Camera recommendations and advice please?

[Jon321]

Afternoon all

Me and the mrs are looking to purchase a new camera. At the moment we just have a little samsung thing that we've had about 4 years. I have been looking at SLR ones online. We are wanting it for when we go on days out and holidays to get some really good quality shots.

You will have to excuse my stupidity here but these are the things we are after.
1. A good zoom as we are looking at abit of travelling in the next few years, so some safaris etc.
2. The feature that allows you to take multiple shots in a sequence
3. And the mrs likes to get abit arty, so she likes the pictures where the main object is crystal clear but the background is abit blurry. No idea what you call this?

Our budget is around 400-500 quid. I have been looking at a Cannon EOS 600D.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Canon-Digit...990960&sr=1-1&keywords=canon+eos+600d+digital

If anyone that knows about cameras could give me some advice or feedback on what I need to be looking forward that would be great.

Thanks

 

[markyjee]

I've found the talk photography forum to be good for advice, from my limited knowledge you will struggle to get dslr equipment for your requirements on the budget you have, a good lens with good zoom capability will blow your budget, photoshop or similar will do your arty stuff.

Mark

 

[MegaSteve]

If you must have a SLR then the choice is between Canon or Nikon... Both make equally good products... 'Bridge' type camera might still be worth considering then something from Panasonic is usually a good bet... Sure others will say different but that's my 2p worth...

 

[Jon321]

Ok thanks for replies. What is a bridge camera? The reviews of the one I linked seem to be mostly positive. We're going out at the weekend to have a look at some and I just wanted to get some information so I don't get sucked in by the sales pitches they will no doubt have ready.

 

[stevie_r]

I have a fuji finepix bridge type that was considerably cheaper, 14MP, x24 zoom, loads of different shooting modes including aperture priority which will allow you to control depth of field, multiple exposure etc. Well worth a look.

 

[Jon321]

And I don't mind purchasing an extra lens in a year or so if the zoom on the one it comes with isn't enough. The current budget is just for the camera and the stock lens really. I'm not after something that can take pics of something 100metres away. Just maybe 40-50 metres.

 

[Rooter]

I might be selling my eos 550d. PM me if u want.

 

[Jon321]

I might be selling my eos 550d. PM me if u want.

Ok mate, will see what advice I get on here and might get in touch later this week. Cheers

 

[MegaSteve]

What is a bridge camera?

More or less a DSLR without the lens interchangerbility...

 

[chrisd]

Canon EOS60d would be a good choice especially linked with Photoshop software on the computer. I have a 30d and it always gives good results

 

[Jon321]

Canon EOS60d would be a good choice especially linked with Photoshop software on the computer. I have a 30d and it always gives good results

What is the difference between the 60D and 600D?

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Afternoon all

Me and the mrs are looking to purchase a new camera. At the moment we just have a little samsung thing that we've had about 4 years. I have been looking at SLR ones online. We are wanting it for when we go on days out and holidays to get some really good quality shots.

You will have to excuse my stupidity here but these are the things we are after.
1. A good zoom as we are looking at abit of travelling in the next few years, so some safaris etc.
2. The feature that allows you to take multiple shots in a sequence
3. And the mrs likes to get abit arty, so she likes the pictures where the main object is crystal clear but the background is abit blurry. No idea what you call this?

Our budget is around 400-500 quid. I have been looking at a Cannon EOS 600D.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Canon-Digit...990960&sr=1-1&keywords=canon+eos+600d+digital

If anyone that knows about cameras could give me some advice or feedback on what I need to be looking forward that would be great.

Thanks

I was a great SLR man for years - had a Pentax and later a Canon. But last year after quite a few years with a very simple snap camera - I decided to go digital. What to do?

I thought SLR but wondered how much I'd actually use the flexibility etc of the SLR. So thought about bridge. And when thinking bridge I thought why bother - why not just go for a good quality compact. So I bought a Panasomic Lumix TZ25 16x Compact. 24mm-384mm (equivalent) optical zoom, multiple shots etc etc. Also has Aperture or Shutter priority (aperture priority lets you choose your aperture and shutter speed is set by camera - and vice versa. Aperture defines depth of field - and this is what your mrs wants for getting something (usually near) in focus with everything else out of focus (narrow aperture gives shallow depth of field).

I will decide whether or not to go DSLR according to how much I use the features of my Lumix. If I don't then there is not much poiunt in me going DSLR.

My advice would therefore be. If you haven't done much creative photography before, really consider whether you need to go DSLR in the first instance. £300 on top of a pretty good quality Travel Compact like my Lumix (£200-£250) is a lot to spend if you find you don't need the additional creativity provided by a DSLR (btw IMO bridge cameras to me seem to be for folk who'd like to have a DSLR but can't afford it but who would like others to think they've got one - how cynical of me).

I also found the camera specialist at my local Currys/PC World very helpful and knowledgable.

 

[stevie_r]

My advice would therefore be. If you haven't done much creative photography before, really consider whether you need to go DSLR in the first instance. £300 on top of a pretty good quality Travel Compact like my Lumix (£200-£250) is a lot to spend if you find you don't need the additional creativity provided by a DSLR (btw IMO bridge cameras to me seem to be for folk who'd like to have a DSLR but can't afford it but who would like others to think they've got one - how cynical of me).

:rofl::rofl:

What utter cobblers

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

:rofl::rofl:

What utter cobblers

Yes I know - but I really can't see the point of bridge cameras

 

[chrisd]

What is the difference between the 60D and 600D?

540?

 

[chrisd]

What is the difference between the 60D and 600D?

No, seriously, the 600 is far less specified than the 60. As a beginner to DSLR cameras, I am sure that the 600 will give great results but the 60d will be far superior and would be the camera of choice for a pro/ semi pro photographer and would have a superior range and sensor.

 

[Jon321]

No, seriously, the 600 is far less specified than the 60. As a beginner to DSLR cameras, I am sure that the 600 will give great results but the 60d will be far superior and would be the camera of choice for a pro/ semi pro photographer and would have a superior range and sensor.

Ah I see. Don't think I'll be needing anything that advanced and abit out of my price limit. I do like the look of the 600 so will see if I can have a play at the weekend. Thanks for your help everyone, least I'm not going in blind and know a little more about what I'm looking at.

 

[stevie_r]

Yes I know - but I really can't see the point of bridge cameras

For me personally it was partly about the feel in the hand, this might also sound like cobblers but I like the heft of it and given the bulk of it compared to a a compact I just found it less fiddly - more external controls rather than more of the features being menu driven - not that mine is short on that either!

I could have gone for DSLR but the fuji finepix does all I need tbh obviously for a lot less.

I do miss my old Pentax SLR but that is mainly due to not having access to a dark room these days.

 

[the hammer]

We bought our daughter a canon 1100D xmas 2011, got to grips with it and loves it.

Also you could strap a canon 1000D to your head!

 

[the hammer]

OOps wrong pic! if you look under the wifes right hand , you can see a motorway junction, just above is a view of forest pines from approx 13000 ft.!