Looking for a camera

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freeman3030

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Name
James
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Yes
Hi,
I'm new to photography, and really want to start learning to take good pictures and edit them creatively, but I feel I need a good camera that can aid me. To date, my camera collection so far has consisted of those found on the rear of mobile phones! My parents have always had a digital camera so have always used theirs if needed. But i've moved out now and have realized that I would like my own to help capture my experiences.
I've looked online and can't believe how many different types of cameras there really are!

I'd really like a good quality camera, and have heard/read that Cannon is the way forward - is that true? I don't know what to look for in a good camera, I know megapixels isn't everything, but theres ISO, face detection, blink detection, lens size, GPS Tracking, (I would love this feature!) and so many other things to consider... can anyone suggest a camera thats a great starter?

On a side note:
Just out of curiosity, I would also like to record Video and as I intend on getting a camera, can cameras record good quality video? My mum's digital camera's video is smooth (albeit a bit low res) but the audio recording is ever so tinny - I know thats what a camcorder is for, but just wondering is there's a camera that can do both... well?

I'm soon to order an iMac (just waiting until they do a refresh - end of April, beginning of May... according to Mac roomers) and would really like to get some image editing software, have looked at Aperture - just wondering about people experiences and what is best to use on a Mac?

Many thanks
 
You can download free trials of aperture or lightroom. I prefer lightroom but both are very good so try both and see what you think.

How much u got to spend on a camera? Nikon D90 could be a good buy?
 
Not much to go with there mate. What kind of pictures you take? Waht is your budget? Do you want a compact, a DSLR or something in the middle. Canon's are good but there is also Nikon, Sony, Pentax, Olympus, Panasonic. All produce some great cameras.

On the subject of the iMac yes you are better waiting a little bit. The new processors that are in the new Macbook Pros are destined to get in the next gen iMacs too and they are simply blazing fast.

Aperture is very good and can be had for next to nothing from the Mac App store (something like 50£). However download Adobe's Lightroom as well as a demo and try it out before you settle on either. Though if you are on a budget the Lightroom might not be pointless at 250£ when you can get Aperture for 50.
 
I only really want to spend around £200 - £300. Well I go camping and have a bike and go out and snap away at the scenery and also city's a visit abroad, but the photos taken with my phone (HTC Desire HD) really aren't that inspiring to look at.
I also take photo's of family at party's/gatherings and also (this is going to sound sad) but of my house as I renovate it!
When I get my Mac, I will try out Lightroom and see if its worth the money, but I will only do light editing on the most part, so probably not worth it, I haven't got hours to whittle away editing photos.
 
You could have a look at Elments 9 which I think is about £50. As for a camera, how about a Panasonic LX5. These give acceptable imaga quality and allow manual control so you can play and learn.
 
I would go for a Nikon D40 or even a D3100 both second hand if in budget. Guess a D40 kit will be around £200. Great camera for money.
 
If it were me, knowing what I know now, I'd go for a used Nikon D80 or D200 (I'm sure there are Canon equivalents but I'm ignorant!). Both would be excellent and can be bought for around £200 on ebay. Something like an 18-70 AF-S lens for around £100 and you're away.
 
I started out with (and am still starting out) a Nikon D50. It's a great little camera, can be bought for nothing and can be used with all the old Nikon lenses. You can pick them up for about £150 from the usual used camera outlets. Snap on a nifty 50 (50mm 1.8D) or an inexpensive zoom and you'll be away.

Also it's very small and nice and light!
 
Thanks for the responses, will have a look around. I was a bit dubious about buying one on eBay but perhaps it's worth a look :)
 
If you are looking for a compact camera I would Recommend the lumix tz9 or tz10, they are basically the same camera but the tz10 has gps and they both create stunning images for a compact! However if you would like pro quality pics I would say the used 450d is a great starting point!
 
The TZ8, 9 and 10 are good travel cameras - possibly not up to the older TZ7 - but they're nothing extraordinary. My wife likes her TZ9 but I still prefer my ageing A640. I'd be more inclined to get a Canon S90/95 if you want a compact now, and don't need the big zoom range. They have raw too, if that's a consideration.

Anyway, choice of camera should really be determined by what you want to do with it. A second hand, entry level, DSLR and lens should be within budget and will offer better results and a lot more flexibility. OTOH, they're heavier and bulkier, and you'll eventually need to spend more money on lenses, to get the full benefits from it. This can wait for a while, though.

Give us some idea of your photographic interests, as a previous poster said.
 
Sorry for very late reply. I only really want the camera to help document my life as I do different things. I just want a good camera that takes really clear photos. Any good photos I take, I would like to reprint them (no bigger than A4 probably) whether that would have any baring factor on choosing one?
I've been looking at entry level dSLRs, in particular the canon eos 1000d/1100d & the nikon d3100 purely because of their price and as I read through the spec sheets I noticed hd video capture... But I've been tricked, as they dont record 1080p and neither have the geotagging feature which I would really like.
Hmmmmm, don't really know how to move forward :(
 
gad-westy said:
D200
can be bought for around £200 on ebay
Click to expand...

Good luck with that one! :O

It really depends how much you want to spend... I'd say Canon because the cheaper Nikon's can't take advantage of a lot of the second hand (and even some new) glass as they don't have internal focusing motors.

I'd say find a 20D/30D and a Canon 50mm f/1.8, should have you sorted for a bit
 
freeman3030 said:
Sorry for very late reply. I only really want the camera to help document my life as I do different things. I just want a good camera that takes really clear photos. Any good photos I take, I would like to reprint them (no bigger than A4 probably) whether that would have any baring factor on choosing one?
I've been looking at entry level dSLRs, in particular the canon eos 1000d/1100d & the nikon d3100 purely because of their price and as I read through the spec sheets I noticed hd video capture... But I've been tricked, as they dont record 1080p and neither have the geotagging feature which I would really like.
Hmmmmm, don't really know how to move forward :(
Click to expand...

Maybe an A55 fits the bill then?

Might wanna check the m4/3 cameras as well. Small enough to carry around with you while 80% there regarding IQ and AF compared an entry level APS-C SLR.
 
Ksanti said:
Good luck with that one! :O
Click to expand...

One sold yesterday for £155. You may have a point though, most seem to hover just under the £300 mark. A lot of camera for the money none the less. D80's are definitely do-able for £200.
 
D3100 does full HD 1080p @ 24 fps, and 720p HD at 30 fps

Sent from my iPhone 4 using TP Forums
 
vrapan said:
Maybe an A55 fits the bill then?

Might wanna check the m4/3 cameras as well. Small enough to carry around with you while 80% there regarding IQ and AF compared an entry level APS-C SLR.
Click to expand...

Some reviewers claim that 4/3 are better than entry level DSLR's, and some mid level ones too.
 
Sorry for very late reply. I only really want the camera to help document my life as I do different things. I just want a good camera that takes really clear photos. Any good photos I take, I would like to reprint them (no bigger than A4 probably) whether that would have any baring factor on choosing one?
Click to expand...

This sounds like a point n shoot might be a better choice. Small and light. Most have decent video too.

I've been looking at entry level dSLRs, in particular the canon eos 1000d/1100d & the nikon d3100 purely because of their price and as I read through the spec sheets I noticed hd video capture... But I've been tricked, as they dont record 1080p and neither have the geotagging feature which I would really like.
Click to expand...

Geo tagging will prolly cost a bit more, but there are gps devices to record your position, plug in bits to cameras and your mobile phone... perhaps.

I'm a nikon bloke so I'd recommend a nikon, but I find the entry models too restrictive if the photo bug gets you. Others disagree lol ;)

I'd look for a d80 or d90 second hand (if there are any second hand stores near you go visit them). Write down a list of things you'd want to do with it (portrait, landscape, macro, wildlife... etc) and ask the sales bloke to talk you through the choices.

As for canons, I dunno but the 30d or 40d ? or is it a 60d now?


Either way best to get your hands on them and try them.

For the compacts find a local big pc world/curries type store and try out the cameras - grab a sales person so you can ensure charged batteries.

Importantly DON'T buy. Think about it, loads. Then go back a day or two later if you are really interested :) (also means no pressure as you can walk away if the sales person is pressuring you).
 
freeman3030 said:
I've been looking at entry level dSLRs, in particular the canon eos 1000d/1100d & the nikon d3100 purely because of their price and as I read through the spec sheets I noticed hd video capture... But I've been tricked, as they dont record 1080p and neither have the geotagging feature which I would really like.
Hmmmmm, don't really know how to move forward :(
Click to expand...

Nikon D3100 do record video in full HD and also Canon 1100D records 720p hd video. Both the camera are good for beginners, the only drawback with Nikon D3100 is it doesn't have a inbuilt auto-focus motor so you always need to use AF-S lenses otherwise if you neglect this than Nikon D3100 is really a must buy camera. You can see the comparison Nikon D3100 vs Canon 1100D
 
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