A camera for a beginner
Discussion
Hi James
I guess you're into cars - so it depends if you go to tracks/races as to whether an SLR is the way to go or not. If you get an SLR you can put telephoto lenses on it to get close to the action. A compact (although they try) is nowhere near as good. But they are a lot cheaper.
Most important - What's you budget?
I guess you're into cars - so it depends if you go to tracks/races as to whether an SLR is the way to go or not. If you get an SLR you can put telephoto lenses on it to get close to the action. A compact (although they try) is nowhere near as good. But they are a lot cheaper.
Most important - What's you budget?
Don't forget if you are starting from scratch you need to factor in a couple of lenses as well.
There are some decent compacts that have full manual modes that can be good to "learn the ropes" - this is what I am doing at the moment.
I have a Canon S80 which is excellent - my brother bought the new version of it (S90?) which is even better.
There are some decent compacts that have full manual modes that can be good to "learn the ropes" - this is what I am doing at the moment.
I have a Canon S80 which is excellent - my brother bought the new version of it (S90?) which is even better.
Hi again - well DSLR's are not an option for that price (but film SLR's are). I saw last week that the Olympus 400 was the best digital compact for under £200 (less than £150 to buy actually) in 'What Digital Camera' mag.
If you are buying new, I guess these are the people to believe.
Good luck, have fun.
Steve
If you are buying new, I guess these are the people to believe.
Good luck, have fun.
Steve
I've got a little Nikon Coolpixs, can't remember which number. It's a good little camera for outdoor shots, the quality indoor with the flash is pretty consistent with this type of camera. Don't try and take pictures of moving cars though - the shutter delay will lead to many many pictures of empty tarmac!!!
For a starter camera capable of producing good results I'd recommend you test drive the Fuji Finepix F10, its down around £150 nowadays at Pixmania etc. Its really strong point is that it has very little noise for a compact which makes it good for social occasions as well as more creative photography, the sort of machine you'd keep around even when you graduate to an SLR.
Autonotiv said:
so i can get any camera that has a card, and get one of the card connectors???
You just need something like this You can find cheaper ones, but that gives you an idea of what they look like. PC World and Jessops will do them too.
If you want to get a good idea of what cameras are available at your sort of price range, then check out www.warehouseexpress.com - they've got a large selection and plenty of info about them. Good service too, and pretty good prices.
Auto, fujifilm is a make - the same as Nikon or Olympus.
The suggestions that are being made are all digital cameras. (In this day and age, only dinosaurs like me still use film).
Compacts are what you are having recommended to you. With these, you look through a separate viewfinder, usually with a little graphic inside it to show you what the actual lens will see.
SLR's are camera where you actually view what the lens itself sees. (This does mean that you don't see the actualy instance where the photo is taken as the mirror moves to allow light to the film (or sensor) instead of to your eye).
What you need to understand are the differences between automatic and manual cameras.
If you use manual settings, you will be able to change the speed at which the shutter opens and closes (blurring movement in the actual photograph); you can also change the aperture settings which will allow you to change the depth of field of the photo - that's the parts that are in focus as opposed to a blurred background. Basically ... you're looking to control how much and over what period of time the light enters the camera.
I don't know if I'm talking down to you here - that's certainly not my intent - it's just that there are some strange questions being asked above.
I started playing with cameras when I was about 13 with an old, fully manual (and bloody heavy) russian built zenith. I think this is a great way to learn because what you put in directly affects what you get out.
Pop down to your local camera exchange (pick a quiet time) and talk to the guys about something like a second hand olympus that's got full manual as well as automatic functions.
That way you can instantly get pretty good 'point and press' photos while still be able to play around to your heart's content at the more 'arty' manual stuff.
The suggestions that are being made are all digital cameras. (In this day and age, only dinosaurs like me still use film).
Compacts are what you are having recommended to you. With these, you look through a separate viewfinder, usually with a little graphic inside it to show you what the actual lens will see.
SLR's are camera where you actually view what the lens itself sees. (This does mean that you don't see the actualy instance where the photo is taken as the mirror moves to allow light to the film (or sensor) instead of to your eye).
What you need to understand are the differences between automatic and manual cameras.
If you use manual settings, you will be able to change the speed at which the shutter opens and closes (blurring movement in the actual photograph); you can also change the aperture settings which will allow you to change the depth of field of the photo - that's the parts that are in focus as opposed to a blurred background. Basically ... you're looking to control how much and over what period of time the light enters the camera.
I don't know if I'm talking down to you here - that's certainly not my intent - it's just that there are some strange questions being asked above.
I started playing with cameras when I was about 13 with an old, fully manual (and bloody heavy) russian built zenith. I think this is a great way to learn because what you put in directly affects what you get out.
Pop down to your local camera exchange (pick a quiet time) and talk to the guys about something like a second hand olympus that's got full manual as well as automatic functions.
That way you can instantly get pretty good 'point and press' photos while still be able to play around to your heart's content at the more 'arty' manual stuff.
If you want a decent, cheap digi camera, visit your local Jessops, they all do a good line of used equipment, they dont buy it in, if it dont work, so your getting a good bargain there.
For example, if I traded in my Canon 350D for a newer model, they would give me rock bottom price for a perfectly good camera, so why not give them a try, they are usually good for advice as well.
Good luck, photography is fun.
For example, if I traded in my Canon 350D for a newer model, they would give me rock bottom price for a perfectly good camera, so why not give them a try, they are usually good for advice as well.
Good luck, photography is fun.
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