Newbie coming to a 'posh camera'
Discussion
Morning chaps / ladies,
Currently my photography abilities are an Iphone 4 & a light amount of dabbling with a photo editing app on it!
I've recently been gifted some money from my parents for my birthday & i'm looking into getting a nice camera, to take photo's of my son, holidays & pretty much anything really!
I've always gone for the various compact offerings in the past from Canon / Fuji etc & they've never lasted longer than 12 months!
My brother currently has a Canon 600D with a posh fold-out screen.
I'd like a camera with HD video capabilites & a lens although i'm not going to really be taking photo's of stuff miles away so one of those peeping tom lenses won't be needed
!
I'm also bamboozled by memory cards / which is best etc?
Cases etc, i'd need one of those as i have a canny knack of breaking cameras.
Plus any tips on what to buy / what not to buy would be a great help!
I'd like to go new aswell not used!
I've been suggested a Canon 550D?
Many Thanks!
Sorry if this has been done to death, but the PH search function was down!
Currently my photography abilities are an Iphone 4 & a light amount of dabbling with a photo editing app on it!
I've recently been gifted some money from my parents for my birthday & i'm looking into getting a nice camera, to take photo's of my son, holidays & pretty much anything really!
I've always gone for the various compact offerings in the past from Canon / Fuji etc & they've never lasted longer than 12 months!
My brother currently has a Canon 600D with a posh fold-out screen.
I'd like a camera with HD video capabilites & a lens although i'm not going to really be taking photo's of stuff miles away so one of those peeping tom lenses won't be needed
!I'm also bamboozled by memory cards / which is best etc?
Cases etc, i'd need one of those as i have a canny knack of breaking cameras.
Plus any tips on what to buy / what not to buy would be a great help!
I'd like to go new aswell not used!
I've been suggested a Canon 550D?
Many Thanks!
Sorry if this has been done to death, but the PH search function was down!
General use would probably be, mainly of my boy, so indoors, birthdays, christmas etc, playing out in the garden, days out with him, that sort of thing.
Budget is as litle as possble (as is always the case) however i could probably stretch to £600 if it was really worth it.
I'd like to buy new, not used, unless it came from a reputable dealer with a decent warranty etc.
Video capabilities is a must though as it's the whole packge in one unit then.
Budget is as litle as possble (as is always the case) however i could probably stretch to £600 if it was really worth it.
I'd like to buy new, not used, unless it came from a reputable dealer with a decent warranty etc.
Video capabilities is a must though as it's the whole packge in one unit then.
Something like this new: http://www.digitalrev.com/product/canon-kiss-x5-18...
That would get you going, plus memory card, bag etc.
MPB Photographic are a good 2nd hand dealer (not used them personally).
That would get you going, plus memory card, bag etc.
MPB Photographic are a good 2nd hand dealer (not used them personally).
I don't think the OP needs an SLR, or even a bridge camera TBH - for what he wants to take a compact or even a good phone camera is going to be perfectly adequate. If he wants to get into "serious" photography then yes, but otherwise he'll be spending money on buying a lot of features he won't ever need.
Mattt said:
Maybe, but dSLRs are probably overkill for a good 90%+ of amateurs.
I often don't need thing things I buy, but man maths always wins.
The problem with the compacts i've had is that i always seem to break them, or they always seem to die after about 12 months of usage!I often don't need thing things I buy, but man maths always wins.
Yes an SLR is probably an overkill, but i have spare cash that i don't need for anything else & man maths means i can now afford one
lawrence567 said:
The problem with the compacts i've had is that i always seem to break them, or they always seem to die after about 12 months of usage!
SLR's are alot easier to break, so by that logic it's worth avoiding.I think ultimately it boils down to whether or not you've got enough of an interest in photography to put the time in to learn how to use an SLR properly. If you have and the money is spare then crack on. If you haven't then don't bother - get a decent compact as the results you'll get shooting auto on an SLR will be virtually the same.
tenohfive said:
SLR's are alot easier to break, so by that logic it's worth avoiding.
I think ultimately it boils down to whether or not you've got enough of an interest in photography to put the time in to learn how to use an SLR properly. If you have and the money is spare then crack on. If you haven't then don't bother - get a decent compact as the results you'll get shooting auto on an SLR will be virtually the same.
The compacts stopped working due to a number of instances, 1 being getting hit by a car whilst in my pocket, the next was dropped whilst intoxicated, the next brokem whilst intoxicated & the Fuji i had, just stopped working all on it's own & that was the one i looked after mostly. The money is 'spare' & i i'm willing to put the effort in to get a better result.I think ultimately it boils down to whether or not you've got enough of an interest in photography to put the time in to learn how to use an SLR properly. If you have and the money is spare then crack on. If you haven't then don't bother - get a decent compact as the results you'll get shooting auto on an SLR will be virtually the same.
I would def recommend a DSLR if you have a family and want to photograph your kids. They take a photo so fast you never miss the moment and you can hold the button down and it keeps taking photos. Later you can delete all the rubbish ones.
Flash is much better too so taking photos inside are great.
Compact cameras always have a 0.5 - 1 second delay which is a pain.
Major downside of the DSLR is that they're bulky. I've got the base Canon S1000d and cannot recommend it highy enough.
Flash is much better too so taking photos inside are great.
Compact cameras always have a 0.5 - 1 second delay which is a pain.
Major downside of the DSLR is that they're bulky. I've got the base Canon S1000d and cannot recommend it highy enough.
CommanderJameson said:
Fuji X100.
Looks great, takes great pictures, reassuringly expensive. Small and unobtrusive for excellent candids and family shots.
+1 Great, if you don't want the bulk of a DSLR. It really is a "photographer's camera" though with the fixed lens and complex menus, I don't think most people would appreciate its capabilities. Looks great, takes great pictures, reassuringly expensive. Small and unobtrusive for excellent candids and family shots.
CommanderJameson said:
That's what phones are for, tbh. They're more than good enough for drinking photos.
Ok, maybe i need to clarify, the SLR isn't going to be taken out for going on the raz, that's what my phone is for & for videos when messing about with friends.The SLR is going to be bought so i can learn how to take some nice photo's of my boy growing up, family birthdays, holidays etc, maybe some product images at work, i'd like to be able to take videos aswell so HD video & good quality is a must.
I'd like a general use lens & would like to know what the ideal proection for it (bag & what the best memory card type /size would be).
I have cash burning a hole in my pocket, wanting one, man maths says i can afford it as the cash is spare, i also like gadgets & tech & i'm willing to learn, is the Canon 1100D going to be sufficent or would you suggest going for something better?
lawrence567 said:
The SLR is going to be bought so i can learn how to take some nice photo's of my boy growing up, family birthdays, holidays etc, maybe some product images at work, i'd like to be able to take videos aswell so HD video & good quality is a must.
I'd like a general use lens & would like to know what the ideal proection for it (bag & what the best memory card type /size would be).
I have cash burning a hole in my pocket, wanting one, man maths says i can afford it as the cash is spare, i also like gadgets & tech & i'm willing to learn, is the Canon 1100D going to be sufficent or would you suggest going for something better?
I have about £10Ks worth of DSLRs and lenses, most photos of my son are taken with my iPhone because the best camera is the one you have with you. If it's his birthday party I want to be part of the party, I'll occasionally take my phone out of my pocket and take a snap, then get back to joining in. You can't really get good photos on a DLSR without being the guy who's always behind the camera. I'd like a general use lens & would like to know what the ideal proection for it (bag & what the best memory card type /size would be).
I have cash burning a hole in my pocket, wanting one, man maths says i can afford it as the cash is spare, i also like gadgets & tech & i'm willing to learn, is the Canon 1100D going to be sufficent or would you suggest going for something better?
If you want a posh camera that won't break and have £600 then check out: http://www.simplyelectronics.net/mainproduct.php?p...
(It's much better built than the Panasonic equiv)
(It's much better built than the Panasonic equiv)
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