In article <574v5f$ng8@alpha.psd.k12.co.us>, dcooper@psd.k12.co.us says...

>I may be in the market for purchasing a new camera soon. I have an old
>Minolta X370. All the new SRL cameras seem to be autofocus. I enjoy
>composing nature and sports photos and have never trusted the program
>modes so have always done that manually. I was wondering what
>advantages/disadvantages these newer autofocus cameras provide and
>whether the photgrapher gets the same creative options with them.

The advantages of the newer-type SLR's are two for me:
- selectable fill-ratio TTL flash
- built-in, fairly compact motor/winder
The disadvantages are myriad, but I can turn off most of them
on the new cameras - though I am left with the "plastic" feel,
and, more and more, brighter, but less sharp finders. From what
you said, you may want to look into a couple of excellent Nikon
fully manual cameras, the FM2n and especially the F3 (and the
lenses are fine, varied, and with great resale value - and there
are MANY used ones available), or a couple of other possibilities
mentioned in other posts. BTW, Nikon and Pentax AF and MF bodies
will accept both MF and AF lenses...
Hope This Helps