Thanks for responding #DeanS and #Flying_Three

Is this still available?

Thank you again for the replies!!

Due to a long period of unemployment coupled with poor health, I was unable to move forward with a purchase back in 2017.

I think I mentioned in my last reply I have approximately $600 to put towards a body.
I haven't yet determined what I'll be able to fork over for glass yet (since I haven't settled on a body to purchase as yet).

That being said I'm now looking around at used options for Panasonic, Nikon and Fuji.

Thanks again to all who have answered.

Thanks very much to all who have answered!
I am leaning towards Zeiss glass and I have heard rave reviews regarding the Sony.
I've a good m8 in the UK shooting with an A7000 and he's nothing but raves over it. I've seen some of his shots (landscapes & macro of blooms, etc) they are wonderful.
That being said I don't have the greatest budget right now.
I'm looking at maybe $600/$700 for a body and not sure yet on glass.
My sister owns a Nikon which I shot with in the past, and it is a nice camera.
Seeing how my budget isn't the greatest at this stage I may just take Tim Moore's advice for the nonce and look into the D800 and a 28-105 lens.
Thanks much for the information as regards the Panasonic/Leica "collaboration".
My pipe dream is a Leica with Zeiss glass but unless I become independently wealthy or win the Lotto I don't see it happening any time soon 😂

Good evening, all;
I'm Embra from San Diego CA.
I have heard a rumour that Panasonic is the Beta Tester for Leica.
Is this true?
If so, would anyone have ideas to guide me in choosing a good rig?
I am interested In which body to purchase, and also recommendations on glass - at least a good wide angle lens as well as a lens appropriate for Macro work.
I am primarily a nature/landscape/skyscape photographer but I am also interested in street and architecture photography.
Thank you all in advance for your patience and I apologise for the long winded questions!

Good point - I am watching a couple of APS - C cameras presently since the full frames are out of my price range at this time.

One of the reasons I resisted making the transition to digital image capture for such a long time was because I was accustomed to shooting on 35mm film.
A Full Frame sensor affords the digital equivalent of shooting on 35mm film.

Thanks for your response I appreciate the tip! Wishing you every success in your new position! :)

Just like to thank the members who have responded - your input has been incredibly valuable and has allowed me to focus on looking into the sorts of cameras best suited to my interests in photography. Though I have not yet made the purchase, after much consideration I am most attracted to a Pentax - it's definitely a "niche" camera and admittedly many would question my choice: however, it has specific features for the price which I have not seen available even on much more expensive, higher end cameras. It has a backlit CMOS sensor, for example, which I haven't seen offered on any other cameras even close to my price range. It also offers an adjustable 3" LCD monitor which has been treated to reduce glare - and since the overwhelming majority of my shots are outdoors, in natural light, this feature ought to prove valuable to me. I also like the availability of adapters allowing the use of pretty much any lens on the body. Also, I've seen some good sales on B&H and Adorama for the style I found appealing.
Thanks once again for all your input - it has made narrowing down the field of choices much easier!

ebercovici - I saw that same advertisement. It does have many features and tools which are desirable.
I'm beginning to lean towards mirrorless - B&H has some steals at present. Because I recognize that I'm not ready just yet to justify laying out enough ducats on a professional DSLR rig, I am continuing to research good used/refurbished gear which is of solid quality but perhaps not the very newest version with all the bells and whistles. I intend to keep building my chops and I'm certain at some time in future I will be upgrading to a full professional DSLR system.
For the time being, I am watching several different mirrorless cameras on B&H whilst continuing my research into the specifications and comparisons of the strengths and weaknesses of the various brands.
I am a big proponent of wait and see: this gives me time to thoroughly review the various options available, with the added benefit of watching prices drop over time.

Thank you, D.T. there was a piece of critical information: regarding the effect the four thirds sensors have with the lenses. I was already leaning in the direction of full frame and I also now understand why many photographers are not fans of the four thirds sensors. Pertinent information to have.

Great information thanks :)

I have used point & shoot cameras but I'm dissatisfied with the quality. I also used to shoot 35mm and I took a Long time to adapt to digital. Since I was so frustrated with digital at the beginning, and there is such a plethora of equipment out nowadays to choose from, I opted to get comfortable using the smartphone before laying out large ducats on equipment.
Point well taken in regards to a photography class - I already had plans to take a few as I feel it will give me an opportunity to become more familiar with various models and their capabilities.

Thanks :) I've been able to narrow my choices quite a bit thanks to the excellent advice I've been receiving. My fitness isn't what it once was, however, that being said, I was able to rockclimb barefoot on wet, slippery rip rap tumbled boulders to get some shots of the tide overtaking the rock jetty at Ocean Beach last summer - and I work in a fast paced retail environment where I'm on my feet hustling for the majority of my shift. Good to get your input, it seems many serious photographers carry more than one body and several lenses + gear bag, tripod, etc.

Brilliant fall foliage - and this is a good example of how I would be using the camera I end up choosing. Mainly outdoors, natural light, landscapes, travel photography, wildlife, skyscapes.