Digital Photography handbook & Good digital camera...?

[Marcell]

I've recently been thinking of developing my photography skill. Can anyone tell me a good digital photgraphy handbook for a beginner? Just in general, nothing specified.

I'd also like to know the digital camera you think is best. Mostly it's for landscapes, like the beach and stuff.

Thank you very much in advance.

[AGK]

If you want to move into SLRs then be prepared for some serious learning and some fair spending. If you want a point and shoot that has some of the versatility of an SLR, I say wait for the release of the Olympus SP570UZ. It has a manual focus ring, it has a very versatile lens and you don't have to change lenses or worry about dust. Also invest in a tripod or atleast a monopod. I've heard about one that is a tripod, monopod, ad doubles as I hiking staff. If this is out of your price range, there are plenty of good point and shoot cameras out there and although they are good enough to learn the basic rules and skills. Which ever you choose, make sure that you are comfortable with the camera, both the controls (menus) and ergonomics. Also be sure you get a printed manual. Manuals on CD are nice but you'll never be able to read the whole thing as easily as on paper. As for a good handbook, there are many and I really don't know which to advise.