Discussion
Hi all.
Firstly Id just like to say that I freqently pop into this forum and I'm allways amazed at the quality of the pics!
Right the question!
I'm going to Egypt with my family in July and baisically I want a camera to record the trip. I dont have any photo skills at all really, so I wont need something thats really fancy. But I wouldnt mind getting something which will serve me well for a few years while I get into the swing of things, because I reckon once I've got a camera I'll be more tempted to start taking pictures on different occasions and gradualy build up some basic skills.
So are there any recomendations? I think a budget would be around the £250 mark as I'm a poor student at the moment!
Many thanks,
James.
Firstly Id just like to say that I freqently pop into this forum and I'm allways amazed at the quality of the pics!
Right the question!
I'm going to Egypt with my family in July and baisically I want a camera to record the trip. I dont have any photo skills at all really, so I wont need something thats really fancy. But I wouldnt mind getting something which will serve me well for a few years while I get into the swing of things, because I reckon once I've got a camera I'll be more tempted to start taking pictures on different occasions and gradualy build up some basic skills.
So are there any recomendations? I think a budget would be around the £250 mark as I'm a poor student at the moment!
Many thanks,
James.
Given what you've said about starting and posibly developing some skills:
a) you'd probably be off to a good start with a "bridge" digital camera. That would be reasonably compact, but have plenty of features, and at the same time not give you the headache of dust getting to sensors and the "which lens next" syndrome
b) if you're going for one of them, take a look at the Panasonic Lumix range. Electrickery from a good manufacturer - melded with one of the finest optical manufacturers.
There are other star performers out there. Don't necessarily assume that more pixels = better. Not always the case.
You'll probably find good prices on line, but try and handle the contenders - at a Jessops or similar - because something that's comfortable to use will be sure to be in your hand more. The more often you pick it up the better your pictures will get.
Edited to add some links:
www.panasonic.co.uk/technology/lumix.html
www.dpreview.com/
A bit above your budget? maybe search for this somewhere else: www.b4utele.com/index.asp?function=DISPLAYPRODUCT&productid=303
a) you'd probably be off to a good start with a "bridge" digital camera. That would be reasonably compact, but have plenty of features, and at the same time not give you the headache of dust getting to sensors and the "which lens next" syndrome
b) if you're going for one of them, take a look at the Panasonic Lumix range. Electrickery from a good manufacturer - melded with one of the finest optical manufacturers.
There are other star performers out there. Don't necessarily assume that more pixels = better. Not always the case.
You'll probably find good prices on line, but try and handle the contenders - at a Jessops or similar - because something that's comfortable to use will be sure to be in your hand more. The more often you pick it up the better your pictures will get.
Edited to add some links:
www.panasonic.co.uk/technology/lumix.html
www.dpreview.com/
A bit above your budget? maybe search for this somewhere else: www.b4utele.com/index.asp?function=DISPLAYPRODUCT&productid=303
Edited by beano500 on Tuesday 6th March 18:56
Beano500 and Piglet thanks for the responses. I dont really know where to start, but I'll check out those links and thanks for the info about the 12month interest free thing, hopefully I'll be able to buy it without needing it, but I'll bear it in mind
Anyone else got some suggestions?.
Many thanks.
Anyone else got some suggestions?.
Many thanks.
Where to start.... Hmmn.
The panasonic Lumix comment is good - they tend to be better than average and all image stabilised (reduces camera shake). If you want something more user friendly then look at the Kodak cameras - though quality may not be as good.
Personally if you have a budget in mind - I'd go to jessops, look at the ones in the cabinet you can afford and start with the one with the largest diameter lens first. Compacts tend to have small, cheap lenses and high res sensors. The lens is more important than the resolution of the sensor. After that, a reasonible zoom range (5-6x OPTICAL), and make sure it goes wide enough, ie see how far each one can zoom out (28mm equiv on 35mm is good)
Then power up and try the ones you like.
Don't get hung up on mega zooms, silly thin bodies (unless you want it for parties) and high megapixel counts. A nice large LCD is good though, and if you can get a proper viewfinder thats great!
The panasonic Lumix comment is good - they tend to be better than average and all image stabilised (reduces camera shake). If you want something more user friendly then look at the Kodak cameras - though quality may not be as good.
Personally if you have a budget in mind - I'd go to jessops, look at the ones in the cabinet you can afford and start with the one with the largest diameter lens first. Compacts tend to have small, cheap lenses and high res sensors. The lens is more important than the resolution of the sensor. After that, a reasonible zoom range (5-6x OPTICAL), and make sure it goes wide enough, ie see how far each one can zoom out (28mm equiv on 35mm is good)
Then power up and try the ones you like.
Don't get hung up on mega zooms, silly thin bodies (unless you want it for parties) and high megapixel counts. A nice large LCD is good though, and if you can get a proper viewfinder thats great!
Thanks guys! Valuable suggestions, only thing is, I was hoping to use it as a 'general' camera for Uni aswel (nights out and stuff) I realise I didnt say that in my orginal post 
I think I'll go into somewhere like Jessops or the local camera shop and have a look round for something that I like, then try and find the best price online
EDIT / UPDATE:
Just found this:
Samsung NV3
http://direct.tesco.com/search/defaul
Is that likely to be lame?
I think I'll go into somewhere like Jessops or the local camera shop and have a look round for something that I like, then try and find the best price online
EDIT / UPDATE:
Just found this:
Samsung NV3
http://direct.tesco.com/search/defaul
Is that likely to be lame?
Edited by jolly on Friday 9th March 23:10
jolly said:
Samsung NV3
As far as whether it'll suit you, on paper it looks good. Amazon reviewers generally liked it. It's not my cup of tea, but then I shouldn't get snobbish about it - for £130 it looks a competent bit of kit. You may find, in due course, it's a bit restrictive if you want to get better at photography - but, hey! you can always save some money now and spend it when you work out what you need next (very £££-intensive if you get hooked on this photo-lark!!!)
beano500 said:
jolly said:
Samsung NV3
As far as whether it'll suit you, on paper it looks good. Amazon reviewers generally liked it. It's not my cup of tea, but then I shouldn't get snobbish about it - for £130 it looks a competent bit of kit. You may find, in due course, it's a bit restrictive if you want to get better at photography - but, hey! you can always save some money now and spend it when you work out what you need next (very £££-intensive if you get hooked on this photo-lark!!!)
Cool - Still in the early stages of looking at the moment, so just an idea. Thanks very much for the link to the cheaper retailer though
Yeh from reading a few threads on here photography seems an expensive hobby!
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