18 replies to this topic

[big bri]

I know quite a few pilots on the forum have a good eye for a great picture[CHEESE CAKE].Thought i would ask some advice on what to look for in a camera.Ive no real knowledge of photography and would like something simple,modern,£200-£3OOmax.

Any great deals on a nice .Ive looked at a Cannon rebel xt 350D slr.....


Any ideas

BRIAN..

[RevWizard]

I know quite a few pilots on the forum have a good eye for a great picture[CHEESE CAKE].Thought i would ask some advice on what to look for in a camera.Ive no real knowledge of photography and would like something simple,modern,£200-£3OOmax.

Any great deals on a nice .Ive looked at a Cannon rebel xt 350D slr.....


Any ideas

BRIAN..

Because I am and have always been a Nikon fan, I am slightly biased towards Nikon.

What features are you searching for in a camera?

I will refer here only to digital cameras.
The SLR is in general more expensive and usually is sold body only, without a lens. The lens which is removable, thus you have a wide range of lens available from down right cheap to very very expensive. One disadvantage to SLR is that the CCD is susceptible to attracting dust thus you will see these dust marks expanded on you your pictures which you will need to remove using programs such Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop and etc.
All SLR have a view finder which you can look through to see the subject unlike the other cameras that display what the cameras sees on a display which can be hard to see in bright light. Some of the newest SLR's have this feature in addition to the view finder.
All other types of cameras have a fixed lens thus not having the dust problem. Some have view finders in addition to the display on the back or where ever it may be. Most of these non-SLR cameras also have a simple movie feature. Basically speaking the quality sucks, but it is better then nothing at all.
However, the new Nikon D90 (SLR) claims to have a very good video feature.
Take a look at the Nikon web site and other camera web sites. Go to magazine store and scan through the magazines for buyer guides for cameras.

If you want SLR like features(lens is still fixed) take a look at the Nikon Coolpix P80 and similar in the P series.

What camera would I go for if I had the money? The Nikon D700 starting at $3,000.00 for the body only.
Of course that is no help to you.

Good Luck camera shopping.

[big bri]

As always,thanks John.Your a fountain of knowledge Sir.

Thers a helpfull thread on GWTW i have just read.Very similar advice to yours John.As for the goodluck,i hope i wont need it with guys like your goodself around.

Cheers JM.I will take a look at the D90.Had read about the D40 along with a few others.

BRIAN...

[Aerochic]

I second the Nikon reccomendation! You can't go wrong with Nikon and Canon. They are both very solid quality camera companies. For pocket digitals let me also put in a good word for Fugi and Olympus.

[RevWizard]

As always,thanks John.Your a fountain of knowledge Sir.

Thers a helpfull thread on GWTW i have just read.Very similar advice to yours John.As for the goodluck,i hope i wont need it with guys like your goodself around.

Cheers JM.I will take a look at the D90.Had read about the D40 along with a few others.

BRIAN...

A pint of lager please!

[RevWizard]

I second the Nikon reccomendation! You can't go wrong with Nikon and Canon. They are both very solid quality camera companies. For pocket digitals let me also put in a good word for Fugi and Olympus.

I'll second Canon as being very good camera gear!
For the last few years, I always carry around a Nikon Coolpix S2 pocket camera(not on the market anymore). It is very rugged and water resistant. I haven't seen anything quite like it since.
It has the disadvantage that the 4GB and higher SD cards do not work with it. Picture quality is reasonable for 5MP pocket camera, nothing special there. It lacks a bit in the optical zoom area because it has no protruding lens because of the water resistance feature.
You can't throw it in the water more then about an inch(25mm), but you can leave it out in the rain when turned off and the battery/SD card door and charging cover are closed properly.

[Ant-]

I'll third Nikon - I've had a D70 for 4 years which has been an absolute workhorse! Just upgraded to a D80, but I didn't need to really

Ant

[RevWizard]

I'll third Nikon - I've had a D70 for 4 years which has been an absolute workhorse! Just upgraded to a D80, but I didn't need to really

Ant

The D70 is quite a good piece of gear.
My D100 will be in my hands 5 years as of November. Though I am not really a professional, I now have 31,000+ shoots and still going strong without any problems.

[Hezz]

Recently got myself a Sony DSC-H50, they retail at around £250.

15 x optical zoom (don't bother with digital zoom), 9.1 megapixels, video function and HD 16:9 options too. Easy to use but lots of functions available for the person who likes to play around with settings. Takes a Memory Stick Duo card - I would recommend a 4Gb so you can take as much video & photos as possible without worrying about running out. Has a nice flip-out screen for easy viewing, and even night infrared mode!

You can see the results from the Portsmouth & Bristol photos!

I had tried a few cameras before deciding, but the equivalent Olympus was too bulky and heavy (with 4 x AA batteries powering it) and the Panasonic, although better featured at 18x zoom, was not intuitive to use, unlike the Sony.

My recommendation would be, whatever camera you get, try a few out in a shop first (even if you eventually source one cheaper elsewhere, eg on the web), you will get an idea whether you will be able to 'get on with it' within just a few minutes.

And make sure you get a spare battery.. nothing worse than being out in a field and hearing that "beep beep".. uh oh.. battery low...

Hezz

[big bri]

Well i quite fancy this for the £££

Has some great reviews on some camera forums and user reviews on Amazon. My mate swears by his.With me and my shakie hands.The image stabilisation gets my vote for the money.I have a lota Sony stuff.Seems pritty user freindly also.



http://www.sony-came...slr-a200k-2.jpg


http://cgi.ebay.co.u...id=p3286.c0.m14

Thanks all,great advice on the battery Hezz.Ive had that T shirt

BRIAN...

[big bri]

Well,Thanks everyone for some great advice.I have bought the SONY i mentioned above.Amazon had a good deal on it with some bits and bobs as extras.

Some great tips of ya all,,,many,many thanks.


BRIAN...

[Hezz]

Well,Thanks everyone for some great advice.I have bought the SONY i mentioned above.Amazon had a good deal on it with some bits and bobs as extras.

Some great tips of ya all,,,many,many thanks.


BRIAN...

Enjoy your new camera Big Bri!

But ... 532 grams! Strong arms as well as shaky hands!..


Hezz

[Harrier]

Well,Thanks everyone for some great advice.I have bought the SONY i mentioned above.Amazon had a good deal on it with some bits and bobs as extras.

Some great tips of ya all,,,many,many thanks.


BRIAN...

Main point with good photography, its the photographer that gets good pics not good cameras, I remember a while back Terry O'Neill and some other top photographers were challenged to produce with some very basic cameras, and they did, some outstanding pics.
Have fun and get in close.

[Aerochic]

Main point with good photography, its the photographer that gets good pics not good cameras

Mmmm Hmmmm, that's so true!

[big bri]

<GRINS>Thought size didnt matter to you Girls Hezz,,,,,:}

I have a little pocket camera thats real kewl.Just fancy trying somat a bit more D Bailey without breaking my bank.My phone is a dozzzer for picks,so the kids tell me,,,,,,Its a bloody phone ta me.

Auditions for models on my first shoot soon girls,,,Hezz,Aerochic,Ange,Susan H,,,,,,,,,,,,,

AM ALL EXCITED NOW,,,,,,CANT WAIT



Thanks again all.Ya kewl

BRIAN...

[Stone in Shoe Bob]

AM ALL EXCITED NOW,,,,,,CANT WAIT

It's a pity the girls aren't saying the the same, sorry Brian.

[big bri]

It's a pity the girls aren't saying the the same, sorry Brian.

Thers time yet Bob oldboy .

Ther may not be a throng as yet on THIS FORUM,,,,but on this one www nak abes4bri.co.uk.
Thers loads a takers .

Thers always wildlife,

BRIAN...

[Hezz]

LOL there may not be a throng, but there is an iQuad thong somewhere within The Flying Squad... now, who bought the other one from the Bristol auction, that's what I want to know (hmm, am I really sure I wanna know? perhaps not)

Here's one I bet ya wish you had taken, Bri

http://www.new.faceb...p;id=1204823362

Hezz

[big bri]

LOL there may not be a throng, but there is an iQuad thong somewhere within The Flying Squad... now, who bought the other one from the Bristol auction, that's what I want to know (hmm, am I really sure I wanna know? perhaps not)

Here's one I bet ya wish you had taken, Bri

http://www.new.faceb...p;id=1204823362

Hezz

What without my new cameras zoom lens and shaky hands.I couldnt be trusted getting that close to such babe without breaking some public nusence law or three.

See Bob,offers are flooding in mate .

BRIAN...Thong for sale,must be in good nick.......