I currently have a K100D I am happy with, but that's going to go away in december, and I will be buying a new dslr.
I'm not too uncomfortable switching systems because I don't have very much kit (18-55, 50, 70-300, 1.7x telecon, bag) and the kit can follow the camera, if the entire new system deal is more compelling. In particular, during this switch, I will be looking for a fast normal range lens, because I've realised that carrying around only one lens + camera is much easier than carrying around a camera bag, will make me carry around my camera more often, and having only a 50/1.4 or slow 18-55 is generally pretty limiting (50/1.4 is generally better, but really sucks for many shots).
So - the new camera was going to be a Pentax K10D, and I was going to buy a Pentax DA*16-50 to use right now, but I've delayed that purchase and so changing systems is still an option.
Price is something of a factor, and weight is also a factor. On paper I would pay the price difference for the D300 over the 40D definitely, but there are other possible outcomes I suppose (e.g. if the D300 has unusuable-to-me ISO 3200 while the 40D has usable-to-me ISO 3200, etc.)
The main thing which is holding me back from changing is focal length range availability. The DA* 16-50 would give me 24-75 equivalent. For Canon, there's no way to get to 24mm equivalent in a "standard zoom" because of the larger crop factor and lens selection (without going up to a "full frame", which I will not consider because the cost is pretty prohibitive). For nikon it's close-ish (17-55) but the relevant lens has no IS. I don't think the canon has weathersealing, while the nikon does have it. Given my current habits the weathersealing is probably not such a big deal.
What do you think I should do? The DA* 16-50 is going to be available at COMEX, by all accounts, and I'm so very tempted...
(Note that I see no advantage in switching to Sony/Olympus - their lens lineups are not much better than the pentax lineup, and olympus in particular is unlikely to have new models in time for december.)
I'm not too uncomfortable switching systems because I don't have very much kit (18-55, 50, 70-300, 1.7x telecon, bag) and the kit can follow the camera, if the entire new system deal is more compelling. In particular, during this switch, I will be looking for a fast normal range lens, because I've realised that carrying around only one lens + camera is much easier than carrying around a camera bag, will make me carry around my camera more often, and having only a 50/1.4 or slow 18-55 is generally pretty limiting (50/1.4 is generally better, but really sucks for many shots).
So - the new camera was going to be a Pentax K10D, and I was going to buy a Pentax DA*16-50 to use right now, but I've delayed that purchase and so changing systems is still an option.
Price is something of a factor, and weight is also a factor. On paper I would pay the price difference for the D300 over the 40D definitely, but there are other possible outcomes I suppose (e.g. if the D300 has unusuable-to-me ISO 3200 while the 40D has usable-to-me ISO 3200, etc.)
The main thing which is holding me back from changing is focal length range availability. The DA* 16-50 would give me 24-75 equivalent. For Canon, there's no way to get to 24mm equivalent in a "standard zoom" because of the larger crop factor and lens selection (without going up to a "full frame", which I will not consider because the cost is pretty prohibitive). For nikon it's close-ish (17-55) but the relevant lens has no IS. I don't think the canon has weathersealing, while the nikon does have it. Given my current habits the weathersealing is probably not such a big deal.
What do you think I should do? The DA* 16-50 is going to be available at COMEX, by all accounts, and I'm so very tempted...
(Note that I see no advantage in switching to Sony/Olympus - their lens lineups are not much better than the pentax lineup, and olympus in particular is unlikely to have new models in time for december.)