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MillyMollyMandy
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Joined: 21 Jun 2007
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 Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2008 9:44 pm Post subject: Best beginner camera??? Help!! |
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Hi Guys
I feel ready to make the leap into some wildlife photography. I wonder if someone could recommend to me the best beginner camera ( I mean complete beginner!)!!!???.
I want to be able to take pet shots but also outside wildlife shots and scenery shots.
Any help would be greatly appreciated. I do not have a large budget but would be looking at getting the best for my money i.e. prepared to stretch a bit if it is worth it. I hear Nikon and Canon are the only make to consider- is that right? What do you guys use?
Many Many thanks!!  |
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neep_neep
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Joined: 21 Mar 2006
Posts: 274
Location: Sheffield/Peterborough
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| Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2008 10:40 pm Post subject: |
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Are you looking to get a DSLR?
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kroakykaren
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| Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2008 11:25 pm Post subject: |
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Stu's your man for camera info
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Wullie
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Joined: 27 Jul 2007
Posts: 126
Location: Bo'ness
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| Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2008 1:42 am Post subject: |
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Some off the fuji finepix 'crossover' type cameras (think they are 5600, 5700 etc)are good value for money. 10x optical zoom, close focus to app 4", 7MP or so at a fraction of the price (starting about £120ish and up) of a DSLR (starting at about £300 and up). These in my opinion would be good starter cameras, giving you the chance to see if you are going to stick with it. Also if you are allowing a small budget, you dont want to blow it on a DSLR and discover its not for you. You would also have to allow for at least one extra lens to cover the range of options the wee Fujis give. I use an entry level DSLR (Nikon D50) but only becuse I have been using SLR cameras since I was 12 and wouldnt be without one now.
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Stuart
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Location: Hertfordshire
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| Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2008 2:52 am Post subject: |
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Cheers Karen..All depends on budget to be fair and I would have to agree with Wullie the finepix are superb little cameras and offer great value for money..if however you are looking to take your photography a little more serious then I would seriously consider investing a little more and get a dslr..either nikon or canon.. 
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MillyMollyMandy
I've settled in...
Joined: 21 Jun 2007
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| Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2008 3:04 pm Post subject: |
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Thank you so much or your replies and advice.
What do you think about the D40 SLR but I see there is a 6MP and then a 10MP version - I assume the 10MP would be best to go for to get better picture quality??
In regards to what I want - I have no experience so nothing to compare to so wanted to start with something I could add to as I develop instead of having to buy a new camera each time. Would this do that? I see you can buy add ons but obviously do not want to spend that much money and then find it does not do the job!!!.
Also ( sorry another question) - Can anyone recommend any good beginner books which they know might help me learn/take great wildlife/senic pictures???
Again, many many thanks!!! |
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goldenburm
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Joined: 12 Sep 2005
Posts: 2109
Location: Chatteris, Cambs
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| Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2008 3:49 pm Post subject: |
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Stuart kindly advised me on camera choice etc, I have a Nikon D80 which is fantastic! I use 3 lenses at present my macro lens is a Tamron 90mm, my standard lens is a Tamron 28 x 75mm lens and my zoom lens is a nikon 70-300VR. I also have invested in a decent tripod which is essential and I have a nikon SB600 flash unit!
Best of luck with whatever you choose, Stuart is superb and his advice is brill!
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Wullie
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Joined: 27 Jul 2007
Posts: 126
Location: Bo'ness
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| Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2008 6:04 pm Post subject: |
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| MillyMollyMandy wrote: | Thank you so much or your replies and advice.
What do you think about the D40 SLR but I see there is a 6MP and then a 10MP version - I assume the 10MP would be best to go for to get better picture quality??
In regards to what I want - I have no experience so nothing to compare to so wanted to start with something I could add to as I develop instead of having to buy a new camera each time. Would this do that? I see you can buy add ons but obviously do not want to spend that much money and then find it does not do the job!!!.
Also ( sorry another question) - Can anyone recommend any good beginner books which they know might help me learn/take great wildlife/senic pictures???
Again, many many thanks!!! |
unless you plan to make prints larger than 10X8 or A4 then the 6MP D40 would suffice. The extra money in the D40x would be wasted IMO.
Where are you based? Im sure someone on here who has a DSLR would oblige with a few hours basic tuition in return for a coffee or two, just to let you get a feel for an SLR style camera.
As far as books go, I'm sure there is a beginners book by John Hedgcoe which used to be well quoted in the camera press. I would recomend an allround beginners manual rather than a subject specific book as these tend to assume you are already experienced with your camera and its controls. As an alternative buy a few copies of Practical Photography and absorb some of the info in them. You will also be able to compare prices of cameras in the adverts at the back.
Hope this helps
Wullie
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Stuart
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Stuart
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