you can always add a prime like the 35 f/2 (or maybe Sigma 30 f/1.4) for times when you need a brighter lens. Personally, I find that I could often use a bit faster than f/2.8 in situations where the 18-70 is not bright enough, so I decided to just add...

Don't know much about the 18-135. But the 18-70 I've told you a good deal already (both the pros and cons). :D D50 + 18-70 would make a good starting point. _Man_

Chris, Unfortunately, I don't think any of those lenses will be useable on your old FE. Although the 70-300 VR is not DX/APS crop, it is a G type Nikkor, which means no aperture ring -- aperture is controlled via command dial on the camera body. If you want a decent/good telezoom that works...

Sounds like a plan. :D I think if you get the camera w/ the 18-55 kit lens, you should give the lens a good try before selling it off. It would not surprise me at all if the IQ is very comparable to the 18-200 VR -- and the 18-200 VR is kinda hard to come by w/out paying a premium anyway...

RE: what else might be coming soon from Nikon, I can't imagine anything to replace the D80 -- maybe there will be a very minor update like D80s, but probably nothing worth waiting for. Nikon doesn't churn out significantly new DSLR replacements that fast -- the D40/D40x is the only exception...

Oh, RE: D50 vs D70, just check the specs lists, and you'll see pretty much all the minor differences: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond50/ RAW IQ is about the same (w/ D70/D70s being ever so slightly sharper at pixel level and a bit more prone to moire artifacts both due to weaker AA...

Yeah, unless you really need the all-in-one for traveling lite, etc., I'd go for "separates" for better IQ. Too bad Nikon doesn't (yet?) offer IS in one of their wider DX zooms like Canon did not long ago w/ a couple EF-S wide zooms. Would be nice to have the option of 17-55 f/2.8 VR and 18-70...

BTW, RE: the Canon lens situation, I really don't like how they added EF-S to the landscape (unlike how DX works for Nikon). While it's great to already have the option to move up to a full frame (or 1.3x crop) body w/in the system, it's bad that one has to be concerned about future...

Chris, You can see a basic comparison between the old D50 and D40 on the 1st page of the D40 review on dpreview.com: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond40/ For the D40x, just add the change to 10MP along w/ availability of ISO100, and that's pretty much the diff (over the D40). I...

Chris, If those lenses are manual focus only, then they probably won't meter w/ any Nikon DSLR below the D200. You can probably still use them in manual exposure mode, which might still be worth your while for situations where you have enough time to go full manual -- and having immediate...

Honestly, some kit lenses are not bad at all these days probably due to advances in technology (and perhaps better economy of scale). However, it's hard to tell exactly how good the lens is w/ web sized pics (at 800x600) that probably also went through some postprocessing. Also, the IQ will...

That's correct, Chris. That's why we call it "lens lust". :D You can easily blow more $$$ on glass than on audio gear me thinks. :P And in case you're wondering, this is what I have right now: Nikon D200 Nikon D70 (backup/retired) 18-70mm DX (my only DX/APS crop lens so far) 35mm f/2...

Speaking of weight and bulk, this guy on pbase has some impressive lens collection, particularly the teles: :D http://www.pbase.com/andrease/nikkors I wonder what the heck is the long(er) one here (above the 3lb+ 70-200mm f/2.8 VR?!?): http://www.pbase.com/andrease/image/59184738...

Chris, Besides what Scott already said, yes, the IQ of DSLRs is generally much better than compact digicams w/ very few exceptions -- and the Canon S# IS series would not be an exception. However, be prepared to spend $$$ and deal w/ the extra heft that's involved too. ;) And some folks...