Thread: Buying a Camera?

Try a Sony Alpha.

I don't have an SLR but got a Fujifilm S5700 which is a really compact little thing that I'm quite happy with. The best thing about it is how compact it is so that I can just hold it in one hand and not really have a problem carrying it. the 10x optical zoom is fairly good too.

This pic was taken using full zoom and isn't too bad


It's also not bad at capturing moving images (this photo was taken the first time I used the camera and I'm definately no photographer)


If you are a really serious photographer then I'm not the man for advice but for the motorsport snapshots that I take then this will be fine.

Also the movie mode isn't too bad as shown HERE
Make sure to click the 'watch in high quality' bit

i had the Fuji s5000 and that was a superb camera. I recommend buying a wide angle lens, filters (especially a polarising one) and if they make it for the s5700 a zoom lens adapter.

I just upgraded to Sony A200. 18-70mm lens as standard, i bought a 70-300mm zoom lens too. Just need to get to some motor racing to see what it does but as far as quality goes here's a picture of a bird.



Richard.

Get an SLR. No compact or pretend SLR can beat a proper one.

I would reccomend a D80 or whatever the Canon equivalent is though the cheaper Canon's don't feel as tough as the low end Nikon's. Nikon's have a nice simple menu system an are easy to use.

I personally would go for a Camera brand as well. Sony's are probably fine but you're buying a camera and not a TV No offence 71minus2

I have a Samsung point and shoot and use a Canon 30D.

I will always use Canon's from now on as I have their lenses. If your going to buy an SLR it's something you need to think about as the majority of people don't switch brands once they've bought a lense or 5.

thanks guys.. my thoughts exactly daniel.. Sony do make great TV's and some other electronics, dont think really the best cameras.. I have decided on buying the Canon EOS 450D, also called the Digital Rebel XSi.. i now need to know since im travelling.. where do u think or know i can get my camera cheaper, Thailand or Singapore, if anyone knows any shops would be great too..

Nice, As Daniel said, Canon or Nikon are both great. I have a 40d and love it. If you can get a body only and a better lense, instead of a kit. If you want any suggestions on lenses let me know.

Originally Posted by wacked

thanks guys.. my thoughts exactly daniel.. Sony do make great TV's and some other electronics, dont think really the best cameras.. I have decided on buying the Canon EOS 450D, also called the Digital Rebel XSi.. i now need to know since im travelling.. where do u think or know i can get my camera cheaper, Thailand or Singapore, if anyone knows any shops would be great too..

There is one huge building in Singapore where they have everything electronic. You can check prices in quite a few stores to ensure you are not getting fleeced, but in the main, I understand they don't cheat tourists or anyone else there. http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel...uare-BR-1.html

I bought my mobile phone there for AUD$200 when the same one was selling in Australia at the time for $800. The above link will give you all the advice you need, including how to get there.

Avoid all shops that give you a ridiculously low price or those that tell you they dont have the product in stock so buy a different but "better" product because they are out to rip you off. Make sure you get everything with what you're buying, eg. cables, warranty, battries. Dont allow the shops to sell you something that should already come in the package.

If you are not Asian, and cannot speak Cantonese, then make sure you project yourself as a well seasoned, well traveled tourist/shopper who is aware of all the tricks.

There is also the warranty - make sure the camera you buy has a world wide Warranty. Give yourself plenty of time to do your shopping/looking/price research. It took me 15 minutes to confirm the base price of my mobile phone to $5 plus/minus.

I have a Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ7K...its 7.2MP and 6x optical zoom...I think its a good camera. I am neither a pro nor an avid photographer although I do like to take photos...I am also thinking of moving up the camera ladder...

I will be travelling to a tiger reserve later this year and (if I am lucky ) I want to make sure I get good photos of those sneaky tigers and others

So any suggestions? Not sure I need a SLR or something but how about those compact "pretenders"as Daniel said?
Which one is the best out of those ones....What I need is a good zoom, anti shake , SD compatible... etc but not bothered by all other fancy bits n pieces.

Originally Posted by Storm

I have a Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ7K...its 7.2MP and 6x optical zoom...I think its a good camera. I am neither a pro nor an avid photographer although I do like to take photos...I am also thinking of moving up the camera ladder...

I will be travelling to a tiger reserve later this year and (if I am lucky ) I want to make sure I get good photos of those sneaky tigers and others

So any suggestions? Not sure I need a SLR or something but how about those compact "pretenders"as Daniel said?
Which one is the best out of those ones....What I need is a good zoom, anti shake , SD compatible... etc but not bothered by all other fancy bits n pieces.

It all depends on the quality of photos you want and if you want to enlarge them. If you want a really good close-up shot, then an SLR with a telephoto is the best.

Also, don't forget to bring Imodium.

For Tigers it really depends on how close to them you are. We went to Longleat Safari park last week and were using a Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L for aninals in the reserves but for animas which you could get close too we would use a Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 Image Stabilized USM.

Buying camera equipment can become a seriously expensive hobbie....stop before you even begin.

Originally Posted by GridGirl

For Tigers it really depends on how close to them you are. We went to Longleat Safari park last week and were using a Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L for aninals in the reserves but for animas which you could get close too we would use a Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 Image Stabilized USM.

Buying camera equipment can become a seriously expensive hobbie....stop before you even begin.

I'd love a 70-200L. Any one would do. But I think if I get the cash I will probably go for the 100-400L. Got the 17-85 as well.

Originally Posted by Daniel

I personally would go for a Camera brand as well. Sony's are probably fine but you're buying a camera and not a TV No offence 71minus2

honestly this was a pretty low remark.

Sony bought Minolta's photo department (and all their know how with it) a few years ago and.

For the price you pay no Cannon or Nikkon can beat the Sony Alphas (A-100, A-200 etc).

Originally Posted by ioan

honestly this was a pretty low remark.

Sony bought Minolta's photo department (and all their know how with it) a few years ago and.

For the price you pay no Cannon or Nikkon can beat the Sony Alphas (A-100, A-200 etc).

Would you buy a Nikon TV or Nikon MP3 player?

Minolta was always a very average brand when it came to cameras.

Originally Posted by Daniel

Minolta was always a very average brand when it came to cameras.

No kidding. How many Minoltas did you use?

How many digital cameras had image stabilization systems (real ones, not the software ones) at the time the Minolta 5D and 7D came out?!

As for comments about Sony producing good TV but not cameras, they are also producing most of the CCD's used in the Nikon and Canon cameras.

Originally Posted by ioan

No kidding. How many Minoltas did you use?

How many digital cameras had image stabilization systems (real ones, not the software ones) at the time the Minolta 5D and 7D came out?!

As for comments about Sony producing good TV but not cameras, they are also producing most of the CCD's used in the Nikon and Canon cameras.

hey, well i have used the Minolta's and also a lot of sony camera's the sony SLR's and are not so impressive as the Canon and Nikon, image stabilisation just reduces the use of a tripod, does not make the camera better.. and u do want to consider Image Stabilisation, the Canon's have 6x to 12x zoom camera's with optical image stabilisation which is far better than the sony's.. Im using a Canon A710 IS right now..

and yeah, sony is making some of the CCD's for Nikon only.. not for Canon..
the body of the Sony SLR's are not as good as the Nikon or Canon, Nikon is still the best in that..

sony has some good regular pocket digital camera's, but where the SLR's are concerned, not a patch on the Nikon's or Canon's.. and nowadays some of the new Olympus SLR's are real good..

Originally Posted by rah

Nice, As Daniel said, Canon or Nikon are both great. I have a 40d and love it. If you can get a body only and a better lense, instead of a kit. If you want any suggestions on lenses let me know.

hey rah, what suggestions on lenses, for now actually budgeted on the kit lens, a polarised filter and yeah a nice lowepro tavel bag and maybe a 2GB ultra fast memory card..

well i am open to some suggestions ont he lenses though.. can consider the cost..

Originally Posted by Storm

I have a Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ7K...its 7.2MP and 6x optical zoom...I think its a good camera. I am neither a pro nor an avid photographer although I do like to take photos...I am also thinking of moving up the camera ladder...

I will be travelling to a tiger reserve later this year and (if I am lucky ) I want to make sure I get good photos of those sneaky tigers and others

So any suggestions? Not sure I need a SLR or something but how about those compact "pretenders"as Daniel said?
Which one is the best out of those ones....What I need is a good zoom, anti shake , SD compatible... etc but not bothered by all other fancy bits n pieces.

hey storm if you dont want to go for a SLR yet, Canon has some nice options, check out the S5 IS, its a 8.2 MP camera with a 12x optical zoom, or check out the SX100 IS, thats with a 10x zoom though a little cheaper..

so which tiger reserve are you planning to go to.. u still have my number?, lets catch up sometime.. can give you an idea about a few camera's..

Originally Posted by wacked

hey, well i have used the Minolta's and also a lot of sony camera's the sony SLR's and are not so impressive as the Canon and Nikon, image stabilisation just reduces the use of a tripod, does not make the camera better.. and u do want to consider Image Stabilisation, the Canon's have 6x to 12x zoom camera's with optical image stabilisation which is far better than the sony's.. Im using a Canon A710 IS right now..

and yeah, sony is making some of the CCD's for Nikon only.. not for Canon..
the body of the Sony SLR's are not as good as the Nikon or Canon, Nikon is still the best in that..

sony has some good regular pocket digital camera's, but where the SLR's are concerned, not a patch on the Nikon's or Canon's.. and nowadays some of the new Olympus SLR's are real good..

Minolta previously and Sony now do have the image stabilizer built in the case while Canon and Nikkon need very expensive lenses with optical stabilization.

So the Sony SLRs come with the stabilizator no mater the lenses you use. For the Nikkon and Canon you'll have to buy lenses that have stabilizers, for each and every different lens.

From my POV the Sony is cheaper and more practical than the other two.

As for the Olympus, let's forget it, they are merely trying to catch up with the big guys.