Recommend me a camera - I want better pictures!

[maser_spyder]

Hi All,

Forgive my lack of knowledge on this, photography is something I've often wanted to know more about, but haven't yet found the time.

At the moment, I have a rather old Fuji S5000, which is a very basic SLR style camera. It takes nice pictures, but is getting rather old now, and doesn't quite get the resolution I require for the stuff coming up.

I'm looking for something that's going to take professional quality pictures for a bit of work I have coming up. Although I'll employ a professional for the actual shoots, I would like to have my own efforts as backup (and why not!). There's a couple of things coming up, but one in particular is going to require a lot of attention, and a lot of money spending on the shoot itself (models, logistics, etc.), so I want to end up with some good quality, use-able images. I also have fairly regular studio stuff that comes up, I already have lighting gear, etc.

Money not no object, I'm not averse to spending a bit more to get some good kit, but don't want to spend a fortune on something I can't use and won't get the best from.

I guess I'm looking for a good quality SLR, with lenses and filters I can change, etc. but that's also easy enough to use for a dunce like me.

What should I be looking for?

I've looked at a Nikon D80, and Olympus E-410, or possibly a Canon Eos 450D (or 500D). Do any of these sound good?

Any other suggestions, or anything I should be avoiding?

Cheers!

[XG332]

the 450 is a very good deal at the mo at jessops, i think they bought up the remaining stock from canon uk. "from a canon rep"
if you want video then get the 500d

[RobDickinson]

Not convinced by the oly 410 but honestly every SLR of the last few years takes a cracking pic and will do what your after.

[Felters]

D80 was superceded a while ago... Nikons of choice would probably be a D90 or a D300. 17-55mm and a 70-200mm lens and you are sorted. Don't overlook second hand http://www.graysofwestminster.co.uk/welcome.php

[RobDickinson]

D90 will likely be replaces shortly and D300 is replaced by D300s but they are both fairly high end 'amature' bodies.

[Simpo Two]

Lighting, lenses and processing make the main difference IMHO.

[Dupont666]

XG332 said:

the 450 is a very good deal at the mo at jessops, i think they bought up the remaining stock from canon uk. "from a canon rep"
if you want video then get the 500d

Strange the 450d is still the same price that I paid for it in June 2008 and I did the mega bundle and got it for resonable price with:

70-300mm f4/5.6 DI LD Macro (Canon AF)lens
gorilla grip
battery grip
2 camera bags (big one and small one)
2 lens filters (UV and Polarising one)
2 more batteries (think I got them from Jessops)
Cashback

about £750 - 800 (before the cashback which was £30/£50)

[maser_spyder]

Dupont666 said:

XG332 said:

the 450 is a very good deal at the mo at jessops, i think they bought up the remaining stock from canon uk. "from a canon rep"
if you want video then get the 500d

Strange the 450d is still the same price that I paid for it in June 2008 and I did the mega bundle and got it for resonable price with:

70-300mm f4/5.6 DI LD Macro (Canon AF)lens
gorilla grip
battery grip
2 camera bags (big one and small one)
2 lens filters (UV and Polarising one)
2 more batteries (think I got them from Jessops)
Cashback

about £750 - 800 (before the cashback which was £30/£50)

Dupont - do you like it? Easy to use for a duffer like me that knows little but would like to learn?

I'm looking at the EOS 500D with a 18-55mm lens, shopping around can get one for about £450, which seems like a bargain to me. I could then invest in another lens (70-200 or similar as mentioned above), and some filters, etc.

I don't want to buy something that's too complex for me, only to not get the best from it.

Any good books on photography for idiots that anybody could recommend?

Thanks!

[markmullen]

I've got a 450d and am very happy with it.

[Dupont666]

maser_spyder said:

Dupont666 said:

XG332 said:

the 450 is a very good deal at the mo at jessops, i think they bought up the remaining stock from canon uk. "from a canon rep"
if you want video then get the 500d

Strange the 450d is still the same price that I paid for it in June 2008 and I did the mega bundle and got it for resonable price with:

70-300mm f4/5.6 DI LD Macro (Canon AF)lens
gorilla grip
battery grip
2 camera bags (big one and small one)
2 lens filters (UV and Polarising one)
2 more batteries (think I got them from Jessops)
Cashback

about £750 - 800 (before the cashback which was £30/£50)

Dupont - do you like it? Easy to use for a duffer like me that knows little but would like to learn?

I'm looking at the EOS 500D with a 18-55mm lens, shopping around can get one for about £450, which seems like a bargain to me. I could then invest in another lens (70-200 or similar as mentioned above), and some filters, etc.

I don't want to buy something that's too complex for me, only to not get the best from it.

Any good books on photography for idiots that anybody could recommend?

Thanks!

I do like it and it taeks some great photos, I would like to upgrade mine with another lens, but not sure what...

As for quality, im not the best photographer... (awaits the flaming here) but this is what I took at the Supercar meet at The Mulberry to see what the quality is like:















I hope they come out ok as I cant see them at work.

[Mini1275]

Another vote for the 450D, superb camera.

[maser_spyder]

Thanks for the help guys, very much appreciated.

I decided to go for the Canon 500D model in the end, got the body and a 18-55 lens for £450 brand new.

Also bought a few filters, another 8Gb memory card (only a 4Gb included), and a decent carry bag for an extra £40-odd.

Should all arrive tomorrow, now I just need to learn how to use the damned thing!

I'll see how I get on with it, and might invest in another lens at a later date if I can get my head around it all.

Cheers again.

[Mermaid]

Nikon D700.

It will probably be replaced later this year, but this camera is well worth looking at.

[Simpo Two]

Mermaid said:

Nikon D700.

Not quite in the entry-level category though... don't see the OP spending 3x his budget and not even getting a lens!

[JJM]

I bought the 450d about 2 years ago and agree it is a very good camera, althought if I knew then what I know now I would of spent the extra and gone for the 40d (now replaced by the 50d).

Saying that if money is truely no object it would have to be the 5d mark 2.

[maser_spyder]

Simpo Two said:

Mermaid said:

Nikon D700.

Not quite in the entry-level category though... don't see the OP spending 3x his budget and not even getting a lens!

I'm sure it's a superb camera, but I'm also sure it would be beyond me. There's no way I would make use of any of the features or facilities.

My camera knowledge currently consists of knowing which way around to hold it (and I have been known to even get that wrong).

I need something user (read: idiot) friendly, and have read some good reviews on Canons, plus a few people here seem to like them too.

I'm hoping I can't go wrong with this one!

So;

Lesson 1: Holding the right way around.....

[Mermaid]

maser_spyder said:

Simpo Two said:

Mermaid said:

Nikon D700.

Not quite in the entry-level category though... don't see the OP spending 3x his budget and not even getting a lens!

I'm sure it's a superb camera, but I'm also sure it would be beyond me. There's no way I would make use of any of the features or facilities.

My camera knowledge currently consists of knowing which way around to hold it (and I have been known to even get that wrong).

I need something user (read: idiot) friendly, and have read some good reviews on Canons, plus a few people here seem to like them too.

I'm hoping I can't go wrong with this one!

So;

Lesson 1: Holding the right way around.....

Fair do's.. I was focusing on the "money no object" quality etc....

[maser_spyder]

Mermaid said:

maser_spyder said:

Simpo Two said:

Mermaid said:

Nikon D700.

Not quite in the entry-level category though... don't see the OP spending 3x his budget and not even getting a lens!

I'm sure it's a superb camera, but I'm also sure it would be beyond me. There's no way I would make use of any of the features or facilities.

My camera knowledge currently consists of knowing which way around to hold it (and I have been known to even get that wrong).

I need something user (read: idiot) friendly, and have read some good reviews on Canons, plus a few people here seem to like them too.

I'm hoping I can't go wrong with this one!

So;

Lesson 1: Holding the right way around.....

Fair do's.. I was focusing on the "money no object" quality etc....

Money no object - talent another thing entirely!

Thanks anyway, if I turn out to be David Bailey after all, I know what to look for!

[strudel]

maser_spyder said:

I decided to go for the Canon 500D model in the end, got the body and a 18-55 lens for £450 brand new.

Where from? They seem to be going for about 600!

[maser_spyder]

strudel said:

maser_spyder said:

I decided to go for the Canon 500D model in the end, got the body and a 18-55 lens for £450 brand new.

Where from? They seem to be going for about 600!

OK, I was lucky!

Having paid £450 yesterday evening, they've just put the price up by £30! Now selling at £480.

Bought from a place in Brighton called Digigood (that's pretty hard to type when you're dyslexic!).

Due to arrive in the morning.