I don't claim to be a photographer but.........
Jun 10, 2013 16:12:33 #
This is a reiteration of my original introductory post but I thought it might provide a useful background for my request.
Hi
Let me introduce myself. This is probably a bit too verbose an introduction for this site but what the hell.
I don't pretend to be a photographer; I'm basically a "snapper" with the intention of taking a decent photo once in a while.
I got into photography in the mid 70s with a few colleagues at work with my 1st SLR (predominantly processed as transparencies).
1 of whom had been a professional photographer and was an official photographer with the Royal Navy and one of his assignments was at the one of the Bikini Attol "A" Bomb tests. Shortly after getting this SLR it was subjected to extreme conditions, namely when the roof of my parents house caught fire
and the case and the gadget bag it was in melted around it and the camera literally had to be chiselled out of this molten plastic mass. The roll of film inside was unscathed and successfully processed.
From there I went to compact 35mm and then back to SLR with a Minolta Dynax 500si to my 1st digital camera a Kodak DC240 a 1 Megapixel camera no less.
I finally ended up with a Minolta Dimage A200 which started to play up becoming practically unusable.
My daughter seeing me as the unofficial family photographer got hooked on the importance of photography and started a BA (Hons) degree course at Portsmouth University last September.
I now need to get myself a new camera. I'm willing to pay between £500-£800. I quite fancy a Nikon D90 (second hand) with a suitable telephoto lens.
Any suggestions most welcome. Bearing in mind my wife doesn't understand my desire and so this must be a one off and so will not be able to upgrade further.
Here endeth my original introductory post.
After being sidetracked by reading so many diverse posts which delayed my reposting with regards a recommendation as to camera selection. I've taken on board re suggestions to get the feel of cameras in the shops which I've done. Unfortunately I haven't many camera shops near to me mainly PCWorld and Currys fortunately they had a selection of the cameras
I was interested in. The Nikon D5200 and the Cannon of similar spec. (Although they didn't have the D5200 on display, they did have the D3200).
I think I prefer the Nikon purely on position of controls (I have an awkward hand configuration, namely missing my right forefinger).
So I will track down a D5200 to try out first.
Now with regard to lenses, I quite fancy the following bundle.
NIKON D5200 Digital SLR Camera with 18-55 mm VR Lens - Bronze + Sigma 70-300 mm f/4-5.6 DG Macro Telephoto Zoom Lens - for Nikon
This Bundle sells for £728.99 = $1135.52
N.B. Does the 70-300 mm lens need Image stabilisation (VR)
As I said earlier I don't claim to be a photographer however I do hope to take some more than adequate snaps. I don't plan to go on "shoots", just to take camera on holidays and
various trips and family gatherings. This is way better camera than I really need but I miss having a decent camera.
Any thoughts.
Apologies again for being so verbose.
Hi
Let me introduce myself. This is probably a bit too verbose an introduction for this site but what the hell.
I don't pretend to be a photographer; I'm basically a "snapper" with the intention of taking a decent photo once in a while.
I got into photography in the mid 70s with a few colleagues at work with my 1st SLR (predominantly processed as transparencies).
1 of whom had been a professional photographer and was an official photographer with the Royal Navy and one of his assignments was at the one of the Bikini Attol "A" Bomb tests. Shortly after getting this SLR it was subjected to extreme conditions, namely when the roof of my parents house caught fire
and the case and the gadget bag it was in melted around it and the camera literally had to be chiselled out of this molten plastic mass. The roll of film inside was unscathed and successfully processed.
From there I went to compact 35mm and then back to SLR with a Minolta Dynax 500si to my 1st digital camera a Kodak DC240 a 1 Megapixel camera no less.
I finally ended up with a Minolta Dimage A200 which started to play up becoming practically unusable.
My daughter seeing me as the unofficial family photographer got hooked on the importance of photography and started a BA (Hons) degree course at Portsmouth University last September.
I now need to get myself a new camera. I'm willing to pay between £500-£800. I quite fancy a Nikon D90 (second hand) with a suitable telephoto lens.
Any suggestions most welcome. Bearing in mind my wife doesn't understand my desire and so this must be a one off and so will not be able to upgrade further.
Here endeth my original introductory post.
After being sidetracked by reading so many diverse posts which delayed my reposting with regards a recommendation as to camera selection. I've taken on board re suggestions to get the feel of cameras in the shops which I've done. Unfortunately I haven't many camera shops near to me mainly PCWorld and Currys fortunately they had a selection of the cameras
I was interested in. The Nikon D5200 and the Cannon of similar spec. (Although they didn't have the D5200 on display, they did have the D3200).
I think I prefer the Nikon purely on position of controls (I have an awkward hand configuration, namely missing my right forefinger).
So I will track down a D5200 to try out first.
Now with regard to lenses, I quite fancy the following bundle.
NIKON D5200 Digital SLR Camera with 18-55 mm VR Lens - Bronze + Sigma 70-300 mm f/4-5.6 DG Macro Telephoto Zoom Lens - for Nikon
This Bundle sells for £728.99 = $1135.52
N.B. Does the 70-300 mm lens need Image stabilisation (VR)
As I said earlier I don't claim to be a photographer however I do hope to take some more than adequate snaps. I don't plan to go on "shoots", just to take camera on holidays and
various trips and family gatherings. This is way better camera than I really need but I miss having a decent camera.
Any thoughts.
Apologies again for being so verbose.
Jun 10, 2013 17:14:22 #
What you have in mind should do you nicely. Unless you are going to be shooting a lot of very low light conditions without a tripod you do not need (VR). Everyone hear on the Hog has their own idea what the best camera brand is, do your research and buy what you want. By the way I shoot Nikon.
Jun 10, 2013 17:46:50 #
festive50 wrote:
This is a reiteration of my original introductory ... (show quote)
Do you actually have original shots of one of the Bikini tests? I have a friend who sports one hell of a scar, on his fore head, from our state side tests. He was at ground zero. Those pictures would be worthy of the Smithsonian.
Jun 10, 2013 18:03:23 #
The Nikon D7000 is a great camera as well. You might want to consider it vs. the D90
Jun 11, 2013 06:31:03 #
I own a D90 and it is a decent camera, however, if I was going to buy a camera with no chance to upgrade later, I'd get the 5100 or the 7100 (which I recently purchased), I don't recall what your budget was. I had serious camera envy with the new 7100. Do you really need a DSLR? Would a Canon SX50 suit your needs? Have you looked into that camera? I'm a Nikon girl all the way, but that camera is impressive.
Jun 11, 2013 11:48:20 #
Look at everything available.
How about Sony?
£599 Sony Alpha a57 + 18-55 + 55-200 lens
£429 Sony Alpha a57 + 18-55 +75-300 lens
£533 Sony Alpha A58 SLT + 18-55mm + 55-200mm Lens
These are real value for money deals.
Not that I rate the lenses that highly but a better lens like the 70-300G will set you back £689.
How about Sony?
£599 Sony Alpha a57 + 18-55 + 55-200 lens
£429 Sony Alpha a57 + 18-55 +75-300 lens
£533 Sony Alpha A58 SLT + 18-55mm + 55-200mm Lens
These are real value for money deals.
Not that I rate the lenses that highly but a better lens like the 70-300G will set you back £689.
Jun 11, 2013 16:24:05 #
Jun 11, 2013 17:55:30 #
Gramps wrote:
Do you actually have original shots of one of the Bikini tests? I have a friend who sports one hell of a scar, on his fore head, from our state side tests. He was at ground zero. Those pictures would be worthy of the Smithsonian.
I'm afraid not. This guy retired about 10 years ago and I have no way of contacting him. I have a feeling he might have died. I do know he had a heart attack shortly after he retired.
:-(
Jun 11, 2013 18:09:09 #
festive50 wrote:
So I will track down a D5200 to try out first.
Now with regard to lenses, I quite fancy the following bundle.
NIKON D5200 Digital SLR Camera with 18-55 mm VR Lens - Bronze + Sigma 70-300 mm f/4-5.6 DG Macro Telephoto Zoom Lens - for Nikon
This Bundle sells for £728.99 = $1135.52
N.B. Does the 70-300 mm lens need Image stabilisation (VR)
Now with regard to lenses, I quite fancy the following bundle.
NIKON D5200 Digital SLR Camera with 18-55 mm VR Lens - Bronze + Sigma 70-300 mm f/4-5.6 DG Macro Telephoto Zoom Lens - for Nikon
This Bundle sells for £728.99 = $1135.52
N.B. Does the 70-300 mm lens need Image stabilisation (VR)
Take a look at factory refurbished cameras and offerings from eBay. That's how I've gotten lots of good equipment.
Jun 11, 2013 18:12:17 #
tlbuljac wrote:
The Nikon D7000 is a great camera as well. You might want to consider it vs. the D90
Oh no! Yet another camera thrown into the mix.
The D7000 - a nice camera but slightly out of budget if I include a couple of lenses (sorry I can't bring myself to call them "glass" - a bit too esoteric for me).
The D90 seems to be a quality camera but probably harder to master than the latest cameras. What with guides etc.
Phil
:roll:
Jun 11, 2013 19:20:23 #
Peekayoh wrote:
Look at everything available.
How about Sony?
£599 Sony Alpha a57 + 18-55 + 55-200 lens
£429 Sony Alpha a57 + 18-55 +75-300 lens
£533 Sony Alpha A58 SLT + 18-55mm + 55-200mm Lens
These are real value for money deals.
Not that I rate the lenses that highly but a better lens like the 70-300G will set you back £689.
How about Sony?
£599 Sony Alpha a57 + 18-55 + 55-200 lens
£429 Sony Alpha a57 + 18-55 +75-300 lens
£533 Sony Alpha A58 SLT + 18-55mm + 55-200mm Lens
These are real value for money deals.
Not that I rate the lenses that highly but a better lens like the 70-300G will set you back £689.
Aaaaaggghhh!
Yet more cameras to look at.
After your post Peekayoh I must admit I did start to look at your sugestions and the Sony Alpha A58 SLT looked promising.
But when I googled comparisons with these vs the Nikon 5200 and the Nikon always came out top, even when I included the A65.
I do have experience of Sony. I bought my daughter a Sony Alpha a390 for her photography A level course at school. I have used it on a couple of occasions, one of them was at my nephew's wedding, where I followed the official wedding photographer around and caught this shot. I must admit I helped set up this shot where as I pressed the shutter, I said to the happy couple "imagine your in your favourite position".
Phil
:-D
Jun 11, 2013 19:31:44 #
festive50 wrote:
This is a reiteration of my original introductory ... (show quote)
Good post and would love to see some of the Bikini island pictures. I think you are on the right lines - with one observation though. I have had the D90 for three years and love it. Don't really know when I will want an update but it will come. Point is, there are superb deals on the D7000 at present that you may wish to consider. A great camera that has some obvious Features, Advantages and Benefits over the D90. Check out the reviews.
Jun 11, 2013 19:36:44 #
Pepsiman wrote:
Look at some bridge cameras...
As I said in my original post I did start with a couple of SLR 35mm cameras and eventually ended up with a bridge camera (Minolta Dimage A200 ) and the only reason I got this was that it was probably the best digital I could afford at the time and couldn't quite stretch to a DSLR, this was in 2005 and cost me £450 at the time.
Phil
:shock:
Jun 11, 2013 19:36:54 #
IMHO
For your purposes an entry level camera that has intuitive controls will fill your bill.
Brand is not important as how it feels in your hands and how it "fits"
The brand I bought was primarily because the way it fit my paws.
The image quality of todays entry level camera's is all but indistinguishable from high end cameras. The difference is "bells and whistles" 3 frames per sec as opposed to 8 frames per sec, better low light capability on more pricy gear, higher end gear is more robust. etc.
Handle a few camera's and your hand and eye will gravitate towards the one that fits the best.
Kind of like handling pistols, the Lugar is the best fit ( for my hand) and is intuitive and natural) same applies to cameras.
Good luck, enjoy and POST SOME PICS.
For your purposes an entry level camera that has intuitive controls will fill your bill.
Brand is not important as how it feels in your hands and how it "fits"
The brand I bought was primarily because the way it fit my paws.
The image quality of todays entry level camera's is all but indistinguishable from high end cameras. The difference is "bells and whistles" 3 frames per sec as opposed to 8 frames per sec, better low light capability on more pricy gear, higher end gear is more robust. etc.
Handle a few camera's and your hand and eye will gravitate towards the one that fits the best.
Kind of like handling pistols, the Lugar is the best fit ( for my hand) and is intuitive and natural) same applies to cameras.
Good luck, enjoy and POST SOME PICS.
Jun 11, 2013 20:00:18 #
jerryc41 wrote:
Take a look at factory refurbished cameras and offerings from eBay. That's how I've gotten lots of good equipment.
There seems to be regularly 2 types of advice given on this site,(setting aside the Nikon vs Canon controversy)
which seem to be contradictory
1) is to try the camera out and get the feel of it
2) is to buy refurbished or second hand.
Surely this can be only of any use if they are very recent models and still in the shops in order to get to "get the feel".
Phil
:roll:
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