Which camera Should I buy?

[midgeman]

Hi guys,

Guess Im looking for help really.
I love photography, but hav'nt really ever done much with it.
My parents had (and still have but dont use) a cannon SLR. I like albums with photos but digital is so much easier now. We had a cheap kodak digital a few years ago but it was rubbish, mobiles started getting better, so I just use my phone for personal pics etc, its not bad, 8mp carl zeis nokia, its ok to just capture stuff but certainly cant produce art like photography.
However Iv been getting more into shows this year. I must have taken 200+ pics at goodwood supercar sunday alone. On my phone.

So, time to get a proper camera. what are people using? Broad question I know.

I'm looking for something reasonably priced but that can still produce high quality photos, without the need for doctoring later to get something quality looking.
Has to be fairly compact, though Its not a necessity, but I'd rather not look like a photographer at shows carrying loads of gear with the likelyhood of something getting bashed/broken. I'm not going pro with this just amateur.

It will be traveling around too, mainly on PH runs, in a kit car.

Id like DSLR but most seem to start high without any extra lens's etc, though 'normal' style digital cameras have always seemed 'budget' to me, probably popostorous these days with thechnology, its just the look I guess, so maybe someone convince me that a good, 'normal' style digital could be the way to go? I believe Sony do some good ones?
It seems from what Iv seen that most people 'serious' on their pics are using DSLR?

Anyway I open it up to you, looking for guidance. Thanks

[Dogsey]

First question has to be how much do you want to spend?

[midgeman]

Good question, Im not sure myself really. From what Iv seen Id probably be happy going up to/around £500. Would that be a reasonable amount?

Looking on Canons site at the 450, 500 and 550D at the moment.
Im really not fussed about video either, do most cameras have video function now as Id rather sacrifice this for better picture quality!?

[IanMorewood]

Go hold on to a few to see which suits your hand, I find low end Canon's to be way too small.

[Simpo Two]

£500 certainly gets you into DSLR-land, but you need to be sure that you want the extra complexity and learning curve that goes with these more capable machines.

[midgeman]

Definatly up for something more profesional and willing to learn, I enjoy photography just not been able to afford to get too serious really.

No idea where my nearest shop would be, dont know if we have a proper dedicated camera one on IOW other than currys type places but will have a flick through yellow pages as ID rather see and feel something.

Has anyone bought through ebay? Some prices look tempting for good looking cameras.

Edited by midgeman on Wednesday 24th November 19:23

[Gad-Westy]

Simpo Two said:

£500 certainly gets you into DSLR-land, but you need to be sure that you want the extra complexity and learning curve that goes with these more capable machines.

I think the beauty of most DSLR's is that they can do it all for you in auto mode until you know what you're doing and still produce great pictures in comparison to a compact.

The learning curve is steep but you can dip into it a bit at time with various levels of automation. I thought it would all be far more daunting than it is and I'm loving the learning curve. One negative with a DSLR though is that they are 'expandable' in terms of extra lenses, flash guns etc. This is great in many ways of course but it does entice you into spending extra money if when you get hooked. I'm learning this myself and the bank balance is taking a hammering but I'm loving it.

For £500, in terms of DSLR's, Sony seem to do some great cameras and entry level Canon and Nikons are in that range. Personally I'd keep an eye for a good s/h bundle. I noticed a D5000 with 18-55 Nikon Lens and 300mm Tamron zoom lens on ebay with bag, memory card and some filters. It only caught my eye because it's almost exactly the same kit I paid nearly £700 for a few months ago. The whole lot went for £479 and would have been all you'd ever need (though not necessarily all you'd ever want!).

Just my two penneth coming from a fellow beginner that is now benefiting from a little hindsight.

Edited by Gad-Westy on Wednesday 24th November 20:42

[midgeman]

Thanks for the advice there, its mind bogglign all the different kit there is, I dont know much about the sony or nikon range, interested to know more of nikons and how to work out the numbering system as to whats good and whats not so good.
I have been flicking back through some threads and seen mention of the different lens' including the tamron one, seems to be favoured.

[Gad-Westy]

midgeman said:

Thanks for the advice there, its mind bogglign all the different kit there is, I dont know much about the sony or nikon range, interested to know more of nikons and how to work out the numbering system as to whats good and whats not so good.
I have been flicking back through some threads and seen mention of the different lens' including the tamron one, seems to be favoured.

I wouldn't worry too much about lenses, just don't spend too much money on one to start with. I think it's hard to know what you'll want until you start playing around. If you can find a kit with something like an 18-130 mm lens or 18-200 mm lens (or two lenses that cover the same sort of range), you'll have wide angle and telephoto covered from the off and can work out exactly what you want over time.

[M@H]

Having read your requirement (and not all the posts since) I think there is a perfect little camera out there for you.. not quite a DSLR (but very close and has the same functions) but not a pocket compact either, and it will give you good results and is exactly on your budget.

I recommend the Canon Powershot G11.

Have a look on the web for reviews and example photos - I have a friend with one and she does some really good stuff with it http://www.flickr.com/photos/katherineowen/

Cheers,
Matt.

Edited by M@H on Wednesday 24th November 21:23

[XG332]

D5000 twin lens kits is a bargin at jessops.

[midgeman]

Thanks for feedback, some nice photo's there! Will look more into that.

Found out we have a Jessops on the island, found a few bundles including that one which look good
Would anyone rate this? http://www.jessops.com/online.store/products/78740...

[XG332]

midgeman said:

Thanks for feedback, some nice photo's there! Will look more into that.

Found out we have a Jessops on the island, found a few bundles including that one which look good
Would anyone rate this? http://www.jessops.com/online.store/products/78740...

Good camera, pretty good extra lens, very good card, very good lowepro bag. As for the camera, it is a great little package. My only bad point is that it is a tad small for my giant hands.

[M@H]

It looks like a good entry level kit, however you are immediately opposing your "rather not look like a photographer .. carrying loads of gear" idea !?! what do you really want, a nice camera you can bung in the car that is pretty portable and takes nice shots, or to get into the DSLR kit wielding world of upgrades, lens carrying, and the "what Model have you got" thing ? (and lack of room in the kit car I'll wager)

http://www.jessops.com/online.store/products/76503...

Edited by M@H on Wednesday 24th November 22:42

[midgeman]

Having looked at a few I think I'll step into DSLR world, Im happy carrying a camera, just seen a few guys this year that look like they are shooting for a magazine (maybe they were!?) you know, at least 2 bags, big camera, changing lens every 5 mins..

[Gad-Westy]

midgeman said:

Having looked at a few I think I'll step into DSLR world, Im happy carrying a camera, just seen a few guys this year that look like they are shooting for a magazine (maybe they were!?) you know, at least 2 bags, big camera, changing lens every 5 mins..

Just got this for my gear, and it fit's everything in other than a tripod. Still has the top section free for sticking a waterproof in or your sarnies.



Ok, it's not like carrying a compact in your pocket but to most people it's just a rucksack and as long as your camera and lenses etc don't weigh 9 tonnes, you'd be comfortable carrying that all day. Lowe Pro do some good ones as well. There are a few that are much smaller that will just fit a camera and couple of lenese if you want something less bulky.

Edited by Gad-Westy on Thursday 25th November 09:35

[midgeman]

I usually take a bag with me, sometimes left in the car, depends where we go so a lowe pro camera one wont make much difference.
I can see myself getting hooked though for now, camera, decent mermory card and a good lens or two to give a reasonable all round range would be fine. Some of the deals Jessops are doing look very tempting.

Is there much difference in mega pixels? Im looking for something as big as poss, the 12-14 mp seem cheaper buys but dont seem far off what you can get on a phone these days, is there a difference and is it really worth paying a bit more for more megapixels?

[Gad-Westy]

midgeman said:

I usually take a bag with me, sometimes left in the car, depends where we go so a lowe pro camera one wont make much difference.
I can see myself getting hooked though for now, camera, decent mermory card and a good lens or two to give a reasonable all round range would be fine. Some of the deals Jessops are doing look very tempting.

Is there much difference in mega pixels? Im looking for something as big as poss, the 12-14 mp seem cheaper buys but dont seem far off what you can get on a phone these days, is there a difference and is it really worth paying a bit more for more megapixels?

Somebody else will doubtless offer a more detailed answer but I would say this is a bit like supercar top speeds. At some point the actual number becomes meaningless as you won't fully utilise it and it's more about one upmanship. That's not quite always true, but is the case for most people I'd imagine.

There is an advantage in high numbers if you're going to blow pictures up to poster size or want to crop them down to a fraction of the original size and then blow that portion up for a print. But to put some context on that, a 1080P HD TV is about 6 mega pixels and they don't look too grainy even at 60".

Edited by Gad-Westy on Thursday 25th November 15:58

[midgeman]

Thanks, best way to sum up what im asking really, is it just meaningless and the 'oh well I have this model' thing or does it really help toward the picture quality?
Not planning on blowing any up (yet) as have no means of printing anything bigger than A4 so its purely a hobby at the moment though the main hobby will always be cars themselves.

[tinman0]

midgeman said:

Is there much difference in mega pixels? Im looking for something as big as poss, the 12-14 mp seem cheaper buys but dont seem far off what you can get on a phone these days, is there a difference and is it really worth paying a bit more for more megapixels?

There are some good deals on Canon 450D bundles at the moment. I think Argos on eBay of all places got listed last week. Also, there is an official Canon Refurb seller (proper Canon and not a 3rd party by the looks of it) on eBay as well.

Don't worry too much about megapixels when comparing DSLRs and phone cameras.

Megapixels is only a small part that is played in a capturing a decent image. For instance, the lens makes a huge difference - a camera phone with a lens the size of your small finger nail WILL not produce the images you get from a top spec lens from Canon or Nikon. In fact, you'd be hard pressed to find any lens on a DSLR that would be as bad as a camera phone or compact camera.

Another issue is the size of the sensor. A DSLR has a sensor about the size of a postage stamp, maybe a little bigger. Your camera phone or compact will again have a sensor that will be the size of a small finger nail at best. This means the DSLR will have its pixels spread much wider, and for whatever reason, that will produce a better image.

So don't get too hung up on megapixels.

At the end of the day, good pictures aren't measured in megapixels.

Best bit of advice in my opinion, is that once you have your new camera, get yourself on a composition photography course one evening. I went on one and learned more than I thought. Dunno if it's improved my pictures - everyone says they look good now - but it does give you something to think about when you look through the viewfinder.

Good luck!