New camera - no idea what ... ?
Discussion
Dear all,
I apologise in advance for my numptyism with regards to all things cameras.
We currently have a Canon Ixus V - a few years old, but is ok for general day to day stuff.
Mrs. K now wants a much better camera, to take a lot of very high quality close-up pics.
We've seen the Panasonic advertised on TV - and the FZ30 seems to fit the bill ( www.panasonic.co.uk/digital-cameras/dmcfz30bb/index.htm ). The only problem is that its not out until September.
I've had a read thru this forum - hoping that someone has asked a similiar question - but I don't think they have.
We're after a digital SLR-type camera, to take close-up and high res pics - budget up to about the £500 mark. Quite happy to consider a 2nd hand camera if it's exceptional (for example a £1k camera new).
We've seen some of the absolutely stunning shots posted on here - the tits, robin, and many floral - and that's exactly the kind of thing we're after.
Not fussed about storage media format - SD card, microdrive, CD/DVD, etc ....
Also useful if it had additional lenses that can be fitted.
I'd be grateful for any pointers, help or advice whatsoever - including websites or magazines.
Would hope to buy one in the next few weeks.
Many thanks in advance,
Numpty K
>> Edited by Kinky on Saturday 23 July 21:02
I apologise in advance for my numptyism with regards to all things cameras.
We currently have a Canon Ixus V - a few years old, but is ok for general day to day stuff.
Mrs. K now wants a much better camera, to take a lot of very high quality close-up pics.
We've seen the Panasonic advertised on TV - and the FZ30 seems to fit the bill ( www.panasonic.co.uk/digital-cameras/dmcfz30bb/index.htm ). The only problem is that its not out until September.
I've had a read thru this forum - hoping that someone has asked a similiar question - but I don't think they have.
We're after a digital SLR-type camera, to take close-up and high res pics - budget up to about the £500 mark. Quite happy to consider a 2nd hand camera if it's exceptional (for example a £1k camera new).
We've seen some of the absolutely stunning shots posted on here - the tits, robin, and many floral - and that's exactly the kind of thing we're after.
Not fussed about storage media format - SD card, microdrive, CD/DVD, etc ....
Also useful if it had additional lenses that can be fitted.
I'd be grateful for any pointers, help or advice whatsoever - including websites or magazines.
Would hope to buy one in the next few weeks.
Many thanks in advance,
Numpty K
>> Edited by Kinky on Saturday 23 July 21:02
What Simpo says
plus
Stick to Nikon or Canon you won't go wrong. I know Nikons so can recommend D50 or if you can stretch to D70s.
You can build up lenses as you need them and then upgrade the body every few years. However...
We are now getting to the point with DSLRs that unless you want to print bigger than A4 you may never need to upgrade.
Unless you are a sad git like me.
Steve
plus
Stick to Nikon or Canon you won't go wrong. I know Nikons so can recommend D50 or if you can stretch to D70s.
You can build up lenses as you need them and then upgrade the body every few years. However...
We are now getting to the point with DSLRs that unless you want to print bigger than A4 you may never need to upgrade.
Unless you are a sad git like me.
Steve
Many many thanks for the responses.
Looking at the various threads the general concensus seems to be the D70.
I had seen the thread posted above - but discounted it as it was referring 3xzoom, but it looks like I misunderstand something.
I'll do some digging and shopping around, so many thanks again.
K
Looking at the various threads the general concensus seems to be the D70.
I had seen the thread posted above - but discounted it as it was referring 3xzoom, but it looks like I misunderstand something.
I'll do some digging and shopping around, so many thanks again.
K
Well, I popped into deepest Basingstoke at lunchtime today, so see what Link and Jessops had to offer.
Spoke to a nice knowledgeable guy in Link, and he told me about the D50. Had a bit of a chat - and they have an offer of the D50, 18-55mm lens, and a 512mb card for £599.
Jessops were tied up with the photo processing side of things - so did not speak to anyone. But they did have a D50 on display ..... for £599, with similair lens - but no storage card.
Looked on fleabay to get an idea of new and used prices.
Not much 2ndhand stuff around, but lots or new stuff from Hong Kong, etc - which I won't touch with a bargepole. For a spend like this - I'm a touchie-feelie kinda guy - so prefer to deal face to face (or from someone I trust).
So now, I'm thinking the D50 may be the way to go.
However - been reading the various 'dust' threads, and am wondering if I might be better with a 'fixed-lens' SLR-style camera.
Choices, choices, choices ......
>> Edited by Kinky on Monday 25th July 16:44
Spoke to a nice knowledgeable guy in Link, and he told me about the D50. Had a bit of a chat - and they have an offer of the D50, 18-55mm lens, and a 512mb card for £599.
Jessops were tied up with the photo processing side of things - so did not speak to anyone. But they did have a D50 on display ..... for £599, with similair lens - but no storage card.
Looked on fleabay to get an idea of new and used prices.
Not much 2ndhand stuff around, but lots or new stuff from Hong Kong, etc - which I won't touch with a bargepole. For a spend like this - I'm a touchie-feelie kinda guy - so prefer to deal face to face (or from someone I trust).
So now, I'm thinking the D50 may be the way to go.
However - been reading the various 'dust' threads, and am wondering if I might be better with a 'fixed-lens' SLR-style camera.
Choices, choices, choices ......
>> Edited by Kinky on Monday 25th July 16:44
simpo two said:
Dave, prepare a certificate!
Just need the email address
Kinky said:
However - been reading the various 'dust' threads, and am wondering if I might be better with a 'fixed-lens' SLR-style camera.
It's no big deal, if your carefull and have PS or something like that.
HTH
Dave
Kinky said:
I had seen the thread posted above - but discounted it as it was referring 3xzoom, but it looks like I misunderstand something.
K
As a point of reference then, I got the 300d with what I think is the standard 18-55 lens.
This lens has about the same zoom capacity as my CoolPix 3x optical zoom.
I'm still playing with the camera but I'll happily post something unmolested up here from the weekend if its any use.
BTW. Have a look at the thread re kit from Hong Kong. I did wonder about this but just didn't have the bottle to buy anything. Might have thought otherwise if I'd seen this earlier.
Kinky said:
Spoke to a nice knowledgeable guy in Link
Would that be the big guy with the beard - Dave ?
The not quite as big guy without a beard - Little Dave ?
Tall, thin guy - Ian ?
Or one of the younger chaps ?
They're all helpful and knowledgable.
As I'm Simpo's evil twin (and V6GTO is on holiday) so I recommend you look at a Canon EOS 350. It'll be better quality, more reliable and easier to use as all Canons are !
We've just had a very experienced and gold medal winning photographer in the GEMS club switch from his old 35mm Pentax over to Canon (the dark sdie). He is independant of spirit and made his choice after carefully examining the options available with the emphasis on quality of image. Please do have a look at the Canon option. Link will have them available for you to try side by side with the Nikon so you can see which feels better in your hand and is easier to operate.
te51cle said:
Or one of the younger chaps ?
They're all helpful and knowledgable.
Indeed a young chappie - very knowledgeable, friendly and easy to talk to. It was quite clear he knew his stuff - the only thing was that he barely looked me in the eye - but it was a confidence thing as opposed to a [lack of] knowledge thing.
I popped back into Jessops again later in the afternoon - and again - even though the shop was empty - no assistants were on hand for me to ask questions.
I spent a few mins looking at the displays and the 'Summer' catalogue - but no-one apporached.
So, should I buy from a dealer I can tell you who it won't be - who it certainly would be.
K
Minor update ....
Been reading many forums and mags and discussed with many people, read all the threads on here, and I'm still none the wiser.
I had kind of mentally decided to go with the Dimage A200 - as it had a fixed lens, with additional lens' available to bolt-on.
So ...... I popped in Jessops again, just to compare prices, and now they are running an offer of "Buy now and Pay Summer 2006".
Which means that if I took that offer - I could buy a REAL camera, and an extra lens or 2, then save up the extra cash (£20 a month) and pay in full next Summer.
So now I think at the end of the day, I'm down to either the Nikon D50 or D70S or the Canon 350D.
I must confess I much prefer the feel of the Canon, and the viewfinder seems brighter.
So that's where I am at the moment. Updates as and when.
In fact .... are thera any Nikon/Canon owners in the Ascot locale?
Many thanks in advance,
K
Edited to add: I spoke to a very very friendly and helpful chappie in Jessops - he reminded me of Paddy Hopkirk for some reason. Could not put my finger on why! So they have gone up in my estimation.
>> Edited by Kinky on Friday 29th July 14:40
Been reading many forums and mags and discussed with many people, read all the threads on here, and I'm still none the wiser.
I had kind of mentally decided to go with the Dimage A200 - as it had a fixed lens, with additional lens' available to bolt-on.
So ...... I popped in Jessops again, just to compare prices, and now they are running an offer of "Buy now and Pay Summer 2006".
Which means that if I took that offer - I could buy a REAL camera, and an extra lens or 2, then save up the extra cash (£20 a month) and pay in full next Summer.
So now I think at the end of the day, I'm down to either the Nikon D50 or D70S or the Canon 350D.
I must confess I much prefer the feel of the Canon, and the viewfinder seems brighter.
So that's where I am at the moment. Updates as and when.
In fact .... are thera any Nikon/Canon owners in the Ascot locale?
Many thanks in advance,
K
Edited to add: I spoke to a very very friendly and helpful chappie in Jessops - he reminded me of Paddy Hopkirk for some reason. Could not put my finger on why! So they have gone up in my estimation.
>> Edited by Kinky on Friday 29th July 14:40
Kinky said:
I must confess I much prefer the feel of the Canon, and the viewfinder seems brighter.
Sounds like you are close to a decision... Albeit the wrong one, everyone with half a brain knows Nikon is best.
Do it, you wont regret it, and in a few months time when it's paid for you wont think twice about what you spent.
Kinky said:
So now I think at the end of the day, I'm down to either the Nikon D50 or D70S or the Canon 350D.
I must confess I much prefer the feel of the Canon, and the viewfinder seems brighter.
So that's where I am at the moment. Updates as and when.
In fact .... are thera any Nikon/Canon owners in the Ascot locale?
Mate. I have a Nikon D70 (original) and absolutely LOVE it. If you want to buy me a pint and try handling the D70 one lunchtime e-mail me. I'm away for the weekend at the moment but when I get back I'll be picking up 'mail.
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