Camera advice PLEASE [Archive]

beech

02-04-09, 15:57

hi guys looking to spend around 4 - 500 £ on a camera and wanted to get it from pc world, what is the camera that everyone uses? or the best?

im a complete noob when it comes to cameras so any help is appreciated

alex

Would'nt buy it from PC woeld much better value on the net. Canon 400 slr if it was me

aep

02-04-09, 16:03

If PC world is your penchant then so beit. But there are better deals to be had elsewhere.
Here is what I would get - I am Canon bias though!

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/store/pcw_page.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@1690668578.123868445 4@@@@&BV_EngineID=cccjadegliiefejcflgceggdhhmdfhm.0&page=Product&fm=null&sm=null&tm=null&sku=305406&category_oid=-30405

And to keep the Nikon people happy (althought the canon IS better)

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/store/pcw_page.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@1690668578.123868445 4@@@@&BV_EngineID=cccjadegliiefejcflgceggdhhmdfhm.0&page=Product&fm=null&sm=null&tm=null&sku=859726&category_oid=-30405

alexthekid

02-04-09, 23:48

hi guys sorry i havnt been able to reply as ive bin out today but thnx for all ur comments.

definitely want dslr, aep that looks very nice i want to photograph my tank obviously and family occasions dont mind carrying alot around, and dont mind upgrading lenses etc.

can you recommend where i would get better deals or a deal u have seen ?

thanks

alex

Interzone

02-04-09, 23:52

Look on camerapricebuster.co.uk

Fungia

03-04-09, 00:31

Yes camerapricebuster is good for finding the best prices. If it was me with that budget I'd go for a second hand Canon 400D with 18-55mm kit lens and if you can afford it too; the 100mm 2.8 macro lens.

Not sure what the macro lens is going for these days with the recent price increases but I would also contact Kerso (http://stores.ebay.co.uk/FLASH-CAMERA) for an outside of ebay price, I paid £250 brand new for mine last year from him with Canon doing a rebate at the time but like I said with prices rising might be better to go for another of the macro lenses; tamron 90mm, sigma 105mm etc, or buy the lens second hand. :)

Hope that helps your decision. :)

Jeff.

Steve_bham

03-04-09, 07:03

Im a Nixon fan, but i would pick between a Nikon or Canon. Go in the shop and pick up both a nikon and canon and see which feels more comfortable to you.

I went for a Nikon D80 as it felt just right while holding it. To be honest you will pay more going to PC World, loads of offers on at the min some with free len's etc.

isekiman

03-04-09, 07:28

Hi i have a Canon 400D with 18.55 lens for sale in General Sales have a look its only over 1 year old and in excellent condition. If your interested we can maybe do a deal. Eric:D:D

aep

03-04-09, 08:43

Steve, I find this guy really good for Canon infomation
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/
He has never put me wrong! Some guys at work just got some really good deals on cameras, I will check when I get in, or have a haggle with Eric as above :D

Interzone

03-04-09, 09:00

I personally think Nikon have the edge and are more forward thinking but I prefer the feel of canons (possibly just cos I'm used to it).

HellFish

03-04-09, 10:23

Go & get one of the monthly camera mags, read the reviews & decide what looks best for you. Can't argue with Canon as they are the biggest seller - but there are other good interesting cameras from other manufacturers. I've always been an Olympus man & love the format it offers, but they don't suit everybody.

One final thing & I'll probably get flamed for this, if you don't want/need the hassle of carrying extra lenses but want a great capable all in one camera, get the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28. It's the best 'bridge' camera on the market & will save you £150+ against an SLR

alexthekid

03-04-09, 12:11

Interzone

03-04-09, 12:14

hi guys thnx for your help again my reason for getting it from pc world was that i was gettin it on finance so i can pay for it over a long period of time, im not sure if anywhere else does finance on cameras apart from pc world currys etc

liking the 450D at the moment

What's the rate like? Unless it's REALLY low personally I'd buy it cheaper somewhere else on a credit card then pay it off monthly.....

alexthekid

03-04-09, 12:28

What's the rate like? Unless it's REALLY low personally I'd buy it cheaper somewhere else on a credit card then pay it off monthly.....

thats quite a good idea but id have to buy it thn cut the credit card in half as i would just want to buy loads of reef stuff lol

Chud

03-04-09, 14:14

You could opt for Canon G9/G10 - gives some of the pros from both DSLR's and Compacts...

Captain Cod

03-04-09, 14:21

alexthekid

03-04-09, 14:34

I was on the same budget as you and was torn between the Canon 450D and the Sony A350. Went for the Sony A350 in the end as it sounded like it'd be the easiest to get to grips with and I have to say I'm very impressed with it. Not that I know anything though!

that sony looks very nice, i think as im going to get it fairly soon i dont really want to wait for a credit card to come through so pc world/ currys is my only option. i know i could get it much cheaper but im an inpatient guy :D

so my options are!...

Sony A350

Canon EOS 450D

Nikon D60

Olympus E420

Pentax K20D

HellFish

03-04-09, 15:07

that sony looks very nice, i think as im going to get it fairly soon i dont really want to wait for a credit card to come through so pc world/ currys is my only option. i know i could get it much cheaper but im an inpatient guy :D

so my options are!...

Sony A350

Canon EOS 450D

Nikon D60

Olympus E420

Pentax K20D

Surely the Olympus E520 not the 420?

alexthekid

03-04-09, 15:24

Surely the Olympus E520 not the 420?

umm i dont know .. this is where i got it from:

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/store/pcw_page.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@2037595882.123876861 0@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccfkadeglkhiihecflgceggdhhmdgmk.0&page=Product&fm=null&sm=null&tm=null&sku=005567&category_oid=-30405

aep

03-04-09, 19:03

Jessops do 6 months interest free
http://www.jessops.com/finance?cm_re=050309-_-Home-_-Services_BNPL

or go for it, get the D50 and a really good lens and take advantage of the 12 months 0%

:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

Steve_bham

03-04-09, 19:35

hi guys thnx for your help again my reason for getting it from pc world was that i was gettin it on finance so i can pay for it over a long period of time, im not sure if anywhere else does finance on cameras apart from pc world currys etc

liking the 450D at the moment

Warehouse express . com do a buy now pay in 6 months intrest free. So you can get the camera now save the cash and pay off later without being stung for interest.

Do all makes. Its where i got mine from last year.

alexthekid

04-04-09, 00:12

wow didnt kno that aep and steve thanks very much will probley go to one of these now, forget pc world lol

whats the D50?

Fungia

04-04-09, 00:29

Its quite an old DSLR made by Nikon, think it got replaced a few years ago by the D40 and D40x.

Jeff.

alexthekid

04-04-09, 00:33

Its quite an old DSLR made by Nikon, think it got replaced a few years ago by the D40 and D40x.

Jeff.

ohhh haha i was jus confused becoz i found the d40 and d60 i think but nothing inbetween

Fungia

04-04-09, 00:39

Theres a useful timeline at the bottom of the page here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikon_D60). I have no idea with Nikon cameras to be honest so couldn't tell you which to go for. :)

Jeff.

alexthekid

04-04-09, 00:47

Theres a useful timeline at the bottom of the page here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikon_D60). I have no idea with Nikon cameras to be honest so couldn't tell you which to go for. :)

Jeff.

thanks jeff!

to be honest now i have the jessops option im not sure what to go for again

can anyone tell me the best camera package i can get from jessops for between 5 - 600£, want to take pics of tank, family and maybe do some animation work with it.

thank you

alex

aep

04-04-09, 07:51

OMG, my fingers let me down - I must be turning :( I meant the Superb Canon 50D (I have the awesome 40D which I would still highly recomend) not that old Nikon dogg the D50....

Fungia

04-04-09, 13:12

OMG, my fingers let me down - I must be turning :( I meant the Superb Canon 50D (I have the awesome 40D which I would still highly recomend) not that old Nikon dogg the D50....

:laugh: I did rather wonder why you were recommending such an old (and Nikon :whistling:) camera! Yes I have the 40D too and looove it, had the 400D before that and it was great too. To be honest I don't think you can go far wrong.

Do you mind the idea of buying stuff second hand? You can pick up some good deals and would offer better bang for your buck. Also has the advantage that if you decide to give up the hobby or don't like a certain lens/body etc you can move it along for what you bought it for (or with the way the prices have been going, you could make some money...). :)

Hope that helps,

Jeff.

Alastair

06-04-09, 12:12

Another vote for a 40D.. even a second-hand 30D is a nice camera that will give good results.

I'd caution against buying anything on the never-never unless you're absolutely certain that your personal circumstances will not change before the payment becomes due..

Get a good quality second-hand body and lens.. Walking up and down the High Street I'm spotting a lot of bargains in the windows Cash Converters and the like at the moment.. a couple of months ago there were a lot of Nikon D40s, but now I'm also seeing Canon 300D and 350D models with general purpose kit lenses.. all around the £200-250 mark.

alexthekid

06-04-09, 18:27

so taking in all ur knowledge i have decided to go for this:

http://www.jessops.com/online.store/categories/Cameras%20and%20Lenses/Digital%20SLRs/products/Canon/EOS%2040D%20%2017-85mm%20IS%20USM%20Lens-66558/Show.html

what package would you get with it ?

way over budget but i think it will be worth it

Fungia

06-04-09, 21:24

Nice choice of body. :)

Extras:
Memory Card: Jessops have always been absolutely shockingly rediculous with memory card prices, they're brought them down quite a bit but still not that great. I see they're selling a 4GB Ultra II for £33- I bought an Extreme III (faster) for less than £20 off Amazon last year so worth looking elsewhere (unless one of those bundles saves quite a lot obviously)...

Battery Grip:
:wub: Pure love. :D Would thoroughly recommend one- more so on the smaller bodies like the 400D, but I also bought my 40D with one (so havn't really used it much without one on TBH) and wowza feels so nice and chunky, taking portraits is a joy, and the camera is nicely weighted for when you're using lenses of a decent weight. I bought mine second hand but I believe nearer to £100 is a good price?

TBH personally if it was me starting up again, I'd be keeping a close eye on the major forums for second hand deals which would save you hundreds- instead of £850 last year I think I paid under £500 for body (no kit lens though) and the battery grip plus a few extras...;) IIRC you're planning on using some kind of jessops buy now, pay later scheme though, pretty much rendering my second hand rallying uselss. :p

HTH,

Jeff

Alastair

06-04-09, 23:11

Well if you're on a spending spree..

Spare battery - get 3rd party from Kerso, not Jessops
Additional CF cards - 4Gb Sandisk Extreme III, get from Kerso or Amazon, not Jessops
Remote shutter release
Canon EF 50mm 1.8 II

Check what "bundle discounts" Jessops have.. they have some "buy with the camera" bargains you won't get again.. usually stuff they might not otherwise sell but sometimes there's something pretty reasonable.

Alastair

06-04-09, 23:14

Oops..

You have spotted that the 40D and 17-85 IS (http://www.camerapricebuster.co.uk/prod577.html) is only £792.76 (del. £798.71) at Comet? or £821.70 at John Lewis, and £821.72 at Amazon?

cdurkin100

07-04-09, 02:01

hi guys looking to spend around 4 - 500 £ on a camera and wanted to get it from pc world, what is the camera that everyone uses? or the best?

im a complete noob when it comes to cameras so any help is appreciated

alex

Nikon D60 with VR lens kit £379 at jessops. Great cam IMO :dance:

aep

07-04-09, 07:54

Alex, superb choice of body! Jessops will price match the other places if you want the 0% there.
As alistair said, the Canon EF 50mm 1.8 II is an awesome cheap lens. All my lenses are pro (L-Series) lenses but I carry one of these! I have read that most Pro photograhers keep one in their bags!

I use a battery grip, think it balances the camera well, esp as my lenses are pretty heavy, this makes it big though. you also get the bonus of an extra shutter button when using camera in Portrait!

Did you read the review of that lens? The standard kit ones are pretty poor in general, but as this is an 'upgraded' IS one may be good.

You may want a UV and Polarising filter for that lens. Dont get them in Jessops though!!!

7dayshop.com have some bits really worth looking at, I got 2 spare batteries for something like £15 - I have never used them & would not put directly into the camera (paranoid!) but would be happy to use in the battery grip. for that kinda money worth a punt. They are also very cheap for memory cards, filters and the tripod they do is awsome......

Dont be put off by the price, I sold my manfrotto when I got this!!!! madness for £14

http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=777_1&products_id=99654

HTH

AEP

Alastair

07-04-09, 10:14

The 17-85 IS is not bad.. although I must admit I don't use it as much as my 50mm1.8 or Sigma10-20.. but that's mostly about what I shoot rather than the lens.

I'd be tempted to hold off buying the camera just yet though:
only fools buy luxury goods on credit
it's been almost three months since Canon came off the last rebate scheme so there's probably another one around the corner

KROS

07-04-09, 10:27

Oooh nice body, I'm a nikon man myself (D80 at home D200 at work, need an update!) but the 40D is great. That lens is a good walk around lens if you ever use the camera for shots while you are out and about. Like everyone says, get the 50mm 1.8. It costs next to nothing, it looks pants, feels pants but its crisp as hell and thats pretty much all that matters.
Oh and cdurkin, sorry mate the D60 is no match for the 40D, D90 however.... now you're talking.

If you want to find a used bargain then a few bodies pop up in the classifieds over on avforums.com, i've been a member there for a few years, about a year ago they divided the classifieds up so now there is a dedicated photography section. Some good stuff pops up!

Fungia

07-04-09, 12:29

AEP: Regarding the 50 1.8 being used by pros, really? I can't see any advantages of the 1.8 compared to the [not much more expensive (relative)] 1.4, unlike say the 85 1.8 vs the 1.2 where the 1.8 is known to in some situations actually be more suited. Surprised to hear of that.

Thanks for the tripod link, reviews certainly look good. :)

Also agree with Alastair about holding off which would mean either another Cashback coming up soon, or meaning you could pay cash and buy elsewhere (ie second hand if you're up for it).

Yes avforums.com (http://www.avforums.com/forums/digital-camera-camcorder-classifieds/) is worth looking at. A few others worth a browse so you can guage how much you'd be saving:

talk photography (http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=15)

pixalo (http://www.pixalo.com/community/photography-classified-adverts/)

POTN- mostly US sales though (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=14)

Hope that helps, and whichever means you go down, enjoy the camera! :D

Jeff.

aep

07-04-09, 12:42

AEP: Regarding the 50 1.8 being used by pros, really? I can't see any advantages of the 1.8 compared to the [not much more expensive (relative)] 1.4, unlike say the 85 1.8 vs the 1.2 where the 1.8 is known to in some situations actually be more suited. Surprised to hear of that.

Thanks for the tripod link, reviews certainly look good. :)

Hi Jeff, I was amazed at the tripod for the money. re the prime lens. If you have ever carried a bag of L-Series lenses you will see the benifit of a small crisp prime that weighs nothing! its not a replacment for any of the better lenses. I love the 85mm 1.2 but it weighs a ton :)

Im a happy snapper, If I were a pro I would be broke :laugh: but in my bag I carry most 70-200 f2.8 L IS, 24-105mm f/4 L IS & Sigma 12-24mm. If I broke or had a problem with a lens I would want the 50mm one as a light cheap backup. You know the results will be good, its cheap as chips and weighs nothing. Hence always in the bag of a pro!

KROS

08-04-09, 17:00

the 1.4 is a hell of a lot softer round the edges at 1.4 i find.. so its 1.8 for me, even the nikon suffers the same.

Interzone

08-04-09, 17:04

That is one cheap tripod! I have a very similar one that I don't use anymore cos I now have a manfrotto 055pro with grip action head; lotta tripod for the money.....

alexthekid

08-04-09, 22:34

COMPLETE U-TURN guys lol have now decided on going for the 450d just to get used to all this photography lark and then maybe upgrade next year :)

aep

09-04-09, 08:10

Alex, IMO you are going to waste quite a lot of money if you only plan to have the 450 for a year or so. 450 is a good camera but when I had my 350 I found it a bit of a pain changing settings. Much more of a point and shoot. I find the 40 easier to use.
maybe get an old 350 second hand pretty cheap to play with? then when you are ready maybe the 50!

Just something to think about

alexthekid

09-04-09, 14:40

well if i got the 40d i wouldnt be able to get any lenses, aiming for under £800 from jessops and probably going to pick one up tonight

Alastair

09-04-09, 16:29

Stick with a simple point and shoot, pay cash and save up.. if you're planning on going the upgrade route then you can learn 95% of how to take a good photograph with a compact camera with a decent manual mode.

You'd be exceptionally stupid to buy any DSLR on tic now if you plan on selling it or upgrading within 12 months.

KROS

10-04-09, 19:43

guys we all know the only investment to be making with SLRs is in glass. I;ve often given the advice of a simple, easy, cheapish body to learn on. put your money into glass to steer your photography a certain way (macro, fast zooms, low light, wide, etc) and when you outgrow the body, and lets be honest, for tank shots and anything else then a 450d isnt exactly incapable, then sure, go for an upgrade and keep the 450d as a backup should he be out in the field, or sell it/part ex for a new body.

Its not a bad way to go mate, i wouldnt say "exceptionally stupid" is fair to say at all, so back up a bit Alastair

Alastair

15-04-09, 15:22

The 450D is a nice body.. but to buy it on 6-12 months credit with the intention of selling it to upgrade in 9-12 months? That is the stupid part to my mind. He'll lose 1/3rd the value at least.. now my maths is a bit shaky, but that's roughly the equivilant of buying on credit at an interest rate of somewhere between 25 and 33%.

I personally think buying any luxury goods on credit is always a bad idea.. but to buy it on credit when you don't think it's the item you really want.. . during a recession.. . oh well..

alexthekid

15-04-09, 15:53

dont worry guys i have put it off until i have got all the money to buy a good one

thnx for all your help, will have it b4 christmas though :)

Alastair

15-04-09, 17:47

alexthekid

15-04-09, 18:06

That sounds like a better plan! Prices are high at the moment.. keep an eye on them as the size of the savings pool increases so you can spot when the amount you've saved matches the price on the one you want..

yea sounds like a good plan to me!, sorry for wasting ur time everyone but this thread has helped me alot and i will look back and read it all again when ive got the money.

also im sure it will be a good thread to read for anyone else starting up!

alex

KROS

15-04-09, 23:14

Interzone

15-04-09, 23:17

sorry totally forgot about the credit thing. yeah... not so good if you plan to sell.
However
i think you will be chuffed enough with a 450D that you will keep it longer than that.. honestly mate its hardly an incapable machine!

What can the 40d do that the 450 can't (I know, I could look it up but CBA). Doubt it's much though. 40 will be better built of course so get the 450 and just look after it :laugh:

KROS

15-04-09, 23:35

Interzone

15-04-09, 23:40

im not a canon man but im gonna take a punt at more focussing/metering zones, faster frames per second burst shooting and a bigger buffer, better image processor for less noise(possibly) more custom functions (not many people ever use!)

Think you hit the proverbial nail there.

But does everyone really need these? Depends on their budget :D

aep

15-04-09, 23:47

I find the 40D easier to use and better laid out. buttons quick and easy to access, can change things on the fly and I do! With my old 350 everything was into the menu clicking around trying to find stuff. As I do a lot of Sport Photography and snaps of the kids speed it of the essence. the very low noise gives more capability in low light.

For anyone with a canon I would also recomend going on the Canon approved courses. They are superb! I have completely customed my camera to what I like as a result!

Alastair

16-04-09, 00:28

The 40D has a larger body.. that's a major step-up if you like to grip the camera firmly and have larger then small hands.. I went for a refurbed 40D over a new 450D primariliy because I couldn't comfortably grip the 450D without thinking I was going to drop it.

.. I find the custom modes to be very useful on the 40D.. the only issue I have with them is I'd like a couple more.. or rather I'd like to be able to define the settings using my PC and upload two or three suites of custom modes onto the camera.

KROS

16-04-09, 13:00

.. I find the custom modes to be very useful on the 40D.. the only issue I have with them is I'd like a couple more.. or rather I'd like to be able to define the settings using my PC and upload two or three suites of custom modes onto the camera.

Aye, so the two guys who are really into their photography use custom modes and or the faster focussing, but canon make the 450d for a reason. The 40d isnt for everyone.

Im totally with you on the custom modes on PC, that would be actually amazing.

My D80 i pretty much set it up on the spot before i start but then i dont do much important with it, Works Nikon i have a couple of custom modes set for indoor event stuff with our stage lighting, but even then i find myself making little tweaks to that each time. Sometimes i think its more effort than its worth, i seem to do a good job remembering what kind of set up i need/used last time