Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 20 of 59

Thread: Camera Corner

  1. #1
    Registered User Chicklet's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    Glasgow
    Posts
    2,555
    Blog Entries
    1
    Rep Power
    11

    Camera Corner

    chums

    I am thinking of buying a new digital camera, previously I have just had a pretty basic point and shoot Canon 5mp (cos that was lots when I bought it honest!) with a 3x zoom. Idoit proof really, although I never did manage to figure out how to switch the flash orf.

    This camera got a dunk in the Indian ocean in Jan and while it still take pics, I feel it and I are ready to move on.

    I would like something just one step up I think, smallish, with more zoom, pref with an easy switch to black and white.

    I AM prepared to read the manual this time.

    Is £300 budget reasonable?

    Look forward to considering all recommendations...
    many thanks

    C

  2. #2
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    Oxford
    Posts
    677
    Rep Power
    9

    Re: Camera Corner

    Depending on exactly what you want, DP Review has just done a series of group tests. You can get a good compact camera for well under the £300 price point, you're really at the top end of the compact range and they recommend the Fujifilm F100fd, which you can get on Amazon for under £200. They also liked the Canon

    There are other options. For £300, you'd get into the bigger powershots (the G9 is in your price range). They are up against the likes of the bigger Lumix and the Ricoh Caplio range. At that price, you can get a dSLR, but personally, I think you need to spend a bit more to make them worth buying. In any case, an SLR's a much bigger piece of kit.

  3. #3
    Registered User Chicklet's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    Glasgow
    Posts
    2,555
    Blog Entries
    1
    Rep Power
    11

    Re: Camera Corner

    thanks ever so much Geoff

    another "source" has just suggested Nikon Coolpix P80 ~£220

    anyone like this baby?

  4. #4
    Forum Bombshell - Our Queen! Lory's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    North London
    Posts
    9,918
    Blog Entries
    2
    Rep Power
    17

    Re: Camera Corner

    Just a quick note.. you don't really need to worry about having a switch to go to black and white, as even the most basic of editing programs have the ability to do this at a touch of a button, so you make make the decision to convert any of your photo's 'after' you've uploaded them to the computer
    MODERATOR AT YOUR SERVICE
    "If you're going to do something tonight, that you know you'll be sorry for in the morning, plan a lie in." Lorraine

  5. #5
    Senior Member rubyred's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    United Kingdom
    Posts
    3,588
    Rep Power
    9

    Re: Camera Corner

    Quote Originally Posted by Chicklet View Post
    thanks ever so much Geoff

    another "source" has just suggested Nikon Coolpix P80 ~£220

    anyone like this baby?
    Not a P80 but had a P4, I was not over impressed with the detail or the sharpness of the pictures even though it was an 8 pixle thingy, everything seemed too long away even with the zoom, I paid around £200 .
    if you love the life you live then you'll get a lot more done

  6. #6
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    Oxford
    Posts
    677
    Rep Power
    9

    Re: Camera Corner

    Quote Originally Posted by Chicklet View Post
    another "source" has just suggested Nikon Coolpix P80 ~£220
    I've never got that sort of camera. For that price and size, you can get a cheap dSLR. The Nikon D40 is around the same price on Amazon.

    The key difference is the P80 has a compact CCD; the SLR has an SLR CCD (the CCD is the sensor that actually records the image). The D40's CCD is significantly bigger than the P80s. This means, essentially, that you get much better quality images (and the sensor size more than offsets the difference in megapixels. In particular, you get a lot of definition in low light, where small sensors just confuse themselves. You'd also find an SLR much, much faster and more flexible as a camera. What you lose, is a little off the focal length (but you have much better glass on the SLR, so that's not a big deal; you can always get a bigger lens) and the ability to shoot video. It's also a bit heavier and bulkier to carry - although not by a lot over the P80.

    Rant aside, and this probably hasn't helped very much... I suggest you decide what style of camera you want (do you want a genuine compact (eg the Fuji), a larger all-in-one (the p80) or an SLR (the D40). Then you can pick the best in your price range.

  7. #7
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Jul 2004
    Location
    North Hertfordshir
    Posts
    751
    Rep Power
    10

    Re: Camera Corner

    I have a s600 (170 on amazon at the moment), 10MP and 28mm equivalent wide angle. It's pretty good in low light, the only problems I have are auto-focus in low light, and the image stabilisation seems to need to warm up before auto-focus works (i.e ~5 sec after switching on). I got it because I wanted something portable for a kayaking trip.

    Photos on http://sean-houlihane.fotopic.net/c1571083_145.html are a mix between that camera and a D80 (the D80 ones are identified as such on the individual photo page, the s600 ones are anonymous).

    Sean

  8. #8
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    East Kilbride, Sco
    Posts
    903
    Rep Power
    10

    Re: Camera Corner

    Quote Originally Posted by Chicklet View Post
    chums

    I am thinking of buying a new digital camera, previously I have just had a pretty basic point and shoot Canon 5mp (cos that was lots when I bought it honest!) with a 3x zoom. Idiot proof really, although I never did manage to figure out how to switch the flash off.



    Is £300 budget reasonable?
    Hi Chick, I've had a Sony W55 for around 2 years, it's been to 7 different countries and up more than 100 Munros and NEVER let me down. The comparable model, I think, would be the W170. At less than £125 it's well within your budget and meets your requirements. You don't need to spend anywhere close to £300 for a decent digital camera for your needs.

    Btw, I hope to see you soon, back on the WCS circuit, now that you're home.

  9. #9
    Registered User martingold's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Posts
    1,864
    Rep Power
    9

    Re: Camera Corner

    As a qualified amateur photgrapher whenever someone asks me which camera to buy I would firstly ask what are you planning to use it for
    If its just holidays, dancing , kids etc i would say go for a really good compact of which there are a lot out there made by canon, nikon, olympus, panasonic and of course sony (who bought out minolta)
    I would tell them to go to a really good photographic shop NOT Jessops, currys etc as they now dont always employ photographers but check out staff. Tell them what you want the camera for and how much you have to spend (perhaps err on the lower side) pick up and play with any model of camera they sugest (there should be a few in your price range) and see which one feels right in your hands.
    The various models numbers change rapidly in any technology
    Then go home and do a web search on the models you have short listed for price and spec and any reviews. Then you could come back here and ask on the forum has anyone any experience of the particular make and model you are thinking of buying.
    Most people will say i have this or i have that and its really good. i could tell you to buy a medium price dslr but if you do you will need to spend quite a bit on lenses and other equip, my set up is just shy of £4000 and that doesnt include the Panasonic Limux TZ4 we bought which sits nicely in my pocket and produces great pics

    The things to look out for are Optical zoom (digital can be done in post production on your computer) megapixels although anything above 5mp will produce good results, if you want to use it for dances then you would want to look at the highest ISO value, this is the same as film speed the higher the number the less light it needs to take a picture albeit with more noise (similar to grain in celuloid photography)

    Hope you have fun with you new toy

  10. #10
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    Bristol
    Posts
    3,166
    Rep Power
    11

    Re: Camera Corner

    Quote Originally Posted by martingold View Post
    ....I would tell them to go to a really good photographic shop NOT Jessops, currys etc as they now don't always employ photographers....
    I bough my last 4 digital cameras from Jessops and found them very knowledgeable but I try and visit then during the week rather then a weekend, when I suspect they bring in part time check out staff

    for £300 i would pop in to Jessops and look at one of these Nikon Coolpix S710 Digital Camera . The jessops web site, also allows you to compare features

    An SLR will produce better results, provided you have it with and have not left it at home, because its too big to go in your pocket

  11. #11
    Registered User martingold's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Posts
    1,864
    Rep Power
    9

    Re: Camera Corner

    Quote Originally Posted by philsmove View Post
    I bough my last 4 digital cameras from Jessops and found them very knowledgeable but I try and visit then during the week rather then a weekend, when I suspect they bring in part time check out staff
    I recently went into the shop in Chelmsford on a weekday asked if they had a canon 50mm f1.8 lens in stock the lady behind the counter had no idea what i was talking about, she bought out a canon compact camera this has happened too frequently in the essex stores in the last couple of years
    We are lucky however as we have a branch of the camera world in chelmsford to work there you have to be a keen photographer with an in depth knowledge of their stock (they have won specialist retailer of the year award for the last two years)
    Quote Originally Posted by philsmove View Post
    An SLR will produce better results,
    only if you know how to get the best results from it
    Quote Originally Posted by philsmove View Post
    provided you have it with and have not left it at home, because its too big to go in your pocket
    good advice indeed

  12. #12
    Papa Smurf
    Join Date
    Jan 2002
    Location
    Planet Scathe
    Posts
    12,528
    Blog Entries
    6
    Rep Power
    18

    Re: Camera Corner

    I think this Canon IXUS 85IS Silver is a good buy at £145.79 Delivered
    (10megapixels 3x zoom)

    although i have an old Fuji 6mp compact im getting rid off if you want to make me a tiny offer (comes with a lens adaptor and i have telephoto and wide lenses) also has its own rechargable batteries. Got it from a photo guru friend so it is good quality.

  13. #13
    Registered User martingold's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Posts
    1,864
    Rep Power
    9

    Re: Camera Corner

    Quote Originally Posted by Dreadful Scathe View Post
    I think this Canon IXUS 85IS Silver is a good buy at £145.79 Delivered
    (10megapixels 3x zoom)

    although i have an old Fuji 6mp compact im getting rid off if you want to make me a tiny offer (comes with a lens adaptor and i have telephoto and wide lenses) also has its own rechargable batteries. Got it from a photo guru friend so it is good quality.
    I have to admit i am a fan of both canon and fuji
    I have had two fuji's the finepix s7000 being the best prosumer camera i have owned a small jump from there to a canon dslr

  14. #14
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    Bristol
    Posts
    3,166
    Rep Power
    11

    Re: Camera Corner

    Quote Originally Posted by Chicklet View Post
    I AM prepared to read the manual this time.

    C
    Quote Originally Posted by martingold View Post
    I
    ......only if you know how to get the best results from it


    this is true of any camera
    Do read the instruction book and take lots and lots of photographs, BEFORE you go on holiday


    the great thing about digital cameras, is you know straight away, if you have cut aunt Sally's head off, or left the lens cap on

    apart from the expensive top end SLRs s most (all)cameras now have a fully automatic setting. and latest ones, really are very good

  15. #15
    Registered User martingold's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Posts
    1,864
    Rep Power
    9

    Re: Camera Corner

    Quote Originally Posted by philsmove View Post
    Do read the instruction book and take lots and lots of photographs, BEFORE you go on holiday


    the great thing about digital cameras, is you know straight away, if you have cut aunt Sally's head off, or left the lens cap on

    apart from the expensive top end SLRs s most (all)cameras now have a fully automatic setting. and latest ones, really are very good

    oh and if you want to look at a canon manual you can get it free of charge on pdf before you buy the camera from the canon australia website
    You have to pay if you want it from the uk website
    That goes for anyone who already has a canon device as well

  16. #16
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    Bristol
    Posts
    3,166
    Rep Power
    11

    Re: Camera Corner

    The Nikon S710 manual is free and and its here

  17. #17
    Registered User Chicklet's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    Glasgow
    Posts
    2,555
    Blog Entries
    1
    Rep Power
    11

    Re: Camera Corner

    many thanks to all for all the food for thought..

    have been rooting round t'internet and picking other brains and lumix dmc fz28 looks like it may be the beasty...Santa is helping out a little..

  18. #18
    Registered User martingold's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Posts
    1,864
    Rep Power
    9

    Re: Camera Corner

    Quote Originally Posted by Chicklet View Post
    many thanks to all for all the food for thought..

    have been rooting round t'internet and picking other brains and lumix dmc fz28 looks like it may be the beasty...Santa is helping out a little..
    I have to say we do get some really nice point and click type piccies from our lumix tz4 compact when i am feeling lazy i will take that out instead of my dslr
    The fz28 spec looks ok as well but i would still go play with one in a shop (any shop will do now you have almost made a choice) you might find you dont like the feel of it
    Let us know how you get on

  19. #19
    Registered User Chicklet's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    Glasgow
    Posts
    2,555
    Blog Entries
    1
    Rep Power
    11

    Re: Camera Corner

    Well Santa was very nice and brought me the Panasonic.
    All so far so good as this week I will be attending week two of a wee beginners' evening class.

    Teach insists it's not to be a class for lens rage and equipment wars etc, camera is the tool and folks like us want to concentrate on shot finding with brain and eye, then capturing same by using best functions and settings in hand at the time, so all about learning how your own stuff works. Last week was just intro and half the time was looking at various shots to discuss what made some more pleasing to the eye than others. All very obvious things now that they have been said but all made me realise that I don't have the vocabulary and the basics that I think anyone who got even a year's art at school would have, I never got any art at school at all so I'd never heard of the "thirds" thing even. I look at my pics and realise that I have obviously used the concept in ma heid occasionally but have not known I was doing it and more often have strived and sweated and leaned to get The Thing bang slap in the middle lol.

    Anyway, knowing bugger all of such things but being delighted by them should give me a lot of bang for my buck over the weeks, in theory anyway.

    Anyone else doing Camera Skool as their New Thing for 09?

  20. #20
    Papa Smurf
    Join Date
    Jan 2002
    Location
    Planet Scathe
    Posts
    12,528
    Blog Entries
    6
    Rep Power
    18

    Re: Camera Corner

    yes, my wife - if she can find the time. You should come over and compare cameras n stuff

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. Fujioptics FF-500 Digital Camera (Don't Buy One!!)
    By Brian Doolan in forum Chit Chat
    Replies: 21
    Last Post: 29th-July-2008, 03:20 PM
  2. Which Compact Camera To Buy?
    By pmjd in forum Geeks' Corner
    Replies: 44
    Last Post: 20th-May-2008, 11:45 PM
  3. Pedants' Corner
    By Clive Long in forum Chit Chat
    Replies: 100
    Last Post: 9th-February-2006, 12:38 AM
  4. tom tom speed camera download
    By Lucy Locket in forum Geeks' Corner
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 28th-August-2005, 07:52 PM

Tags for this Thread

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •