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Callunna
Revolving Grey Blob
3044 Posts
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 Posted -
08/09/2011
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18:15
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... more like dreaming if I'm being truthful but say I had £800 - £1000 to spend on a new camera, what would I buy?
I've narrowed it down to the Canon EOS 600D or Sony A55 but there may be other models out there which are better.
I would want just one zoom lens to cover a wide range, because I can't be doing with faffing about changing lenses and probably dropping them, although I'm aware such a lens will adversely affect the picture quality to a small degree. But I'm not going to be turning professional photographer so it doesn't matter too much.
I would also need to include a good bag/case, plenty of memory and battery power in that price, perhaps even with a tripod thrown in.
And would I dare buy it on tinterweb or should I play safe by going to a local shop?
=================== www.sheldrickrose.co.ukwww.bernulf.co.ukwww.bernulfsplace.co.uk
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Callunna
Revolving Grey Blob
3044 Posts
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 Posted - 11/09/2011 : 12:03
Many of my images need to be enlarged a lot and often will end up in printed material. That's why I do need a decent camera.
As my usual expert photographer Big Kev is rather busy these days, I had to venture forth yesterday with my little Olympus C-750 camera to take shots for the next walks book.
There were a few challenges such as big, foreboding skies, and I really could have done with more choice of lenses but I had a go with the manual settings and managed to get some half decent stuff (I think...) I haven't mucked about with them in Photoshop yet.
OneGuy doesn't let me place hi res images at a reasonable size so the quality below won't be too good, I'm afraid.
Ancient tree stump in the fields going from Fernbank to Brogden Lane. Managed to get detail in both the sky and the stump shadows (more by luck than management, I reckon!)
Ruined barn near Gilbeber Hill. The grass really was such a bright green - the light was fantastic at this moment. A minute later it started to rain and all was grey and dismal.
Mega challenge here! Slow shutter speed to capture flow of water ... but no tripod to hand! So the foliage is a bit wobbly but the shutter speed was 1/2 (I think).
=================== www.sheldrickrose.co.ukwww.bernulf.co.ukwww.bernulfsplace.co.uk  |
Sunray10
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Posted - 11/09/2011 : 18:13
Callunna I have a similar camera to yours, an Olympus FE 340, and it takes pretty goods photos. Yours are very good, nothing to worry about. Sometimes its down to the last second when pressing the little round clicker, a sudden slight movement, and you get a slight blur. If I get that happening, I go back and try again, or take a second shot before I leave for home.
R.Spencer. |
Bradders
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Posted - 11/09/2011 : 19:23
Even with a tripod , foliage will be a bit "wobbly" at 1/2 second....depends on the wind y'know...(but the masonary doesn't tend to move much !)
BRADDERS BLUESINGER |
Stanley
Local Historian & Old Fart
36804 Posts
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Posted - 12/09/2011 : 06:18
Butts dam is a bit like snapping a black cat in a coal hole! I recon you did well H.
So, should I be trawling the web for a Nikon 200? What's the difference between the 100 and the 200? Anything significant?
Stanley Challenger Graham
Barlick View
stanley at barnoldswick.freeserve.co.uk |
Bradders
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Posted - 12/09/2011 : 11:26
I think the 200 does have more megawhatsits and a biggerscreen on the back......The catalogue photographer at Bamfords upgraded to one from a 100 3 or 4 years ago and I would not be surprised if he is still using it .......When I get a moment I'll have a look on line for the spec.....
What I do know is that they are both sturdily built (A bit heavier feel to them as apposed to the old D50 /80 series)
They also drive auto focus lenses from the motor in the body whereas later Nikons need the later lenses with linear motors built in and the compatability is reduced.....
If I were buying now I'd have a seriious look at the D200 .(but if cheap enough and in "unused" nick , I'd stick to my choice of D100 as a starter.(as has been mentioned above there's not a lot wrong with 6mp , if it isn't for "Exhibition sized" prints)
PS ....just had a swift look at completed listings on Ebay for "body only" ......most decent looking D100 (6.1 mp) seem to go for about £130/50 (some quite a bit less!) whereas D200 (it does have 10.2 mp and the larger screen) is still fetching £300 +
Hope this helps....wonder whether a local camera outlet might have one you could try in the shop , if you took your own lens ? ....One of the multiples (Jacobs or Jessops , might be able to get one in for you.......Jacobs in Derby got one from another branch for me , at short notice when Janet drowned my first one by pouring a full pint of water all over it ......by accident I might add !)
Edited by - Bradders on 12/09/2011 11:42:27 AM
BRADDERS BLUESINGER |
Callunna
Revolving Grey Blob
3044 Posts
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Posted - 12/09/2011 : 13:41
Bradders, interesting comment about the bigger screen on the Nikon.
Although I get passable results with my Olympus I have to confess that I find the 1.5" screen difficult to see (it's me age, y'know...) and therefore I always use the viewfinder (which is electronic, by the way, not whatever the normal viewfinder is).
But there's always a significant delay between what I see and what I get after I've clicked the shutter so it's pot luck what comes out. I believe there's a technical term for this - which hopefully one of the experts will provide (latency?)
I'd be interested to hear how the Canon performs in this area.
=================== www.sheldrickrose.co.ukwww.bernulf.co.ukwww.bernulfsplace.co.uk |
Tizer
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Posted - 12/09/2011 : 19:54
I've never noticed any problem in my Canon cameras with delay between clicking the shutter and the picture appearing on the LCD screen, although I don't pay that much attention to it. If I'm using the viewfinder then I'm not looking at the screen when the picture is taken and with both the D600 and the G11 the screen is rotatable and I can take viewfinder pics with it reversed (closed, screen inwards) against the camera. I've just tried both cameras with the screen open and there is less than a second between clicking and the picture appearing. Battery power probably influences this, in the way it also affects recovery after a flash exposure. The D600 and G11 both have dedicated Canon batteries but if your camera takes AA then you might need better batteries, i.e. go for rechargeable nickel metal hydride and make sure the mAh rating is high, such as 2450 mAh. More expensive but better at coping with greater demands.
Your screen might be difficult to see because it is an older camera, not just because it's a small screen by present standards. They've improved a lot in recent years. I used to use a Canon Powershot 620 compact, a wonderful camera but I always had trouble with the screen in bright weather, even though you can increase the brightness. When I got the G11 compact it was a revelation, a much easier screen to see and it has a viewfinder too. Some screens are much better than others for viewing at an angle - some screens need to be viewed almost at right angles to be clear.
It would be interesting to hear Big Kev's views on all this - he has a lot more experience than me and might point out fallacies in what I've been saying!
Oh, and I should have said earlier, your pictures look great, it's a shame OG pixelates them. I can see how you've composed the first two to get more dynamic range - the sky with its dark clouds combined with the light fields. I guess you waited till the sun was out to light the fields. I love dramatic skies but so often I expose for the sky then find the foreground is in darkness. I spend money to buy a DSLR to get more dynamic range; you do the right thing and use Nature to get it!
Edited by - Tizer on 12/09/2011 19:58:57
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Bradders
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Posted - 13/09/2011 : 00:17
You'll never guess what.......!
I bought a FILM camera at a boot fair today , and I'm going to use it .....
I paid a whole £12 (asking price !) for one of the muckiest SLRs I've seen in a long time .The thing is, that sometimes the muck and bullets hide a very good bit of kit , and after careful cleaning the beauty is re-discovered ....
It is a second model (3200 ASA) ..Canon F 1 with 50mm F1.8.......(in it's day , the true professional camera) and it now sparkles ....
But I'm a Nikon Man....doh !
BRADDERS BLUESINGER |
Callunna
Revolving Grey Blob
3044 Posts
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Posted - 13/09/2011 : 00:37
So would that lens fit a modern Canon DSLR? |
Bradders
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Posted - 13/09/2011 : 02:09
Nope .... I don't think so !
The old "breech-lock " lenses on Canon SLRs were superceded , and there have been quite a few modifications since.....
Which is why I think that Nikon and Leica stand out , for consistency .
( you can still use a 1930's Leica lens on their latest bayonet fit rangefinder cameras , with a simple 39mm screw to M bayonet adapter)
BRADDERS BLUESINGER |
Stanley
Local Historian & Old Fart
36804 Posts
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Posted - 13/09/2011 : 05:05
Brad. I still have two Nikkormats and a bunch of TriX in the fridge.....
Stanley Challenger Graham
Barlick View
stanley at barnoldswick.freeserve.co.uk |
Sunray10
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Posted - 13/09/2011 : 17:56
Twix in the fridge Stanley ha ha !!
R.Spencer. |
Stanley
Local Historian & Old Fart
36804 Posts
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Posted - 14/09/2011 : 06:08
Ray, not quite.... TriX is the old standarf fast Kodak B&W film.
I have to announce that after agonising about spending money I decided to do my bit for the economy. I've ordered a used Nikon D200 body from 123photographs via Amazon. The total cost is £405 including postage. I didn't go for the cheapest I could find, the reason I chose this was first that I trust Amazon more than Ebay. Second it is is original box with all the leads, instructions etc. and has a spare battery and CF card. Described as used with slight cosmetic wear but sounds to me like very good condition.
No pockets in a shroud! Will cut back on Jack's food to pay for it......
Stanley Challenger Graham
Barlick View
stanley at barnoldswick.freeserve.co.uk |
Callunna
Revolving Grey Blob
3044 Posts
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Posted - 14/09/2011 : 10:10
Since starting this thread I've seen nobbut adverts for the Canon 600D - Tesco magazine, Sunday mags, online ads - everywhere.
I think the Universe is trying to tell me something...
[It would be handy if the Universe could provide the funds too!]
=================== www.sheldrickrose.co.ukwww.bernulf.co.ukwww.bernulfsplace.co.uk |
pluggy
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Posted - 14/09/2011 : 12:19
That'll teach you to put phrases into search engines. 
Need computer work ?
"http://www.stsr.co.uk" 
Pluggy's Household Monitor |
Thinking of buying a new camera...
