Photography on a budget - what camera?

DayDreamer

DayDreamer

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Hi All and apart from my intro post this is one of my first real posts :clap:

Many years ago I owned film SLR's so am fairly with settings but in latter years my cameras have been compacts/bridge as follows:-

Olympus 5060 zoom with which I was very happy at the time as it felt really solid and I liked the feel but it developed and electrical problems after two years on the mode dial.

Panasonic FZ18 which never felt right in my hands, taking the shots was slow and so gave it to my son.

Canon SX20 which felt good in the hand and the photos straight from the camera were better than any other previous camera but not happy at the hit and miss close up. BUT I dropped it from about one foot onto back garden decking and had stuck lens problem - £200 plus quote for repair so sold as spares - £60 which surprised me at high amount.

So then this year I thought I would get a pocket camera - Panasonic TZ8 - so I would carry it around more for 'spur of the moment' shots. BUT it is so boring boring boring!

My problem is because I had to retire from work on health grounds I ain't got too much money so am stuck as to what to do. I would like a DSLR with a better lens but can't afford it. I could buy second hand but feel uneasy about that. So I could stretch to another bridge camera but really ESSENTIALLY must have a camera that will take acceptable low light shots without always needing a tripod. And I want to take pictures (often portraits) where I can get the head in focus and the background out of focus. Fed up with trying to do it in Photoshop - takes too much time and end result usually sent to recycle bin.

Is there a bridge camera, which I could stretch to new, and with good low light performance and the 'out of focus' backgrounds I desire.

Sorry to ramble but H E L P would be good. No it would be G R E A T
 
Nope is the short answer. The out of focus background is a function of the lens character and sensor size. With smaller sensors it isn't physically possible to get that depth of field effect so easily. Although saying that I'm sure there are a few compacts that offer it 'in camera' with trickery but the actual results don't always look very convincing.

To do what you want I'd suggest any dslr and a 50mm f1.8 or so. You'll be able to do low light and get the depth of field you want. 50mm are the most common primes so usually easy to get hold of. 35mm are usually the next best.

If you want to buy second hand then I'd buy from an actual shop then you have more rights. Harrison cameras offer 12 month warranties on their second hand gear which is the best I've seen.
 
Have you considered a micro 4/3rds format set up? Someone posted a link in the Bargains section on the Sony NEX 3 with lens - IMO a good compromise between bridge pocketability and DSLR quality.

Also, SRS Microsystems have the Panasonic GF2 with 14-42 lens @£269.

Don't know if this is still over your budget and sorry, I don't know how to post links from my iPhone!
 
srichards said:
Nope is the short answer. The out of focus background is a function of the lens character and sensor size. With smaller sensors it isn't physically possible to get that depth of field effect so easily. Although saying that I'm sure there are a few compacts that offer it 'in camera' with trickery but the actual results don't always look very convincing.

I think you are sayingwhat I have suspected :(

To do what you want I'd suggest any dslr and a 50mm f1.8 or so. You'll be able to do low light and get the depth of field you want. 50mm are the most common primes so usually easy to get hold of. 35mm are usually the next best.

If you want to buy second hand then I'd buy from an actual shop then you have more rights. Harrison cameras offer 12 month warranties on their second hand gear which is the best I've seen.

Good link - thanks :thumbs:
Click to expand...

Thanks for your help - much appreciated
 
justinitus said:
Have you considered a micro 4/3rds format set up? Someone posted a link in the Bargains section on the Sony NEX 3 with lens - IMO a good compromise between bridge pocketability and DSLR quality.

Also, SRS Microsystems have the Panasonic GF2 with 14-42 lens @£269.

Don't know if this is still over your budget and sorry, I don't know how to post links from my iPhone!
Click to expand...

I must admit I haven't kept up with the technology re the quoted camera so will swot up in the next day or so.

My budget, yesterday, was around £200 and today around £250 but I am selling a few things to get a few more pennies and it could grow. I Guess I need to see realistically what the options are, or aren't.

Thanks for your input :clap:
 
If you're budget is currently £250 and could stretch then this Sony dslr at harrison cameras could be quite good:

http://www.harrisoncameras.net/productdetail.kmod?Productid=8546

They've also got a nice minolta 50mm:

http://www.harrisoncameras.net/productdetail.kmod?Productid=10875

Big advantage of sony gear is in body stabilisation which canon and nikon don't have.

They have some cheaper canon and nikon bodies but they're mostly ancient (2003-2005 vintage). The sony would at least be 2008 roughly and is 14mp.
 
Thanks Suz I really need to get up to date on the differing makes and will hit Dpreview tomorrow to learn a bit :)
 
This really really is an unbelievable coincidence as we won a small amount (low end three figure sum so no drinks all round :nono:) on last night Euro Lottery and my wife is insisting I have some for my camera budget :clap::clap::clap:

And so thanks to the lottery, which has only even given us a tenner, my new budget has become £400 maximum and my wife want me only to get a new camera and not used.

So I was in Jessops, this morning, and spent the first 45 minutes speaking to a very knowledgeable customer with lots of time. He was a big Canon fan, then I was speaking to another similar customer who was a big Nikon fan. Then spoke to the Jessops guy who showed me a Canon SX30 bridge camera which is a vast improvement on my damaged SX20. On DSLR he wouldn't even talk about anything apart from Nikon or Canon but for my low light needs he suggested a Canon EOS 1100D. He also said no to even the top end bridge cameras.

So guys can you help me again. Is the advice OK but is Nikon better than Canon or are neither any good or should I spend the money on some new clothes:help:

Thanks in anticipation :thumbs:
 
Nikon and Canon. Horses for courses. Don't worry about it too much. It's a very competitive market with very little in it. You'll not lose either way. And although they don't have as big a range of equipment, Pentax is a serious competitor too.

But yes. If you want to be serious about Photography, I think a proper dSLR is the way to go. I almost gave mine up for something more convenient as a carry around, and I'm so glad I didn't now.

As for the options. Yeah, the 1100d is the budget option. And I'm sure it's plenty capable, but it may be worth looking at the 2nd hand market too. For the past 6 years or something I've used a Canon 350d, and still now it's a very capable camera. And whilst they're getting on a bit they can be picked up for a little over £100.

The thing you need to consider with your budget, is the lenses. Generally the kit lenses (particularly on budget models) aren't great. They can be acceptable, but they're never going to blow your socks off by any means. So you might want to think about adding one or two additional lenses, if not ditching the kit lens altogether. This will give you a better all round experiencing of owning an SLR. Once you have a couple of lenses, others can be bought as and when required/affordable.
 
I'd also check out the sony and pentax ranges as they both offer in body stabilisation which canon and nikon don't. It gives you the advantage of automatically having any compatible lens being stabilised. With canon/nikon you have to buy stabilised versions of the lens specifically at extra cost.

It just comes down to which you like the feel of. I don't think there are bad slrs out there but sometimes second hand ones will offer you much greater value for money and last you longer as you can buy a mid range one second hand for the price of a new entry level.
 
From what you said in the first post, I'd choose a DSLR, not a bridge camera. Canon and Nikon have the biggest range of lenses and accessories - OEM and third party - so you might want to take that into consideration, but it certainly isn't a deal breaker and the brand doesn't matter. They're all pretty good. I'd take anything you're told by a salesman with a pinch of salt, and the same applies to "enthusiasts", even if they mean well! Most of us recommend going to a store, handling some cameras, and deciding which ones feel most comfortable for you.

You'll get more for your money with a used camera and lens. Get your post count up to 25, and wait for a couple of months, and you'll have access to the classifieds. That gives you some time to ask questions here and decide what you want, then you can buy with confidence.
 
get another film slr and put the saved cash into decent neg scanner and a few rolls of film.
 
Alan Clogwyn said:
get another film slr and put the saved cash into decent neg scanner and a few rolls of film.
Click to expand...

My goodness an interesting alternative option :cool:

When I use digital I take about a thousand shots for each I save --- now how much would a thousand films cost :eek:
 
DayDreamer said:
Hi All and apart from my intro post this is one of my first real posts :clap:

Many years ago I owned film SLR's so am fairly with settings but in latter years my cameras have been compacts/bridge as follows:-

Olympus 5060 zoom with which I was very happy at the time as it felt really solid and I liked the feel but it developed and electrical problems after two years on the mode dial.

Panasonic FZ18 which never felt right in my hands, taking the shots was slow and so gave it to my son.

Canon SX20 which felt good in the hand and the photos straight from the camera were better than any other previous camera but not happy at the hit and miss close up. BUT I dropped it from about one foot onto back garden decking and had stuck lens problem - £200 plus quote for repair so sold as spares - £60 which surprised me at high amount.

So then this year I thought I would get a pocket camera - Panasonic TZ8 - so I would carry it around more for 'spur of the moment' shots. BUT it is so boring boring boring!

My problem is because I had to retire from work on health grounds I ain't got too much money so am stuck as to what to do. I would like a DSLR with a better lens but can't afford it. I could buy second hand but feel uneasy about that. So I could stretch to another bridge camera but really ESSENTIALLY must have a camera that will take acceptable low light shots without always needing a tripod. And I want to take pictures (often portraits) where I can get the head in focus and the background out of focus. Fed up with trying to do it in Photoshop - takes too much time and end result usually sent to recycle bin.

Is there a bridge camera, which I could stretch to new, and with good low light performance and the 'out of focus' backgrounds I desire.

Sorry to ramble but H E L P would be good. No it would be G R E A T
Click to expand...

I see that you're in South Devon, probably putting you within easy range of a wonderful shop called Mifsuds (in Brixham)who have a large selection of 2nd hand kit from several ranges, so you can browse several potential systems (Canon, Nikon, Pentax and Sony/Minolta all under one roof. Have a look at their website http://www.mifsuds.com/acatalog/Second_Hand_Equipment.html

to get an idea of what they carry and their prices. They also carry large stocks of new equipment but that's obviously not the budget option (To be honest, photography is never going to be a cheap hobby, even purchasing pre-owned kit.)
 
I would recommend staying clear of a 4/3 camera, I used to have an Olympus E510 and although it was a great camera it was never very good at giving out of focus backgrounds. Depth of field as mentioned above relates to the aperture of your lens and sensor size. From your description I would recommend a Cannon or Nikon and then buy a 50mm F/1.8 lens when funds allow. I don't know much about Cannon models but I know that the Nikon D3100 is a fantastic entry level dslr and you won't have any regrets if you buy one.
 
Nod said:
I see that you're in South Devon, probably putting you within easy range of a wonderful shop called Mifsuds (in Brixham)who have a large selection of 2nd hand kit from several ranges, so you can browse several potential systems (Canon, Nikon, Pentax and Sony/Minolta all under one roof. Have a look at their website http://www.mifsuds.com/acatalog/Second_Hand_Equipment.html

to get an idea of what they carry and their prices. They also carry large stocks of new equipment but that's obviously not the budget option (To be honest, photography is never going to be a cheap hobby, even purchasing pre-owned kit.)
Click to expand...

We were in Brixham a few days back and next time the weather looks OK will be going there again - its only about nine miles from me. I will sure look at the shop so thanks for the lead :thumbs:
 
Mark G said:
I would recommend staying clear of a 4/3 camera, I used to have an Olympus E510 and although it was a great camera it was never very good at giving out of focus backgrounds. Depth of field as mentioned above relates to the aperture of your lens and sensor size. From your description I would recommend a Cannon or Nikon and then buy a 50mm F/1.8 lens when funds allow. I don't know much about Cannon models but I know that the Nikon D3100 is a fantastic entry level dslr and you won't have any regrets if you buy one.
Click to expand...

Hi Mark

And thanks for your advice :thankyou:

At this stage I am at £400 budget which is better than two days ago where I was at £200 - £250. I will just be so pleased to get a DSLR for the first time. I will have to crosss the 'aspirational (better lens) bridge' when I get to it ;)
 
I am going to start a new thread specifically about the two cameras on the short list as I Feel I will attract more replies. I hope this will be OK :thinking:
 
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