Photography people - I need your recommendations

[Maklershed]

I'm looking into buying a new camera. I plan to take a lot of pictures outdoors. Mostly of abandoned buildings, panorama type scenes, and perhaps wildlife/insects.

I dont really care about the size of the camera or body style. And I'd like to stay within the $200 - $350 price range.

I heard the Canon S2 IS or the Canon S3 IS might be the way to go. Anybody have any input on these cameras? Or just recommendations in general?

[MidnightRain]

I've owned the S2 IS for nine months now, and I love it. No real complaints, although I wish they'd put a bit more thought into the placement of the menu button. It's easy to accidentally press it while you're lining up a shot, especially if you have large hands. (I don't, and I still accidentally press it from time to time, but it's something I've learned to work around. Just quickly hit it a second time and resume shooting.) The 12X optical zoom is awesome, great color and clarity, beautiful prints, and excellent quality large prints.

[fart_bubble]

It depends on if you think that you will have enough time to set up. And it sounds like you do, I would say to buy an older Minolta (I use Minolta srt-101) along with a 52 mm, 80-200 mm and a wide angle lens. It shouldn't cost you more that $100-150 plus another 25 or so for cleaning and small repairs. I find that though a digital is easier to use, you get better results and options with an old SLR. Plus if develop your own film, there is a bunch of cool little tricks you can do while it is processing. And that, I just run it through Photoshop to touch it up and fix a few impurities if they happen. Don't get me wrong though, the older SLRs take a little tinkering to get used to them. But I've still haven't been able to get the same quality with my DiMAGE that I get with my trusty Minolta.

[radjago]

I like Canon's stuff in that range. You can't really go wrong with them.

[Maklershed]

Thanks for the advice so far. I'll give this topic one last bump and let it go. Any more advice?