Starting off

[AndrewC]

As a side note, at least for Nikon VR lenses, is that even though the motion detection is angular, the correction is linear !

http://imaging.nikon.com/products/imagi ... /index.htm

Andrew

[ChrisR]

An astute observation - more than a side note!
The 4MB downloadable demos at the above link (via the VR mechanism button) show how their system works with close ups.
It's best for the bridge(#3), but certainly helps with the closest (#1).

[Charles Krebs]

Joseph,

Basically, it's a complex problem that no one has really tackled yet.

Well at least they are taking a shot at it:

http://www.usa.canon.com/templatedata/p ... id_is.html

We'll see how it works on the new 100/2.8 "L" Canon macro lens.

[Charles Krebs]

Chris,

Back to your original question

As was mentioned earlier, I would say that the vast majority of DSLR's introduced in the last 5 years can produce great work.

A couple things to consider when selecting a camera for the type of things we do here. It is very helpful to have a camera that will meter even on a completely "manual" apparatus such as a bellows or cheap extension tubes. It is also very desirable to have a body that has a provision for "mirror lock-up". Some of the lower priced Nikon bodies lack these provisions. (Not sure about Olympus and Pentax).

[AndrewC]

I don't know about other makes, but for Nikon Thom Hogan has as good comparison of Nikon bodies both old and new:

http://bythom.com/olddslr.htm

http://bythom.com/currentdslr.htm

When I look at Nikon bodies want I want/need is a good sensor, mirror-up and a 10-pin interface. Alas it seems that you have to go to a high-end body to get all those and then you also pay for advanced autofocus and metering which I don't really need.

In my mind the best price break right now is a second hand D200 which you can probably get for around £400

Andrew