My problems with my CP4500 are mainly related to poor focusing in macro mode



This is a common problem with all macro lenses, regardless of whether you are shooting a fixed lens camera or a top end DSLR. When you are close, it is harder for the lens to get a "fix" and most people just end up using manual focus when very close.



My problems with my CP4500 are mainly related to ....as well as noise problems, especially in low or contrasting light.



This is a result of having a very small sensor. This is one of the downsides to many smaller point and shoot cameras. Small sensors = more noise. DSLRs generally have larger sensors (physically larger, not more megapixels), therefore they can produce a less noisy picture.



I still have the Canon Elan and two lenses, but those will not work with IS of a current camera, correct?



What is IS? Do you mean image stabilization? In the canon system the image stabilization is in the lens, not the camera body. So if a lens is IS, it will be IS with any EOS camera body.



Your older Canon AF lenses should work on the current models of digital SLR that Canon has out. Try them on your brother's digital Rebel to be sure.



Good macro is more important to me than probably anything else and that goes hand-in-hand with a good AF system, I think.



Again, even the best AF systems struggle when you get really close. I like systems where the camera tries to get it right then allows you to manually override its focus.



And good macros are almost always the result of good macro lenses, not good cameras.







So I am looking for a good trade off between the two.



There are recent innovations that can solve at least one of your problems. The macro focusing problem isn't easy to solve, but the live LCD problem is.



The newest DSLRs out this year have a live view LCDs. The Canon equivalent is the new EOS 40D. This means you can hold the camera down near the ground and focus and compose using the LCD. However, with the 40D, you have to turn off the Live View while it autofocuses, then turn it back on again. You can manually focus with live view active, but not AF. Of course, the 40D is not an entry level DSLR and costs over $1200.



I have three DSLRs and none of them have a live view LCD. I used to have it with my older point and shoot digital, and it was cool. But if you made me choose, I would never trade the image quality, power and convenience of a DSLR just for that one feature.
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Chris Harrison

San Antonio, Texas

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