Which Camera and Lens?

[scaly_piscine]

I live very close to Billingham Beck Ecology Park and walk down there each day with my camera, since April I've used a Fujifilm FinePix S8000fd camera which is cheap and badly made but does a lot for its price (8 megapixel, 18x zoom). I take pictures of birds mostly, but over the summer I took shots of dragonflies too which turned out surprisingly nicely.

I don't really know anything about purchasing cameras, I'm looking at splashing out on a good camera and lens (< £1000 if possible) that would allow me to take wildlife pictures, photos at cricket matches and maybe stuff like pets, weddings (ugh) with a bit of extra money spent later on. So would appreciate any advice on this.

Also I have some nice hawker dragonfly, long tailed tit, heron and wren photos - but figure they must be a dime to the dozen, so is there any point putting them onto one of these photography sites where people buy them, given my camera?

[dan-fisher]

Yes i agree the unit you've got is great for the money.. you won't find better value than that.. better camera's yes, but not for that price.

I've got the Sony A100, with the 2 sony lenses that come with the package. You can buy this lot for peanuts now, i paid about 700 a year ago.

PurelyGadgets.co.uk - Clearance Products - Sony DSLR-A100 Twin Lens Kit

edit: The camera you have won't hold you back as regards getting recognition on good shots. Super quality shots are relatively easy these days with the cameras available and it's that bi9t extra that makes the difference and the camera alone does not have that.. the operator does imo.

And welcome to the site !

[geordie graham]

Hi from A Billingham lad(living in Bishop hoping to get back to Billingham).I have know doubt you will recieve a lot of information from the experts on this excellent site.I would also recommend you pop into RGB Technology in Middlesbrough.They are excellent and will give you a lot of information and their prices are very reasonable.You will be able to pick up a decent SLR camera 70-300 lens and possibly a good tripod for around the £1000 mark.You could also think of secondhand which a lot of camera shops have in stock.You are in an excellent area (Seal Sands, Cowpen Bewley woodland Park) for bird photography and also the new RSPB reserve opening.Good luck and have fun.

Graham

[scaly_piscine]

Hi guys.

Yes it's certainly a good area for bird photography, I'm fortunate that I have a lot of spare time but still don't have to worry about money. The main problem with my current camera is gets worse rapidly at higher ISO values (I overcompensated by badly underexposing a series of kingfisher shots from less than 30 feet away at full zoom - there's even one where it kinda stretches after it finally twigged. I'll add these later as I'm sure someone on here will be able to do more with them than me) and also a lot of the pictures simply don't stand up to being viewed at 66% let alone 100%. I'm happy with the camera for close-up photographs of butterflies, dragonflies and whatnot.

[Geoff F]

As Graham says, if you intend you try 'serious' photography go for a decent basic digital SLR set up now and add to it later.

Firstly you will have to decide on which make. Canon and Nikon are by far the most popular but many of the others, such as Olympus for example, also produce good kit. I can only suggest that you think ahead and look at what 'extra' lenses are available from each brand. Remember when you buy into a brand you are, to some extent, stuck with it for life. So also check out the availability of 'third party' lenses and other equipment. Maybe a much bigger zoom for birds or a macro insect lens.

Secondly, many manufacturers produce several ranges of cameras, professional, semi pro and lighter use at appropriate prices. Often the 'cheaper' ranges will be about the same in price and specs so it is best to choose which type feels best in your hand.

For example, for £1000 you could get a Canon 40D with the Canon 70-300 IS lens and a tripod, which is my basic kit. But the Canon 450D is about the same price. The two models are quite similar but the 450D is a lot lighter and smaller. Personally, I prefer a heavy chunky camera like the 40D but some people find it too heavy to hike around with them. You can only get hold of them and see which feels best in your hand. Nikon, etc produce similar equipment at around the same price.

IS lenses have image stabilisation which is a great help when hand holding.
Some other makes have similar systems. There are a number of independant equipment testing sites which you can consult for advice. The one I usually use is Welcome to Photozone! That may be the wrong address, I'll check it out later.

As others have said when you decide on a camera make check around for prices. And don't forget to include the old standby, Jessops; I have found that they are becoming far more competitive lately.

I',m afraid I have gone on a bit here, just hope some of it helps.

Geoff.

[dan-fisher]

As far as Image Stabilisation (or anti shake) goes i would definately go for body mounted not lenses mounted.. mine is body mounted so whatever lense i have automatically has IS. And a decent automated sensor cleaner also.

I think the nikon sensors are actually made by Sony ??

[momji1971]

Hi there. Just quick tip. Most Dslr cameras these days produce fantastic results. Nikon and Canon can be initially more expensive. But what you do have with these is a massive second hand lens market. So you can pick up an older 'pro' lens cheaper than rivals new middle of the road glass. Just a thought!

regards.
Stu.

[Jim Ford]

Originally Posted by dan-fisher

As far as Image Stabilisation (or anti shake) goes i would definately go for body mounted not lenses mounted.. mine is body mounted so whatever lense i have automatically has IS. And a decent automated sensor cleaner also.

I take it you're referring to an Olympus, in which case it should be noted that the Zuiko 50mm f2.0 macro lens was recently described in the respected dpreview site as "it's the nearest we've yet found to a technically perfect lens".

Also, with regards to the current Olympus standard pro zoom, they stated: "the Olympus Zuiko Digital ED 12-60mm F2.8-4.0 SWD is quite simply a superb lens, which can lay claim to being one of the very best standard zooms currently available".

Both the above lenses are dust and weather sealed.

As all our images have to pass through lenses before reaching the sensor, lens quality is obviously a major factor governing final image quality.

Jim

[Lancashire Lad]

Hi scaly_piscine.

Firstly, you will no doubt realise that £1000.00 might buy you about one sixth of a prime 500mm f4 birding lens.

Nevertheless, £1000.00 is still a considerable amount of money, and you will easily be able to get a great "all round" system that will see you in good stead for many years.

My suggestion would be to go for a camera body that's been out for 1 -2 years. That way you'll get the benefit of known good kit, at a premium price, and you'll still get the manufacturer's full warranties etc. (Don't get hung up on having the latest all singing all dancing cmera, you just end up paying over the odds for what you get. (Camera prices tend to fall faster than the value of new cars once they've left the showroom ).

For example, today, you could buy: -
Nikon D80 complete with 18-55 Nikon VR lens, for £450.00
Sigma 70-300 APO f4/5.6 (with 1:2 macro), for £160.00
Decent mid weight tripod - say £100.00
Couple of UV/Skylight filters, memory cards, & spare battery - say £150.00

All high street prices, and you still have £140.00 left.

On the tripod - think really carefully about weight before you buy. Despite what some people would have you believe, you won't need a tripod built from girders, unless you have a Jodrell Bank sized lens to put on it. Far better to have a mid weight tripod with you, than have a monster tripod that gets left at home.

Obviously, if you want specialist kit, such as a dedicated macro lens, you could easily pay £400.00 for that alone - so it's a case of horses for courses.

One final thought, If you're buying from the high street - be cheeky.
Once you've decided you are going to buy, ask if it's their best price for the package. If they insist it's the best they can do, suggest that they throw an extra memory card in, and you'll definitely buy. (It worked for me when I recently bought a D80 and 60mm macro lens).

Best regards
Mike.

[scaly_piscine]

The two cameras I've looked at generally, just from looking at suggestions in websites are the Nikon D80 and Canon EOS 400D. I read somewhere that with the Nikon D80 you have to buy RAW conversion software on top - is that right? A tripod can wait a while. I'm quite happy with heavier equipment - hell my coat has enough loose change in it to keep the banks afloat til the end of the decade.

The trouble with lenses is the technical terms used doesn't mean anything to me, I still think in terms of zoom and so on. I'll pick it up eventually, when I'm not out walking or procrastinating I do stuff like lose a National Scrabble final and win Countdown.