After looking through the options, I think that I've decided to save up for the Pentax K10D. I've got a few months before I want to get it, so I've got some time. Just looking at the features, I like the in-camera IS as well as the weather resistant seals.

Reading through the reviews, it looks like Pentax always got the highest marks.

Having made that decision, I'm looking at, to begin with, 2 lenses. I think that I'll get the body and lens package that comes with a 55mm lens, and in addition, I'll get the Tamron 70-300mm macro zoom lens. Since herps tend to zip away when approached, it'd be nice to be able to get natural pictures of them, close up, at 5-6 meters away. I think that that'll double as a long range lens (it looks like there's a switch that I can flip to go from normal to macro mode). I'm also considering getting a teleconverter. That'd effectively double my lenses. I can't decide if I want to get a 1.4x and just up the lens by one f-stop or 2x and up it by 2 f-stops. I think the former would be better.

Eventually, I'd like to get a large lens like a 600mm to get good bird shots, but for now, I think that between a 10 MP camera and a 300mm (possibly 600mm with teleconverter), I'll be able to get good pictures of such. Also, in the future, I'll probably get a short wide-angle lens. I think that'd be the extent of what I'd want, at least for now.

I'm still looking for flashes. I do like the idea of ring flash when working close up so I don't get shadow, but I don't know if I'd like a ring flash or a twin flash. I imagine the former will do well just because I can control what lights light. I'll also get a large "regular" flash for longer distances.

I think that after all of that, and a good weatherproof backpack, I'll be set!

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