Camera advice please

tumchy · #1 (**permalink**) 16-03-2010, 04:48 PM

Hi, I've been taking pics of a not too shy robin and I thought they were quite good till I saw the images on here. Your pics are brilliant!

I'd like to upgrade to a DSLR, but the more I read about lenses, focal points etc etc the more mixed up I get. I went to the library today and got a book to study, but I think I need the one for "dummies"

Can anyone recommend one about £300-£400 that will let me take pics of robin with feather detail and of course for taking pics of grandweans and scenery on holidays. Thanks in advance. x
.

Jim Ford · #2 (**permalink**) 16-03-2010, 05:43 PM

There's a great deal on the Olympus E600 to be had at Jessops and Currys, currently.

Jim

nigel_b · #3 (**permalink**) 16-03-2010, 08:06 PM

I'm having trouble finding out what lenses are available for the E600 Jim, any pointers?

tumchy · #4 (**permalink**) 16-03-2010, 10:20 PM

I've read a couple of reviews on this one and it seems to be a good camera for the price. Jim or Nigel...do you have this one?

Jim Ford · #5 (**permalink**) 16-03-2010, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tumchy

I've read a couple of reviews on this one and it seems to be a good camera for the price. Jim or Nigel...do you have this one?

I don't have one, but the E620 has been reviewed on dpreview - here are the conclusions:

Olympus E-620 Review: 31. Conclusion: Digital Photography Review

The E600 differs from the E620 by having fewer 'bells and whistles'. It doesn't have the 'art filters' to produce special (and maybe 'gimicky') effects and it doesn't have the nifty illuminating buttons. There are probably other minor differences.

If I didn't have my E3 I might be tempted by an E600!

I don't know whether you're interested in small and light, but the E620/600 is one of the smallest and lightest DSLR available.

Jim

nigel_b · #6 (**permalink**) 16-03-2010, 11:30 PM

I dont have one, no.

I'm using a secondhand Sony A100 (with 54 photos on the clock when I bought it) which was £100, a Minolta 70-210 Beercan which was £130 off ebay and a Sony 500mm f8 reflex which was £300 secondhand from the classifieds of a similar forum to this. Grand total outlay £530.

I just couldnt find any lenses for the E600 and you'll need something with some reach for birds.

tumchy · #7 (**permalink**) 17-03-2010, 02:06 AM

Thanks guys, you've been very helpful. I'm "skelly eyed" after reading loads of reviews. I quite fancied the Canon eos 450D.
I won't rush into buying yet, although I'd like to buy one before the second week in April.....off to centerparcs.

Lockzie · #8 (**permalink**) 17-03-2010, 10:00 PM

Hi

have a look at a Nikon D40, I had one for a while, cracking camera for the price. I sold it and upgraded to a Nikon D90 which is a bit too complicated for me, but learning slowly

Do read about the lens with the D40 as some of the lens are not compatible
I usually read the reviews on Amazon which give lots of advice. People who have bought them sometimes say what lens they use with the camera's

Hope that helps a little
regards
Lockzie

Hobjob · #9 (**permalink**) 17-03-2010, 10:20 PM

For sharp photos of birds which show all the feather detail you will need good glass. 200mm is not really enough, 300 in the right hands can be good, but 400 is better.

The rule of thumb is twice the money for glass as you pay for the body.

Remember that a the smaller sensors give extra length - e.g. in the Canon 20,30,40,50D series, you can multiply the focal length by 1.6 to get the "real length". I think the 300-500 series has same multiplicaton factor.

Ebay can be a source of bargains, but I have yet to read any good reviews about mirror lenses - which is why they get re-sold so often I suspect. I frequent Minsmere a lot (my back doorstep) and mirror lenses are rarish.

There are loadsa good threads on the subject of dSLRs in the WAB archives - folk don't like repeating their views all the time which is I guess why not much has been written here on this thread.

My opinion is that for 300-400 total outlay you will be dissapointed in a dSLR - one of the long reach bridge cameras will do you better.

Sorry to be a wet blanket

hobo1 · #10 (**permalink**) 18-03-2010, 12:39 AM

Have you looked at the Panasonic FZ28, it is a bridge camera with a very good zoom length , its easy to use and you can also buy an extra lens for under £100 if you want more length , i have taken some very good distance shots of birds including some great ones of woodpeckers , and some macro shots of flowers and moths .
I have found it excellent and no worries about which lens to put on and take off and get dust in !!.
I did have a nikon D60 but have sold it .