Is this any good? (Camera Related)

[Admiral Huddy]

http://www.currys.co.uk/martprd/product/seo/600394

Looks decent enough..

[Dr. Z]

If you are going to go for an SLR, buy one that has backed by the best range of lenses - so that'd be Canon or Nikon for most people :)

You sure you want an SLR?

[Mark]

Having done copious research on DSLR options, reading reviews, trying cameras, canvassing opinions etc. before deciding I wasn't ready for a DSLR, I can only agree with all of DRZ's points.

[Matblack]

I was in the same position as Mark and would recommend this http://www.boat-drinks.co.uk/showthread.php?t=4114

MB

[Matblack]

Only problem is it's gone up by £30 now, it was £149.99 when i posted it

I paid £210 for ours and I feel it was worth it, yes you can get a DSLR for slightly more but to get a similar zoom on an SLR you're talking a lot of money. The 5600 and its bigger brother give you a chance to 80% of the flexibility of an SLR at a fraction of the price. If you find you're using all the features then you can always trade up. :)

MB

[Fayshun]

I *think* you can get the Fuji in Tesco for £130.

*checks*

Yes you can.

LINKY----> http://direct.tesco.com/q/R.200-5489/btnResultSort.x%3d364/btnResultSort.y%3d2805.aspx

[Matblack]

I *think* you can get the Fuji in Tesco for £130.

*checks*

Yes you can.

LINKY----> http://direct.tesco.com/q/R.200-5489/btnResultSort.x%3d364/btnResultSort.y%3d2805.aspx



Its the 6500 that I have not the 5600, my mistake :embarassed:

MB

[petemc]

I think if you have the money, and I'm talking like £4k spare or more, then go the DSLR route. If not get a bridge camera, a super zoom digital. Something with 12x or more zoom, ignore the digital zoom. My current fave is the Panasonic FZ8 ( review (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonicfz8/) ). Oddly it doesn't seem to be widely available in the UK. Not sure why, but it got a good review. Those Fuji's are also pretty nice, and cheap too.

[Admiral Huddy]

If you are going to go for an SLR, buy one that has backed by the best range of lenses - so that'd be Canon or Nikon for most people :)

You sure you want an SLR?

I just fancy having a play around.. get some lenses at a later date. I'm not too happy with the P&C camera I have, so thought this might be a good dealto get started.

[petemc]

Does the compact you have now have any manual features or is it fully automatic? You can get digital compacts that have full manual controls, like a DSLR. M for manual, Av for aperture priority, Tv for shutter priority, ISO control, white balance control, etc. They're quite good these days. If you want to learn a bit more about photography you can without the hassle of a DSLR.

[Admiral Huddy]

Does the compact you have now have any manual features or is it fully automatic? You can get digital compacts that have full manual controls, like a DSLR. M for manual, Av for aperture priority, Tv for shutter priority, ISO control, white balance control, etc. They're quite good these days. If you want to learn a bit more about photography you can without the hassle of a DSLR.
The compact I have is all automatic with a few macro setting ets.. It's about 4 years old now..

It's the the light and focus I have a problem with. I think it's sad that a 35mm compact I have produces better quality prints than a digital. It's something I'd certianly like to get into but nothing too seriously.

[Mark]

I got the Canon S3 IS. It wasn't the cheapest option available by far but in the end I got so fed up with the megapixel wars and the fact that most of the cameras I'd looked at were being superceded for various reasons, that I got something I knew I could trust, and it certainly hasn't been a bad decision. The only thing I hoped for and didn't get was RAW shooting, which a few of the other bridge cameras (including the Fuji) have.

Pete, the FZ8 isn't around much yet as it's a new model. The next month or so should fix that.

[Admiral Huddy]

So is that a no for the OLYMPUS E400SEKIT Digital SLR?

[Matblack]

Your going to Essex I guess?

If you are have a play with my camera and see what you think.

MB

[petemc]

The other thing with DSLR's that you don't see at first sight is that you're not buying a camera you're buying into a lens system. Olympus lenses won't work on a Canon body for example. Generally Canon, Sigma, and Nikon lenses are the best so people buy either a Nikon or Canon body. The body can always be upgraded 3 years down the line and it'll work with your lenses. If after 3 years with the Olympus you find its not got the lenses you want or the quality you want you'll have to sell the lot. If you're going for a DSLR either Nikon or Canon imho.

[Admiral Huddy]

Ok that's good advice which I would have overlooked. Thanks

@MB - Yes please, I'd love a fiddle with yours .. thanks.


As i said, I would love to be able to take pictures with more natrual light rather than harsh flash, or seeing nothing at at all because it's too dark, so I'd like it more for portrait work.

[Mark]

While that's certainly the DSLR's strong point, I've been surprised just how much I've been able to get away with on the S3 so far. I'm certainly a supporter of image stabilisation now. :)

[Admiral Huddy]

While that's certainly the DSLR's strong point, I've been surprised just how much I've been able to get away with on the S3 so far. I'm certainly a supporter of image stabilisation now. :)

Are you able to control the shutter speed to gain more natrual light hence the stabilisation?

[Mark]

Yes - it has all the modes Pete mentioned from full Auto to full Manual.

The general rule of thumb with shutter speeds is 1/focal length, so, for example, if I put the S3 on full telephoto then the rule of thumb would be 1/400 shutter speed for a good image. Image Stabilisation might buy you 1/200 or even 1/160 if used sensibly, for example, which gives you more low light flexibility.

It's not a panacea, but it helps.

[Matblack]

I don't think theres a function on an inexpensive DSLR that my camera doesn't have. I specifically got the 6500fd because of the low light ability and believe me I did a LOT of research before I bought it, it doesn't have image stablisation but this is sacrified in favor of a more sensitive CCD, the same goes for pixel count, you don't really need 10MP and the more pixels the more issues you can have with noise.

Have a nose at my pics from the A1GP and any of the others taken since Christmas which include Chessington.

I find myself starting to use the viewfinder more and also playing with the manual controls and I suspect I will eventually trade up to a DSLR but right now the bridge does everything I need at ~£200 rather than ~£2000 which is what you would spend minimum to get the zoom you can get on a bridge camera.

MB

[Admiral Huddy]

I saw them they look great.. I shall look forward to seeing it on Saturday.

[Mark]

Yep, I'm already using the manual controls and the viewfinder, pretty much as I expected, which is why I was so borderline on the DSLR front. To be honest I'm glad I didn't go DSLR though.

Personally, if I'm taking a lot of photos I'll use Program AE most of the time, and switch to other modes when I can't get what I want from Program AE. Full auto is reserved for when I'm taking the odd snap, need to grab the camera in a hurry, or just cba. :)

[8 I3ALL]

Argos have the S6500 at £179.99 from £279.99 and there are a few on ebay going at about £150

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/5606337.htm

[Matblack]

I'm almost tempted to get a back up at that price :D

The only reason I won't is that I will probably trade up to a DSLR in a year or so, but it is only having had the Fuji that makes me realise I would use the functionality of one and would be willing to invest in the associated hardware. Even if I did I suspect I would still keep the Fuji in the bag for certain shots or events. For example to get the zoom I had on the A1GP pics I would have a) needed a £1000+ lens and b) been swinging round a zoom about 40cm long and weighing quite a bit :D

MB

[Matblack]

Dont know if there is a difference between the S6500 and the S6500fd

Jessops have the S65000fd at the same price (though when i first posted about it is was £145) and you can actually go in there and have a play with it - harder to do in argos.

I'm still considering it for b-day present

fd designates face detection technlogy and as far as I am aware its a standard feature in the S6500.

Face detection is actually a handy little tool, it can be switched off and on but when on it will look for a face in the frame and focus on that point, so for example of you want to take a pic of a person in front of a view it will bias the focus so the person is in focus even if they are off centre in the frame :)

MB

[Admiral Huddy]

Thanks everyone..

MB showed me his 6500fd this weekend.. Think I'll go for this.. You can't moan at that price tbh....

[8 I3ALL]

Huddy you wont regret it ;)

Ive always wanted a good camera, getting the S6500 was a good £150 spent

[Tysonator]

Hubby the A640is a great little camara.
Do you remember when I popped over with my Canon D400 DSLR ?
Since buying it I have had a great time using it. I now use the manual controls alot and only use the program modes if I am in a hurry.
DSLR's are great fun and cheap when you compare it to 35mm SLR. As you will not know what the pic looks like till you have it developed !

You will love the DSLR, bear it mine the lens issue. The members are right it mention about upgrading, as lens are a small fortune. Even my old Canon 35mm SLR lens fit my new DSLR D400, though at a 1.6 magification, so example 100mm lens will actually be a 160mm lens.
Not bad as I have 500mm mirror lens that will now act like a 800mm mirror lens ! ! ! ! !
FAB

[Admiral Huddy]

Hubby the A640is a great little camara.

:shocked:

I do worry about you at times.. :p


Just ordered the S6500.. I was quite impressed with it's quality on Saturday and the pics MB has taken. If I feel that I want more from a camera at a later date, then I'll look at the DLSR route, but for now this will give me everything I need.

[Tysonator]

:shocked:

I do worry about you at times.. :p


Just ordered the S6500.. I was quite impressed with it's quality on Saturday and the pics MB has taken. If I feel that I want more from a camera at a later date, then I'll look at the DLSR route, but for now this will give me everything I need.

Huddy,...I always worry about you :p

[Admiral Huddy]

Camera came this weekend.. I have to say it's very impressive. I've been playing around with the shutter speeds on manual with different light conditions and have been getting some great results already. That's extactly what I wanted.

Thanks MB and 8 13all for the tip off! - A bargain for £178. :)

[Tysonator]

Huddy, have you played with your new camera yet ?

[Admiral Huddy]

Where did you get it for £178?

Currys of all places :)

Huddy, have you played with your new camera yet ?


No :p






Very impressed with S6500fd. I've been playing with the manual settings and I've taken some lovely pictures already capturing natural light. Face detection is superb. :)

[Tysonator]

Huddy, I am off on holiday next week and my Canon EOS 400D will be accompanying me, happy times !

[Tak]

Huddy, have you played with your new camera yet ?

Theres no "I slipped and got my camera wedged up my bum" thread yet so possibly not ;) :p

[Admiral Huddy]

Huddy, I am off on holiday next week and my Canon EOS 400D will be accompanying me, happy times !


yeah well don't forgot the Mrs.. She'll be upset otherwise..

Theres no "I slipped and got my camera wedged up my bum" thread yet so possibly not ;) :p

Would you be suggesting I'm a tad clumsy? :p

[Tak]

Would you be suggesting I'm a tad clumsy? :p

A tad? No...a lot? Yup :p :x

[Admiral Huddy]

A tad? No...a lot? Yup :p :x

Don't need a camera... If you ask Tyson nicely enough, he'll tell you about me being screwed up the arse :D Literally!

[Tysonator]

Don't need a camera... If you ask Tyson nicely enough, he'll tell you about me being screwed up the arse :D Literally!

Yes, that is a very good story :shocked: