Went looking at cameras

ladysue

ladysue

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Sue
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Went to Lakeside, Essex today looking at cameras as I am saving for my first DSLR. Went to Jessops first. They had hardly any models in stock and neither of the two I had been considering ( Canon EOS 400D or 450D).

Currys were better. They had the 450D and Nikon 60 and a few others in the roughly £400 range ( Sony, Panasonic and Pentax). It was quite busy in there and my mobility scooter was taking up space so I didnt like to stop too long and try them all. However I was surprised ( having never held a DSLR) how heavy they are.The Nikon felt very solid compared to the Canon. As I have arthritis in my hands both were difficult to hold but the Nikon slightly more comfortable as it wasnt quite as bulky.Before I buy I will have to go shopping on a quieter day and hold a few more cameras.I may even go along to my local camera club and ask if I can hold/try some of theirs.

Having been to the shops and held a couple I understand now why people on here always say you must go and handle them before buying. I was tempted to buy on the internet because shopping is difficult for me but I'm really glad I didnt now.

If I decide I cant manage a DSLR does anyone have any ideas about a camera better than my current point and shoot Canon Ixus 950IS that will take much better quality pictures? Also are there lighter DSLR's anyone knows of?

Thanks
Sue
 
I also have problems with the joints in my hands and tried the 450d and it was too heavy for me. I managed to get my dad's old 350d and although its a bit older its a lot lighter and not as bulky in my hands. If I hand't got that camera I was going to go for the D60, but cant refuse a free camera! haha
 
ladysue said:
If I decide I cant manage a DSLR does anyone have any ideas about a camera better than my current point and shoot Canon Ixus 950IS that will take much better quality pictures? Also are there lighter DSLR's anyone knows of?

Thanks
Sue
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Would a bridge camera like a Canon G10 suit you? I know one or two other people that struggle to hold a DSLR, so they use a wooden handle that screws into the tripod mount, would something like that help?
 
the nikon D60 is about as light as nikon SLRs get, I don't know about canon ones though.

You might be interested in trying the olympus slrs, they use a smaller lens fitting size, so are slightly smaller...might be lighter too? An olympus dslr, with a small prime or kit lens on the front, shouldnt weigh *too* much...
 
Welsh Dan said:
Would a bridge camera like a Canon G10 suit you? I know one or two other people that struggle to hold a DSLR, so they use a wooden handle that screws into the tripod mount, would something like that help?
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I'll have a look to see what the Canon G10 is. I havent come across it. The handle might help. I'll look at that possibilty if I get a DSLR. Thank you for your comments
 
What about the new Panasonic G1 which has the quality of an SLR but the size of a bridge camera?

Also i went to jessops a while ago. They got me the camera out that i chose and the seal was broken on the box. They said they were all like that , i said "no way" and the manager said they are all opened to check the contents.

I took it home , powered it up and the camera had no battery and marks all over it. So was obviously a return.

In short i returned it and gave the manager a piece of my mind and went and spent my money elsewhere.
 
Welsh Dan said:
Would a bridge camera like a Canon G10 suit you?
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The Canon G10 isn't a bridge camera, it's a compact ;)

Sony have what they claim is the lightest dslr available, the A230 coming to the market next month, so it might be something for the op to consider waiting for....
 
Welsh Dan said:
I know one or two other people that struggle to hold a DSLR, so they use a wooden handle that screws into the tripod mount, would something like that help?
Click to expand...

I wonder if something like the gorilla pod ('cept larger/longer) attaching the camera to your handle-bars would be of a help (assuming you are in the scooter most of the time you wish to use the camera?)

Don't accelerate too fast though, you'll end up with it falling into your lap.

On a more serious note than the line immediately above, if weight is going to be a concern, perhaps it would be wise to handle a couple of lenses before laying out money on an SLR. If you are not going to change lenses, then a bridge camera is possibly more suitable.
For comparison, I have the Canon EOS 400d.

The weight of the camera is 700g/~22oz
The default/kit lens is 200g/~7oz
The next lens up that I have (for normal walking around shots) is another 700g/~22oz
It is a significant increase in weight.

I am not trying to put you off, but it is something to consider.
 
Rather than screwing a bit of wood to your camera, may I suggest one of these..

84df54bc02f34b06a1ec9fed22b642dd.jpg


the Minipod from Calumet, yours for around a tenner.
 
coldpenguin said:
I wonder if something like the gorilla pod ('cept larger/longer) attaching the camera to your handle-bars would be of a help (assuming you are in the scooter most of the time you wish to use the camera?)

Don't accelerate too fast though, you'll end up with it falling into your lap.

On a more serious note than the line immediately above, if weight is going to be a concern, perhaps it would be wise to handle a couple of lenses before laying out money on an SLR. If you are not going to change lenses, then a bridge camera is possibly more suitable.
For comparison, I have the Canon EOS 400d.

The weight of the camera is 700g/~22oz
The default/kit lens is 200g/~7oz
The next lens up that I have (for normal walking around shots) is another 700g/~22oz
It is a significant increase in weight.

I am not trying to put you off, but it is something to consider.
Click to expand...

Yes you are right. I had been thinking that I would buy a bigger lens but that would be impossible to hold so I could only use it with a tripod.
 
Olympus 410/420 would be ideal for you unless you need in body image stabilisation, in which case a 510/520/620 would be better - the best of the lot is the 620. It has the in body IS and is the same size as the 4xx series, plus it has the new sensor, but is obviously more expensive.

The olympus kit lenses are probably the best of the bunch and very light as well - both the 14-42mm and the 40-150mm will fit in a pocket and are very sharp. With your arthritis I'd definitely recommend trying these before you decide on anything.
 
DekHog said:
Olympus 410/420 would be ideal for you unless you need in body image stabilisation, in which case a 510/520/620 would be better - the best of the lot is the 620. It has the in body IS and is the same size as the 4xx series, plus the new sensor, but is obviously more expensive.

The olympus kit lenses are probably the best of the bunch and very light as well - both the 14-42mm and the 40-150mm will fit in a pocket and are very sharp. With your arthritis I'd definitely recommend trying these before you decide on anything.
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Thank you for your suggestions. I will read up on all of them


andyred said:
Worth looking here for an idea on prices :thumbs:

http://www.camerapricebuster.co.uk/cat1.html
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Thank you. I will check them out

princeclan said:
What about the new Panasonic G1 which has the quality of an SLR but the size of a bridge camera?

Also i went to jessops a while ago. They got me the camera out that i chose and the seal was broken on the box. They said they were all like that , i said "no way" and the manager said they are all opened to check the contents.

I took it home , powered it up and the camera had no battery and marks all over it. So was obviously a return.

In short i returned it and gave the manager a piece of my mind and went and spent my money elsewhere.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the warning. I must say I was not very impressed by that particular store of jessops that I went to. The disabled access was poor and apart from not having the cameras I was interested in they didnt even suggest alternatives. Obviously dont need the sales! Will see what I can find out about the G1
 
Is that the one on the ground floor down one of the side alleys? I went into that one, found it a squeze and I am able bodied. There are some better ones, don't know of any near Lakeside though
 
coldpenguin said:
Is that the one on the ground floor down one of the side alleys? I went into that one, found it a squeze and I am able bodied. There are some better ones, don't know of any near Lakeside though
Click to expand...

Yes thats the one. There is a small shop in Colchester, not far from me, and I can usually park almost opposite so dont have to use a scooter. They were helpful once before so I'll try them
 
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