When does a snap become a photo??
Discussion
I was thinking of splashing out on a Nikon or Canon for my oh's Christmas present, particularly as we hope to do a safari holiday next year, and feel a good camera is a must. We currently use a Sony digital Cybershot and its fine for general pictures.
Is it possible that one of you with more advanced equipment could take the same picture with the sort of camera I have and also with a top of the range camera to illustrate the difference.
Whilst I am a complete numpty, he has some photographic knowledge having used a Nikon FE something or other, many years back with great results. I beg patience as I am trying to do this without his knowledge.
What I don't want to do is fork out several £0000 if there isn't going to be, to a layman, any discernible difference.
Appreciate any help.
Di
Is it possible that one of you with more advanced equipment could take the same picture with the sort of camera I have and also with a top of the range camera to illustrate the difference.
Whilst I am a complete numpty, he has some photographic knowledge having used a Nikon FE something or other, many years back with great results. I beg patience as I am trying to do this without his knowledge.
What I don't want to do is fork out several £0000 if there isn't going to be, to a layman, any discernible difference.
Appreciate any help.
Di
Bottom line: The reason why photos are so much better than snaps is the photographer. I have an excellent camera and don't achieve the results of the more talented members on here. But I'm learning and having fun so I'm happy.
However - equipment does make some pictures possible that are not with a compact.
For example: when on Safari you will be trying to get close to the wildlife. A good, long, zoom lens will make an enormous difference to the type of pictures you can take. There is a trade-off here, as well, as big zoom lenses not only cost £££ but they also weigh a lot and take up space in the camera bag.
Whatever equipment you get - get it WELL in advance of the trip. You will need time to learn how to use it.
However - equipment does make some pictures possible that are not with a compact.
For example: when on Safari you will be trying to get close to the wildlife. A good, long, zoom lens will make an enormous difference to the type of pictures you can take. There is a trade-off here, as well, as big zoom lenses not only cost £££ but they also weigh a lot and take up space in the camera bag.
Whatever equipment you get - get it WELL in advance of the trip. You will need time to learn how to use it.
lady topaz said:
What I don't want to do is fork out several £0000 if there isn't going to be, to a layman, any discernible difference.
If you are thinking of a few K a whonking zoom lens and a pro-level digital SLR are within budget. You may not want the weight or encumberance, though.For some a trip is an opportunity to take pictures - taking the pictures is the REASON for the trip. For others pictures are about helping you to remember the good memories of the trip - not an end in and of themselves.
A decision about why you are going
- is it take the best pictures you can
- is it to have a good time and take a few pictures along the way
HTH
Don said:
lady topaz said:
What I don't want to do is fork out several £0000 if there isn't going to be, to a layman, any discernible difference.
If you are thinking of a few K a whonking zoom lens and a pro-level digital SLR are within budget. You may not want the weight or encumberance, though.For some a trip is an opportunity to take pictures - taking the pictures is the REASON for the trip. For others pictures are about helping you to remember the good memories of the trip - not an end in and of themselves.
A decision about why you are going
- is it take the best pictures you can
- is it to have a good time and take a few pictures along the way
Not just for the sake of it though.
Another probably silly question, but would any of his old lenses fit or are the fittings entirely different these days?
Oh and thank you for the replies and advice.
Edited by lady topaz on Friday 30th October 16:46
Edited by lady topaz on Friday 30th October 16:47
lady topaz said:
Don said:
lady topaz said:
What I don't want to do is fork out several £0000 if there isn't going to be, to a layman, any discernible difference.
If you are thinking of a few K a whonking zoom lens and a pro-level digital SLR are within budget. You may not want the weight or encumberance, though.For some a trip is an opportunity to take pictures - taking the pictures is the REASON for the trip. For others pictures are about helping you to remember the good memories of the trip - not an end in and of themselves.
A decision about why you are going
- is it take the best pictures you can
- is it to have a good time and take a few pictures along the way
Not just for the sake of it though.
Another probably silly question, but would any of his old lenses fit or are the fittings entirely different these days?
Oh and thank you for the replies and advice.
You mentioned he had a Nikon. Nikon pride themselves on you still being able to use their old lenses on their new cameras. So the answer to "can he use his old lenses" is a qualified yes. However - you may wish to buy newer lenses for a number of reasons. Firstly is that although the basic fitting is compatible not all features of the lens may work with all cameras. Problematic is Auto-Focus. Modern lenses also come with "image stabilisation" for sharper hand held pictures in lower light. Nikon's version of this is called VR or Vibration Reduction. It's worth it, IMO.
If you change to a different brand of camera then no - chances are he won't be able to use his old lenses at all.
Choosing photographic equipment is all about trade-offs. Lightness vs durability, smaller number of zoom lenses with slightly poorer image quality vs larger number of prime (fixed level of magnification) lenses with better image quality. Pro build quality bodies at a higher cost vs semi-pro slightly less tough at lower cost.
I realise you'd love to make this a surprise. But perhaps you should involve hubby? See what his priorities are?
I'd be very happy to take some shots and post them up to show you the sorts of difference you can expect between my two zoom lenses if this will help you. Hopefully some of the actually talented guys on here can also advise.
If he had a Nikon FE then he probably knows his basic onions, and would have a good idea of what kit he would choose if buying new. So it might be better if you consulted with him a bit first - I know you lose the surprise element, but he'll get what he wants rather than what you think he might like. Alternatively you might be able to wangle a few bits of info by asking casual questions and hope he doesn't twig.
lady topaz said:
Is it possible that one of you with more advanced equipment could take the same picture with the sort of camera I have and also with a top of the range camera to illustrate the difference.
Di
Here are a couple of obvious candidates - I have no point and shoot equiv, but that's because it would have been almost impossible to get tha same results.Di
taken from 2"
taken from 20 yards and cropped (yet quality is still good)
Good luck
Steve
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Simpo Two said:
If he had a Nikon FE then he probably knows his basic onions, and would have a good idea of what kit he would choose if buying new. So it might be better if you consulted with him a bit first - I know you lose the surprise element, but he'll get what he wants rather than what you think he might like. Alternatively you might be able to wangle a few bits of info by asking casual questions and hope he doesn't twig.
I know what you mean John, and you are probably right. I really wanted to surprise him but would hate to fork out on the wrong kit. Any thoughts on something semi pro. He obviously doesn't need professional equipment, but I am sure he would appreciate advice on a good set up. I have lurked on here and googled various options, it seems a toss up between Canon and Nikon. To me thought the various options are very confusing.If he is interested in photography, then IMO he would make the most of an SLR. They are so much more versatile than compact cameras!
At the very least, with a Canon/Nikon SLR you will be able to hire a nice big zoom lens for the safari - and get some close-up lion portraits, etc. And the added quality of a big sensor will let you crop pictures to get even closer.
Only thing I'll say - I personally wouldn't want someone choosing a camera for me. Even if they knew what they were doing, everyone has their own preferences. I Googled for weeks and played with loads in shops before deciding on mine...
At the very least, with a Canon/Nikon SLR you will be able to hire a nice big zoom lens for the safari - and get some close-up lion portraits, etc. And the added quality of a big sensor will let you crop pictures to get even closer.
Only thing I'll say - I personally wouldn't want someone choosing a camera for me. Even if they knew what they were doing, everyone has their own preferences. I Googled for weeks and played with loads in shops before deciding on mine...
lady topaz said:
I really wanted to surprise him but would hate to fork out on the wrong kit. Any thoughts on something semi pro. He obviously doesn't need professional equipment, but I am sure he would appreciate advice on a good set up. I have lurked on here and googled various options, it seems a toss up between Canon and Nikon.
Righty-ho. Well I can't advise you on Canon and there's no budget but seeing as he and I are Nikon folk, here are my suggestions:Body: D90 or D300 (according to budget)
That's the easy bit. Now lenses. First, you have to decide whether to choose Nikon lenses, or buy an independent - Sigma have a good reputation. Both companies make cheap lenses and expensive lenses and you get what you pay for, though I'd have to say that Sigma are better 'value' if that's important. Staying with Nikon lenses for now, and with reference to this handy list www.warehouseexpress.com/category/basecategory.asp... :
Midrange zoom (this will probably by used for most shots):
18-105mm or 17-55mm f2.8 (according to budget - you can see a theme emerging here!)
Telephoto zoom - for those pesky lions and giraffes:
Good long telephotos get really expensive, so keeping things sensible for now:
70-300VR
You can choose Sigma equivalents if you wish to save a buck: www.warehouseexpress.com/category/basecategory.asp...
As you can see there are dozens of lenses for all sorts of tasks but I don't know what else he wants to do so can't advise. Areas include ultra-wide-angle, macro, fast primes, tilt-shift. But you can save that for the next round.
Other stuff you'll need:
Extra battery/s
Branded memory - Lexar or Sandisk
Decent bag to keep it all in
optional: Flashgun - I'd stay with Nikon for this.
These are just my suggestions, no doubt others will suggest other things based on their own expeiences.
Well that's my 4p spent; unfortunately it's going to cost you a lot more
That's a clever idea - you just give him the body (which is useless on its own), meaning he then has to buy his own lenses!
NB: Old lenses go to eBay - they will fit and work manually but things have moved on so much it's daft not to take advantage of modern lenses IMHO. A quick trawl shows FE bodies going for around £100.
NB: Old lenses go to eBay - they will fit and work manually but things have moved on so much it's daft not to take advantage of modern lenses IMHO. A quick trawl shows FE bodies going for around £100.
Edited by Simpo Two on Friday 30th October 20:42
Simpo Two said:
That's a clever idea - you just give him the body (which is useless on its own), meaning he then has to buy his own lenses!
NB: Old lenses go to eBay - they will fit and work manually but things have moved on so much it's daft not to take advantage of modern lenses IMHO. A quick trawl shows FE bodies going for around £100.
Will probably keep then for posterity, I know he still rambles on about his old camera. I will however report back here, hopefully with some pics when this conundrum is solved.NB: Old lenses go to eBay - they will fit and work manually but things have moved on so much it's daft not to take advantage of modern lenses IMHO. A quick trawl shows FE bodies going for around £100.
Edited by Simpo Two on Friday 30th October 20:42
Oh and thanks to those who said about hiring lenses, I will definitely get him to consider this option.
Hope to have some pictures to justify all this undercover work
Di
Edited by lady topaz on Friday 30th October 20:52
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