Camera recommendations please
Discussion
We do not currently possess a camera after the last point and shoot gave up. Wife's birthday coming up and shes keen for to improve the quality of pictures as we're just using our iPhones.
I think another point and shoot would be the sensible option but my eldest is studying GCSE photography so something that enables her would be useful.
Is a DSLR what I should be looking at? If not then any other suggestions?
I know next to nothing about photography, I've read a few articles but thought I would ask in here.
Any helpful direction gratefully received.
I think another point and shoot would be the sensible option but my eldest is studying GCSE photography so something that enables her would be useful.
Is a DSLR what I should be looking at? If not then any other suggestions?
I know next to nothing about photography, I've read a few articles but thought I would ask in here.
Any helpful direction gratefully received.
Sounds like a perfect case for a Compact System Camera - the size and usability of a compact camera with the image quality of a DSLR.
Don't be put off by the interchangeable lenses - you can just leave one fitted the whole time if you don't want to do anything fancy, but the option is there should you (or your eldest) ever want to.
Don't be put off by the interchangeable lenses - you can just leave one fitted the whole time if you don't want to do anything fancy, but the option is there should you (or your eldest) ever want to.
Go to a camera shop without your credit card but with your eldest. Handle a few cameras, see what she and you like.
Read a few camera magazines. Write to the editor specifying what you will use it for, and the needs of your eldest, impress them with your ignorance.
At the moment you seem to have little idea what you want. A decent quality compact for a hundred or so? Whilst they seem a bit naff, when I belonged to a camera club, the person who won most of the prizes had a rangefinder camera with a fixed 50mm lens.
Or there're bridge cameras, more complex, better flexibility, tremendous zoom ranges - a friend of mine has a Nikon bridge and regularly bring round pictures of the Moon. I mean if you've seen our Moon once . . .
Or there's DSLR. By far the most flexible, the most costly, the most technical. Buy a decent quality body and you'll never have to buy another, although you will of course.
It depends what you want. Buy quality of any type of camera and you'll be able to produce quality results, but not in all circumstances.
I have five cameras, which includes a compact. The quality of the image is good enough for an A4 page in a magazine. I carry it everywhere, not something I could do with a DSLR. But, of course, after getting used to a compact, you will want to upgrade. But you can keep the compact. Win, win.
No one can say what cameras would be best for you, not even you, given that you've not had one. So handle some cameras, seek advice, don't rush in and, if you are virginal, don't spend a lot of money on a camera that, once you've gained knowledge and experience, might not fit your needs.
That said, expensive DSLRs are great fun, you can learn in stages and you can buy lenses, accessories, etc, as and when you need them (or money is available).
Read a few camera magazines. Write to the editor specifying what you will use it for, and the needs of your eldest, impress them with your ignorance.
At the moment you seem to have little idea what you want. A decent quality compact for a hundred or so? Whilst they seem a bit naff, when I belonged to a camera club, the person who won most of the prizes had a rangefinder camera with a fixed 50mm lens.
Or there're bridge cameras, more complex, better flexibility, tremendous zoom ranges - a friend of mine has a Nikon bridge and regularly bring round pictures of the Moon. I mean if you've seen our Moon once . . .
Or there's DSLR. By far the most flexible, the most costly, the most technical. Buy a decent quality body and you'll never have to buy another, although you will of course.
It depends what you want. Buy quality of any type of camera and you'll be able to produce quality results, but not in all circumstances.
I have five cameras, which includes a compact. The quality of the image is good enough for an A4 page in a magazine. I carry it everywhere, not something I could do with a DSLR. But, of course, after getting used to a compact, you will want to upgrade. But you can keep the compact. Win, win.
No one can say what cameras would be best for you, not even you, given that you've not had one. So handle some cameras, seek advice, don't rush in and, if you are virginal, don't spend a lot of money on a camera that, once you've gained knowledge and experience, might not fit your needs.
That said, expensive DSLRs are great fun, you can learn in stages and you can buy lenses, accessories, etc, as and when you need them (or money is available).
Mr Will said:
Sounds like a perfect case for a Compact System Camera - the size and usability of a compact camera with the image quality of a DSLR.
Don't be put off by the interchangeable lenses - you can just leave one fitted the whole time if you don't want to do anything fancy, but the option is there should you (or your eldest) ever want to.
Sony A6000 is a great price at the moment!Don't be put off by the interchangeable lenses - you can just leave one fitted the whole time if you don't want to do anything fancy, but the option is there should you (or your eldest) ever want to.
looks like a compact, yet with DSLR qualities... and also able to upgrade and switch out the lenses later...
Origin Unknown said:
We do not currently possess a camera after the last point and shoot gave up. Wife's birthday coming up and shes keen for to improve the quality of pictures as we're just using our iPhones.
I think another point and shoot would be the sensible option but my eldest is studying GCSE photography so something that enables her would be useful.
I think there are two requirements here - a handy no-fuss camera for the grown-ups who it seems are not too bothered by 'stuff', and something more progressive that can be a learning tool for a student - for example something where they can discover, and control, the parameters. A compact and a DSLR would be my choices.I think another point and shoot would be the sensible option but my eldest is studying GCSE photography so something that enables her would be useful.
Sony A6000 mentioned previously is a very good call. Small and light so no big fuss about taking it with you, decent enough video and has manual modes so your youngster can learn as part of GCSE and has auto modes for the times when you just want to pick it up and shoot.
Well worth taking a wander along to a decent camera store and letting them try a few in their hands to see what they like the feel of to use.
Well worth taking a wander along to a decent camera store and letting them try a few in their hands to see what they like the feel of to use.
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