Great :NGaugeForum: collective
Once more i need your help and assistance, I currently own a Fuji Finepix S5500 which I have owned for about 7 years, but I am now in a position where I can move on up the scale of DSLR's, and so would like some advice of which one I should be looking to buy as a replacement, I'm looking to spend between £300 - £400
I want a new Camera for when we go to India, whilst I like the Finepix and it helps me take some great shots, I'm finding the lens is a limitation on it, it has a 10x Optical zoom and is only 4MPixels. So its time to move on too something a bit better.
Regards
Neal.
Hi Neal,
There are a lot of good DSLRs about and I would recommend that you go to a camera shop and handle the cameras. Check them out for ease of use, how comfortable they feel in your hands and how well balanced it is with the lenses attached. Also see how bright the viewfinder is as you look through it.
I think you are probably looking at a lightweight model as I'm guessing you don't want to lug heavy kit around whilst you are on holiday. The most important element is still the lens so aim to get the best that you can (although there are some very good zoom lenses that are quite light). You have a choice between zoom and fixed length lenses. Fixed generally give better quality and let more light in but are less flexible than zooms. However sometimes you will have to blow the picture up really large to see the difference in resolution between a fixed lens and a zoom lens.
You may find this website useful - he is mainly Nikon but does review Canon.
http://www.kenrockwell.com/index.htm (http://www.kenrockwell.com/index.htm)
I've used Nikon SLRs all my life so am probably a bit biased.
Is your price range for body + lens or is it body only? With your price range you could try to find a one or two year old second hand camera of a larger model as you would get new.
For lenses go for the best you can afford. If you're traveling a lot, a good zoom lens would reduce the weight you have to carry around. The range of focal length would depend a bit on what you want to take pictures of. A lens that covers Wide to Tele has mostly more compromises in quality than one that covers a smaller range. You could also review your photos that you have taken with your Fuji and see what the most used focal lengths are and base your decision for a Zoom on that basis, maybe plus a bit more. A wider aperture (small number) generally makes you more flexible to lighting conditions, but there are lenses around that have a wide aperture but only give good results if stepped down. A wider aperture will reduce the depth of field, though.
As Pendgy says, visit a shop and try the cameras, look at the keys, wheels and buttons and see if you can use them with the camera at the eye. See if you like the display and can judge the quality of a photo with it. Also see what's in the settings. Only you can decide what suits you.
I use the following website for reviews http://www.the-digital-picture.com/ (http://www.the-digital-picture.com/) .
I had a Finepix for a good number of years and upgraded to an SLR a couple of years ago. We have an Olympus and I have to say that the upgrade from ther Finepix was well worth the extra outlay.
It is good advice to handle a few cameras and get the feel of them (Specialist camera shops can offer good advice).
However, once settled on a particular camera , shop around for a good price.
And....enjoy India. It is amazing - the noise/the hustle and bustle/the colour and the general confusion are breathtaking. And if you get a chance, take a train ride!
Quote from: port perran on August 07, 2012, 08:00:18 PM
And....enjoy India. It is amazing - the noise/the hustle and bustle/the colour and the general confusion are breathtaking. And if you get a chance, take a train ride!
Oh we intend too ;) ;)
We start of in Delhi for a day or 2, then on to Jaipur and Agra before taking the Night mail train to Kalka to go onto the 'Toy Train' to Shimla for 2 days there, then back to Delhi and home. all in all quite a lot packed into 12 days.
Regards
Neal.
IMO go 2nd hand on that budget.
D5000 with kit 18-55mm would be around £350
Or
D90 with kit 18-105mm would push you just over budget, but its a better lens and body.
Actually the D40 is a great camera. I have one that I use if I am travelling - it is so light and gives good results.
The D3100 has been discontinued so you may get a good deal on that.
If I were you I would reconsider buying a DSLR for travel purposes, they can be heavy and a pain in the backside if you are carrying extra lens/flash etc.
There are dozens of prosumer cameras that are capable of taking photos as good or in some cases even better than entry level DSLRs.
Here is a link to the type of cameras I suggest as travel cameras.
http://www.techradar.com/news/photography-video-capture/cameras/best-compact-camera-2012-27-reviewed-963985?artc_pg=2 (http://www.techradar.com/news/photography-video-capture/cameras/best-compact-camera-2012-27-reviewed-963985?artc_pg=2)
Most of the upmarket compacts these days are just as versatile as a DSLR when it comes to control including high ISO settings for low light photography.
Sorry, but I disagree with the last suggestion! Low ISO capability varies massively depending on the processor eg my Fuji compact has in theory higher ISO capability than my Canon DSLR but in practice the SLR wins hands down.
You won't go wrong with Canon or Nikon SLRs, though you might get more bang for your buck with either a S/H or discontinued model. I am sure you could get easily get a Canon Eos 450D/500D/550D for your budget - all of which are very capable cameras.
I would second the point about going to a shop if possible and trying them in your hand - I quite like the smaller Canon EOS range as they fit my hands, but it is quite a personal thing.
Another thing to bear in mind is what lenses do you want for it? You are essentially buying into a lens system as chances are the lenses will last longer than the camera. I decided that Canon had more choice of lenses that I was interested in at more price points than Nikon - Canon typically had 3 price points: entry, mid and pro levels whereas Nikon tended to have only entry and pro levels.
Cheers, Mike
Quote from: red_death on August 08, 2012, 12:12:19 AM
Sorry, but I disagree with the last suggestion! Low ISO capability varies massively depending on the processor eg my Fuji compact has in theory higher ISO capability than my Canon DSLR but in practice the SLR wins hands down.
Yep, I've got a fairly upmarket compact but it looses out massively in versitility and quality to my two Nikon DSLRs. They are still basically snap guns unless you're prepared to pay for something like a Fuji X-Pro 1 http://www.trustedreviews.com/fujifilm-x-pro1_Digital-Camera_review (http://www.trustedreviews.com/fujifilm-x-pro1_Digital-Camera_review) or a Leica X2 http://www.techradar.com/reviews/cameras-and-camcorders/cameras/compact-cameras/leica-x2-1082011/review (http://www.techradar.com/reviews/cameras-and-camcorders/cameras/compact-cameras/leica-x2-1082011/review)
Some of the cheaper DSLRs are quite small and light and with a compact zoom will cover just about all options you're likely to need on a trip making them ideal for travel.
H.
I guess we all have our own ideas when it comes to photography but from my experience of lugging SLR cameras around from 1975 to 2004 I certainly would not take an SLR on an overseas trip.
My favorite travel camera was a rangefinder of which I had several rather than an SLR, once again to each our own.
At 300 quid this little baby would run rings round a DSLR as a lightweight travel camera and the results are every bit as good.
With regards to ISO performance how high do you want or need to go, for decades very little film with an ASA rating over 400 was ever used, digital photos taken at extreme ISO settings tend to be very grainy and unless that is what you are looking for why bother.
http://www.olympus.co.uk/consumer/21693_pen-camera_e-pm1_24690.htm (http://www.olympus.co.uk/consumer/21693_pen-camera_e-pm1_24690.htm)
Quote from: oldrailbug on August 08, 2012, 05:49:42 AM
I guess we all have our own ideas when it comes to photography but from my experience of lugging SLR cameras around from 1975 to 2004 I certainly would not take an SLR on an overseas trip.
Horses for courses - I take my compact climbing and I take my SLR for wildlife.
Quote from: oldrailbug on August 08, 2012, 05:49:42 AM
At 300 quid this little baby would run rings round a DSLR as a lightweight travel camera and the results are every bit as good.
That is an SLR in all but mirror!
Quote from: oldrailbug on August 08, 2012, 05:49:42 AM
With regards to ISO performance how high do you want or need to go, for decades very little film with an ASA rating over 400 was ever used, digital photos taken at extreme ISO settings tend to be very grainy and unless that is what you are looking for why bother.
True to a point though some of the processing on DSLRs is very good at removing noise. For somethings there is little getting away with high ISO for most of us eg gigs or wildlife photography at night.
I've taken SLRs and DSLRs all over the world and never felt it to be a problem, although I'll be taking my compact with me to the Great British Beer Festival at Olympia which I'm soon to set off for, as one hand will be fully occupied carrying and operating a pint glass :beers:
I was going to suggest a four thirds camera but they don't seem to have taken off like they were touted to do or particularly well supported. Once it was claimed they would take the photo world by storm.
H.
Quote from: H on August 08, 2012, 11:48:59 AM
I was going to suggest a four thirds camera but they don't seem to have taken off like they were touted to do or particularly well supported. Once it was claimed they would take the photo world by storm.
+1. My thoughts as well. Having said which a mate is very happy with his Lumix G1 or G3. The issue for me would be lens availability, but they do look good for travelling.
On your short list add the Nikon D3100 (which would fit into your price bracket with the zoom lens) or a second hand Nikon D40. The D40 was Nikon's entry level camera (having been superseded by the D3000 and then the D3100). It is superlight and with any money left over you could get another lens to go with it.
I'd sell you mine but I find I use it just as much as my more 'serious' camera (D300) as it is about half the weight.
As red_death says, you can't go wrong with Nikon or Canon. My preference has been Nikon but I have cast envious glances at the Canon kit at times.
I guess i'm just a worn out old photographer that lugged a pair of EOS 1Ns, 3 or 4 lens and a Metz CT60 Flash plus wet cell battery pack on a belt around just about every second weekend for just under 25 years, the purpose was to shove cameras into bride and grooms faces, I have to say I am over the photography bit myself these days and travel as light as possible.
All I use these days is a Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 an old Kodak DX7590 and a couple of other compacts, they are heavy enough for me now.
A basic SLR isn't really all that heavy. Only time mine gets heavy is if using a 70-300mm zoom all day at a racetrack or similar. Likewise my new 16-85mm is heavyish but most kit lenses are fairly light.
And its only heavy when hanging around your neck, take a small case with just the one lens and it weighs nothing over your shoulder.
Depends what you want to photograph whether you will need additional lenses or not.
Quote from: buckle247 on August 08, 2012, 01:30:40 PM
Depends what you want to photograph whether you will need additional lenses or not.
Well as I said earlier in the thread, we are off to India in November and I said to SWMBO that I wanted a new Camera thats better than the Finepix S5500 that I've got now, to take photos of whatever we will see in India, so it'll be scenery, buildings, people and trains (in fact all the usual touristy stuff)
Pre-Digital I had (and still have) a Minolta XGM with 3 lenses, 28mm wide angle, 50mm standard and an 80-200mm tele-zoom all of which I used to carry around wherever we went, and it took some fabulous pictures. But I bit the bullet and went digital with a pocket camera and progressed to the Finepix, now it's time to move on again.
I think I will visit the local Jessops in Swindon and see what they've got to say, there's also a local independant I'll pop in and see as well. Might as well see what sport of a deal I can get out of them :D :D
Many thanks for all the help and advice so far, keep it coming it's all helpful.
Regards
Neal.
Hi Neal;
Just bought a Nikon Coolpix P510.....about the same size as your FinePix but a generation on from it technically...
16M pixels, 42 X Optical zoom and a whole host of editing features.
As an ex Photog...unless you want to work in RAW, the full digital SLRs are a smidge expensive to leave on Auto most of the time.....
Later;
STU in KOQU
You may want to try London camera exchange in Bath, they had some good deals on Nikon and Canon. My personal choice would be a Lumix G1 as i'm not planning on buying loads of lenses (i really don't need another hobby... ::)) Also the latest Sony Alpha's are getting good reveiws...
The best tip i can give, is to have a good play with each one you like the look of, until you find the easiest to use camera - after all, you don't want to spend your holiday messing with the camera ;)
I did own a DSLR once, after a few months i sold it and went back to my beloved Fuji Finepix S6500fd. Now my phone (HTC one S) takes better 'snaps' than both of them... :confused1:
I would still rather have a proper camera though !
Quote from: 4x2 on August 08, 2012, 11:05:51 PM
I did own a DSLR once, after a few months i sold it and went back to my beloved Fuji Finepix S6500fd. Now my phone (HTC one S) takes better 'snaps' than both of them... :confused1:
I would still rather have a proper camera though !
Great camera I wish I still had my 6500fd.
Like you I use my phone most of the time, Nokia N8 12mp and Zeiss Lens.
Quote from: oldrailbug on August 08, 2012, 11:11:48 PM
Quote from: 4x2 on August 08, 2012, 11:05:51 PM
I did own a DSLR once, after a few months i sold it and went back to my beloved Fuji Finepix S6500fd. Now my phone (HTC one S) takes better 'snaps' than both of them... :confused1:
I would still rather have a proper camera though !
Great camera I wish I still had my 6500fd.
Like you I use my phone most of the time, Nokia N8 12mp and Zeiss Lens.
I bought my first S6500fd for £300 (brand new) and p/x it to get a Canon DSLR (don't remember which...), didn't get on with it, so I sold it and bought my second S6500fd on ebay which i'll never sell ! :camera:
Fuji 6500 is what got me into photography. Owned it for two years, and think I sold it for more than I paid for it! Great camera.
From the sounds of it, a kit lense like the Nikon 18-105 would be perfect for what you are wanting. The older 18-135mm is also good, but lacks VR which the 18-105mm has. 18-55mm is a bit limited, so would aim for a package which comes with either of the above personally.
Not much need for a bigger zoom unless you plan on doing wildlife/zoos etc.
Quote from: buckle247 on August 08, 2012, 11:40:37 PM
Fuji 6500 is what got me into photography. Owned it for two years, and think I sold it for more than I paid for it! Great camera.
From the sounds of it, a kit lense like the Nikon 18-105 would be perfect for what you are wanting. The older 18-135mm is also good, but lacks VR which the 18-105mm has. 18-55mm is a bit limited, so would aim for a package which comes with either of the above personally.
Not much need for a bigger zoom unless you plan on doing wildlife/zoos etc.
I agree with that - you may be able to negotiate to get a deal on substituting the 18-55 for the 18-105. Vibration Reduction (VR) is a useful feature (particularly good for these dark, grey days that we've been having in the UK at the moment or other times when the light level is low). Even having a 18-55 and a 55-200 (VR) is not too heavy to carry around but this combination will be out of your price range unless you go secondhand.
Don't forget to price up the cost of the memory card (or two) before you buy.
Right guys I've had alook around the camera shops in Swindon and it looks like I'm way out of the cost of a DSLR to match my old Minolta XGM + 3 lenses :-( :-(
So it looks like a toss up between the Finepix HS30 EXR and the Nikon P510, as recommended by Stu fromEGDL (or wherever he is today;-) )
Any quick replies would be appreciated as I'm having a coffee to think about it.
Ta
Neal
Right Chaps & Chapesses,
Many thanks for all the ideas and thoughts, I completely ignored all of them :D :D and went for the Fuji Finepix HS30 EXR in the end.
Got the Camera, 16Gb Card, spare battery pack and case for £340, so £10 under budget, SWMBO will be pleased :angel: :angel:
I'll have a play with it and report back later as too how I get on with it, I'm going to do that usual bloke thing of, get camera out, chuck manual in drawer somewhere, play with camera, then get frustrated because I don't know what each button does and can't remember where I put the manual. :laugh: :laugh:
Anyway, once again many thanks for all the help and advice.
regards
Neal.
You should be able to get a NIkon 3100 DSLR with zoom lens for about £350;
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nikon-14-2MP-Digital-Camera-18-55mm/dp/B00403MA4M (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nikon-14-2MP-Digital-Camera-18-55mm/dp/B00403MA4M)
http://compare.ebay.co.uk/like/280927285485?var=lv<yp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar&cbt=y (http://compare.ebay.co.uk/like/280927285485?var=lv<yp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar&cbt=y)
Or is that too much?
H.
Good choice of camera Neil :thumbsup: it will do everything you need and has a great reputation in camera circles, IMO far better lens that the rubbish they stick on the front of entry level DSLRs, well done.
Nikon D40 is a great little camera , easy to hold and use, my first
digital camera, previously using Nikon film slrs including
a Nikon F which only has about 3 controls.