Looking for a camera...

[BombTaxi]

Hi all

As some of you probably know, I'm looking at purchasing a digital camera in the next week or so. I've never bought one before, and know next to nothing about them, so I'm looking for suggestions. I want a camera that I can use for close-up pics of my models, general social photography for Facebook etc, and perhaps some first steps into photography as a hobby. Ideally, I want to do all of this for under 150 quid.

Any and all suggestions welcomed...

Cheers

BT

 

[Airframes]

Having used pro 35mm SLRs for donkey's years, I bought my first digital about 18 months ago, and can't fault it. It's the Fuji Finepix S1000f, 10 meg px, which I believe has now been upgraded, possibly to 12 Mpx, with a slightly different number (S1200 ?) It's a 'bridge' or 'hybrid' camera, meaning that it's a compact SLR-type, but without removable/changeable lens. That said, the 12 x zoom goes out to an equivalent of 400mm, and down to 18mm.
Simple to use, superb results and extremely versatile. Karl (rochie) bought the same one, and Keith (Ellis) has just got the current version.
I got mine from Jessops, who had a package deal at the time (probably still have), which included the camera, SD card, re-chargeable batteries, battery charger, and camera case for (IIRC) about £135.
Here's a couple of pics of mine.

 

[Colin1]

Hmm
what did you use to take the picture of your camera with?

Can you use the camera in the picture to take a picture of the camera taking the picture? Did that just disappear up its own ass?

 

[B-17engineer]

When I get home I'll post some shots of the 2 cameras I have...when I got my new camera I don't use the first one anymore..

 

[Aaron Brooks Wolters]

BT, my mom just got a Canon Power Shot SX120IS. It is a great little camera. Ten megapixels with a 10 X zoom and a 3" LCD sreen for about $170.00. I'm not sure what the exchange rate is but it might be worth looking into.

 

[Airframes]

BT, the pic of the camera was taken with a mate's digital compact I borrowed !

 

[Aaron Brooks Wolters]

Well it took a nice shot Terry do you happen to remember what it might have been by any chance.

 

[Maestro]

Personnally, I'm using a Nikon P50 I bought about 2 years ago (right before my trip to London).

8.1 megapixels plus a 4X zoom (if I remember well, don't have it on hand as we speak), a 640x480 video option and several other things. Got out of the store with a bill of about $200 (including a 1Go memory card).

What I suggest you to do is to go to your local photography shop (a specialized store, not something like Best Buy or Wal-Mart) and ask the clerk. That's what I did and he gave me some good advice.

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

If you are looking for a very good DSLR camera that is also not too expensive (I payed $660 for mine and it was a package deal with extras), I recommend the Sony A series (We have the a330). Me and my wife bought one about 5 months ago and it makes the most beautiful pictures I have ever taken. Like all DSLR cameras you can change the lenses for each and every type of photography you want (zoom, close up, night time, etc...).

I have included the link to the Sony site with info on it. Below is also a few pics that I have taken so that you can see the quality of the pictures.

α390 DSLR Cameras | Sony | Sony Style USA

 

[B-17engineer]

I have an Olympus FE its 14 megapixel..

I'm sure better pictures can be taken, I'm still getting used to it..

 

[Glider]

Personally I use a Sony 700 and my son an early Sony 100 which is old by todays standards but still takes first rate photos.

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

If you want really sharp quality pictures, the best bet is to go with a DSLR. They are more expensive than regular digital cameras, they are larger and more bulky, but they take amazing pictures. Since buying my Sony DSLR, I will never return the small ones. Plus it is fun to buy new lenses and everything.

 

[Smoke]

As an avid amateur photographer, (mostly macro wildlife such as jumping spiders, but some of my vehicle models as well) I highly recommend the Canon Powershot series.

I've owned two of them (as has my father, another avid amateur photographer) and they are great for macro (close up) work. Some of the newer models also have great zoom, which is very handy for larger wildlife and aircraft photography.

 

[Glider]

If you are looking at second hand DSLRs there are some good cameras around. Dont be scared of smaller specs, my first digital camera was a Konica Minolta 7d which had a 6mp spec. These take excellent photos and no doubt similar Nikon and Cannon cameras will be as good.

Attached are a couple of examples

 

[Gnomey]

Glider has some good options. If you want a DSLR, looking at a good second hand one is ideal. They are pretty cheap these days and the functions are pretty much the same as they are now (exceptions being lower megapixels and in some cases a lack of video both aren't a big deal). You don't really need more than 5MP to produce A3 size pictures if you get it right. Some of my best shots I feel were taken with a 5MP camera, of course with the DSLR I now have I have a much great range of good shots and have improved my photography. So if you which a DSLR and only Canon or Nikon second would work great.

However I suspect for your needs one step down from a DSLR would be ideal and would do everything that you want from it. As a result of this I would suggest something like what Terry has which is a lot of camera for the buck. Does everything a DSLR does without the hassle of changing lenses with the addition of video and at the detriment of some low light performance which can be remedied by using flash but of course battery life is depleted quicker. If I was you I would go for something like Terry has and for more information on it he would be the best to contact.

Also always look for reviews on anything before you buy to get an idea of the wider perception of it in the consumer world. Here are the 2 sites I use most:

Camera Labs: Digital Camera, DSLR, and Lens Reviews. Recommended cameras
Digital Cameras: Digital Photography Review, News, Reviews, Forums, FAQ

Then just look around for the best deal on the camera you are after and get it.

 

[Airframes]

Thanks Hugh, I forgot about the video function, which is quite impressive, although not something I use. Low light performance is very good too on the Fuji. All of the model pics I post on the forum are taken in available light (50 watt tungsten desk lamp) hand held, and the dusk / night capabilities are rather amazing. Without boring you with the full spec, the shooting options include two types of 'Sports' mode (including fast-action, such as motor sport and aircraft), plus panoramic, and there are also two Macro settings, including 'Super Macro', down to 2 cm.
I was going to get either a Nikon DSLR or the Sony, mentioned by Adler. My hands couldn't cope with the (for Nikon) poor ergonomics of the Nikon bodies, so I looked at the Sony Alpha, which, at the time, was around £375. Having thought long and hard, I decided that the Fuji would do most, if not everything the Sony would, and certainly enough for my needs, current and future, now that I'm no longer in the photographic 'trade'. And, of course, the Fuji is a third of the price of the average, entry to mid-level DSLR !!

 

[BombTaxi]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. I'm planning to visit Jessops in St Albans once the necessary funds are in the bank and see what I can pick up. I understand from a bit of web searching that more MP isn't necessarily a good thing, and optical zoom is a must. Image stabilisation would also be useful for me as a beginner I think.

 

[Glider]

Enjoy it and don't be rushed into a decision

 

[Maestro]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. I'm planning to visit Jessops in St Albans once the necessary funds are in the bank and see what I can pick up. I understand from a bit of web searching that more MP isn't necessarily a good thing, and optical zoom is a must. Image stabilisation would also be useful for me as a beginner I think.

Yeah... I forgot about image stabilisation... My Nikon P50, the first (and only) camera I own, has image stabilisation. This is a great thing as I tend to shake while taking pictures.

When I was taking pictures with my father's old digital camera (a Canon with no image stabilisation and a video lenght limit of 30 seconds by videos), I always ended up with blurry pictures. Now look at my pictures ! Clear as the day.

(You can also see "real life" size pictures by looking in the thread I made about my trip to London two years ago.)