another which is best digital camera thread

[kwak zzr]

right to cut a long story short i lost my new £130 digital camera at darley moor sports center when i was really really pi$t :( it was only about a week old and also contained a 8gig memory card with various embarrassing drunken pictures #-o

anyhoooooow

i'm now in the market for a repacement but i want it to take good fast bike photos at the races and very close up piccys crystal clear, now i know jack about cameras really so what advice can all you camera boffs give me so i buy the right one? i aint got a never ending budget but i can be quite flexible up to about £300 (i will try not to loose this one)

kwak.

[fizzwheel]

but i want it to take good fast bike photos

IMHO you want a DSLR or a Bridge type camera that allows you manual control of the shutter speed.

With your budget if you want to go down the DSLR route. I'd have a look on ebay for a 2nd hand / reconditioned camera.

[kwak zzr]

anymore info fizz? best makes, models? or just any digital SLR?

[kwak zzr]

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Browse/ID72/14419497/c_1/1%7Ccategory_root%7CPhotography%7C14419436/c_2/2%7Ccat_14419436%7CDigital+SLR+cameras+and+lenses% 7C14419497.htm

[kwak zzr]

a few here for £300 - £350 mark

[fizzwheel]

anymore info fizz? best makes, models? or just any digital SLR?

I can only recommend what I have.. I have a Nikon D40, which was superseeded by the D40x. Its the entry level Nikon DSLR, it has a full auto setting on it which is handy if you are just using it for snaps or whilst you get used to the camera setup.

Cannon do an equivalent but I'm not sure what the model is...

You've seen my pics that I've posted on here... all taken with my D40, but.... and heres where it gets expensive to get good pics of bike racing you are more than likely have to invest in a decent telephoto lens and they arent cheap. But they are worth the money.

Your other option is to by a DSLR with a kit lens ( normally 17 - 55mm ) which does give some flexability and is good for taking snaps etc etc and then when you are off to watch the racing hire a lens for the weekend.

[littleperson]

Can't believe no one found it and handed it in !!!!

[Littlepeahead]

Get a second hand Canon EOS 350D, second hand lenses, and a decent memory card. Try to get the zoom lens as a USM as this focuses faster for action shots and a Sandisk Extreme III memory card will also ensure your camera can take the maximum frames per second.

This camera has the green square idiot setting that does it all for you so you can get drunk and take photos at parties, the modes that let you set it up for sport, close ups etc or fully creative modes. It's easy to use, not too heavy and you can get brilliant results, but because Canon have now brought out 2 newer models there are lots of decent second hand ones on the market. I keep mine as a spare or when I can't be bothered to use my pro lenses which are heavy.

Ebay will have plenty, but also try LCE:

This camera and the standard lens is £289.99, plus the extra zoom lens at £129, plus the memory card from 7 day shop and you have everything you need. Though it's worth investing in a monopod for the track days. That is a bit over you £300 budget but check out any camera shops near you for the same sort of kit. And buy cheap clear filters for your lenses, or ask the shop to add them in for free if you are cheeky. Far easier to replace a scratched/beer covered filter than buy a new lens.

http://www.lcegroup.co.uk/SHdetails.asp?Item=13561

http://www.lcegroup.co.uk/SHdetails.asp?Item=13313

http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=777_6&products_id=101183

http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=777_1&products_id=99657

For mega close ups you need to buy a macro lens, which is pricey, but as a compromise get some close up filters to play around with.

http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/default.php?type=0&man=0&filterwords=close+up&go=SEARCH&comp=

[RobH13]

If you don't mind second hand you could do worse than checking out the forsale section on Talkphotography.co.uk

Always a good few deals to be had there, If you go Nikon, i have a 70-300mm lens forsale, bought it when i got my d70s and later upgraded to a Nikon, hardly had any use and is in the box with paper it came with.

Rob.

[kwak zzr]

whats a bridge camera?



rob: i dont mind second hand :) i'll check that site out.

[mkz9876]

hi just spoke to the missus who works in jessops she said going by your OP that dslr is likeley to be to complicated if you know little about cameras she said she would reccomend the cannon powershot sx200 it has macro (for crystal clear close up pics of bugs and the like) it also has anti blur and digic 4 ???? (ideal for fast bike pics according to her) as its a compact camera it will fit in your pocket which dslr wont and it comes in a choice of colours heres the link to cannon http://www.canon.co.uk/For_Home/Product_Finder/Cameras/Digital_Camera/PowerShot/PowerShot_SX200_IS/index.asp

and the link to jessops website
http://www.jessops.com/online.store/categories/Digital%20Compact%20Cameras/products/Canon/Powershot%20SX200%20IS%20Digital%20Camera%20-%20Black-75930/Show.html#

jessops price £260 leaving room in your budget for another 8 gig card lol

[kwak zzr]

arr thanks for that :) will look into it and read some reviews :)

[kwak zzr]

looking into it that looks just the ticket :) ive seen some example photos on net and it seems to tick all the boxes :) hunting around i can get it for just over £200 which is nice :)

[TC3]

Careful who you buy it from. Some of the sellers online are selling grey market goods. The goods are priced much cheaper as they are imports and not UK stock. They offer their own warranties and not original ones and they can be a nightmare to deal with in case of returns.

[mattSV]

Another vote for the Nikon D40, however the problem with DSLRs is that you will need to take a rucksack (or topbox lol) to put it in. As wellas a D40, I also have a sony cybershot which still takes great pics, but fits easily into a jacket pocket.

£200-£250 will get you a decent compact easy to use digital camera, no real point going for a DSLR unless you want to 'get in to photography' rather than just take a few snaps imho.

[Littlepeahead]

Hmm, yeah I do have a rucksack that fits into my topbox! But then my gear is the big L series lenses which I use for work. By the time you add in the wide angle, macro, flash units, tripod, monopod, spare body etc. I really need a van!

[kwak zzr]

thats too much for me :( suppose it'll just have to be a good compact like the canon sx200 mentioned above.

[boot]

I'd vote for the DSLR route.

You'll get better pictures with a stock lens than you will with a compact, and the file format allows for much better tweaking after the event, therefore the option of recovery on once-in-a-lifetime shots is much greater.

[7755matt]

I was lookign for an entry level dslr a year or so ago, and ended up with the Sony A350, which has worked out to be a cracking camera, has the advantage of taking a lot of the old Minolta lenses too, so you can get cheap second hand autfocus lenses.

Before that I had a Fuji bridge camera , s5600 (iirc) which was great for a compact

[mkz9876]

I'd vote for the DSLR route.

You'll get better pictures with a stock lens than you will with a compact, and the file format allows for much better tweaking after the event, therefore the option of recovery on once-in-a-lifetime shots is much greater.

the thing i have found with dslr's is the chance of cocking it up and making a hash of those once in a lifetime shots is far greater with a compact its point and shoot and yes with the dslr you can tweek them after in raw format but finding cheap easy to use software to do it with is a nightmare, also the majority of printing shops wont accept images in raw format,

as for dslr's i do think they are a fantastic bit of kit but only for those who have an intrest in photography as opposed to those who have an intrest in capturing memories. :cool:

[mkz9876]

looking into it that looks just the ticket :) ive seen some example photos on net and it seems to tick all the boxes :) hunting around i can get it for just over £200 which is nice :)

just told the missus she said glad she could help and god shes good at her job :thumbsup: big headed cow lol,

she said also take a look at the sony's but they can be a bit fiddley, not very user friendly

she said the nikon coolpixs are good but they are a bit of a step down from the cannon

and the fujis are ok but the lens quality isnt as good as some others but they tend to have more features.

edit: she just said go into any jessops store in the country as all of them have various dslrs and compacts on display and you can actually have a play with the cameras in there try a few out and see what suits you best most stores will also accompany you outside so you can take a few test shots outside and gives you feel for what your getting before you part with your cash,

[fizzwheel]

the thing i have found with dslr's is the chance of cocking it up and making a hash of those once in a lifetime shots is far greater with a compact its point

This is why you buy an entry level DSLR, they have an "auto" setting which turns it into a point and shoot. It'll take wayyy better pics like this IMHO than any compact will, once you've got used to the camera and the settings you know which ones work best in what situation and then you dont miss the once in a lifetime shots and you get a fantastic pic to boot.

[boot]

she just said go into any jessops store in the country

OK, sorry if this offends as your missus works in a Jessops, but I feel I have to say this.

As someone that considered turning a passion in to full time employment a couple of years ago, having had experience with vehicle modification companies, the film industry and selling creative shots to the public, I feel I can comment with some conviction on photographic equipment, technique and the places that sell the stuff.

I have had numerous encounters with incompetent Jessops staff over the years, from duff advice to generous displays of incompetence and lack of knowledge. In one of the Stockport stores, not one member of staff knew what an off-camera-shoe-cord was. I've had incorrect advice on the quality of glass from the Buxton store (which is no more), poor advice from the Darlington store on print colour negative film.

And don't even get me started on their trading ethics and pricing structures!

@Kwak_ZZR

How far is Kwakland? If it's not that far from High Peak land, I would be happy to show you the basics of what a DSLR can do over a compact (I have both - compacts have their place), and how easy they are to use.

[600+]

you can get it for £229 from here

http://www.lambda-tek.com/componentshop/index.pl?origin=gbase26.4&prodID=B229225

[kwak zzr]

kwakland is J10 of the M6 in the heart of the black country.

[mkz9876]

OK, sorry if this offends as your missus works in a Jessops, but I feel I have to say this.

As someone that considered turning a passion in to full time employment a couple of years ago, having had experience with vehicle modification companies, the film industry and selling creative shots to the public, I feel I can comment with some conviction on photographic equipment, technique and the places that sell the stuff.

I have had numerous encounters with incompetent Jessops staff over the years, from duff advice to generous displays of incompetence and lack of knowledge. In one of the Stockport stores, not one member of staff knew what an off-camera-shoe-cord was. I've had incorrect advice on the quality of glass from the Buxton store (which is no more), poor advice from the Darlington store on print colour negative film.

And don't even get me started on their trading ethics and pricing structures!

@Kwak_ZZR

How far is Kwakland? If it's not that far from High Peak land, I would be happy to show you the basics of what a DSLR can do over a compact (I have both - compacts have their place), and how easy they are to use.


she agrees with most of what you said to be fair and says worse herself but in fairness she does a lot of research herself and with photography being a hobby of hers she tries her best to give people the best advice she can and match them with a camera that suits what they want it to do. she takes a lot of pride in her work and has had quite a few letters gone to head office from customers singing her praises unfortunatly the majority of her colleagus are uni students and part timers who have no interest in cameras or doing a good job so yes the majority are incompetent idiots. with the fact the missus is a supervisor and still only on minimum wages she is looking for another job. they treat there staff like s*** so its no wonder the majority of the staff aint interested.

all that aside though it is one national store that you can visit and play with the cameras which is why i was pointing kwak in that direction so he he can get a feel for what the cameras can do and what would suit him phreaps i wasnt as clear as i could have been but i wasnt suggesting he buy from them just take advantage of being able to play with the cameras from the £80 compacts to the £2.5k nikon d3x.

just another quick point though i see you have compacts and dslrs, dslrs are great unless you want to take it with on the bike or you are walking round a bike show all day when a compact is ideal. i love the missus d60 but only when its on auto if i try and do anything manual on it i end up mucking it up cause i dont really understand it and havent the time or patience to learn for ease of use and size compacts win hands down for versitility and quality dslrs win hands down its horses for courses.

[kwak zzr]

i'm watching a nikon d50 on ebay at the moment :)

[Littlepeahead]

Good plan. And as for DSLR's, my 6 year old nephew uses mine in auto mode and gets some great shots. So if he can figure it out, anyone can use one!

[kwak zzr]

whats a bridge camera?

well ? :smt017

[kwak zzr]

is the Nikon D50 anygood?

[mkz9876]

according to swmbo a bridge camera has the features of a dslr (fully adjustable settings) but smaller and without the ability to change lenses, i.e cannon g11 and the like.

her indoors has the d60 and loves it, i can use it on auto mode but get lost beyond that, there seems to be a few nikon fans here, as fizzwheel said she has the d40 and loves it

[fizzwheel]

is the Nikon D50 anygood?

Yes mate, be reet with that.

[kwak zzr]

fankoooo :)