Hiya, so i've been living in a cave somewhere and am now ready to switch my film SLR for digital. Just looking for some recomendations on which camera to get. Right now i'm looking at the lower end of the price market then upgrading next year when i've got some pennies (paying for a wedding just now). Thanks
2007-09-21 10:18:02 · 9 answers · asked by cenedra 2 in Consumer Electronics ➔ Cameras
I have just been through this and can't tell you how pleased I am with the deal and the results.
I had a Nikon 35mm SLR with some quite expensive lenses. I never thought I would change because I couldn't bear waste all this quality glass. I then looked into Nikon DSLR's to see if there was any chance of compatability.
Like you, I didn't want to spend the earth. At first I was looking at the current D40 and D80. The D80 was too expensive and the D40 was not fully compatible because there is no AF motor in the camera (motor is built into the lens).
I was going to give up when I got a tip-off about the obsolete D50. This is miles better than the D40 is miles cheaper than the D80 and is still available at some seriously reduced prices. I got an imaculate refurb with a standard lens from Jessops for under £250. All my "D" type lenses are fully compatible and the camera is a dream.
Years ago, when I was quite into this, a camera of this standard would have cost me three months wages.
Go to your local reputable camera shop and ask them about DSLR bodies which might be compatible with your lenses. Remember to ensure that metering and AF will work. Also, bear in mind that the effective focal length of your old lenses will be longer due to the photo sensitive area being smaller than that of a 35mm negative.
Last of all. Don't get too obsessed with megapixels. 10meg is becoming popular. Take it if you can get it but mine is 7meg and I would never need more.
Good luck.
2007-09-22 02:52:49 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
All of the major brands are good. Choose a brand that appeals to you. Then you have to think about getting a spare battery, what size memory card, if you want an extended warranty, how much you can afford, what size zoom, if you want manual controls, the size of the camera, finding a reliable place to purchase it, and the list goes on and on and on.......
The first thing to realize is that almost any digital camera will take good pictures. If more people would read the manual more than once, they would be able to take better pictures. Usually, the person assumes it is the camera when it could be them not knowing exactly what to do. Just give yourself more photographic knowledge by doing more reading on the internet.
I really believe buying a camera is an individual choice.
The person needs to read alot of reviews on cameras so they can decide on the features that they really want and need.
Go to the store and hold them so you can see if they feel comfortable in your hands. If possible, take some pictures in the store to check the quality of the pictures.
I can only give a suggestion of what to look for in a new digital camera.
Good Luck
my suggestion
go to yahoo shopping
digital cameras
digital camera GUIDE
be sure to check titles on the left side
the guide should answer your questions
2007-09-21 10:32:51 · answer #2 · answered by Elvis 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
don't waste money on a compact, if you are used to using an SLR you will miss a lot of the fine tuning.
it would have been helpful to know what system you are using,
if you are using any of the following:
Pentax K
Nikon F
Canon EOS
Minolta Dynax/AF (now sold under the Sony brand)
then you can migrate directly to digital and use your exisitng system side by side with a DSLR body.
If don't use any of these systems then you have the luxury of starting from scratch with no legacy products to consider.
If money is tight then buy a second hand DSLR body, this will wet your whistle, help you with the digital back end (getting the files onto your PC using software to tweak them etc) then when you have more cash buy into the latest version of your chosen system.
You can buy the Pentax k110d for £230 from Photo optix with a lens. This is about the same as half decent compact, and the results form this kind of camera compared to a compact, even one which promises higher resolution, will be night and day (the DSLR being waaaaay above)
You'll be able to pick up second hand 6MP bodies for little money, and in fact these may actually suit you just fine, unless you aim to print above A3 size.
2007-09-21 12:32:00 · answer #3 · answered by Paul R - Dipping my toe back in 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Why not just wait until you can get a DSLR? Somehow, I don't think you'll be pleased with a Point & Shoot and an advanced digicam can cost close to $400 + and that's not too far from a DSLR. Look at the price of the Nikon D40X or Pentax K10D.
If you have several lenses with your film SLR you might want to see if they'll fit the DSLR from the same camera maker.
Good luck with your wedding.
2007-09-21 10:31:17 · answer #4 · answered by EDWIN 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
By low end, did you mean a compact digital, or a low end digital SLR? For a good compact digital, get the Fujifilm Finepix F10. To save money on an SLR, get one that uses the same lenses as your 35mm SLR.
2007-09-21 17:19:28 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I like the idea of the Pentax DSLR because you can experiment with all those manual lenses available on ebay. Apart from that Canon and Nikon are pretty good.
Either way you're doing the right thing because you will be able to learn a lot quicker and experiment with different ideas at much lower cost. So it is a good move.
2007-09-22 04:23:23 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I highly recommend the FUJI FINEPIX S6500fd, which i just bought myself last month. It's almost exactly like a Digital SLR with the exception you can't change the lens to different sizes... stuck with the 28-300mm one bolted on in the factory. And only cost £155, though having just looked for it on Amazon, they just WOULD have dropped the price to £147.
http://astore.amazon.co.uk/jdcouk-books-21/detail/B000IHYS2Q/202-6858681-6621449
Here's the review that finally tempted me:
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2007_reviews/fuji_s6000fd.html
It also accepts 58mm filters.
You may also want to invest in one of these battery chargers:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000NY1E62/202-6858681-6621449?ie=UTF8&tag=jdcouk-books-21&linkCode=xm2&camp=1634&creativeASIN=B000NY1E62
For something more "pocket sized", I suggest this Fuji A900
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000RGPUL6/202-6858681-6621449?ie=UTF8&tag=jdcouk-books-21&linkCode=xm2&camp=1634&creativeASIN=B000RGPUL6
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2007_reviews/fuji_A900.html
2007-09-23 07:56:10 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
1 You can think of lots of zoom:
Love my camera,Sony cyber-shot DSC-H2. gives excellent 8X10. 6 megapixels, 12X optical zoom. Has manual controls for shutter speed in addition to auto. Has image stabilizer. Very good on AA rechargeables, comes with battery charger.
Also, basically same features are
Canon PowerShot S2 IS and S3 IS.
Also Fujifilm FinePix S5200 and S700.
For less zoom and good quality:
Canon PowerShot A640 and A630; also
Canon PowerShot A710IS
Fujifuilm FinePix E900.
Check out Website dpreview.com for reviews of many cameras and prices. Check also local library for July'07 issue of Consumer Reports.
2007-09-21 11:17:12 · answer #8 · answered by Vintage Music 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
get an slr that takes your lenses.
2007-09-22 07:40:50 · answer #9 · answered by HaSiCiT Bust A Tie A1 TieBusters 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋