Why do I bother...

JohnF

JohnF

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I really am so annoyed at the moment, I probably shouldn't be, and I am sure I will told I shouldn't be but....

My niece is 11 next week, and because she has seen me take lots of photos she wanted a camera.

I was asked my opinion on what would be good for her, having considered what she wanted to take pics of, and weighing up the cost, I suggested a Canon S95.

The reasons being, it was one off cost no need for extra lenses, from looking at flickr it has a reasonable macro mode, has manual controls for her to learn from, and isn't bulky like an DSLR, she is quite fragile so I can't see her getting along with one.

So I look up everything and everyone agrees good camera, can get nice pics, totally suitable.


So idiot brother in law (I am not being harsh) goes to Jessops and orders something completely different, a Samsung of some description because it is cheaper, and comes with a bag

This will involve buying extra lenses which I was helping them avoid.

It will come with a kit lens, which whist not bad, will not do the macro she really wants.


Sometimes I do wonder why I bother, I took the time to look everything up only for an idiot who got a camera to charge it up once in 3 months to assume he knows better!

:bonk:
 
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I've been there!

I suggested a Canon bridge, with plenty of control, for my brother's 18th. He got a tiny little, handbag sized, Fuji because it available at Argos!!!
 
I know the sort of thing you mean, but one question: Is the S95 any good at macro?
 
I will probably have to hold back and be diplomatic when they show me it, but I don't think I can.

From looking at Samsung cameras, I don't think you can get a macro lens, without an adapter anyway, which is what she really wants to do.
 
Depends on what sort of Samsung camera we're talking... Pentax re-brand or mirror-less system?

Either way, people in "not taking good advise in to consideration" shocker lol.
 
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2Thumbs said:
Depends on what sort of Samsung camera we're talking... Pentax re-brand or mirror-less system?

Either way, people in "not taking good advise in to consideration" shocker lol.
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I am thinking it is something like this:

http://www.jessops.com/online.store/products/78157/show.html

No problem with Samsung or their products, as I say the S95 did everything she wanted, and was without extra cost.

The reasoning behind getting this (or an equivalent) was that it saved money, but in the end it doesn't.
 
It really does hiss you off when you put the effort and time in (family or not), and then get ignored.



You need to get a "I told you so" T Shirt ;)
 
I know the feeling... Not specifically with cameras, but I worked in IT for 20 odd years. You would not believe the number of people who asked for advice on what to buy. You'd ask what they needed it for, so on and so forth, and then they totally and utterly ignored everything you'd told them.

Fairly normal I guess :eek:

cheers
 
I have a Samsung s850 and it's pretty good at close ups...





The best thing you can do now is help her to get the best out of it!

Janet
 
JohnF said:
No problem with Samsung or their products, as I say the S95 did everything she wanted, and was without extra cost..
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Totally agree. When anyone asks me for camera advice I usually say go for a bridge/high quality P'n'S as it's a good starter with smaller outlay (long run or otherwise) and see how they get on with it.

At the end of the day, some people can't see beyond their noses when it comes to spending money.
 
alternatively next time anyone asks what's a good camera to get tell them to get a 5d mk11 roflol
they certainly cannot deny it's a good camera
 
Janet, those are lovely shots, are they with the kit lens?
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No kit lens...its simply a compact camera with no additions, but it's produced some stunning shots for me and I never go anywhere without it.

Janet
 
John, it's a cracking little camera, and copes very well with low light, which is more than I can say for my DSLR!



I picked it because it also has full manual control, although the ones I've posted were simply on auto....it's very rare it lets me down! The manual controls were invaluable in getting me used to ISO/shutter speeds etc before I bought my Oly.

I don't think she'll go far wrong with a Samsung...after all, it's not the camera that takes the shot...it's the person behind it....

Janet
 
I'd tell her to say thank you. Check it out carefully then ask her Dad for the receipt as what he's bought doesn't do macro and why didn't he listen to Uncle John and get what he was told! If she smiles enough she might just get away with it :)
 
Janet S said:
John, it's a cracking little camera, and copes very well with low light, which is more than I can say for my DSLR!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/janetstansfield/3733767840/

I picked it because it also has full manual control, although the ones I've posted were simply on auto....it's very rare it lets me down! The manual controls were invaluable in getting me used to ISO/shutter speeds etc before I bought my Oly.

I don't think she'll go far wrong with a Samsung...after all, it's not the camera that takes the shot...it's the person behind it....

Janet
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Janet, I agree cracking camera, if known about it would have been another recommendation, because it seems to be a cracking compact in the right hands.
 
I hope said brother in law does not browse this forum :D
 
No, definitely not, when I was explaining the benefits of an S95 I got a blank look. He got a camera for his birthday in June (samsung funnily enough) when I explained the different modes he said he would stick to auto.

Frowns all round when I said he was better off with £100 compact.
 
People ask for advise - whether it's about a car, camera, laptop, mobile phone or whatever - but they're paying for it, and it's their call. Doesn't bother me in the least.
 
I try not to give advice on any kind of purchase now, because when it inevitably goes wrong, who do they turn to? This is especially true with family and computers :D
 
To be fair, the s95 probably isn't the most magical of cameras for a 10 year old to play with, whereas a camera with a manual zoom lens is much more captivating and the fact you can take the lens off would be pretty cool in most kids' eyes.
 
Not to rain on the rant parade or anything, but the NX is hardly a bad camera - add some bellows/extension tubes and she'll have a pretty good macro camera as well as a far larger sensor for party and trip photos. I know I'd choose an NX100 over an S95 any day. If anything, maybe convince your brother in law to go for one of the micro 4/3s for the lens/accessory selection - Samsung addons aren't exactly cheap :p.
 
To be honest at the price it's not a bad choice though I would have probably gone for a MTF or Sony CCS.

Stick a £15 close up filter on the standard lens and it will probably outperform the S95's macro mode.

And of course if she really gets into it then Uncle John could treat her to a dedicate true macro lens for her next birthday.;)

http://www.parkcameras.com/20263/Samsung-60mm-F2-8-Macro-I-Function.html
 
Well, you did your bit... but I personally think that the CSC will trounce the compact for IQ every day of the week. The only advantage the Canon has is surely it's compact size and at least the Samsung can be fitted with a true macro lens.

All in all, soz, but I think that the CSC is the better buy unless compact size is the priority.

Actually, I've seen quite a few young ladies with CSC of one type or another.
 
That's not too bad for macro plus there might be the option of using a manual lens with an adapter, AF is pretty useless for macro anyway.
 
The thing is they didn't want extra costs, so that is why I was so taken aback. It started with DSLR then 2nd hand ones, both were beyond what they have or were prepared to pay.

That's why I made my suggestion. As someone said they pays their money, or in fact we all do because they want contributions.
 
As a conclusion to this. The camera purchased was a NX5, which was better than I thought. But grandad stepped in, and basically gave the extra money so my niece will be the owner of a Nikon 3100. Seems a nice camera, very different to my D80, will have fun with it I am sure, then she might get a go ;)
 
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