Camera

[Adey]

1st up, Hi. I'm really enjoying the stunning images uploaded to the site.

I'm after a bit of advise. I will only have about £350-400 for a digital camera but have read so many reviews I'm now lost on a sea of information.

I would like to start taking some images of landscapes, plus any nature I see on the way. I'm limited physically so I won't be dressed in fatigues and crawling through the undergrowth but would like to be able to take a nice picture with the aid of a tripod.

Thanks

Adey

[smartie]

Hi, Adey, welcome to WAB. I'm not the woman to advise you on cameras, but when the photographers get on line later I'm sure you'll get plenty of help. They might even agree with one another

[speckled wood]

Originally Posted by Adey

1st up, Hi. I'm really enjoying the stunning images uploaded to the site.

I'm after a bit of advise. I will only have about £350-400 for a digital camera but have read so many reviews I'm now lost on a sea of information.

I would like to start taking some images of landscapes, plus any nature I see on the way. I'm limited physically so I won't be dressed in fatigues and crawling through the undergrowth but would like to be able to take a nice picture with the aid of a tripod.

Thanks

Adey

Even within the price range you mention a DSLR is a possibility certain some of the Olympuses and Nikons with complete with lens are just within that range ,ad a £100 more could find the Canon 350 and 400D within range. Another to look at are the likes of the Fuji 9600 as well as the Canon and Panasonics with similar specifications. All will provide good landscape and nature shots such as flowers and insects and birds where you are able to get closer to than you might need to with a DSLR.

A DSLR will though perhaps provide greater potential to develop over time, but might be heavier to carry

[glsammy]

Originally Posted by Adey

1st up, Hi. I'm really enjoying the stunning images uploaded to the site.

I'm after a bit of advise. I will only have about £350-400 for a digital camera but have read so many reviews I'm now lost on a sea of information.

I would like to start taking some images of landscapes, plus any nature I see on the way. I'm limited physically so I won't be dressed in fatigues and crawling through the undergrowth but would like to be able to take a nice picture with the aid of a tripod.

Thanks

Adey

Welcome to WAB.
Within your price range, I'd recommend the Panasonic FZ50, or even the FZ30 if it's still available. Whilst not a DSLR, it's a superb camera, offers a quality 12X zoom lens, and is of course also capable of shooting video. It handles superbly as well, and in my opinion leave the Fuji S9500 and the Canon S2 way behind in that department. Many users here have the FZ30, have a look at some of Matt_xyz earlier images, and also Gill Catton. I fear that if you went the DSLR route, you'd end up sending much more than you budget.
Have a look at our Review section, there's a few of these camera covered there.

[John]

Hi Adey and a very warm welcome to WAB

I'm afraid Graham is right when it comes to costing a DSLR. You could possibly get a camera for the price you can afford but it would not get you the wildlife shots you could be after. That is where the extra costs come in when you have to get a lens to suit your needs. They can far outstrip the actual cost of the camera.

I don't know anything about the Panasonic FZ50 and the FZ30 other than I have heard many glowing reports of them.

If Graham recommends those models then I would give them some serious thoughts to considering that route for a camera.

When I was at Wicken Fen earlier this year with a few members (including Graham and Gill) I was amazed when a shot of a Dragonfly (taken by Gill I think) came out so clear as the insect was about twenty feet away and I am sure that the camera used was one of those that Graham recommended.

John

[carlj]

Another vote here for the Panasonic - unless you're prepared to run a budget long term, the FZ30 or FZ50 will meet pretty much all your needs in one go.

[photo56]

I have just brought a Canon 400D with a standard lens form Dixons for £480. If you could go that extra £80 it will pay off in the long run as you will be able to buy better lenses later on which suits your needs and your pocket.

[John]

Originally Posted by ddavies56

I have just brought a Canon 400D with a standard lens form Dixons for £480. If you could go that extra £80 it will pay off in the long run as you will be able to buy better lenses later on which suits your needs and your pocket.

That's correct but you have to take into account that Adey wants to take images of wildlife as well and with that basic lens you have no chance as they would always be too far away.

John.

[pete-c]

Adey

I have a Panasonic FZ30 for sale including a Raynox 2.2 Telephoto lens,spare battery and 1gb card and postage for £300. Most of the photos on my site pete-c were taken using this camera. If you are interested email me on pete-c@ukonline.co.uk.

Best wishes

Pete

[Interpreter]

You could always stand closer. Food often does the trick. If you feed the birds you will get shots of wild birds, rats and hawks.
Fuji S7000 cameras are still available if you look, for about £180. Non-interchangable lenses, but I can get acceptable A1 prints from mine.
If cost is a problem, stick with film. A quality 35mm camera doesn't cost a lot now that people are going digital. Film is still available and is very cheap. I just bought 100 cassettes of 200 ASA 24 exposure 35mm colour film for £16.