Camera recommendations please

[night crawler]

I can only echo what others have said though a good starting point is to by a kit. The lens you get will do for now and you can then but the one you would like. I started off with a Canon 350D kit then bought a 18-85 lens which cost as much as the kit. Since then I changed to a 60D and now have a 10-22 as well. Take your time chooseing the camera you want, people can recomend but in the end it is down to you how you like the feel of the camera, you have to feel comfortable with it otherwise no photo you take will be right as far as your concerned.

 

[Seahorse]

Fuji HS20. Cheap as chips so you won't cry too much if you drop it, no need for several lenses as it'll go from 24 to 700mm equivalent, and quite good in low light.

Only drawback is no Bulb setting. So you are restricted to a maximum of 30 second exposure.

 

[mookster]

But yeah, remember at the end of the day the camera is only half of the equation, it's the user that really matters. If you have all the kit with a fancy DSLR but still can't take a decent photo with it, then it's a waste of money.

 

[mersonwhoopie]

I use to 500d, does me ok.. So I'll recommend that!

 

[jools]

Borrow a camera and learn,,,, you will soon know what you really want. Compacts can give superb results as can the bigger bridge cameras. DSLR's have great potential but are big and don't fit in your pocket. Even the best DSLR in the world can produce crap results if you don't know what you are doing with it


I've got a Lumix TZ10 compact and a Canon DSLR 550D. I didn't like the standard lens that came with the Canon so got a 17-135 zoom and I'm not happy with that so have ordered a Canon EF 17-40 mm f/4.0 L USM Lens which is costing me more than the camera did!!

 

[st33ly]

The 550D seems to be quite popular amongst the urbex croud

 

[Pincheck]

Do a lot of investigating check reviews photography site most DSLR are on a par these days, its basically a personal choice. i would recommend when you whittle your selection down to perhaps 2 or 3 then go out to some shops and handle them ask questions. As already mentioned some modern bridge cameras are getting quite impressive these days. you will get a million and one answers on this and other forums equipment snobbery is alive and well in photography very much like other hobbies

Pick what is right for you shop around some links you might find useful

2nd hand gear

photography forum
photography forum

good luck what ever you pick Canon,Nikon Sony Fuji.............................etc etc

 

[ArtfulDodger]

Thank you for all of the replies, the links and the model no's it gives me a lot to work with and research. I appreciate I have opened a proverbial can of worms :-D

 

[FlutterGirl]

I have a Canon EOS 1000 which I absolutely adore. Tamron 70-300mm lens. Also use a compact Panasonic Lumix. Both great cameras Good luck and enjoy your new camera when you get it.

 

[audi-adam]

Ah the age old debate as has been said before there is no right or wrong answer its about what feels right to you , I have a Canon 1000 d and its very capable seeing as it was released in 08 ! One thing that will be a must for low light shooting is a tripod, but yes as has been said before head to jessops or London camera exchange and try some out, and ask loads of questions

 

[Incognito]

There are just far too many to choose from and everyone will have a different suggestion to the next person. You need to decide what features you REALLY want, what features would be nice, what features you would pay extra for and what features you could live without.

Do you want to have a really long zoom lens, will a decent bridge give you enough zoom or will you want something much bigger that you would get with a DSLR?

Are you planning on doing long exposures, a lot of bridges will only go to 8-30 secs where most DSLR will allow bulb mode to go for much longer?

Do you want live view? Do you want long battery life, most bridges I have seen and had eat batteries as most don't have a proper viewfinder, with my old fuji I was replacing 4 AA's every explore with my nikon I charge the battery every month if I remember it never seems to die.

Do you want to learn photography or do you want to just point and shoot? Bridges and DSLR's are capable of both features but if you want to try manual mode make sure the bridge has the capability of being able to change all the settings.

As others have suggested you maybe able to atleast whittle it down to one brand (fuji/sony/nikon/canon) just by going to the shop and handling them, you may find an instant dislike to one brand and love the feel of another. Atleast then your only doing your research on one maybe two brands so can then start to whittle down by budget. There is so much on the market it really is a minefield.

Best of luck

 

[UEP-Wales]

Im currently using a FujiFilm FinePix S2960 and on the odd occasion I still use my Pan Lumix. I have managed to get some great results out of the bridge including photographing a model.
I have also purchased an adaptor to allow me to fit lens filters to the end which is well funky lol

I'm moving up to the Canon 550 next year but that was more down to the look and feel of it. If it don't feel right in your hands, don't get it.

Edit - Just read the comment above regarding batteries. I use rechargeables in the bridge and I charge them up overnight maybe once a week. When I was using throw away ones, they went at the end of the explore everytime.

 

[Faing]

its not the camera that taks good pictures it the peorson behind the lens and a lot to do with postproduction with the likes of paint shop pro or photshop.whatever you buy just get out there and blast loads of pics and maybe ever now and then you get one that gets compliments.good luck with whatever.

 

[alex76]

well myself like me me dear old morther (kathyms) love canon but a very good camera is a fuji film HS10 it has a lot of functions like a DSLR but with out a lens change and a good zoom it all depends on how much you love photography its all choices mate hope you get the one you want and enjoy...

 

[UEP-Wales]

well myself like me me dear old morther (kathyms) love canon but a very good camera is a fuji film HS10 it has a lot of functions like a DSLR but with out a lens change and a good zoom it all depends on how much you love photography its all choices mate hope you get the one you want and enjoy...

I was playing with the new version, the HS20, lastnight and that was fantastic!

 

[Seahorse]

I was playing with the new version, the HS20, last night and that was fantastic!

Using the HS10 myself, but wished I'd waited a bit longer for the 20. Had a play too, and it's a fair improvement in low light.

Problem is, I've now convinced myself I need something I can shove better glass on, albeit for places that offer less danger of hurting the investment. Cameras are simply a quick way to empty your bank account.

 

[mookster]

Problem is, I've now convinced myself I need something I can shove better glass on, albeit for places that offer less danger of hurting the investment. Cameras are simply a quick way to empty your bank account.

I'm still trying to scrape together enough pennies for a wide angle lense

 

[Alansworld]

Sony NEX-5N, only hit the UK this month, got mine last Friday, with the 18-55 kit lens. There's a lot to learn about it, but the quality of the pictures is astounding. I sold my Canon 5D 6 months ago when I got out of weddings, but I think the pictures from the tiny NEX beats the Canon.

16 megapixels, and extremely good and effortless 1920x1080 hidef AVCHD video too, which Final Cut Pro X really likes. £529 from Amazon.

 

[UEP-Wales]

Cameras are simply a quick way to empty your bank account.

And a very quick way to fall out with your wife!

 

[jools]

My new Canon EF 17-40 f4 L lens arrived today,,,,,,,,,, SWMBO said,,,"what's that"