I use a Sony DSC F707 Digital. It has 5x optical zoom and 2 digital though I try never to use that. I will do the digital zoom in Photoshop. Digital is best for me most because as a Support manager for a graphics software company I already have all the software need to play. I also do 3D graphics in Bryce 4 & 5. That is my passion when sitting still. To be honest I don't think my photos are all that great but once I work woth them in PS6 I can generally get what I want out of it. My 3D work is on my site, www.zhounder.com Long before digital I took photography in high school and used a Pentax K1000. It fit my budget, cheap. Good starter camera. Over the next @$ years I lost touch with photography. I bought a small Cannon digital 2 years ago and I was of to the races. I grew out of that camera in under 2 years. I got a nice tax check this year and that made the Sony happen! Alot is coming back to me as I work. If I were to do film I couldn't afford to do what I want to. With digital I can do it alot cheaper. I haven't had to buy anything since I did the original purchase and I have taken over 1700 shots in 6-7 months. Magick Michael aka zhounder