Help choosing camera please.

Bradshere · #1 (**permalink**) 10-01-2010, 09:02 PM

Hi,
So I'm an A level student trying to increase my Uni application form.
I'm starting a blog about ecology, as recomended by a friend of mine who's currently on the course.
Hes recomended that since I do alot of hiking anyway, I post my own field work on the site (to show that I can conduct my own reseach already).

To do this I need a good camera for visual references ect...
So here comes the limitations

I have a £200 pound budget.
The camera needs to be versitile, I'm guessing I'm going to be using alot of macro shots(?), but it also needs to be able to take good landscape (?) shots.
Digital, durable and sinple to use...
...well there all the main ones.

So any recomendations?

Foz · #2 (**permalink**) 10-01-2010, 09:24 PM

With a £200 budget you are looking at a compact camera. There are loads on the market from all manufacturers that will do an OK job.
I would try looking at models that have just been replaced by upgrades, these can often be bought for a good price and still give decent results.

Jason Green · #3 (**permalink**) 10-01-2010, 10:40 PM

Hi Brad, and welcome to WAB!

Try going for a prosumer (as in Professional Consumer, or Bridge camera) camera, which has the advantage of a built-in 300mm-like telephoto lens and a close-focussing macro mode too - but without the option of the lens being interchangeable. For even better macros, consider a close-up screw-on lens such as the Raynox DCR-250 or my Opteka one.

I own the Fuji S5600 with a built-in 300mm-like 10x zoom lens which I bought in at a reduced price of £112, and a screw-on macro lens for £40. If you shop around you'll get both for less than £200 - the benefit of a zoom lens and a macro one too. I will now post my examples.

Long-range Zoom:
I can't remember how cropped it was, though I don't think it as that much. Likely the full zoom too.

Macro mode (Opteka lens)
Cropped about 50%

I hope these help, and show you can get goo results for less than £200! Good luck, and feel free to ask anything!

Take care,

Jason

BillyPilgrim · #4 (**permalink**) 10-01-2010, 10:45 PM

You can get a brand new Fuji Finepix S9600 for £189 (see Google). I've not used one of these myself but I've heard rave reviews about it.

Its been around for a while now so there will be plenty of reviews and advice about it on the net.

One here for example - Fuji Finepix S9600 Review

Ukwildlifeo · #5 (**permalink**) 11-01-2010, 08:28 AM

To add to what the others have said the best route with a £200 budget is a bridge/prosumer camera, Fuji and Panasonic are generally regarded as the best of these. ive personally used the Panasonic Fz7 and Fz18 for long periods and cant fault them for the money and Ive used a couple of thr fuji bridge cameras which are great.

One of their mosy useful features is the 'super macro' as its called on the panasonics which allows you to focus down to 1m or so on full zoom, allowing good shots of dragonflies and butterflies etc

Hobjob · #6 (**permalink**) 11-01-2010, 10:35 AM

another vote for prosumer.

Where are you Bradshere? There may be WABbers around you could meet up with, and why not come on a few meets - they would look good on CV.

nigel_b · #7 (**permalink**) 11-01-2010, 11:22 AM

Another vote for the Fuji. Bought mine secondhand for £65, its really good.

Bradshere · #8 (**permalink**) 12-01-2010, 08:16 PM

Would this be suitable?

FUJIFILM FinePix S9500 Zoom Digital Camera + Extras on eBay (end time 03-Feb-10 18:04:57 GMT)

Live in Leeds, plenty of places to practise with Resavoirs all over and the Fair burnings on my door step.

Jason Green · #9 (**permalink**) 12-01-2010, 08:33 PM

Hi Brad,

Yes, it looks good. It doesn't show a picture of the macro lens as far as I can see though, along with the rest of the camera. Is it new or used?

Take care,

Jason