View Full Version : Wish I had a decent camera
Just looking around at some of the pics in these threads and I really wish I had a decent fully manual camera to see what I could come up with. Maybe one day I'll have enough spare cash (when we've stopped spending on the house) to get myself something half decent :)
Chuckles
22-07-2008, 13:38
You could get a brilliant spec non-digital SLR from the bay or an independent camera shop for peanuts.
Would want digi really. I don't think I'd be into getting all the films processed and stuff. Just want to chuck them on the computer to see what I can manage :)
I actually think I'd get some pretty decent results with some practice, but all I've ever had is a point and click.
Get a compact for like £200. You can get ones with full manual controls to learn photography with.
How are the results with those Pete? I did notice you got that Canon G9? Is that the type of thing you're on about?
Hmmm, hate to say it, but the house is more important really ;)
But I echo the above, you can get something pretty decent for less than you would expect :)
I know the house is more important...which is why I don't have a decent camera ;D
Having said that, we're almost coming to an end with the big stuff :D
Justsomebloke
22-07-2008, 14:05
Having said that, we're almost coming to an end with the big stuff :D
;D Sure you are ;D;D;D
I feel the same about photograhpy mate I Love it & have since school. It was one of those lessons I wasn't allowed to attend though because of my other wrong doings :confused:
The only thing that stops me going pic taking crazy is the lack of mahoney to get a decent camera :(
Serves me right for being a waster I s'pose :lipsrsealed:
How are the results with those Pete? I did notice you got that Canon G9? Is that the type of thing you're on about?
The G9 is great and has currently dropped around £150 to £270 on Amazon. I expect the G10 is coming soon. You can probably get a cheap Canon A series with full manual control. It won't be as crisp and sharp as a DSLR but it'll teach you how to take photos and give you a good understanding of everything. For a beginer I would recommend it. Canon A590 (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Canon-PowerShot-Digital-Camera-xOptical/dp/B00131MUWQ/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1216732831&sr=1-16). £112. Review (http://www.steves-digicams.com/2008_reviews/canon_a590is.html).
Blimey, that's not bad at all. at least to see if I get a feel for it.
LeperousDust
22-07-2008, 14:52
Even though its not in the same league at the decent non-SLR manual cameras. My IXUS80 has totally blown me away compared to other "normal" compacts, the level of control over pictures for a compact is fantastic. I have loads of fun fiddling with the few settings i have, makes for some really interesting pictures (and a lot of useless ones). But my friends are always impressed with the (relatively) great stuff that comes from my little compact compared to theirs.
Also Desmo with the canons, you get a chance to use CHDK (well you should i don't yet), and you can further enhance the manual aspects. People are taking hi-speed water droplets pictures like 1/60000 of second or something daft as long as you run the (non destructive) open source firmware. Really really good stuff can't wait till they sort my camera out!
As Pete said, the results from a compact are pretty good if you can stick with the lower end of the ISO range (200 or less). ISO 400 and above generally introduce ever-increasing noise, though in most cases you'll get away with using them for the web. For outdoor use this is rarely a problem except on the cloudiest of days. Indoors you'll be more reliant on flash (which, due to the small size, tend not to be that powerful).
If you want more options, particularly in the zoom department, and aren't too worried about being able to shove the camera in your pocket, then bridge cameras are also worth considering, but these still suffer noise issues.
My Canon S3 IS generally produces good results but as it's an older generation it sometimes struggles with blues, and struggles even more when I futz up the settings. ;D
leowyatt
22-07-2008, 14:56
To save going the SLR route why not get a bridge camera like the King's Fujifilm he had at the cottages. We picked up one a while back and it's great. Decent amount of options and it doesn't cost the earth :)
Matblack
22-07-2008, 17:24
I'll lend you my Fuji 5600 for a while matey, its a bridge camera so basically it has the versatility of an SLR with a fixed lens :)
MB
leowyatt
22-07-2008, 17:26
my Fuji 5600
Couldn't remember which one you had but knew it was a bridge camera.
I'll lend you my Fuji 5600 for a while matey, its a bridge camera so basically it has the versatility of an SLR with a fixed lens :)
MB
Strictly speaking the versatility of an SLR is its ability to swap lenses. You can buy a compact for £112 with full manual controls and SLR like features.
That would be great MB :D
It's just something I'd like to have a play with, see what results I get. Always something I've wanted to do but never wanted to splash out cash for without knowing, if you know what I mean.
Justsomebloke
22-07-2008, 18:40
That would be great MB :D
It's just something I'd like to have a play with, see what results I get. Always something I've wanted to do but never wanted to splash out cash for without knowing, if you know what I mean.
Bagsy first Nekkid pics of Sinead :D
LeperousDust
22-07-2008, 19:07
Nah they paid good money for the last ones, Desmo can't top those :p
Justsomebloke
22-07-2008, 19:17
I've worn them ones out though I need new :p
I'll see what I can do ;)
Piggymon
22-07-2008, 21:41
I am here you know ;)
Justsomebloke
23-07-2008, 08:08
It's on Top. LEG IT !!!!
Kell_ee001
23-07-2008, 08:14
I'd love a decent camera to play with, but Pete is going to give me his little camera as a belated birthday pressie when he replaces it in September! Isn't that right Pete? :thumbsup:
This isn't the library. I'm in the wrong place.
What other brands should I be looking at in a similar range to the Fuji 5600? I'm interested in getting something around that price (<£300*) to learn basics, but will also last me a while if and when I get to a more intermediate level. There seems to be an awful lot of reviews that say "this one will do if you have x amount of money and want half-decent photos", but there seems to be little to distinguish them beyond this.
*Edit: Seems I've been looking at the original release price and it may be a lot cheaper than that now!
Yeah, that model has been superseded at least once, if not twice, so it'll be nowhere near that now.
Fuji are probably the best for flexibility (e.g. RAW shooting). Other comparable (bridge, similar spec, good ratings) options - Panasonic DMC-FZ8 (or FZ7), Canon S5 (or S3) IS.
leowyatt
25-07-2008, 15:32
I'd consider the s9600 Belmit, it's what we have.
Time for a Google sesh.
No, the other kind!
I think I'm getting bogged down in technicalities now. The Fuji really appeals because it's large and has the manual zoom, the Panasonic is cheaper than the others and has its own rechargeable battery, but the Canon has the natty pull-out LCD. The latter two also take SD cards, which I already have a few of.
Overall I'm still drawn to the Fuji though.
Gah!
Pumpkinstew
25-07-2008, 18:13
We took a Panasonic away with us last year and were dead impressed with the results - even though I left it on full auto for pretty much the whole time. I didn't have much time to muck about with it before we left and you can see the photos gradually improve as we went through the holiday. :)
http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/4581/incatrailne4.jpg
http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/2989/galapagosrb5.jpg
A quick check confirms it's a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ7. And it does take SD cards, we've used 2GB with no problems, and have swappable rechargeable batteries.
Almost all compacts from Nikon, Fuji, Panasonic, Canon and Ricoh are great. Look at their range, decide whether you want a fully automatic, a small camera with manual features or a bridge camera and buy one. Also, just to point out that while RAW on a compact is great it can take at least 2x longer to save a file.
Leo/Kitten, just about to order the Fuji and noticed it takes both XD and Compact Flash. Have you tried both and if so have you noticed any real difference in speed or quality? Cheers.
leowyatt
26-07-2008, 17:34
We don't actually have any XD cards and only have Compact Flash because of our other Canon cameras, sorry mate :(
I was siding with CF anyway as the camera only takes up to 2GB XD. Cheers anyway!
LeperousDust
26-07-2008, 17:54
XD is pretty rubbish, nobody else uses it, its a pain because its the main one card readers don't support. It seems old tech because you can't get huge card as well, it just need to be put to rest really!
Pretty chuffed - ordered it all from amazon:
Fuji S9600.
Leather case.
Uniross smart charger + 4x 2700mAh batteries.
Fuji 4GB 100x compact flash.
All for under £260. Would have been less but the memory is coming from another company with a delivery charge of £4.50. Was still the cheapest by a long way though even with the p+p.
Exciting! :D
Edit: Plus I spotted an offer of a free digital camera case with selected cameras. Probably too small for this one but ideal as a spare for my mini Lumix. :)
leowyatt
26-07-2008, 18:07
Nice one Belmit :) excellent deal. It's a good camera. Ebay could be a good source of CF cards in the future.
Yeah, thought I'd stick with Fuji branded for the moment but I imagine there's little difference between most major brands, or negligible at least. No doubt it'll continue to drop in price in the future too.
It's worth considering Sandisk Extreme cards if you ever find yourself needing to do lots of continuous shooting. I've found no other card - even tried Fuji - that can keep up. If you do this, shop around - the price range is shocking.
It's worth considering Sandisk Extreme cards if you ever find yourself needing to do lots of continuous shooting. I've found no other card - even tried Fuji - that can keep up. If you do this, shop around - the price range is shocking.
Extreme III Compact Flash 4.0 Gig
Amazon/Play price £17.99
Jessops instore (even if you take into the highstreet rent, staff reasons) £84.99 :shocked:
I guess you got my point (yes, I was thinking of Jessops). ;D ;D
The same holds for SD cards as well. :/
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