We haven't used a film SLR since 1999, when Paul's cameras were stolen. We still have a few floating around, but it's time for us to accept that we're never going to use them again.

Then I feel lame for needing two digital cameras. But I figure this place would be a good place to confess this.

Don't feel lame! We have, umm, four if you count Paul's camera phone. But only one is in heavy use right now. However, the reason we had two to start with was so that we'd have a small pocket one for when packing the Nikon was a PITA. (The Sony that replaced the Nikon is just the right size, so we don't need that sort of arrangement these days.)

Paul still wants a digital SLR some day, so it's totally possible that we'll wind up with as many digitals around the house as once there were film.

I want a Poloroid that has the option of saving the image to a memory card as well as printing. That would be keen.

Has anyone any experience with IX Webhosting? They seem to be rated well, and they are cheap. [link]

I'll look into the whole opening workbooks from another workbook thing.

Ouise -- I have a workbook here that does that. I didn't write the macros, but I use it every month. I could probably send you code snippets if you ever need them.

I do like the one-offness of Polaroid too. No reprints, no exact copies. This is it.

About 6 years ago, I read an article about a company who was developing an adapter that would fit into the body of an SLR and "convert" it to digital. You'd probably have to remove the door on the unit, but the theory was that a pro could convert and still use all the lenses and such that he had.

I love Polaroids. But mine disappeared with the Great Storage Unit Fiasco, lo these many years ago, and I never did replace it. We have a decent digital, but man, the guys that came out to shoot our video had an amazing digital, and now we're all gear-lusty again. Dammit.

Our photographer buddy just spent a week with us, and he's got a 4x5, the film from which he processed in our bathtub. He's a great photographer, but he's just learning this particular camera. It's all very interesting.

Our film SLR died in the Amazon about 4 years ago. We've always talked about getting a new one, but I doubt it will happen. If I ever get a serious camera yen again, I would probably go with a digital SLR. Other than that, I'm very happy with my little digital and then printing my favorites through iPhoto.

I wonder if any of the digital SLR cameras accept Pentax bayonet-mount lenses, or even 35mm lenses of the more common screw-type, even.

ETA: Apparently "Yes" to bayonet-mount. [link]

I wonder if any of the digital SLR cameras accept Pentax Bayonet mount lenses, or even 35mm lenses of the more common screw-type, even.

Some do.

I know the Canon Digital Rebel XT will take Canon EF and EFS lenes as well as EF compatible lenes from Sigma and Tamron. There is a huge selection.

One thing to keep in mind is that in most digital SLRs the CCD image thigie is not 35mm, so lenses don't do exactly the same thing as they do in a film SLR (there's an adjustment factor you have to use).