Camera questions?

[Mr E]

Hello chaps and chapesses.

Think of the General Gassing forums and the "what car" threads.
This one is like that, but with cameras.

I need a new camera. I've had a digi point and shoot, and it was fine for what it was. However, I've outgrown it and got frustrated with the lack of control. Also, I find myself playing increasingly with low light conditions, and your average digicam tiny lens just can't cope.

I'm not too bothered about megapixels, I want a good quality lens and decent fast CCD (motorsport shots are bloody hard if the shutter is on a 2 second delay). I'd also like a decent optical zoom.

Features like fast sequential shots etc would be useful, but not essential.

I don't think I'm quite ready for a digital SLR yet, on the grounds of talent, cost, and not wanting to have to carry a bag full of kit everywhere.

So I'm thinking halfway house here, something along the lines of;
www.jessops.com/Store/s34671/0/Digital-Compact-Cameras/Panasonic/LUMIX-DMC-FZ7-(Black)-/details.aspx?&IsSearch=y&pageindex=1&CatId=236&comp=y
www.jessops.com/Store/s35452/0/Digital-Compact-Cameras/Sony/Cyber-Shot-H5-(Black)/details.aspx?&IsSearch=y&pageindex=1&CatId=236&comp=y

These any good? Am I being an idiot, and should I just bite the bullet and buy a decent digi SLR + one general purpose lens?

[gregorio!]

Mr E said:

Am I being an idiot, and should I just bite the bullet and buy a decent digi SLR + one general purpose lens?

I don't think you'd be happy without the lens swappability when shooting motorsport to be honest.

I considered a lumix fixed lens slr for a while, then decided it was worth spending a little bit more to get a DSLR. I'm so glad i did. The kit lens works great, but after a while i wanted to try getting some closer motorsport shots, and this required a telephoto lens.

[Marc W]

If you're doing motorsport shots, I'd recomend getting a DSLR, as the flexibility of having different lenses really helps. The EOS 350D is a good camera and as it has just been replaced by the 400D you could probably get a good deal. Both of the cameras you mention would have quite a good reach on the zoom, but if you're budget can stretch a DLSR is the best option for motorsports.

Edited by Marc W on Monday 15th January 11:56

Edited by Marc W on Monday 15th January 11:58

[jwyatt]

If you want to take the shot as soon as you press the shutter, and take fast sequential shots, you need a DSLR! Those are some of the key advantages over compacts. For the sort of photography you do, it's a no-brainer!

[trixr4kidz]

I would agree. Having recently made the jump to DSLR I would advise going for one straight away. I started on a point and shoot but soon wanted to try things the camera wasn't capable of. My DSLR can be used in full auto mode as a point and shoot if you want that, but once you get bored with that at least you can experiment a bit.
As previously mentioned the ability to change the lenses is a good enough reason on it's own.

[monkeyhanger]

Mr E said:

I need a new camera. I've had a digi point and shoot, and it was fine for what it was. However, I've outgrown it and got frustrated with the lack of control. Also, I find myself playing increasingly with low light conditions, and your average digicam tiny lens just can't cope.

Even though the latest P&S Digicams are totally diferent to the old models, eventually you'll be just as frustrated, particularly for Motorsport. A DSLR is the only way to go if you want to learn anything.

Be warned though, it's an expensive hobby

Edited by monkeyhanger on Monday 15th January 15:54

[Mr E]

monkeyhanger said:

Be warned though, it's an expensive hobby

As long as it's cheaper than modifying cars, I'm cool....



So, something along these lines might be in order...
www.pixmania.co.uk/uk/uk/512746/art/nikon/d40-black-af-s-dx-18-55-m.html?itag=9698

[cossiemetro]

i've just got a sony h5 does everything i need and you can add lens to it without all the bulk of a big telephoto it vieos aswell which is a plus

[ahockley]

I had a similar dilemma - see here - thanks to all who helped.

I've just bought a D40 and love it - its a cracking bit of kit; plenty of stuff to confuse me, but the results are worth it! When I get some time I'll post some of my attempts. Worth checking the internet for prices too - I paid £70 under rrp.

[Mr E]

Thanks chaps - sage advice much appreciated

[TheKeyboardDemon]

Mr E said:

monkeyhanger said:

Be warned though, it's an expensive hobby

As long as it's cheaper than modifying cars, I'm cool....



So, something along these lines might be in order...
www.pixmania.co.uk/uk/uk/512746/art/nikon/d40-black-af-s-dx-18-55-m.html?itag=9698

I used to work with some of the early Nikon DSLR cameras, and while the results were great I found that the cameras weren't as intuitive to use as the Canon DSLRs cameras, which had all the relevant controls laid out in a much more user friendly manner IMHO. I also prefer the Canon lenses as these give sharper focus to the very edge of the frame.

I would suggest you get a good mid range Canon body such as the 350D or 400D mentioned above and then go all out and spend a decent amount on 3 lenses which should include 1 mid to long range (72mm-300+mm based on 35mm slr lense focal lengths), 1 wide to mid (18mm-80mm) and a standard fixed focal length lense (50mm) and a tripod. So long as the 2 zoom lenses have an overlap you should find that this will cover you for a good wide range of activities with the 1st 2 and allow you to use the camera as a simple P&S when you feel like it.

When selecting lenses opt for lenses with the fastest focal speeds, ie. the lower the f# number on the lense the better, however faster lenses are also more expensive, also if you're buying Canon USM lenses have faster motors for focusing and some even have image stabilisers for working with high speed photography and long focal lengths.

I hope some of that helps, let us know what you get.