Yet another...Reccomend me a camera thread

[BoltonSte]

No this is a bit different as I don't have any type preference at the moment.

We had a canon SD500? which now has a knackered LCD screen, as we've had it for a while then it's time to replace rather than fix.

So mighty Org, recommend me a camera.

I'm not fussed about going the DSLR route with interchangable lenses. But if it suites then that's OK.

What I want, something that has a reasonable optical zoom (canon was 6x then 3x digital, I'd like higher) has the macro functions (so the other half tells me) and is proven. I'd like it to be good enough res to blow up pictures to ~A3.

It'll mostly be used for taking snapshots at parties etc... but I'd like to use it out on the bike, or out for walks doing close up/abstract stuff and landscapes.

Give me your recommndations.

Ste

[Venom]

Compact camera wise, I think the best optical zooms have been the Panasonic Lumix range.

My old TZ3 is a 10x optical but the current ones are 12x optical.

http://www.panasonic.co.uk/html/en_GB/410842/module/general/compare/productsCategory.html

[Amanda M]

+1 on the panasonics. I have a lumix TZ6 and it's a good little camera. Pics easily blow up to A3, the macro function is good and the zoom is, well, very zoomy ;). I carry mine about with me pretty much all the time cos I don't want to lug the D90 about everywhere.

[G]

My Girlfriend just bought a Canon Ixus130.

Played with nearly every point and shoot available and this one was about the best. Best feautures, best quality image in different scenarios.

Spoke to a few representatives from different brands and they all seemed to recommend the canon too!! Some decent brand cameras have cheap lens too, so be careful.

http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSkqpKrcOxJOoJ9CKFpDfjPVnLrOioqn JxoSAY_kGytmq8SuTHIsA

[james160987]

got a fz38, friend has the fz28, both seem to do the job of decent pics, Good zoom aswell

[BoltonSte]

I've done some hunting so time to bump this back up.

So I'm swinging possibly towards DSLR or a bridge depending on lenses. The camera that's knackered is a canon powershot and the mother in law has her old one still, so we may be able to nick that for point and click moments.
I've gone through the wifes SLR stuff and have found these lenses:

Vivitar 55mm auto telephoto, 28804791
Pentax-m 28mm, 7951596
Pentax-m 50mm, 6473606
Vivitar 58mm, some form of tele, 28914275
All these are for a pentax P30T and have an orange dot (presume they are colour coded for fit) number is from the end of the lens, I assume it's the model.

Also:
Canon zoom EF 28-70mm
Canon EF 50mm
Sigma zoom AF-Beta (can't figure how to do the greek letter) II 52mm
All of these are from a canon Eos 650 and are marked red. All have manual/auto focus selection with internal lens motor.

So [1]are these lenses any good? [2]Is it worth looking for a DSLR or bridge that will take them? [3]which should I concentrate on getting a fit for? [4] how do I go about checking that they are compatable.

Ste (more confused than when I started this)

[BoltonSte]

So I've just found out a little more,
The pentax has a KA mount, the canon has EF lenses.

That's about my limit now, so I'll await the experts.

Ste

[Bluepete]

Panasonic TZ-10. The one in the advert on the telly where the Egyptian statue comes to life.

I was blown away by the quality, to the point where I may even sell my Nikon D-SLR!

It still makes the Gadget Show prize every week and constantly wins any test it is entered into.

£208 at Amazon at the moment. I've bought one for my in-laws, arrived in two days.

Pete ;)

[Stephen McG]

I have both Panasonic TZ6 and FZ28
The TZ range is very good but with no viewfinder you have to hold it away from (your) body when at a long zoom. You get shake.
The FZ range now FZ45 and FZ100 (28 and 38 will be very difficult to get now) have viewfinder and can be held steady at long zoom. The viewfinder is also better in sunlight.
If you drop to 5MP or 3MP the optical zoom is extended without digital zoom.

The zoom is equiv to about 500 in old money.

About the other bits.
I am not sure if the older film lenses will work with DSLR.
I may be wrong.

SMcG

[Bluefish]

I've done some hunting so time to bump this back up.

So I'm swinging possibly towards DSLR or a bridge depending on lenses. The camera that's knackered is a canon powershot and the mother in law has her old one still, so we may be able to nick that for point and click moments.
I've gone through the wifes SLR stuff and have found these lenses:

Vivitar 55mm auto telephoto, 28804791
Pentax-m 28mm, 7951596
Pentax-m 50mm, 6473606
Vivitar 58mm, some form of tele, 28914275
All these are for a pentax P30T and have an orange dot (presume they are colour coded for fit) number is from the end of the lens, I assume it's the model.

Also:
Canon zoom EF 28-70mm
Canon EF 50mm
Sigma zoom AF-Beta (can't figure how to do the greek letter) II 52mm
All of these are from a canon Eos 650 and are marked red. All have manual/auto focus selection with internal lens motor.

So [1]are these lenses any good? [2]Is it worth looking for a DSLR or bridge that will take them? [3]which should I concentrate on getting a fit for? [4] how do I go about checking that they are compatable.

Ste (more confused than when I started this)


Hi ste, i would see if there is a more modern camera that would take those lenses, that's a no brainer, however i doubt that many, read any will do.
I have been feeling up the cannon 500 and 550d and the nikon d90 at 300 quid more guess which one i like?, yep the nikon lol, i will have to see if there are any offers on in the sales, still if i get that it's one year interest free, which is nice lol.

[BoltonSte]

Well I've been having a fun night reading reviews and I'm liking the TZ, I'm going to try and see what I can find out about lens fitments though, because it's a shame to not be using them.

The other half did photography as part of her art degree, but I must confess, I don't have the knowledge yet or really the patience to learn on a film camera.

We will see.

Ste

[BoltonSte]

I am not sure if the older film lenses will work with DSLR.
I may be wrong.

SMcG

Hi ste, i would see if there is a more modern camera that would take those lenses, that's a no brainer, however i doubt that many, read any will do.


To paraphrase you both, I've had a look and apparently any canon eos lens will work on the film and digital eos cameras. The only issue is that you gain ~1.6x, so a 100mm SLR lens becomes 160mm in a DSLR. There may be other quirks (I think you loose some on the image width) but generally there's no issues.

A lot of lenses are SLR and DSLR compatable, but the only way to find out which models they fit is to speak with the manufacturer. So e-mails have been sent out tonight.
Apparently though DSLR specific lenses are gaining momentum as well so if you are going DSLR then looking into compatable SLR lenses or if they are DSLR only is worth it as you may be able to save a few bob buying older SLR lenses.

My head hurts now, I'm off to bed.

Ste

[BoltonSte]

More developments,

Acording to the nice chap at pentax...these lenses will fit any DSLR camera.

And from Sigma, not so good, the sigma lens won't work with the new Canon DSLR bodies because of the electronic thingymies.

I think I need to look for some second hand DSLR bodies post crimbo when everyone is swapping old for new.

Ste