Dan Clark Posted July 11, 2006 Report Share Posted July 11, 2006 I've recently sold my old XC bike so I've got a bit of money lying about, and I wouldn't mind jumping on the photography bandwagon as everyone else is.I currently know pretty much nothing about cameras, except DSLR's you can change the lenses on, and are super good.I don't know anything about taking photos either, I know about shutter speeds, macro and stuff, ISO's, F-stops, Apeture etc I don't.What would you recommend as a good beginner camera? I want digital because I don't have the money and time for developing and such. I won't be using it for taking trials pics all the time, maybe a few bmx ones but mostly landscapes and crap like that.Eventually I'd like to get a DSLR and such, but its not worth it if I'm a beginner is it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lawnmowerman Posted July 11, 2006 Report Share Posted July 11, 2006 Here As I said in that topic. I'd buy Merlin_Riders fuji S5500. Examples are in the thread Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Clark Posted July 11, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 11, 2006 Oh yeah, I also won't be taking video's with it ever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob_P Posted July 12, 2006 Report Share Posted July 12, 2006 Fuji S5500/5600 without a f**king doubt, I can't be assed to type an essay as to why. You could ask how many people have got that camera on this forum alone and the majority is the fuji, since its so good.If you can stretch, maybe the S9500? Its nearly a digi slr, it has a big lens but isnt inter changeable.You could get a D50 or such since there so cheap now but still, if you don't know about the basics it's best to learn on something smaller that wont be so daunting. Like trials, start small and work up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Clark Posted July 12, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 12, 2006 What are the prices on these things?Merlin Rider's cam looks a good deal, I like the light trail pictures, trials ones didnt do much for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob_P Posted July 12, 2006 Report Share Posted July 12, 2006 Yep, thats my old camera! Been taken good care of See my FS topic here for pics of it and examples....CLICKThats a good price for all the stuff you get, bag mem card, batts etc.The S9500 is a lot more, not sure off hand. Google it?For cameras and stuff look at http://www.warehouseexpress.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RicH_87 Posted July 12, 2006 Report Share Posted July 12, 2006 looks like this thread is gonna cost me £200 too,i'm well interested in the fuji s5600, found one for £185 all in,anyone recommend any lenses and such? and how much are memory cards? (i'd look it up but i can't be bothred right now).ta. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Clark Posted July 12, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 12, 2006 Mark suggests I go for a full DSLR to save me upgrading later.Opinions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark W Posted July 12, 2006 Report Share Posted July 12, 2006 Reasons for buying a proper dSLR:1. If you buy a dSLR and like it, you're going to have a good basis to upgrade from. You can buy new lenses, a new body, etc., and upgrade really easily, so you've got a future planned for it.2. If you buy a dSLR and don't like it, you can still sell it on for a decent amount, 'cos people are always after slightly cheaper dSLRs, so it shouldn't really lose too much value.3. If you buy a cheap point'n'shoot camera, and you end up getting into photography, it'll be harder to get nicer pics with it than a dSLR, meaning you're possibly going to end up being put off photography simply because your equipment is holding you back.4. If you buy a cheap point'n'shoot camera, and you end up getting into photography, you'll have to sell it and get a dSLR anyway at some stage (most likely), so you're basically cutting out the fact you're going to lose money on the depreciation of your first camera anyway.5. You'll look "Pro". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phatmike Posted July 12, 2006 Report Share Posted July 12, 2006 Number 5 is enough reasoning alone! :wink2:But I would also reccomend you go along the lines of a budget DSLR, such as the Nikon D50, or, the Canon 350d, which is what myself and Mark use.Jessops are usually very competitive on prices, and currently a 350d with the kit lens is about £485:http://jessops.co.uk/Store/s28045/0/Digita...ex=1&comp=yIf you do plan on taking decent photos, a DSLR isn't essential by all means, but it certainly does help, and the fact they're so customisable, with different lenses, memory cards, flash guns, battery grips etc etc means it will help take the kind of pics you want to take! Plus there are lots of people here, including myself who'll more than happily offer advice, heck I've not even been "into" photography for over a year, but feel I have learned a tremendous amount!As for memory cards, you can even get a 1gb one with a more than reasonable speed for around £20! http://www.emartbuy.co.uk/products.php?prodid=120http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/product_in...&r=20060425If you fancy spending the bit extra, a DSLR would be a fantastic tool to increase your learning curve of photography! Your myspace pics would improve no end. Mike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Papasnap Maher Posted July 12, 2006 Report Share Posted July 12, 2006 Your myspace pics would improve no end. LMFAO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomm Posted July 12, 2006 Report Share Posted July 12, 2006 If you could stretch to a DSLR I reckon it's a good idea - The Nikon D50 with kit lens is under £400 I believe. The Canon (350d) does get slightly better reviews, but the d50 is a good £80-90 cheaper. Also the 350d has a very womanly grip, I much prefer the shape of the d50. The problem is that when you buy an SLR, you're buying into the system of lenses, therefore if you buy a Nikon SLR, you have to use lenses made for Nikons. At the moment, due to the popularity of the 350D, there are more canon lens optionsHaving said all that, the Fuji would give you almost as many options and is a lot cheaper. I don't really have any experience with that, but my girlfriend has a Panasonic FZ7 which is also very decent. Bear in mind that if you buy an SLR, you'll have to spend around £100 more (minimum) for a telephoto lens that will match the ones on the s5600 (10x) and the FZ7 (12x). So you are looking at £500-600 for a similar setup as the Fuji or other so-called "ZLRs". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-Stop Junkie Posted July 12, 2006 Report Share Posted July 12, 2006 In a recent test, PC Pro magazine rated the Canon Digital Ixus 60 as their sub £200 camera of choice. I'm also really liking my Sony W1 which has now been replaced with the DSC-W50 which RRPs at only £140 with a six megapixel sensor. There's also the Olympus digital 700 which is £150, 7 megapixels and is both small and weatherproof making it a great camera to stick in a bag when you go out, and not worry too much about it. All the above three are more compact camera design that the Fuji's psuedo-mini-SLR look.If you just want a camera to grab a few snaps with, then any one of the above will be more than suitable. SLRs really arn't required for a lot of people, especially given how good compact cameras are. What I'd suggest is spend a couple of hundred on a compact now, then if you find you really get into it, then look at an SLR. You'll keep the compact for when you don't want to take out your big camera, and have an advanced camera for when you've got the time and opportunity to make the most of it.Don't forget there are a lot of costs involved with SLRs as you build your kit over time. First there's the body and lens, then a flash, then a couple of spare batteries, then a battery pack, then a bigger bag, then some filters, then more lenses...Stick with compacts to begin with.You could ask how many people have got that camera on this forum alone and the majority is the fuji, since its so good.Just because something is popular doesn't make it good. Look at Big Brother... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Papasnap Maher Posted July 12, 2006 Report Share Posted July 12, 2006 In a recent test, PC Pro magazine rated the Canon Digital Ixus 60 as their sub £200 camera of choice. Ahem* i did try and tell everyone about the ixus range...but no...no one believed me. Oh well , just proves i pwn all the fuji lovers On a more serios note. Ixus 40, 55, 60 ALLL AMAZING cameras. After owning an 40 and 60...i talk with experience Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RicH_87 Posted July 12, 2006 Report Share Posted July 12, 2006 on the dslr's does the screen display pictures you've taken and stuff? or is it purely for settings? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark W Posted July 12, 2006 Report Share Posted July 12, 2006 It does display the pics, yeah, and displays info about the pics, the histograms and so on. It also does the menu settings and so on. My Canon's got a little different screen too (which I think Nikon's have?) which just displays aperture, shutter speed and the light meter reading, which you can light up if you need to to just double check your settings (mad handy ). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Clark Posted July 12, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 12, 2006 Anyone fancy lending me £500 or so? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RicH_87 Posted July 12, 2006 Report Share Posted July 12, 2006 would the fuji s5600 be a worthwhile upgrade from an ixus 40?i would idealy want to buy something decent stright off but judging by the condition of my trusty ixus i wouldn't wanna be lugging £500 worth of kit around with me.the only reason really is cos i wanna use lenses and stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark W Posted July 12, 2006 Report Share Posted July 12, 2006 To be honest, dSLRs aren't that dainty. My Canon's fallen over on the tripod before to tarmac/concrete and it's been fine. It's got a few scuffs on it, but nothing major at all. Obviously it won't take being thrown around too much, but I generally put my Canon bag in my bag, put my camera in the main pouch then put all my tools in the little pouches, and the 17mm spanner and 8mm allen key over the top of the camera and it's fine. I'm probably going to be getting hate mail from some of the camera dudes on here now for admitting that Gonna take more care with my newer lens though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Howard Hughes Posted July 12, 2006 Report Share Posted July 12, 2006 If you do choose to go down the DLSR road, then it may be worth looking for something like a Canon 300d, it isn't the latest model out or anything, but you can probably pick one up for a reasonable price on Ebay with a few extra lenses/flash/other accessories - then if you do get pretty into it you will still have some reasonable equipment, and if not - then it is no huge waste of money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomm Posted July 12, 2006 Report Share Posted July 12, 2006 Gonna take more care with my newer lens though What lens is that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark W Posted July 12, 2006 Report Share Posted July 12, 2006 The Sigma F2.8 15mm fisheye Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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