About three years ago, my Praktica AM-1 started falling apart, so I
thought I'd get a digital camera, and bought a Fuji S7000.

I'm sure it's a very nice camera, but we don't seem to use it much. We
certainly haven't managed to take many pictures as good as the ones we
took on the SLR, and my girlfriend has barely used it at all and doesn't
like it.

I'd like to get a digital SLR that's as much as possible like the old
35mm camera that got such a lot of use, and can be used as much as
possible in just the same way.

The things that really matter to me are:

* split-prism viewfinder (I don't care if people sneer at them, that's
what I find easiest to focus)

* aperture ring on the lens barrel (and one that's actually coupled to
the iris, not an electronic control)
       
* size and shape - I like the way the square, flat Praktica fits in my
hands, and dislike the large, bulbous shapes that seem to be mostly
popular now.

Am I going to find anything that meets these criteria, or should I just
take the Praktica down to Jessops in town and ask them to do it up for
me?

Thanks,

Daniele