Making the right choice

[cyber_spud]

I want to upgrade from my point and shoot camera to something suitable for a beginner to learn proper photography techniques rather than relying on auto mode or scenes.

I am most interested in photographing wildlife real close-up so I will need a camera with very good telephoto capability. I guess I will also need a fast camera so it copes well with moving subjects. I am considering 3 different options - Panasonic DMC-F18 super-zoom, Samsung GX-10 (Pentax 10D clone) or the Canon 400D.

The Panasonic DMC-F18 super-zoom does have the advantage of good built-in IS and 18x optical zoom (28mm - 504mm equiv) and "What Camera" reckoned it was an affordable route into experimenting with telephoto photography. However, I do worry that I will out-grow this too quickly and will have wasted the £320 this costs, instead of using it towards a DSLR.

The Samsung GX-10 has been given good reviews but several have commented that it may not be suitable for a beginner because it has no scene modes (possibly a good thing for me as it will force me to learn properly) but more importantly because you need to make adjustments to default settings to get the best out of it.

Quote from "What Camera" review...

With such an impressive spec, build quality and price tag, the K10D and GX10 appear to be every photographer's dream, but if you're a novice looking for your first DSLR these cameras might not be for you.

The reason is, both require a little work to ensure things come out 'right'. The 16-segment multi-area metering is readily thrown by highlight areas so you need to keep an eye on the histogram if you want print-ready JPEGs, or edit your images 'after the event'. Better still, a rudimentary knowledge of when and why you might want to use centre-weighted metering will help no end.

It's a similar story with the white balance, which can deliver cool-looking images when left to its own devices, while the pre-set WB settings aren't always the answer either – giving overly warm results in overcast conditions, for example.

This camera appeals because it has built-in IS and also on the price front because there are several dealers offering this camera including 2 lenses (18-55mm + 50-200mm) for £499 (after deduction of cashback). This cashback deal ends in a couple of days and is very tempting but I worry that I might find this camera too difficult to use. Also, I will probably need to buy another lens with better telephoto range and I am not sure whether being locked into Pentax lenses is a wise choice or not.

The Canon 400D is probably a good choice for beginners and good ex-demo deals can be found but it doesn't have built-in IS. This concerns me because the cost of IS telephoto lenses is much higher than non-IS lenses and I have a limited budget.

What route do people think I should go down? Super-zoom or DSLR?

If DSLR, what range telephoto lens (or telephoto lens combined with extender) would I need to say match the 504mm equiv of the Panasonic DMC-F18?

And should I go for Canon 400D or Samsung GX-10? If Canon 400D, how vital is it to have a telephoto lens with IS or could I still get good results using a non IS lens with say a monopod?

Sorry for such a long post and for asking so many questions but I am really floundering and if I make the wrong choice, I will be stuck with it for a long time!

I have also posted this to the dcmag forum so I can reach as many folks as possible - I just hope you don't mind wasting your time on this for me...

[glsammy]

The choice of IS or Non IS depends a lot on yourself. If you struggled to get clear shots with your existing camera, then IS could be a good idea.
I personally don't need it but maybe you will, it's impossible to say.
Of course it's perfectly possible to get crips clear shots without IS, many of us here don't have it and don't struggle to get decent shots.
You wouldn't need to go very far to match the 504mm of the DMF-18, They take into consideration the crop factor when working out the range of the lens, so your 504mm will be a 320mm or so in DSLR Terms.
As for the Camera choice, I'd go for the 400D. The range of lenses and attachments are almost limitless, with good value alternatives from the likes of Sigma available, plus it's one heck of a good camera. Fast in use, very low noise, allowing shooting in poor light conditions that would be almost impossible with some other makes. Let me just make it clear I don't own one but I know a few that do and not one of them regrets buying it.

[Interpreter]

That seems like good advice. Try to borrow the cameras, or at least handle them. And remember - all cameras are difficult to use until you get used to them. Most of them have fully automatic settings, where you can just point and shoot and this is all that a lot of people ever use. What ever you choose, I'm sure you will learn to master it.

[cyber_spud]

Thanks for the advice both of you.

I popped into a camera shop and tried out the Canon 400D and really liked the feel of it. I have always liked Canons and apart from brief use of a cheap APS camera, Canons are the only make of camera that I have bought. I have gone for the body only option and have added 2 lenses - the Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 Macro DC and the Sigma 70-300mm F/4-5.6 APO DG Macro, which hopefully are good starter choices.

Cost me much more than I intended to spend and I have never dared to treat myself like this before - but as they say in a certain shampoo advert - I'm worth it

[Interpreter]

Congratulation on your purchase. I hope you all live happily together.

[Ollie]

Sure you won't regret your choice. I have the 400D and love it
Roger

[ron1863]

Good choice opting for a DSLR, you would probably wanted one eventually. I to would have chosen the Canon 400D or the Nikon D80 but as an old Minolta film user I bought the Sony Alpha 100 in order to utilise the Minolta lenses I have - absolutely no regrets. If you are buying CF cards then check this site out, I bought the 2GB one - excellent.

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