Digital Camera Advice (I Know Nothing)
Discussion
Hi,
I currently have a digital camera (cost about 150 quid), but my other half keeps moaning that it takes too long to focus etc before taking the picture (I know this myself from trying to use it at track days - the car is long gone and you end up with a picture of some tarmac). Basically, she is trying to take snaps of my twins, who relentlessly run round like their hair is on fire and never sit still.
So, what do I get? Would some kind of SLR camera allow me to take instant snaps? How hard are they to use and do you have any recommendations. I have 500 or so pounds to spend...
Thanks
-P
I currently have a digital camera (cost about 150 quid), but my other half keeps moaning that it takes too long to focus etc before taking the picture (I know this myself from trying to use it at track days - the car is long gone and you end up with a picture of some tarmac). Basically, she is trying to take snaps of my twins, who relentlessly run round like their hair is on fire and never sit still.
So, what do I get? Would some kind of SLR camera allow me to take instant snaps? How hard are they to use and do you have any recommendations. I have 500 or so pounds to spend...
Thanks
-P
Any SLR will allow you to take 'instant' pics.
They have automatic modes so no problem to use if you want to keep it simple.
Most guys on here use Canon or Nikon, both are good. For example your £500 would get you a Canon 550D + kit lens which would be a good start. Allow a bit more for a memory card and a card reader but they're not expensive.
They have automatic modes so no problem to use if you want to keep it simple.
Most guys on here use Canon or Nikon, both are good. For example your £500 would get you a Canon 550D + kit lens which would be a good start. Allow a bit more for a memory card and a card reader but they're not expensive.
Simpo Two said:
paulmoonraker said:
I know this myself from trying to use it at track days - the car is long gone and you end up with a picture of some tarmac
If you buy a DSLR you will still end up with a picture of some tarmac, only it will be sharp. You need to keep it pointing it at the car Anyway, so I need an SLR right?
Thanks for the help...
An SLR will be much more versatile than your point and shoot, so should tick your boxes. Bear in mind that the lens that comes with the camera (if you buy a kit) will be great for pics of the kids, but might not be all that for motorsport. You might then start looking for a telephoto lens, tripod, bigger bag... 
They (Cannon) make good cookers apparently 
I think Canon DSLR's are best value for money because you get a bog choice of lens manufacturers, they're usually at the forefront of technology and Nikon's a bit more of a brand and therefore slightly more expensive.
The lens is often more expensive than the actual camera, so get any body 300D/350D/400D/450D etc and a standard lens, perfect for taking pictures of the children, and save the extra money to buy a longer lens for motorsport.
I think Canon DSLR's are best value for money because you get a bog choice of lens manufacturers, they're usually at the forefront of technology and Nikon's a bit more of a brand and therefore slightly more expensive.
The lens is often more expensive than the actual camera, so get any body 300D/350D/400D/450D etc and a standard lens, perfect for taking pictures of the children, and save the extra money to buy a longer lens for motorsport.
-Pete- said:
They (Cannon) make good cookers apparently
I think Canon DSLR's are best value for money because you get a bog choice of lens manufacturers, they're usually at the forefront of technology and Nikon's a bit more of a brand and therefore slightly more expensive.
The lens is often more expensive than the actual camera, so get any body 300D/350D/400D/450D etc and a standard lens, perfect for taking pictures of the children, and save the extra money to buy a longer lens for motorsport.
I think Canon DSLR's are best value for money because you get a bog choice of lens manufacturers, they're usually at the forefront of technology and Nikon's a bit more of a brand and therefore slightly more expensive.
The lens is often more expensive than the actual camera, so get any body 300D/350D/400D/450D etc and a standard lens, perfect for taking pictures of the children, and save the extra money to buy a longer lens for motorsport.
I turn up home with some white goods, bewildered by my other halfs confusion... I will pop to to the camera shoppie tomorrow...
thanks fellow PH'ers for the help... paulmoonraker said:
I turn up home with some white goods, bewildered by my other halfs confusion... I will pop to to the camera shoppie tomorrow...
thanks fellow PH'ers for the help... Both have access to a vast array of lenses and accessories (at differing price-points) so if you want to build a multi-thousand pound motorsports photography setup you can take it one step at a time
One point that may help decide which camera body: see how many shots the camera will take in a 'burst' - this will allow you to take a number of shots in quick succession which can a useful tool for motorsports photography.
(E.g. The Canon 550D (according to wikipedia
) will take 3.7 shots per second - up to 34 shots in JPEG mode, or 6 shots in RAW mode.)FWIW ...
Mrs. LQ has, over the years and without being a technically proficient photographer, gathered a pretty decent collection of snaps of the kids (now no longer kids) and their friends. These snaps are not necessarily especially interesting photographically but they record their lives.
She has always insisted on the subjects 'posing' and taken time ove r the shot = to the point of people becoming rether reluctant to stick around it they see here wielding a camera.
I, on the other hand, tend to take opportunity shots.
I like to think that my few successful opportunity shots are more interesting but have to admit that her usable volumes across the ages are far greater 'if you like that kind of thing'.
The secret, therefore, seems to be to control the kids. The camera comes a distant second.
For motorsport parallel analogies .... shoot the pro-series (or the budding pros) and you know where they will be on track most of the time when they pass you. The others might be anywhere ...
HTH.
Mrs. LQ has, over the years and without being a technically proficient photographer, gathered a pretty decent collection of snaps of the kids (now no longer kids) and their friends. These snaps are not necessarily especially interesting photographically but they record their lives.
She has always insisted on the subjects 'posing' and taken time ove r the shot = to the point of people becoming rether reluctant to stick around it they see here wielding a camera.
I, on the other hand, tend to take opportunity shots.
I like to think that my few successful opportunity shots are more interesting but have to admit that her usable volumes across the ages are far greater 'if you like that kind of thing'.
The secret, therefore, seems to be to control the kids. The camera comes a distant second.
For motorsport parallel analogies .... shoot the pro-series (or the budding pros) and you know where they will be on track most of the time when they pass you. The others might be anywhere ...
HTH.
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