Really need some sound advice...

dblackphoto

dblackphoto

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Dave
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Hey all,

I hope this is the right area to post this as I cant find anywhere else I think it would be suitable. I've currently got a 16MP Fuji Finepix Digital Compact Camera and the 8MP camera on my phone that i'm currently using for my photos. I'm only trying to learn composition and the settings that are on both of the above, however I really want to upgrade to a camera that has manual settings etc...

I was primarily looking at a bridge camera and was told to look at the Lumix G2, but compared to some other cameras iv seen this has a lower optical zoom. I've got a budget of around £175 - £200 I don't mind second hand as i'm only just getting into photography and its not for professional use.

I would really like some advice on what cameras I should be looking at for the budget i have set aside. I honestly have no clue what so ever so any advice is very very well received and appreciated!!

Cheers

Dave
 
Hi,

If all you want is to be able to choose your settings manually, there are some pretty good compact cameras available. ( Currys has a sale right now with some of them in your price range)

When people talk about bridge cameras, they are normally talking about a non-removable lens. Those cameras normally share a (or have a slightly larger) sensor with the compact cameras.

The G2 you mentioned is called a compact system camera. That means that, unlike the two catagories above, it has interchangable lenses. That is why the zoom range is smaller than in the other two catergories. The G2 is a good camera, given your budget you might want to look at the G10 camera as well. The G10 is a "no frills" version of the G2 but shares the important stuff like the sensor. You can pick the G10 up second-hand from mpb at around 110 GBP. That leaves 65-90 GBP for a lens. The G10/G2 has a m43 (micro four thirds) lens mount so you can choose from Panasonic and Olympus lenses that have that mount.
 
Have you thought about a slightly older 2nd hand DSLR ?

You could pick up a good body and kit lens well within your budget, which would give you the manual settings you are after..
 
I second what andyred says, an older quality DSLR would be my choice. Also dont be fooled by newer cameras high megapixel counts as they really wont give better pictures than an older lower pixel dslr. Its the quality of the lens and sensor that give good images.
 
dblackphoto said:
I was primarily looking at a bridge camera and was told to look at the Lumix G2, but compared to some other cameras iv seen this has a lower optical zoom. I've got a budget of around £175 - £200 I don't mind second hand as i'm only just getting into photography and its not for professional use.
Click to expand...

The reason it has a lower optical zoom is because the lenses can be changed. The figure you are seeing is for the 14-42 kit lens (28-84mm in 35mm terms) but using smaller ranges allows the optical quality to be kept high. Bridge camera lenses are slower and lower quality at longer focal lengths. A good ompanion to the G2 and kit lens is the panasonic 45-200 which costs around £170 secondhand. This could be added at a later date as funds allow.
 
If your keen to learn manual and composition then may be a bridge camera isn't the way to go. Like mentioned above a 2nd hand dslr is just about in budget. It's where you'll end up so why not get there now. There are a lot of bells and whistles on bridge cameras that confuse trying to learn the basics. I think you'll have to forget about zoom range, and if composition is key, shouldn't matter too much, a 18-55 kit lens will be fine.

Could only give advice on Nikon, plenty of alternatives of course.
I recently bought my son a Nikon d3000 kit and it is a great piece of kit. Full 100% manual, and learning from that is then ready for any dslr.

One was advertised in good condition with 18-55 kits lens and memory card for £250 a few weeks ago and didn't sell. Another was on the price check forum recently.
Therefore thinkin will be not far from your top end £200 budget.
Think you'd get much more out of it than a g2.

Edit, just realised that the £250 included a 50mm, so should get a setup easily under £200
You'd get a d3100 and not far off a d5100 with kit lens in your budget.
 
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Thanks everyone for getting back to me so quickly on this! I was thinking about a second hand DSLR but i didnt know how old i could go and what effect it will have compared to the cameras of today etc...but as most people keep saying its the quality of the lens not just the camera. I was completely unaware as like i said im new to all this so alot of the lens talk goes completely over my head.

Ive been looking at all sorts of websites all afternoon and so far have come across the Sony Alpha 290 as the best buy for me so far. If i completely shooting in the dark here with this camera then please please point me in the right direction lol! It seems to be aimed towards the more beginner photographers and looks to be well within my price range. I'm assuming that Ill be able to upgrade the lens to any Sony lens in the future??? I also need some huge advice on the all the different lens???

Sorry for all the newbie questions I'm 1. quite excited about being able to have a SLR and 2. looking forward to getting out there and playing with the settings!!

Thanks again in advance and for your patience!!

Dave
 
Personally I would be looking at something like This to start with then go from there.

I started with one of these and it does everything you will want it too.
 
There's a canon 1100d in the classifieds, and Nikon d3100 come up often. The kit 18-55mm lenses are pretty good nowadays and yes, you can add a 55-200mm to either Nikon or canon set ups. (Or Sony for that matter)
The Sony a290,, Nikon d3100 and canon 1100d are all great cameras!
You might find slightly more help available with Nikon or canon over the Sony, but as starter kits, they are pretty similar.
All 3 very capable and a sound way of investing £200 into camera gear, much better than the original g2 idea! :)
 
dblackphoto said:
Thanks everyone for getting back to me so quickly on this! I was thinking about a second hand DSLR but i didnt know how old i could go and what effect it will have compared to the cameras of today etc...but as most people keep saying its the quality of the lens not just the camera. I was completely unaware as like i said im new to all this so alot of the lens talk goes completely over my head.

Ive been looking at all sorts of websites all afternoon and so far have come across the Sony Alpha 290 as the best buy for me so far. If i completely shooting in the dark here with this camera then please please point me in the right direction lol! It seems to be aimed towards the more beginner photographers and looks to be well within my price range. I'm assuming that Ill be able to upgrade the lens to any Sony lens in the future??? I also need some huge advice on the all the different lens???

Sorry for all the newbie questions I'm 1. quite excited about being able to have a SLR and 2. looking forward to getting out there and playing with the settings!!

Thanks again in advance and for your patience!!

Dave
Click to expand...

If you can, try various models out and see which you prefer - the feel of them and how the buttons feel / layout and the cameras menu system is important for you and only you can decide what you like. You can then look at the best you can get for your budget.

I wouldn't recommend buying a camera from reading about it without looking at / having a play with one.

I've a friend who was in a similar position and was going to buy a Nikon body, because his father had one, had a chat with him and he had a go with my Canon - much preferred the feel of it and so bought a Canon in the end and is very happy with it.

Don't worry about asking lots of questions, there are plenty in here who'll help ...

Good luck

Oh and be prepared to be broke from now on :D
 
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