Another in house shooting session produced a slightly better take on a cactus I tried shooting yesterday, but it's still not perfect.

After consciously deciding to approach the prospective new camera selection with a more open mind, I think my heart has finally set on the Nikon D70...maybe the D70s if I somehow convince myself that the negligibly added features are worth 200 extra bucks. It seems like a better camera overall in terms of functionality.

Plus, it'll save me some cash on lenses. With the Digital Rebel XT I would have wanted to have the cruddy kit lens for wide and a 28-135mm IS zoom for anything else. That adds up to a lot more cash and a lot more inconvenience than having one good 18-70mm zoom. Not to mention, both the telephoto zoom (the 70-300mm f/4-5.6D ED AF) and the macro lens (the 60mm f/2.8D AF Micro) that I'd get are respectively cheaper (vs. the 70-200mm f/4L and 60mm f/2.8 Macro). Yes, I know the Canon 75-300mm zooms are cheaper, but I wouldn't get them anyways. I don't know how the lens quality differs, but frankly, when you're at this level, I doubt it really makes a difference. It's the photographer that makes the image anyway.

On another note, I should go outside more.