Changing Lenses

[Glenn Wolsey]

Well I was all set to buy a Digital SLR, but now I have decided to get an advanced point and shoot and make do with that while I learn photography more, as a DSLR really isn't needed at the moment.

Though I want to change the lens so I can also use a more powerful one for sports, is that possible with any of these cameras?

http://www.noelleeming.co.nz/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&productId=54954&crumb=10003-10066-10073

http://www.noelleeming.co.nz/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&productId=54608&crumb=10003-10066-10073

http://www.noelleeming.co.nz/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&productId=54602&crumb=10003-10066-10073

http://www.noelleeming.co.nz/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&productId=60604&crumb=10003-10066-10073

http://www.noelleeming.co.nz/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&productId=59802&crumb=10003-10066-10073

[atari1356]

You can't change lenses, but most will probably allow you to buy "conversion lenses" that attach to the end of the built-in lens. The conversion lenses will either give you a wider angle focal length, or extend the telephoto length further.

You may consider also looking at the Canon Powershot S3 IS which will be released in a couple of months:
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0602/06022111canons3is.asp

I used to own the slightly older Powershot S2 IS and it was a great full-featured camera - wonderful for experimenting with manual controls, and it had some nice macro features. I sold mine to help pay for a DSLR+lenses, but I miss having it (and may even sell one of my DSLR lenses to buy an S3).

I think you're on the right track with getting a so-called "point and shoot" camera with a long zoom first. It really gives you the opportunity to try out different types of photography at a relatively low cost. Getting the same focal range/features out of a DSLR can cost a LOT more - so it's good to get a feel for what you're getting into before shelling out a ton of cash.

[puckhead193]

check out the nikon 8800, a bit pricey but it takes fantastic pictures. I think nikon discontinued it so you can prob find it cheap or they are prob coming out with a new version....

[Glenn Wolsey]

You can't change lenses, but most will probably allow you to buy "conversion lenses" that attach to the end of the built-in lens. The conversion lenses will either give you a wider angle focal length, or extend the telephoto length further.

You may consider also looking at the Canon Powershot S3 IS which will be released in a couple of months:
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0602/06022111canons3is.asp

I used to own the slightly older Powershot S2 IS and it was a great full-featured camera - wonderful for experimenting with manual controls, and it had some nice macro features. I sold mine to help pay for a DSLR+lenses, but I miss having it (and may even sell one of my DSLR lenses to buy an S3).

I think you're on the right track with getting a so-called "point and shoot" camera with a long zoom first. It really gives you the opportunity to try out different types of photography at a relatively low cost. Getting the same focal range/features out of a DSLR can cost a LOT more - so it's good to get a feel for what you're getting into before shelling out a ton of cash.

Can I change the lens on that?

[puckhead193]

Can I change the lens on that?
no its a fixed lens

[Clix Pix]

check out the nikon 8800, a bit pricey but it takes fantastic pictures. I think nikon discontinued it so you can prob find it cheap or they are prob coming out with a new version....


NO!! DON'T check out the CP 8800! Why? Because Glenn has told us before that he wants to shoot a lot of sports activities and the CP 8800 will frustrate him no end. It's a wonderful camera with a beautiful lens, don't get me wrong here, but unfortunately the price one pays is that, while a VR lens and while quite a long lens, that seemingly appealing lens is very slow, especially at the long end. The 8800 also is slow to write to the memory card and invariably the photographer loses opportunities for shots due to that. Shutter lag is an issue here as well.

The CP 8800 is a fine camera for shooting landscapes and static subjects, it has excellent macro capability, but it is just not good for anyone who wants to do any sort of action shots involving people, insects, or animals. I also found that performing many functions was more awkward or complicated than it needed to be. Case in point: manual focus. It is very tedious trying to get accurate manual focus with this camera.

I was extremely disappointed in the CP 8800 but in the end it prodded me into going on into getting a DSLR, the D70, and that was a very good thing. I loved the D70 immediately and found that I was able to get the kinds of images that were simply not possible with the CP 8800. True, it costs more to have a DSLR because of the ever-gnawing "lens lust," but for anyone serious about photography, in my opinion, a DSLR is really the best way to go. It is a valuable learning tool and a rewarding way to enjoy photography.

Oh -- I doubt very much that Nikon is planning to issue an upgrade to the CP 8800. They seem to be putting more and more emphasis on their P&S line and their DSLRs.

[Glenn Wolsey]

no its a fixed lens

But I will be able to get a tele converter to extent the zoom to around 20X optical, correct? :)

[Clix Pix]

Glenn: no, all of the cameras you provided links to above are "bridge" cameras, some with longer zooms than others, but all having fixed lenses that cannot be removed from the camera. In order to have any sort of flexibility with regard to being able to change lenses you will need to go with a DSLR. The DSLR comes from the heritage of Single Lens Reflex cameras, which had interchangeable lenses. At one time there were also rangefinder cameras which had interchangeable lenses as well. There is a lot of benefit to having the abiility to swap out lenses, but, yes, there is a higher cost to be paid than if someone buys one of the all-in-one fixed-lens bridge cameras.

For those DSLR buyers who want a fairly long lens range without needing to swap out lenses frequently, there is Nikon's new 18-200 VR, which I suspect will live on many people's DSLRs and never be removed. (For samples from that lens have a look at the "Signs of Spring" thread in the picture gallery.) I love that lens, but it's not my only lens. Today, for instance, I shot the images seen in that thread, then came in the house and swapped lenses, putting on the 105mm macro lens, and went back outdoors for a go at the daffodils. (I'm not too pleased with the results so you aren't seeing those!) Tomorrow, I'll tackle the project again, having seen where I could have done better. Today was rather windy, which made it difficult, too, as I had to have a higher ISO, wider aperture and higher shutter speed than I really wanted so I wasn't able to get exactly the look I was after. I also really should have been using a tripod and I hadn't bothered...

Anyway, IMHO you could do very well with an investment in a reasonably-priced DSLR body and the 18-200 VR lens, also adding in for not that much money, a 50mm f/1.4 or f/1.8 for shooting in ambient low light. I don't believe that you can put a TC (teleconverter) on the 18-200; that usually is reserved for lenses such as the 70-200 and the long prime lenses. The reasonably-priced 70-300 mm lens gives a bit more reach than the 18-200 VR, so that's another possibility, and in that instance you could use the kit lens which is available for the D50 or the D70, the latter being considered a better one. That particular combination of three lenses (18-55 or 18-70, 70-300 and 50 f/1.4 or f/1.8) would get you off to a good start. The 70300 can also accept teleconverters, which would give you additional length and range, but you do lose something in the amount of light coming into the lens.

Anyway, of course it's your money and your decision, but I suspect that you'd learn much more from working with a DSLR than with a fixed-lens all-in-one bridge camera. JMHO....

Have you read reviews on any of the cameras referenced in those links? That's obviously very important, too, as each will have its pros and cons. Also check out the forums on DPreview and Fred Miranda for those specific cameras, too.

Good luck with this decision!

[Abstract]

But if you do, your lens will be 1/1.5/2 stops slower, which means you'll have blurry images, so I wouldn't bother. I think 10-12x zoom is good enough for now. I'd be more worried about getting a lense that's "fast" at the long end. Otherwise, forget about sports photography.

Check the f-numbers on those lenses for us and I think we'd have a better idea of which one to go for. I think this is the biggest issue.....the aperture at the longest focal range (ie: zoomed in all the way).

[Clix Pix]

But I will be able to get a tele converter to extent the zoom to around 20X optical, correct? :)

Without knowing much about the camera in question and its lens, I can tell you that you're going to have a major loss of light when slapping a teleconverter on to another lens, and this becomes a critical issue when shooting in situations such as indoor gymnasiums and sports arenas. Don't allow yourself to be swayed by the allure of the 12x, 20x zoom....it's not necessarily going to bring you the results you're thinking you'd get. Just as with megapixels not being as significant a point as many would have the customer think, when it comes to zoom length there is much more than just the actual distance one can zoom in....

[jessica.]

Typically if it's a point and shoot it's not an SLR which indicates that it's probably got interchangable lenses. Just buy a nikon d50 or canon 350 and be done with it. My friend spent $1000 on the nikon 850 or whatever it was. It's awesome and has awesome features, but my nikon d70 body was about $100 more and she is already limited.

[Abstract]

^^Yeah, or don't spend more than $600 on any of these cameras, and get one later. Spending any more than $600 now, and replacing it with a D50 one year from now seems like a waste of cash if you plan on replacing your new P&S camera in one year.

And again, a teleconverter won't help you because you'll end up with blurry photos. They don't let enough light through. Get a 10x or 12x zoom and get the one with the largest aperture when you zoom into something. That'll let the most light through, and then you'll be able to use a shorter exposure time.

[Glenn Wolsey]

Well in New Zealand I can get a "bridge" camera for $600, but the low end DSLRs are around $1800...

[Abstract]

http://www.teds.com.au/www/6/1001102/displayproductcategory/1005803__1001247__.html

Nikon D50 for around $1150 NZD.

Or go a little "grey market" and get it from this store.

http://www.d-d-photographics.com.au/

They're reputable. I had a friend who bought his camera there, although it's imported from America. Yes, I realize they're both Aussie stores, but I'm sure there's a workaround somehow.

That, and there's always eBay. I got my camera on eBay from an eBay store called "Nikon on Broadway", and they also happen to have a real brick and mortar store in Sydney. They seem quite ace.


HOWEVER: For your situation, you probably don't need any more than the big zoom P&S cameras, because a dSLR and a fast lense with long reach would probably cost you $3000-4000 NZD or something. Again, get one with a "fast" lense/small f-number.

[TheMasin9]

i would recommend if you are going to spend 800$ go ahead and get a nikon d50 or a canon 350d. I got a deal on newegg, about 700 for the camera with an 18-55lense and 2 gig card. just an idea.

[ChrisA]

[QUOTE=Glenn Wolsey]Well I was all set to buy a Digital SLR, but now I have decided to get an advanced point and shoot and make do with that while I learn photography more, as a DSLR really isn't needed at the moment.

I would suggest getting a "pocketable" digital camera. Something small. You will continue to use a small digicam even after yu buy the DSLR but a larger camera will only collect dust after you buy the DSLR. Don't think you can sell a point and shoot even an "advanced" one looses value quickly.

On the other hand I see Nikon D50 come up on the used market at pretty good prices, under $500 with lens. There is a "night and day" differentce in image quality between
the P&S and DSLR. It's not something subtle that only experts can see. Even non-photographers will notice in an instant

[ChrisA]

because a dSLR and a fast lense with long reach would probably cost you $3000-4000 NZD or something. Again, get one with a "fast" lense/small f-number.

I don't know the NZD/USD ratio but if you are on a budget a D50 system with a telephoto can be relatively inexpensie. I just bought a USA warenty D50 body for US$520 you can pick up one of the variable f-stop zooms for the "mid 300s". You could buy into a system for under US$1K. Sure enough for under $1K you do not get a f/2.8 constant aperture zoom with vibration reduction and silent wave motor but the lens will be _hugly_ better quality then the lens on the P&S camera and the CCD Sensor will be much better. So much better that you can crop the center part of the image and have a better result then a full frame P&S. I have a Sony and a Canon point and shoot and a Nikon D50.
and I've notice this first hand

[ChrisA]

because a dSLR and a fast lense with long reach would probably cost you $3000-4000 NZD or something. Again, get one with a "fast" lense/small f-number.

I don't know the NZD/USD ratio but if you are on a budget a D50 system with a telephoto can be relatively inexpensie. I just bought a USA warenty D50 body for US$520 you can pick up one of the variable f-stop zooms for the "mid 300s". You could buy into a system for under US$1K. Sure enough for under $1K you do not get a f/2.8 constant aperture zoom with vibration reduction and silent wave motor but the lens will be _hugly_ better quality then the lens on the P&S camera and the CCD Sensor will be much better. So much better that you can crop the center part of the image and have a better result then a full frame P&S. I have a Sony and a Canon point and shoot and a Nikon D50.
and I've notice this first hand

If the decision is between an $800 P&S or a $1000 DSLR. I'd say the DSLR is a better value. It will have a long usfull lifetime. The lens wil last a lifetime, they never become obsolete, the body maybe five years before you will want to upgrade

[Abstract]

I don't know the NZD/USD ratio but if you are on a budget a D50 system with a telephoto can be relatively inexpensie. I just bought a USA warenty D50 body for US$520 you can pick up one of the variable f-stop zooms for the "mid 300s". You could buy into a system for under US$1K.

But what's the point of buying a DSLR and a cheap telephoto if he can't take the type of photos he wants, namely "sports photography"? It's just going to be a blurry mess while they're in play. Sure, he can get photos of athletes standing around between plays, but I don't think that's what he wants.

I'd say for him right now, a big zoom P&S would perform just as well as any DSLR with their 1st or 2nd cheapest 70-300 mm, for example. My only question would be whether one of them has a larger aperture than the rest of them? Chances are they're all the same, but you never know, I guess.

[Glenn Wolsey]

But what's the point of buying a DSLR and a cheap telephoto if he can't take the type of photos he wants, namely "sports photography"? It's just going to be a blurry mess while they're in play. Sure, he can get photos of athletes standing around between plays, but I don't think that's what he wants.

I'd say for him right now, a big zoom P&S would perform just as well as any DSLR with their 1st or 2nd cheapest 70-300 mm, for example. My only question would be whether one of them has a larger aperture than the rest of them? Chances are they're all the same, but you never know, I guess.

So for action sport which camera would YOU recommend in the first post? :)

[iGary]

Put yourself out of your misery, get some funds from folks, relatives, friends, take a loan and get a DSLR.

[Glenn Wolsey]

Put yourself out of your misery, get some funds from folks, relatives, friends, take a loan and get a DSLR.

The sad thing is I have enough for a DSLR already...okay, I have enough for two because I have saved money from my job for the past 6 months.

The thing is I would prefer to invest that money into an Intel PowerMac not the DSLR at the moment. I just want a nice camera that will perform reasonably well for nature and sports.

And Gary, sadly my parents dont buy me any tech, or even help me out towards my tech purchases. Annoying now but at least I'm learning the value of money more and more by the day.

[iGary]

The sad thing is I have enough for a DSLR already...okay, I have enough for two because I have saved money from my job for the past 6 months.

The thing is I would prefer to invest that money into an Intel PowerMac not the DSLR at the moment. I just want a nice camera that will perform reasonably well for nature and sports.

And Gary, sadly my parents dont buy me any tech, or even help me out towards my tech purchases. Annoying now but at least I'm learning the value of money more and more by the day.

How about a used on on Ebay?

Don't worry, my parents made me buy all my own stuff - you'll appreciate it later.

[Glenn Wolsey]

How about a used on on Ebay?

Don't worry, my parents made me buy all my own stuff - you'll appreciate it later.

I know I will appreciate it later in life :)

new Zealand has its own trading site just like eBay, but the people can be trusted much more...Here are two nice cameras listed, but they are still darn expensive.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Electronics-photography/Digital-cameras/Over-6-megapixel/auction-50685562.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Electronics-photography/Digital-cameras/Over-6-megapixel/auction-50239234.htm

PS: Like the new avatar? ;)

[Clix Pix]

The D70 sounds like a decent deal, as you'd be getting the better-quality and very decent "kit" lens as well as one which goes from 55-200 (I don't know anything about that lens, have never used it so can't speak to the quality of it. I notice it's a bit slow, though. However it would get you started because you'd have good range between the two lenses). Seller is also throwing in a 1 GB CF card, too, and that's good.

If you were to buy this, then you would open up all sorts of opportunities later on down the road to add to your lenses. If you'd be able to spring for it immediately, as I mentioned in an earlier post, I'd strongly urge you to consider the 50mm f/1.8 or f/1.4, which can give you excellent quality for shooting under low-light conditions.

So in this set, you'd have a lens which is 200mm; on the digital camera of course it will be affected by the crop factor of 1.5x so that it will feel as though you're actually using 300mm. I don't know whether or not that lens would accept a teleconverter to further extend the reach, but I kind of doubt it. However, once you had the D70 you would then have the opportunity to use any lens in the Nikon system, so that perhaps for sports you would be able to borrow or hire a longer telephoto lens.

I'm addressing only the potential purchase of the Nikon D70, as I'm not a Canon user and am not as familiar with that system and their lenses, etc. I'm sure others here can help you in that regard.

If you were to choose either of these, I suspect that you would find yourself much, much happier in the long run than if you were to buy a bridge P&S camera.

Keep us posted!

ETA: almost forgot -- squinting at the new avatar, trying to decipher what it might be and am at a loss. OK, what IS it?!

[Glenn Wolsey]

ETA: almost forgot -- squinting at the new avatar, trying to decipher what it might be and am at a loss. OK, what IS it?!

iGary's sacrifice ;)

[Clix Pix]

iGary's sacrifice ;)

Eh? I haven't been online a lot the past couple of days so I guess I've missed an interesting thread or post by iGary.... ?

[Glenn Wolsey]

Eh? I haven't been online a lot the past couple of days so I guess I've missed an interesting thread or post by iGary.... ?

You sure did. http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=186436

[Glenn Wolsey]

Okay, I have made my decision...almost. Which one out of these three though I get?

http://www.noelleeming.co.nz/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&productId=60604&crumb=10003-10066-10073

http://www.noelleeming.co.nz/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&productId=59802&crumb=10003-10066-10073

http://www.noelleeming.co.nz/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&productId=54754&crumb=10003-10066-10073

I'm leaning towards the Canon.

[ChrisA]

The D70 sounds like a decent deal, as you'd be getting the better-quality and very decent "kit" lens as well as one which goes from 55-200 !

First off the D70s has replaced the D70. If you compare the D70s with a D50 there is very little differance between them that matters. OK it has two command dials and does a fany off camera flash mode that you'd pay extra for if you had the D50. But in terms of image quality they are almost identical and truely identical if you shoot in raw format.

As for the kit lens. Yes, absolutly the D70s kit lens is the 18-70 and the D50 is sold with the 18-55 kit lens BUT you don't have to buy the kit. I bought a D50 with a 18-70 lens. You don't take a price hit either. the D50 body only goes for as low as $500. Many options for the lens you can skip the kit lens entirely and go with a "pro" quality f/2.8 or even buy a 50mm prime The new 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 G ED-IF AF-S VR is _outstanding_ quality

[iGary]

You are going to kick yourself in the ass for not getting an SLR.

[Glenn Wolsey]

You are going to kick yourself in the ass for not getting an SLR.

Why? I feel I'm too new to the scene to justify a DSLR. The DSLR's are still developing and getting cheaper too, I think the Canon will do me fine.

[cgratti]

check out the Canon Powershot Pro1... Great camera with a Great L lens, 8MP too....

[Clix Pix]

You sure did. http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=186436
Thanks! All is clear now. Poor lil' mousie....

[Clix Pix]

Okay, I have made my decision...almost. Which one out of these three though I get?

http://www.noelleeming.co.nz/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&productId=60604&crumb=10003-10066-10073

http://www.noelleeming.co.nz/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&productId=59802&crumb=10003-10066-10073

http://www.noelleeming.co.nz/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&productId=54754&crumb=10003-10066-10073

I'm leaning towards the Canon.

Before you buy ANY of them, be sure to read reviews on each and more importantly, go to a brick-and-mortar store and handle each one of them.

Personally I would not buy any of them because I feel that a DSLR is the much better way to go these days.

[Clix Pix]

First off the D70s has replaced the D70. If you compare the D70s with a D50 there is very little differance between them that matters. OK it has two command dials and does a fany off camera flash mode that you'd pay extra for if you had the D50. But in terms of image quality they are almost identical and truely identical if you shoot in raw format.

As for the kit lens. Yes, absolutly the D70s kit lens is the 18-70 and the D50 is sold with the 18-55 kit lens BUT you don't have to buy the kit. I bought a D50 with a 18-70 lens. You don't take a price hit either. the D50 body only goes for as low as $500. Many options for the lens you can skip the kit lens entirely and go with a "pro" quality f/2.8 or even buy a 50mm prime The new 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 G ED-IF AF-S VR is _outstanding_ quality


The D70 is the one which is mentioned in the offer to which Glenn was posting the link. As he was inquiring about that specific offer, I was addressing the issues around the D70 as opposed to the D70s. As I own both the D70 and the D70s, I am very familiar with the benefits of each and I am also aware the the D70s has supplanted the D70 on retailers' shelves now. Many D70 camera bodies are being offered for sale on eBay and other places because their owners have moved on to the D200.

Yes, I quite agree that the new 18-200 VR is an outstanding lens. I love mine! Definitely the 18-70 "kit" lens for the D70/D70s is superior to the slightly shorter "kit" lens which is available for the D50, and yes, many people have opted to buy the D50 body only and then go with maybe the 18-70 "kit" lens or with some other lens altogether.

[Clix Pix]

Why? I feel I'm too new to the scene to justify a DSLR. The DSLR's are still developing and getting cheaper too, I think the Canon will do me fine.

I think you've shown us some very nice work and that you've got a lot of promise as far as developing into a very fine photographer. The best way for you to continue learning and growing at this point is with a DSLR. I know that's hard to understand and believe right now, but certainly there have been many of us telling you this. Maybe you should pay attention to the "experts?" We've all been there, done that.

Yes, I know the idea of a DSLR sounds somewhat daunting and intimidating, something for which the photographer should be "ready." Actually, I think you'd be surprised to learn that in some ways it is EASIER to use a DSLR than it is a P&S! That's right. EASIER. Why is that? For one thing, some of the controls are set on the camera body itself rather than hidden in menus, and this can make a huge difference. I've mentioned on here before that I went from the CP 8800 to the D70. The very first day I was thrilled to discover how much simpler and quicker it was to quickly switch from autofocus to manual focus by the flick of a switch on the camera body of the D70 as opposed to fumbling through the camera's menu on the CP 8800 and still not having as accurate and precise results because the manual control was not the same as simply turning the lens until one found the right focus. There was some green bar thingy in there that you had to fiddle with and IMO it did not produce accurate results, never mind that it certainly is a cumbersome system.

I had only had my D70 a few days before there was a great photo op in my neighborhood: a truck was on fire. I went rushing out there with the camera and immediately was happily shooting away. Eventually I needed to use manual focus and it was so nice to be able to quickly flick the switch on the camera body, adjust the lens with my hand, verify through the viewfinder that it was correctly focused, and take the shot. No fussing with menus, no fussing with some stupid green bar....

As I've mentioned before, too, you will be able to grow with a DSLR in a way that you really cannot with a P&S, even the most advanced one. You will have so much more flexibility in how you frame and shoot your images and you will have a much higher quality of images, too, due to the differences in sensors.

Canon or Nikon or Olympus or Fujifilm.....whatever you buy, I can pretty well guarantee you that you'll be happier with that manufacturer's DSLR than with even their most "advanced" P&S bridge cameras....

[sjl]

I'm addressing only the potential purchase of the Nikon D70, as I'm not a Canon user and am not as familiar with that system and their lenses, etc. I'm sure others here can help you in that regard.

The 20D is the body I have, and I'm very happy with it. It's more camera than I know how to use right now, but I do know it'll grow with me, and will last me for a very long time. The 30D is a little better, but not so much that I'm upset at having bought only a couple of months before its release.

The 18-55mm lens is a "kit" lens. It's not bad, but really, you're letting down the camera with it; you'd do better with either the 17-55 or the 17-85 (the optical quality of the former is better than the latter, but you're also paying a lot of money either way for the lens.) For a starter lens, though, it's good enough.

For sports photography, you'll want a lens that's much longer than either of those, and that'll cost. I've heard reasonable things about the 70-300, but remember that anything that's slower than f/2.8 (ie: with a larger number after the slash) will need a lot of light to take good shots. Indoor or night just ain't gonna happen in a satisfactory manner (I'm talking about action shots here, rather than posed.) In good sunlight, though, it'll be good enough.

I'd strongly urge you away from the point-and-shoots with their fixed lens. Range and speed are both issues with what you want, and I seriously doubt that any compact has a fast lens, especially if they have the reach you want. Yes, the DSLR is more expensive, but it's also a lot more flexible, and will do more of what you want. I can't stand shooting with a compact any more; it just frustrates me. (So much so that I'm looking at spending a lot of money on an underwater housing for my 20D in a year or two -- my compact is just too slow to react when I want a shot taken, so I haven't taken it down more than three or four times total.)

Everything you're saying screams to me: SLR! SLR! (digital or otherwise, but these days, I'd suggest digital rather than film -- the quality is well and truly there for most purposes, and if it's not there for your purpose, you'll know about it before you buy anyway.) Also remember that any SLR you buy today has a fair amount of automation: mine can let me do everything on manual, or everything on automatic, or anything in between.

Yes, the price might drop between now and when you buy the DSLR, if you go the compact route. I'd be surprised if the price drop was significant, though; I suspect that the cameras we have today are close enough to the limits imposed by physics that it doesn't matter to anybody but the most serious professional (mmm... 1Ds Mk 2 ...)

In any case: good luck with your purchase.