Digital Camera (photo)

[viriix]

So I know some of you guys out there love photography.

I've always enjoyed it, but more of a casual/part-timer. Always love to take shots of scenic stuff when I'm somewhere new or just out and about, even with friends, like when cooking food and taking some nice creative pics of the final products or while it's still in production - always fun to go through with it again.

I don't want to go super crazy with like big lenses etc, although one day perhaps.. a wide lense etc.. but probably a tripod at least.

I've had normal cameras which were quite decent and I don't mind carrying a larger camera, especially if it's for a bit of enjoyment and learning. I was thiinking of making the bold move to a DSLR camera, if not a DSLR, a pretty powerful camera.

I used to work for Sony, so I've got some loyalty towards them and know their products well. Well probably not in the last 4 years, but I can easily pick them up and get nice discounts still (I think..)

My mate had the Panasonic FZ-30. He's pretty good at his photography and used to work with the old Nikon SLR's and always had nice pics. I've seen his works on the FZ-30 and it's impressive. I didn't like the FZ-30 much simply because it felt too plastic and not too comfortable.

What are people's thoughts and recomendations?

[tangcla]

Depends on whether you want to spend more time in photography or not.

If you do - then definitely SLR. Probably start with a secondhand Canon 350D/400D or a Nikon D50/D70. Lenses, just start with the kit lens and add to it until you need to replace - i.e. Canon 10-22mm is great for landscapes.



If you want to stick with point and shoot, the arguable best prosumer would be the Canon G7 / G9 - manual features, very nice lens, and the ability to add an off-camera flash to do bounce light photography. i have one, and I take that out with me if I don't want to lug the SLR...

[EJ25]

If you do - then definitely SLR. Probably start with a secondhand Canon 350D/400D or a Nikon D50/D70. Lenses, just start with the kit lens and add to it until you need to replace - i.e. Canon 10-22mm is great for landscapes.

that is the bit where i lost it, dont get any of the numbers nor the letters..lol

[[j]]

Yeh, I'd have to pretty much agree with that.

Before my Nikon D80, I had a Sony DSC-H7 which I thought was the coolest thing evah!! LOL

My brother also went out and bought a small Nikon point n shoot and his gilrfriend got a Canon - each were probably a third of what I paid for the Sony and no joke, I personally think they take better photo's.

To me, the colour rendition you get from a Nikon or Canon is far better than the Sony I had. The little Nikon and Canon had all the adjustments the Sony had (ISO, Shutter, Aperture, Manual, etc.), they were faster and just better value in my opinion.

Dont get me wrong, the Sony was a great camera - but you can do so much better in my opinion. Especially if you're wanting something that takes fantastic shots and will give you the flexibility of adding lenses in future, I dont think you could go wrong with a Canon 350D/400D or Nikon D50/D70/D70s.

Really depends on what you're looking to photograph, price range and whether you want something that will let you broaden your skills and shots and still take great photos.

[[j]]

If you do - then definitely SLR. Probably start with a secondhand Canon 350D/400D or a Nikon D50/D70. Lenses, just start with the kit lens and add to it until you need to replace - i.e. Canon 10-22mm is great for landscapes.

that is the bit where i lost it, dont get any of the numbers nor the letters..lol

LOL - It's not that hard
(Although Tangcla & Trieu could probably throw around enough terms and numbers to confuse the sh!t out of us all..)

If you're interested in finding out a bit more about what the lens numbers refer to, then this is a really helpful guide and very easy to understand: http://www.digital-slr-guide.com/best-digital-slr-lens.html

[viriix]

Thanks for the feedback so far peeps!

Another site to read is www.dpreview.com

[moggy]

As others have said you need to decide what style of photos you will mainly want to take. The advantage of a point and shoot is the size and weight and transportability (you can just stick it in a pocket) and for most instances will do most things a DSLR will do. However if you want to capture moving subjects then a DSLR is the only option, the reason being that on a P&S you have a thing called 'shutter lag' which means when you press the shutter release there is a slight delay before the shutter operates and if the subject is moving you'll miss it. That's the reason I ended up getting a Nikon DSLR to replace my Nikon Coolpix as my main camera.

Bob.

[viriix]

Ahaha thanks Moggy.

I'm not that much of a noob with camera's as I did sell consumer ones and had an idea about 'prosumer' cameras, but wasn't a fanatic so I never really got into SLR's.

Point and Shoot are way too simple, I'd like a bit more versatility but.. I'm probably thinking a DSLR is probably a bit too overkill.

I've looked around and I think like [J] said, the Sony H9 might be ideal, I remember when the first of this series came out when I was selling those cameras and they were impressive as I had the Sony V1 before that.

I'm no where good enough to be taking photos of moving objects - but maybe with time I'll get there, but shutter speed is important and a normal point and click camera won't do for that kind of stuff in my opinion.

Size also isn't an issue for me as my phone has a 3MP on it, and it's still crap compared to my Kodak 3MP which in it's day was like worth.. nearly 2K. That thing still takes beautiful pictures, even tho it's a gumby of a camera - still better than the cheap crap around with claimed similar quality.

I was thinking something on the lines of a Panasonic FZ50 might be ideal or something similar to that, as that is like a bridge between your normal consumer and slr etc.

If the Sony F series were still around.. I'd nab one of those, they were great, especially the last 8MP one, the DSC-F828. Except for the purple/magenta tinge on most photo's... if you looked closely xD

Replaced by the A100/A700 now.. eh..

Appreciate all your thoughts and feedback. Thanks all :]

[MY07GT]

Sorry to hijack guys..... but who is really good at using the DSLR?

I need a night where sum1 can run thru, or show me how to use all my functions. I have read the manual but was never good at reading instructions. Im more hands on.

So wouldnt mind a training night.

Oh and where can i get a tripod for cheap?

Phil.

[WhiteGTB]

Nice thread, yeah everything everyone says is correct.

I have seen some rippa shots from point and shoots in the past and I guess it comes down to your skill and how you envisage the shoot and capture.

If your looking at moving shots later down the track, I would go for something that has manual settings, preferably a Digital SLR, entry model Canon 400D or the Nikon equivalent.

Prior to cars my love was photography, used to go shooting with some pro's also.. weddings, events, model/swimsuit comps were the best...

How much budget you willing to spend will be a factor too!

Phil, I am no pro, but if you need any info, just give me a holla, I'd be more then happy to help

Some of my night shots here when I first got into photography, they are not the best, but with photography you will always be learning....

[MY07GT]

Dude thats pro shiyt!

What camera gear do u need to get shots like that?

Whos got a tripod to offload to me?

Trieu I think I'll be hitting u up with a photoshoot night.

Phil.

[moggy]

These are excellent Trieu, better than anything I've produced so far. My biggest downfall is composition (or rather lack of it) and I really need to work on my technique.

Bob.

[WhiteGTB]

Viriix - Sorry to jack your post like this...

I would be happy to help anyone who wants to come and learn about night photography, please bear in mind, I would only charge one beer as Phil would know thats all I need... LOL!!

So yeah, if you guys want I'll organise a night time shoot to help you learn the settings and stuff.

Only requirement is your own tripod

Any interest?

[MY07GT]

Yes for interested. Yes for the beer. Yes u only require 1.

No for the tripod.

Phil.

[EJ25]

Yes for interested. Yes for the beer. Yes u only require 1.

or isit half?, im not laughing at u trieu, i didint even drink that night..lol