1st DSLR for insects.

[Elean0r]

Originally Posted by Jason Claxton

I will miss the live view.My camera seemed to be fine with Orchids and the like,but was very lacking with fine detail on small insects,which I need,this may be more of a trait of my current camera than digital compacts in general,I suppose.

I know I'm more or less repeating what Ceterach has just said but if you want live view then maybe you should look to Olympus or Panasonic and, I believe Sony, because their DSLRs have an articulating rear screen.

Oly/Panasonic also have in-body IS, which means that any lens you use on the camera is stabilised, not just the most expensive ones. There are also some good deals around at the moment, and Olympus has just released a new model, the E-600 which is a bit more affordable. I think it's in Currys.

The Canon Powershot S21S has a rotating rear screen, and I think the Oly SP-**-UZ series as well, and both are very good cameras.

[Jim Ford]

Originally Posted by Elean0r

Oly/Panasonic also have in-body IS, which means that any lens you use on the camera is stabilised, not just the most expensive ones. There are also some good deals around at the moment, and Olympus has just released a new model, the E-600 which is a bit more affordable. I think it's in Currys.

If you do get an Olympus, try to stretch to the Zuiko 50mm macro. Whilst the 35mm is highly regarded and fantastic value, the 50mm is in a different league. When Dpreview tested it they stated that it was technically the finest lens they'd ever tested.

Jim

[Jason Claxton]

Cheers all,the live view would be a bonus,but I had the impression that it would be found only on the more expensive DSLR's,I agree on the benefits of having it.Loads to think about again,I was going to buy a camera today,but I will mull it over for a little while longer.Thanks again.Jason

[Elean0r]

There's a shop below Bargate that has a good range, and they're helpful too. (I don't think this counts as specific advertising) Good luck with choosing, it took me months of indecision and going back to shops to try out cameras before I made my final choice.

[Jason Claxton]

Ah local knowledge thanks,yeh Im aware of two major ones.Yes very wise of you to take time over your choice.Often bird hides have photographers in them ,willing to share information,but normally Odonata are the smallest subjects for them,I do not need to capture fast movement really,just as much detail as possible on smaller subjects such as bugs and beetles.jason

[Geoff F]

Don't worry about viewing screens with DSLR cameras, except to check results.

When I switched to digital with a secondhand Canon Powershot G2 (£700 new then!) I had to use a screen for macro photography and only auto focus as the manual options were totally hopeless. I got some reasonable images but a lot were incorrectly focused.

But since getting a 'proper' DSLR manual focus through the viewfinder, which means through the lens, is so easy and accurate that I just can't see any point in attempting to focus with the screen.

Even in review mode, the screen view is distinctly soft edged so I have to be careful to avoid deleting good shots.

[ChrisR]

Originally Posted by Geoff F

Don't worry about viewing screens with DSLR cameras, except to check results.

When I switched to digital with a secondhand Canon Powershot G2 (£700 new then!) I had to use a screen for macro photography and only auto focus as the manual options were totally hopeless. I got some reasonable images but a lot were incorrectly focused.

But since getting a 'proper' DSLR manual focus through the viewfinder, which means through the lens, is so easy and accurate that I just can't see any point in attempting to focus with the screen.

Even in review mode, the screen view is distinctly soft edged so I have to be careful to avoid deleting good shots.

I agree about the last bit - i never delete or edit off the back-screen on my G7 - it's way too indistinct - I have a 19-inch screen back at home and a big enough card to hold all the rubbish until I get there. But I have found the 2.5 or 3-inch screen on newer cameras to be very useful and especially for macro or insects. Granted, it can be difficult to check for focus using the back screen - especially on bright days - but I just take plenty of shots and check them using the screen - zooming in and out to be sure.

There are many situations where holding a camera to your face would be a distinct disadvantage. The main ones are when you have to reach to get close enough to the subject - or where the subject is in an awkward or dirty place - like at ground level or on wet ground or amongst stinging nettles ... or reaching up to get a top-down angle on a 2m tall flower.

I've lost count of the number of shots that I'd have lost if I had to use the viewfinder, so live-view would be a "must" for me

[Jason Claxton]

Yes, live view is becoming more and more a requirement for me,alot of the insects I look at are frequently on gorse and bramble,ouch!!,I will give live view serious consideration.Thanks for the tip about not deleting shots ,based just on the back view of the camera,my Father routinely does this,and is currently shaking his head as to why his pictures are soft;which you say could be down to the back display sometimes .I shall tell him to view them on his computer before deleting.He,as I, are new to photography.Thanks Jason

[Boddie]

Before you think about the Sony route have a think about available lenses.

I went Canon and have never looked back - 90 percent of my mates are Canon, and I can share lenses with them and try theirs before I buy my own. Get a Sony, and whilst you might stand out in a crowd you will always think 'just what if?'

I own the Canon 100, the Sigma 105 and the Sigma 150. They are all superb but my choicein order would have to be

• 1. The monster 150 - you will need a monopod at the very least however or may need a hernia repair at a later date.
  
• 2. The Canon 100, only above the Sigma 105 because of the internal focussing.
  
• 3. A lovely lens but can't remember the last time I used it.

If you don't feel that you will get that serious and are unlikely to want more lenses try to get an FZ30. Look at the early photos of mattxyz to see just what can be achieved, but my guess is you get bitten by the bug, like the rest of us, and if you go Sony it'll end up the most expensive paperweight in your manor.

Conversely if you have mates with Nikon, go Nikon.

If you have mates with Sony - you can always get new mates

[ChrisR]

Well, as a general rule memory cards are the cheapest part of any setup you'll buy - so get big ones and plenty of them - there are great deals online. Always use the camera on it's highest resolution settings (you paid for it, so use it) and take *lots* of photos - plenty of different angles and different exposure setting ... then you'll be getting the most out of digital photography