Camera help!

sworks · 21st July 2007, 20:32

My wife bought me a camera about 18months ago but due to it being a surprise there was some misunderstanding. I had a Minolta and she bought me a more up to date version of what i had, it's a Dynax 3 i think, i say i think as i have only used it a handfull of times. I was after a digital camera and now sufficient time has passed to look at buying another

Firstly - what is it worth with the standard lense?
Secondly - can anybody recomend a good digital camera? I want to be able to change the lense if need be and want a display on the back, although i think this is about standard now. The ones i have been looking at all seem to be around £600 but i dont really want to spend that much. So a fantastic camera that is a good price? What do you use?
Thanks

briantilley · 21st July 2007, 21:23

I use Nikon equipment myself (my main camera is a D2Xs). Their D40 or D40x - depending on whether you want 6 or 10 megapixels - are very good entry-level digital SLR's.

But really, any of the newer DSLR's from Nikon, Canon, Olympus or Pentax would do a good job for you. In my opinion, the most important thing is to go along to a good, big shop and see how they all feel in your hand. Size, weight and control layout is a very personal preference

I'm afraid your Dynax is not going to be worth a whole lot these days. Ffordes up in Inverness-shire are a very good used dealer; they should give you an estimate if you call them.

JohnDotCom · 21st July 2007, 21:42

I'm in the Process of getting rid of some of my older 35mm equipment like Minolta 9000 with Motordrives etc. but the prices for even the Professional models have now fallen greatly.
As advised above best to try before you buy and make sure that the lenses, viewfinders etc are available for what you want.
Most of the Major brands now do some Excellent SLR Digital Cameras and on many you won't notice the greater Megapixels, the Quality of the Lenses is far more Important.
A good 5MP camera will beat the quality of a cheap 8MP camera any day. To many people just go on that measurement which is not the best route.

Jontie · 21st July 2007, 21:48

Hi,
Like you, I have a preference for interchangable lenses, but, I had a look at the Panasonic Lumix a week or so ago and I was amazed !! 8mps and a stunning 12 times Optical zoom, this is a SLR without the weight and fuss of changing lenses. Have a serious look at it!!:

At a very reasonable price, £200ish

Regards
John

Simon · 21st July 2007, 22:04

For me personally I would look at a Canon, perhaps a second-hand one or one of the "last year" models types that should fall into your budget.

Canon's lens range is far greater than anything else I've seen and the beauty is that most of their lenses will fit most of their cameras (current or past models). Many people pick up lenses and keep the same one for years but end up upgrading their camera 'body', this is where many of the bargain second-hand cameras appear from. Many reputable camera shops ought to have a number of second-hand models as well as the latest versions. As mentioned above, shop around and get a good feel for what each one is like and speak to the people behind the counter as they are often keen photographers themselves and will be more than happy to guide you through whats-what.

BMC123 · 22nd July 2007, 00:20

Well, I bought a D40 and am very pleased with it. as people say, its not all about the pixels, but the optics. And sorry Jontie, but the Panasonic Lumix is a very competent compact, not a SLR it's a whole different ball game.

There is a review of the D40 here:

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d40.htm

a little biased I think (him not me!) but he does make some excellent points.

there is a lot of camera snobbery, sorry to say it but it is there, But as already said, get a good look around somewhere like jessops were you can try out different cameras, and then thank them nicely, and buy the one you like somewhere cheaper

Jontie · 22nd July 2007, 08:39

Hi BMC,
Yes, I know its a compact. The point I was trying to make, perhaps not very well, was that it had a brilliant spec', as good as some of the SLR's and with 12 times optical why would you need any more lenses? At a price around £200 and small enough to go in your pocket it's excellent value for money.

MartinW · 24th July 2007, 18:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jontie

Hi,
Like you, I have a preference for interchangable lenses, but, I had a look at the Panasonic Lumix a week or so ago and I was amazed !! 8mps and a stunning 12 times Optical zoom, this is a SLR without the weight and fuss of changing lenses. Have a serious look at it!!:

At a very reasonable price, £200ish

Regards
John

Whilst it is not a DSLR, the FZ30 I bought for £300 (now superceded by the FZ50 which a friend recently bought and is as equally pleased as I am) is as good as an SLR for an amateur. With the 12x optical zoom and the lens by Leica, this is a cheap enough camera for me to be able to take good quality pictures. I don't have to worry about carrying extra lens as at 12x it's unnecessary. And if it is shoved in my computer bag I don't worry too much as it isn't expensive by DSLR standards.

It has all the SLR features, even feels like one to hold, with complete control over ISO, shutter speed and F-stop, and auto mode if I am feeling lazy. The 2Gb SD card has plenty of space unless you want raw format files. I know the FZ30 was slated for noise on the limit and may not be to the standard of the professional cameras, but for an amateur like me that travels a lot and wanted some manual control, with a decent lens and a reasonably compact body, I think it is well worth it as Jontie suggests.

I believe that Panasonic have also brought out a DSLR now.

Lord Minty · 24th July 2007, 20:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by MartinW

I believe that Panasonic have also brought out a DSLR now.

They have, and Leica have also brought out an almost identical one too. Both are very close cousins (and share many components with) to the much cheaper Olympus E-330 LiveView DSLR.

sworks · 24th July 2007, 20:54

Due to Nikons offer it is between the D40x and the Canon which are approx the same price. going on Saturday for a better look

21st July 2007, 20:32	#1
sworks Been absent for a while… Rover 75 Tourer, Classic mini Cooper S, Abarth 595 competizione, MG TF and a Hyundai Tucson PHEV Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Cumbria Posts: 13,065 Thanks: 1,033 Thanked 1,686 Times in 1,040 Posts	Camera help! My wife bought me a camera about 18months ago but due to it being a surprise there was some misunderstanding. I had a Minolta and she bought me a more up to date version of what i had, it's a Dynax 3 i think, i say i think as i have only used it a handfull of times. I was after a digital camera and now sufficient time has passed to look at buying another Firstly - what is it worth with the standard lense? Secondly - can anybody recomend a good digital camera? I want to be able to change the lense if need be and want a display on the back, although i think this is about standard now. The ones i have been looking at all seem to be around £600 but i dont really want to spend that much. So a fantastic camera that is a good price? What do you use? Thanks __________________ ................................................. 'Marmite' Possibly one of the most famous 75 tourers produced! left the production line as the last of only Three Rover 75 tourers produced in Trophy Yellow. 48 hours later Longbridge closed. The last sold ordered 75 Tourer. Paid for by the Phoenix Four and handed over by John Towers to the Warwickshire Northampton Air ambulance service as a Rapid Response vehicle

21st July 2007, 21:23	#2
briantilley Avid contributor ZT 160+ 1.8T Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Marldon, Devon Posts: 198 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I use Nikon equipment myself (my main camera is a D2Xs). Their D40 or D40x - depending on whether you want 6 or 10 megapixels - are very good entry-level digital SLR's. But really, any of the newer DSLR's from Nikon, Canon, Olympus or Pentax would do a good job for you. In my opinion, the most important thing is to go along to a good, big shop and see how they all feel in your hand. Size, weight and control layout is a very personal preference I'm afraid your Dynax is not going to be worth a whole lot these days. Ffordes up in Inverness-shire are a very good used dealer; they should give you an estimate if you call them. __________________ Welsh MG Enthusiast Last edited by briantilley; 21st July 2007 at 21:27..

21st July 2007, 21:48	#4
Jontie Loves to post Rover75 2.0L Conn SE Auto Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Barrowford near NELSON in Lancashire Posts: 456 Thanks: 15 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Hi, Like you, I have a preference for interchangable lenses, but, I had a look at the Panasonic Lumix a week or so ago and I was amazed !! 8mps and a stunning 12 times Optical zoom, this is a SLR without the weight and fuss of changing lenses. Have a serious look at it!!: At a very reasonable price, £200ish Regards John __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]John. (Sadly,they really don't make 'em like this anymore!!!!) Last edited by Jontie; 21st July 2007 at 21:51.. Reason: .

22nd July 2007, 00:20	#6
BMC123 Posted a thing or two 2004 1.8 Connoisseur SE, 1999 XJ8 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Northern Ireland Posts: 1,163 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Well, I bought a D40 and am very pleased with it. as people say, its not all about the pixels, but the optics. And sorry Jontie, but the Panasonic Lumix is a very competent compact, not a SLR it's a whole different ball game. There is a review of the D40 here: http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d40.htm a little biased I think (him not me!) but he does make some excellent points. there is a lot of camera snobbery, sorry to say it but it is there, But as already said, get a good look around somewhere like jessops were you can try out different cameras, and then thank them nicely, and buy the one you like somewhere cheaper __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

22nd July 2007, 08:39	#7
Jontie Loves to post Rover75 2.0L Conn SE Auto Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Barrowford near NELSON in Lancashire Posts: 456 Thanks: 15 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Hi BMC, Yes, I know its a compact. The point I was trying to make, perhaps not very well, was that it had a brilliant spec', as good as some of the SLR's and with 12 times optical why would you need any more lenses? At a price around £200 and small enough to go in your pocket it's excellent value for money. __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]John. (Sadly,they really don't make 'em like this anymore!!!!)

21st July 2007, 21:42	#3
JohnDotCom * Rover 75 FaceLift Tourer CDTi 170BHP Auto ConnSE 2005 Model Starlight Silver Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Abergele Posts: 28,735 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts	I'm in the Process of getting rid of some of my older 35mm equipment like Minolta 9000 with Motordrives etc. but the prices for even the Professional models have now fallen greatly. As advised above best to try before you buy and make sure that the lenses, viewfinders etc are available for what you want. Most of the Major brands now do some Excellent SLR Digital Cameras and on many you won't notice the greater Megapixels, the Quality of the Lenses is far more Important. A good 5MP camera will beat the quality of a cheap 8MP camera any day. To many people just go on that measurement which is not the best route.

21st July 2007, 22:04	#5
Simon Banned - Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: - Posts: 10,318 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts	For me personally I would look at a Canon, perhaps a second-hand one or one of the "last year" models types that should fall into your budget. Canon's lens range is far greater than anything else I've seen and the beauty is that most of their lenses will fit most of their cameras (current or past models). Many people pick up lenses and keep the same one for years but end up upgrading their camera 'body', this is where many of the bargain second-hand cameras appear from. Many reputable camera shops ought to have a number of second-hand models as well as the latest versions. As mentioned above, shop around and get a good feel for what each one is like and speak to the people behind the counter as they are often keen photographers themselves and will be more than happy to guide you through whats-what.

24th July 2007, 20:54	#10
sworks Been absent for a while… Rover 75 Tourer, Classic mini Cooper S, Abarth 595 competizione, MG TF and a Hyundai Tucson PHEV Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Cumbria Posts: 13,065 Thanks: 1,033 Thanked 1,686 Times in 1,040 Posts	Due to Nikons offer it is between the D40x and the Canon which are approx the same price. going on Saturday for a better look __________________ ................................................. 'Marmite' Possibly one of the most famous 75 tourers produced! left the production line as the last of only Three Rover 75 tourers produced in Trophy Yellow. 48 hours later Longbridge closed. The last sold ordered 75 Tourer. Paid for by the Phoenix Four and handed over by John Towers to the Warwickshire Northampton Air ambulance service as a Rapid Response vehicle