On Mon, 08 Sep 1997 14:30:02 -0400, Lara
wrote:

> i'm an arch student and i am looking to get a SLR that i can upgrade
>when i finally start making some money but for now money is somewhat of
>a problem. what i need is something that will take good portfolio
>pictures and decent outside building slides. i've read quite abit but i
>would still appericate a reply or two --thanx

I would look for a relatively inexpensive used Nikon F3 and a used
late-version Nikkor 35mm f2.8 PC (and get a grid "E" screen for the
body) to start, if you can afford it. The non-distorting viewfinder of the
F3 is almost unique in currently available camera bodies, and the F3
can meter properly with the shifted perspective-control lens. Later you
may want to add a 20mm (or shorter) wide-angle for interior work. If the
budget is too small for this, older F or F2 bodies also have good finders,
and an older-version used PC Nikkor would be cheaper (or get a used
24mm f2.8 Nikkor - used vertically, with the bottom of the image cropped
off, it can serve as a PC lens substitute - and it will be more useful for
interior work than the 35mm...). BTW, I have some 35mm-slide
architecture photos on my web site...
Hope This Helps
David Ruether - http://www.fcinet.com/ruether