Tidgy

So,

wanna get a decent camera, but i'm not into photography so just want a cam that will take decent pics. Came across this,


not looking to go over £300 so come complete with lens, bag and mem card for £280. To the photo guru's out thee does it seem like a good buy?

r32

Get a Sony RX100, pay the extra............
http://www.dpreview.com/products/son...ony_dscrx100m3

ditchmyster

iTrader: (7)

My advice and i'm no expert, is go to the camera shop in notts city centre opposite the post office, king st / queen st can't remember which one it's a while since i bought mine, very helpful staff that know what they're talking about.

I opted for a panasonic lumix DMC-fz28 with leica lens because at the time it was the best lens in my price range with 18x zoom and 10 mega pixels, as with all things cameras it's all about the lenses.

Mine is still going strong 6/7yrs later and take shots that i'm happy with without being too bulky or heavy. came with a nice case too.

Send salsa king a pm, he lives in notts and is into photography.

cuprajake

iTrader: (11)

It all depends what your taking pictures of.

A dslr is a great tool, but you'll soon find the limitations of the kit lens.

I use London camera exchange, as they have some real bargains on used stuff, my camera was near enough new when I got it.

I bought a Nikon d7000 for 400, then also a 35mm f1.8 lens for just over 130 New.

This gives me the ability to shoot in doors asw ell as out doors, and will give pictures as the eye sees the world, it's. Great walk around set up. Ob no good for the zoo etc.

The d7000 will be way more than enough and I bet there well down in price now as I bought it over a yr ago.

salsa-king

1100D is the old model,

you'd be better picking up a 2nd hand 500 or 550D at London Camera Exchange John

Tidgy

phil, this one?

http://www.lcegroup.co.uk/Used/Canon...-IS_98035.html

will they post them to other stores?

other thing is do i realy need the later model?

http://www.lcegroup.co.uk/Used/Canon...new_97327.html for £215 as new.



D700 is waaaaay over the budget, £400 +

Miller-SoT

iTrader: (2)

I'd go with a bridge camera, a cross between DSLR and compact.

I have spent thousands on DSLR stuff but always seem to grab my Canon Powershot SX50 for days out because it's so flexible and easy to use. Another plus is that it shoots RAW which is great for fixing under or over exposed images.

Phil.

ps
And the 50X optical zoom is fantastic.

Ant

Phil's spot on with advice go for a good second hand model instead of a new entry model

Tidgy

so,

550d no lens with body- £280

http://www.lcegroup.co.uk/Used/Canon...dy-_97472.html
http://www.lcegroup.co.uk/Used/Canon...-II_98063.html

500d body and lense - £250

http://www.lcegroup.co.uk/Used/Canon...-IS_98035.html

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

Lumix TZ60, down to £335 with £30 cashback as well.

18MP, 30x zoom, Leica lens, light, portable, easy to use but with full PAMS facilities and LOADS of stuff just like DSLR's.

I have the TZ40 and it takes 90% of my pics now, my other camera, a Nikon D300 with a £1500 lens on it is just too heavy to take everywhere.
The TZ40/60 goes in a Lowepro pouch on my belt.

Tidgy

cheers Al, i think im gonna go down the slr route.

Just to add one to the mix

http://www.lcegroup.co.uk/Used/Nikon...TS*_96803.html

r32

All depends what you want to do with it. Many people who buy a DSLR find it's too bulky to carry with them and they end up left in the cupboard, or sold on ebay.

A large sensor compact is ideal, great quality pictures, the normal compacts have tiny sensors so are limited.

Tidgy

size doesnt realy bother me tbh

r32

Your wife said the same..................

Tidgy

wife? what wife

Devildog

If you're not that into photography, then large sensor compact as r32 has suggested.

You won't use most of the features of the DSLR, and unless you're going to buy additional lenses for it then there is no real point in getting one rather than a good quality large sensor compact.

Up to a certain level, a DSLR is all about the lenses, not the body. And a really good lens will cost significantly more than your overall budget allows.

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

can't see the point in the larger sensor either tbh.
I'd rather have the longer zoom.

My bro in law has photos taken on a compact (an earlier Lumix with Leica lens) blown up to A3 and they are brilliant.

Tidgy: sell you my lightly used TZ40, make me an offer, I'd like to upgrade to the TZ60. Cost me £225 ten months ago, doubt it's taken more than 500 pictures.

http://www.photographyblog.com/revie...mc_tz40_review

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

I think in most cases a good compact will match a DSLR these days without the bulk.

Don't get me wrong, a DSLR is better, but ability to grab a almost pocket size camera and not have the bulk of carrying it around is always a win for me. A compact DSLR/DSLM gives the advantages of interchangeable lenses and most SLR features in a smaller package. The Sony NEX series and Panasonic GX, GM and GF series would be my choice if a compact point and shoot wasn't enough.

The only thing you'll miss is a "proper" viewfinder. Although some do have a virtual viewfinder which is handy when shooting in bright light.

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

Lumix TZ60........Got an evf, but £300.

r32

A larger sensor is the same as a larger negative size in a film camera. Means the image is not magnified as many times giving a better quality image.

Tidgy

keave it with me dude, i'll let ya know when i have a plan decided on lol

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

Agreed.......if you want poster sized prints, go for it.
At anything up to A3, small sensor is fine.

Ant

Tidgy, I'm selling mine. Check the for sale section

r32

The difference for a couple of hundred pounds extra at A3 is quite stunning. For many people the difference at A4 or a 10X8 is worth the extra.

The small compacts are fine for many people (I have one) and produce an acceptable image, but the poster did say he wanted a decent camera. There is a proliferation of relatively inexpensive small pocketable cameras with larger sensors.

Tidgy

i think photobucket chops them down size wise






i think he had had enough after that,,,


lol

Ant

Check your photobucket settings then it won't chop them down

EddScott

I know the OP is looking for a DSLR but I know I'd never use it properly.

Can anyone recommend a bridge camera? Something that will allow me to play around with the features but will also have a straight forward point and click option if I can't be bothered with the faff.

I want to be able to take photos where the center piece is in focus but the area around isn't - if you know what I mean. As you can see I'm not too photo-savvy

r32

You need a camera with a wide aperture F2 or faster (for a fixed lens), one where you can select aperture priority (or a manual mode) and you need to be able to select the focus point once again either by the focusing mode in the camera or manually.

Sony RX100 will do all of this, as will many others.

http://photographycourse.net/

Tidgy

gonna get a flickr account i think, better for photos so i understand.

EddScott

Thank you!

I have this camera http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panasonic_Lumix_DMC-FZ18

Which I think does do all that - I've just never really fiddled with it that much.