Is a digital back that uses your existing lenses an option?
If they're high-end lenses, you might find a compatible back. If the cost is an issue, many places like B&H sell [link|http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=UsedHomePage.jsp&A=FetchChildren&Q=&ci=2872|used digital equipment].
Let's see, you've got a Nikon [link|http://z.iwethey.org/forums/render/content/show?contentid=277234|F60]. (I'm assuming the F70 is similar here.) It looks like your lenses [link|http://photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00EYZ9&tag=|should work with the D70], with some caveats (check the comments). B&H has a used D70 back for [link|http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=2891&A=details&Q=&sku=800517109&is=USE&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation|$449]. Presumably there are places in Oz that would have comparable deals.
That's why I originally picked a D70. ;-) Nikon lens compatability is legendary, and although not 100% they are very thorough at telling you what doesn't work. My lenses will work on a D70 and on a D50. They will be manual focus only on a D40, however.
I actually mentioned my lenses to show why I was favouring a bridge camera with a wider lens. My two are just ordinary consumer lenses, though each worth perhaps as much as a D50 body. Even second-hand, a D70 is nearly as much new, otherwise that's what I'd consider. I will keep looking, though, as the D70 has been superseded and people will be trading up.
Wade.
Is it enough to love Is it enough to breathe Somebody rip my heart out And leave me here to bleed
Is it enough to die Somebody save my life I'd rather be Anything but Ordinary Please
-- "Anything but Ordinary" by Avril Lavigne.
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