Digital SLR recommendos under $1000? Under $1500?

I'm looking to buy a digital SLR to augment my film SLR camera. My film camera is a Minolta Maxxum 5000i - not high end but not junk. I've got a couple of lenses for the film camera that I'd like to be able to use with the digital as well to avoid buying duplicates (ditto future lenses, I'd like them to go both ways, so to speak.).
Anyone have first-hand recommendations?

Not first hand, but I'd stick with Sony (Konica Minolta handed over their digital camera production assets to Sony when they stepped down 2 years ago). Sony has faithfully resumed support of existing KM users; your Minolta AF lenses should work right out of the box (no adapters required, full function).

For the long end of your budget I'd go with the semi-pro Sony Alpha A700, Sony's premier offering. The body alone runs around $1,300 USD.

Sony recently released 2 new entry-level dSLRs: the A300 and A350. These two offer live-view, the latter adding several megapixels and a tilt LCD screen, along with a couple of other slight improvements over the recent A200 and the older A100. You can get the A350, A300, A200, or A100 with a kit lens for under $1,000 USD (you'll have to wait just a little longer for availability). Sony's product model is to offer several variations of the same thing so you choose what you want. I'd suggest that you study each one and check them out at the local camera shop to see if you're comfortable with Sony's adaptation.

I'd suggest you purchase a kit lens if possible. The Alpha series isn't full frame so there is a crop factor of 1.5x. Basically, a lens with a common focal length range of 28-80mm mounted on a Alpha camera, for example, would have a field of view equivalent to a 42-120mm lens (28x1.5=42, 80x1.5=120). You'd need a 18-55mm lens to approximately equal a 28-80 on a full frame camera. This is uncommon for older lenses, so keep that in mind.

You may be against this because you'd need new lenses, but under $1500:
Canon EOS 40D
Basic Specs:
10.1MP
Jpeg/RAW/SRAW
3.0" LCD screen
6 shots per second (real-world: probably 5)
metal case
Live View LCD preview (like most point-and-shoot cameras, most DSLRs don't have this)
and an extremely fast DiGiC III chip/very fast AF

Qualitywise, Minolta dSLRs are far behind Nikon and Canon, so if you want to stick with your lenses, you will certainly have to compromise on the camera. Some lenses also work on Sony's A100 series, which is outdated.

What are you using the camera for anyways? If you are just a snapshooter who wants the versatility of a dSLR, get the Maxxum D7 with 6MP or the Sony A100 with 10MP.

If you are shooting commercially, consider switching to Canon or Nikon. From my experience, Canon works slightly better in highly controlled studio environments, while Nikon works better in the real world.

If you'd like to use your Minolta autofocus lenses, then your only real option is to get a Sony digital SLR.

You can get a Sony A100 with an 18-200mm lens for under $1000 very easily. Try http://www.bhphotovideo.com for example.

For under $1500, the Sony A350 would be the next choice.

For just over $1500, try the Sony A700.

Minolta has been out of the camera business for the last 2 yrs so if you can find some lenses out there that can be used on a Minolta D-SLR that are also compatible with your film camera good luck.

My best advice is to buy a NIkon D40 outfit for about $600

All Minolta Maxxum AF lenses made since 1985 will work just fine with the Sony Alpha series of DSLR cameras. Since Sony purchased the DSLR business from Konica-Minolta they have made several improvements. Sony is expected to introduce a full-frame (24X36) sensor in late 2008 or early 2009. Your Maxxum lenses will work perfectly with the full-frame sensor camera should you decide to upgrade.

Since Sony has its version of image stabilization (Super SteadyShot) in the camera body, your Maxxum lenses will have that benefit. No need to pay extra $$$ for image stabilization when you buy a lens.

The only lenses that were designed for the K-M D5 & D7 were the "DT" series lenses so you wouldn't want to use them on your Maxxum 5000i.

IMO your best buy would be the Sony A700, body only.

Like the first one to respond Canon is a very good brand and when you want to take photos the are fast and realistic. I would also reccomend the Canon EOS40 D cause they have a 6.5 frames per second shots and a 10.1 processor as well as DiGiC III processor. Look at the website below to see more. I own one and reccomend it.