Camera advice

Matblack · 11-09-2006, 08:57

I'm thinking that sometime this year or next I'd like to get a DSLR, we went to Monkey World yesterday and it would have been nice to have a camera with a half decent zoom.

My A85 is a nice compact but it doesn't have the zoom capabilities that I could get with a DSLR or the clarity.

I don't want to spend a fortune and I think that the quality of the pics I was seeing over on the other place about a year ago were very good, so I wondered if there was good equipment on the secondhand market?

MB

petemc · 11-09-2006, 09:29

It depends on what kind of zoom you want, and the clarity. You could spend £800 on a 30D, or £650 on a 400D and then £450 ish on a 70-200 f/4 which would be very sharp and a decent range. Or you could buy the 100-400 f/4.5 - 5.6 which isn't *as* sharp but a bigger range for about £1000. Basically with a DSLR you're looking at lots of money. If you just want a bigger zoom you could get the Canon S3 IS. 6mp, 36 - 432mm equiv. (12x optical zoom), Image stabilizer, etc. That costs about £450. It all depends on how much you want to spend.

petemc · 11-09-2006, 09:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by kitten_caboodle

I'm interested in the same - I'm starting my photography course and I need to get my hands on a 35mm SLR - so if anyone knows of any going (relatively) cheap, I'd be very grateful.

Film SLR's can be had on ebay for £30. I got a very good Canon EOS 50 for about that. It had more features than the 300D at the time which was retailing for about £650.

leowyatt · 11-09-2006, 09:34

I'm currently trying to find one for kitten and am looking at EOS300, any others you'd recommend looking at instead?

petemc · 11-09-2006, 09:46

If you can get an EOS50, do

They have similar features to a £600 DSLR but can be had for under £50. Oh but thats just the body. You'd need some lenses. I found review of the EOS300 and it mentions its rubbish for flash photography. Only 1/90th sync speed compared to 1/250th of a modern DSLR.

leowyatt · 11-09-2006, 11:03

So go for the EOS50? Any suggestions on cheap starter lenses?

From that review you posted it suggests a 50mm/f1.8. Would we want a manual or auto focus lense or does the camera do that?

petemc · 11-09-2006, 11:29

The lens does the focusing. The 50mm f/1.8 is a brilliant lens and can be had for £80ish. Its got both auto and manual focusing. Its a great portrait lens but not a good all round lens. I think you can get the Canon 28-105 for a decent price.

leowyatt · 11-09-2006, 11:39

The 28-105 was the other lens suggested in that review so I've found a couple of those that have no bids yes so could be had for around £20 if they stay that way.

EDIT: Also found an EOS 50

petemc · 11-09-2006, 11:54

£20! I paid £220 for mine 2 years ago

leowyatt · 11-09-2006, 12:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by petemc

£20! I paid £220 for mine 2 years ago

\o/ not that you paid that much, that we could get it for that price

11-09-2006, 08:57	#1
Matblack Baby Bore Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Svalbard Posts: 9,770	Camera advice I'm thinking that sometime this year or next I'd like to get a DSLR, we went to Monkey World yesterday and it would have been nice to have a camera with a half decent zoom. My A85 is a nice compact but it doesn't have the zoom capabilities that I could get with a DSLR or the clarity. I don't want to spend a fortune and I think that the quality of the pics I was seeing over on the other place about a year ago were very good, so I wondered if there was good equipment on the secondhand market? MB __________________ "we had roots that grew towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossom had fallen from our branches we found that we were one tree and not two"

11-09-2006, 09:34	#4
leowyatt Chef extraordinaire Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Infinite Loop Posts: 11,143	I'm currently trying to find one for kitten and am looking at EOS300, any others you'd recommend looking at instead? __________________ "Dr Sheldon Cooper FTW!"

11-09-2006, 11:03	#6
leowyatt Chef extraordinaire Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Infinite Loop Posts: 11,143	So go for the EOS50? Any suggestions on cheap starter lenses? From that review you posted it suggests a 50mm/f1.8. Would we want a manual or auto focus lense or does the camera do that? __________________ "Dr Sheldon Cooper FTW!" Last edited by leowyatt; 11-09-2006 at 11:12.

11-09-2006, 11:39	#8
leowyatt Chef extraordinaire Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Infinite Loop Posts: 11,143	The 28-105 was the other lens suggested in that review so I've found a couple of those that have no bids yes so could be had for around £20 if they stay that way. EDIT: Also found an EOS 50 __________________ "Dr Sheldon Cooper FTW!"

11-09-2006, 09:29	#2
petemc Moonshine Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Nr Liverpewl Posts: 4,371	It depends on what kind of zoom you want, and the clarity. You could spend £800 on a 30D, or £650 on a 400D and then £450 ish on a 70-200 f/4 which would be very sharp and a decent range. Or you could buy the 100-400 f/4.5 - 5.6 which isn't as sharp but a bigger range for about £1000. Basically with a DSLR you're looking at lots of money. If you just want a bigger zoom you could get the Canon S3 IS. 6mp, 36 - 432mm equiv. (12x optical zoom), Image stabilizer, etc. That costs about £450. It all depends on how much you want to spend.

11-09-2006, 09:46	#5
petemc Moonshine Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Nr Liverpewl Posts: 4,371	If you can get an EOS50, do They have similar features to a £600 DSLR but can be had for under £50. Oh but thats just the body. You'd need some lenses. I found review of the EOS300 and it mentions its rubbish for flash photography. Only 1/90th sync speed compared to 1/250th of a modern DSLR.

11-09-2006, 11:29	#7
petemc Moonshine Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Nr Liverpewl Posts: 4,371	The lens does the focusing. The 50mm f/1.8 is a brilliant lens and can be had for £80ish. Its got both auto and manual focusing. Its a great portrait lens but not a good all round lens. I think you can get the Canon 28-105 for a decent price.

11-09-2006, 11:54	#9
petemc Moonshine Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Nr Liverpewl Posts: 4,371	£20! I paid £220 for mine 2 years ago