Advice/Questions on buying Cameras & Accessories. **Please read OP first**

gsxr1

Frodo_Baggins wrote: »

I have to admit, there doesn't seem to be a lot of difference between the 2 models. Thanks for that link! What is different is all double-Dutch to me so for the near future I can't see this being an issue.

I'll start looking into the best deals out there now. I prefer to buy from shops, I'm old-fashioned I guess. And I wouldn't mind a 2nd lense so I'm sure there'll be deals out there.

Thanks again lads, advice was invaluable.

Well if you like shops then get up north to Jessops.

They have a 369 pound deal on the 1000d with 18-55 IS lens.

The deals down here in the big stores are with the regular no Image Stabilizer lens.

Practical Photography Mag have voted the 550d as the best entry level cam. If ye have deep enough pockets that is:)

PS. prepare your self to want more . I just bought a brand new sigma 70-200mm f2.8 which was worth a lot more than my camera. The wife does not know yet!!!

CantGetNoSleep

Would anyone happen to know what would be the cheapest entry level Digital SLR? Could even buy it without lens

imwatchingyou

Hi everyone,
can someone help me please,i want to buy an slr digital camera,but i don't know what kind of camera would be good for a beginner, i was thinking of buying Fuji Finepix S1800 but i changed my mind when i knew that you had to use AA batteries,it also looked really small and didn't feel like a slr camera,and also when you zoom in and out you do it using buttons on the camera,im looking for one that you could zoom in and out by rotating the lens which would make it much easier and better taking photos.

could someone recommend a good camera for me please, also if you could recommend a good website for buying a second hand camera, i could pay up to €250

Thanks

Borderfox

The Fuji camera is a bridge camera, not an slr. €250 would be a stretch to get any model but you might be lucky. You can check out www.adverts.ie for second hand models. Dont worry about AA batteries as these are easy enough to get in rechargeables. Some of the more expensive bridge cameras can zoom using the lens

savagecabbages

Hi guys,
my brother is looking to purchase a DSLR over the next few weeks and has asked me to do some research...
Basically an entry level SLR, ideally bundled with a second lens.

I've some photography experience from a multimedia course i'm doing right now. We have Canon 350Ds availabe in college. I'm very impressed with their capabilities, so from the off i'd be looking at the Canon EOS 1000D, or the 450D as these seem to be the newer equivalents of the 350Ds.

The choice is really a 450D with one lens, usually 18-55, or a 1000D with two lens's, which seems a nice option giving two lenses from the start. Pixmania have a really good deal on a Canon EOS 1000D + EF 18-55 mm Lens + EF 75-300 mm Lens for €540. This seems hard to beat!
Amazon have a 450D with the kit lens only for €557

Can anyone justify the 450 over the 1000?
And what about offerings from other companies? I'm kinda bias towards Canon as i've been using them for college work:)
I know nothing about other brands of SLRs, but am keeping an open mind to any xmas deals coming up over the next few weeks, be it Pentax, Nikon or whatever
He says max €600


All i have to do is finish this course, get a job and hopefully it'l be me buying one next year!!
Any help much appreciated

gsxr1

savagecabbages wrote: »

Hi guys,
my brother is looking to purchase a DSLR over the next few weeks and has asked me to do some research...
Basically an entry level SLR, ideally bundled with a second lens.

I've some photography experience from a multimedia course i'm doing right now. We have Canon 350Ds availabe in college. I'm very impressed with their capabilities, so from the off i'd be looking at the Canon EOS 1000D, or the 450D as these seem to be the newer equivalents of the 350Ds.

The choice is really a 450D with one lens, usually 18-55, or a 1000D with two lens's, which seems a nice option giving two lenses from the start. Pixmania have a really good deal on a Canon EOS 1000D + EF 18-55 mm Lens + EF 75-300 mm Lens for €540. This seems hard to beat!
Amazon have a 450D with the kit lens only for €557

Can anyone justify the 450 over the 1000?
And what about offerings from other companies? I'm kinda bias towards Canon as i've been using them for college work:)
I know nothing about other brands of SLRs, but am keeping an open mind to any xmas deals coming up over the next few weeks, be it Pentax, Nikon or whatever
He says max €600


All i have to do is finish this course, get a job and hopefully it'l be me buying one next year!!
Any help much appreciated

i think if you simply read the same page you posted on, you will find your answer;)
best of luck:)

savagecabbages

I've read the whole thread! And took on board the advice given to others:D

I was just putting it out there to ask for advice on my exact situation. The xmas deals are on now and a 450D may pop up at a very good price...
can anyone comment on the zoom lens coming with this deal?
http://www.pixmania.ie/ie/uk/3230692/art/canon/eos-1000d-ef-18-55-mm-len.html
One thing I like is the macro switch on the zoom lens's we use in college, does the above lens have a macro function?


And what about the other brands entry level DSLRs? online reviews are mixed across the board (even for the Canon's)

Icyseanfitz

hey guys im looking to buy a nice camera from between 100-150, as im completely ignorant when it comes to cameras id appreciate any help you guys could give me id preferably want to buy from a e-store that has quick delivery times as its going to be an xmas present

Frodo_Baggins

Savage Cabbages,

I think gsxr1 meant the link he posted in relation to a similar question I asked. Up the top of the page...

http://www.photolectic.com/reviews/d...omparison.html

I was pretty much the same, indecisive between the 450D and the 1000D. I found the link great for comparing these 2 models. And I, personally, am gonna go with the 1000D model as it gives me extra money to spend on a 2nd lense.

Hope this helps somewhat.

Thanks again gsxr1.

Saggitarius

Frodo_Baggins wrote: »

I have to admit, there doesn't seem to be a lot of difference between the 2 models. Thanks for that link! What is different is all double-Dutch to me so for the near future I can't see this being an issue.

I'll start looking into the best deals out there now. I prefer to buy from shops, I'm old-fashioned I guess. And I wouldn't mind a 2nd lense so I'm sure there'll be deals out there.

Thanks again lads, advice was invaluable.

If you are a bit experienced, you can see the remarkable differences not the technical details only.

1., 9 point AF vs 7 very remarkable as well as dedicated AF chip.

2.,Next is not for every day situations, but I suppose also huge difference in continuous shooting speed. At 450D is same at RAW as well as JPEG vs 1000d have different speed for them 3fps and 1.5fps at RAW. If you want to make so good picture as possible, you never will be use JPEG mode, just only RAW.

3.,Spot metering at 450D vs partial with 9% at 1000d also big difference.

Frodo_Baggins

Saggitarius wrote: »

If you are a bit experienced, you can see the remarkable differences not the technical details only.

1., 9 point AF vs 7 very remarkable as well as dedicated AF chip.

2.,Next is not for every day situations, but I suppose also huge difference in continuous shooting speed. At 450D is same at RAW as well as JPEG vs 1000d have different speed for them 3fps and 1.5fps at RAW. If you want to make so good picture as possible, you never will be use JPEG mode, just only RAW.

3.,Spot metering at 450D vs partial with 9% at 1000d also big difference.

Balls! I knew them factors that I didn't understand would be important.

Thanks for the heads-up though. Although, it pretty much puts me back to drawing board in researching them.

Heebie

I'd look for a camera for about €100 and get about €50 worth of memory card. You probably won't find a lot of "real" difference between cameras in that price range. If the person it's being gifted to has a favorite brand, that's where I'd start.
I would recommend sticking with one of the bigger brands.. cheapo brand "X" tends to be exactly that.
I really like my Panasonic Lumix point & shoot (for a P&S), but would have probably been just as happy with something by Nikon, Canon, Pentax, Olympus, Fuji or even Samsung. (But not SONY.. but that's just me.. their P&S cameras are probably fine.)

There are quite a few threads on here already about buy cameras, so you should search them out & see what people have said a about specific cameras.

Northern Girl

Hi

A little clueless about photgraphy, but I am looking to buy my husband a decent tripod for a Canon 550D? Any advice???? Should I also get him a gorillapod???

Thanks to all in advance! I really need some guidance

dave66

What's your budget? What type of photography is he into?

Northern Girl

Oh Good question Dave! should have included it in my original post.

Budget about €100... he's into landscaping etc etc... Hes a keen mountain biker and tries to get some snaps in whilst at the top of the hills.....

Thanks.

hbr

Northern Girl wrote: »

Hi

A little clueless about photgraphy, but I am looking to buy my husband a decent tripod for a Canon 550D? Any advice???? Should I also get him a gorillapod???

Thanks to all in advance! I really need some guidance

Slik Pro 500DX. €114 from Sam McCauley chemist shops.
Big, strong and sturdy. Tall enough for a basketball player.
Inverting centre column for macro shots. They are a bit
heavy for hiking or cycling.

Northern Girl

Thank you for that. I am wondering is there anything that would be equally as good, but lighter for hiking/cycling etc?

Thanks !

cnocbui

Benbo Trekker. http://www.patersonphotographic.com/benbo-tripods.htm#trekker

http://www.fotosense.co.uk/benbo-ben106-compact-trekker-tripod.html?of_uid=1b7cdd06-f9ac-47d1-b02d-40ecf6a0cabc

smiley2742

hey guys im headin to oz in a few weeks and i need a good quality camera! i do a lot of extreme sports and it might be prone to getting a knock or two. any help would be greatly appreciated.... this one caught my eye what you think? oh my budget is bout e150
http://cgi.ebay.ie/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&Item=120655586525&Category=31388&_trkparms=algo%3DLVI%26its%3DI%26otn%3D2

BrendanRyan

smiley2742 wrote: »

hey guys im headin to oz in a few weeks and i need a good quality camera! i do a lot of extreme sports and it might be prone to getting a knock or two. any help would be greatly appreciated.... this one caught my eye what you think? oh my budget is bout e150
http://cgi.ebay.ie/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&Item=120655586525&Category=31388&_trkparms=algo%3DLVI%26its%3DI%26otn%3D2

I was gonna get one of these a while back for similar reasons, and when I couldn't be bothered hauling the big camera! http://www.connscameras.ie/olympus--tough3000/p-4545350026691pd.html Olympus tough, probably much the same as the casio one, although i don't here much about casio cameras so am a bit wary, but I'm sure there fine. Olympus on the other hand have a rock solid reputation when in comes to cameras.

dinneenp

smiley2742 wrote: »

hey guys im headin to oz in a few weeks and i need a good quality camera! i do a lot of extreme sports and it might be prone to getting a knock or two. any help would be greatly appreciated.... this one caught my eye what you think? oh my budget is bout e150
http://cgi.ebay.ie/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&Item=120655586525&Category=31388&_trkparms=algo%3DLVI%26its%3DI%26otn%3D2

Why not get one that's a bit duarable, like this. I know there's a few more like it...

Teferi

Going to get my first tripod for xmas, what are decent ones? The ones I've looked at in a few camera shops to get a feel for them seem sort of easily breakable with various sections of the legs etc. Any advice? (I have a 450d if it makes any difference )

BrendanRyan

Teferi wrote: »

Going to get my first tripod for xmas, what are decent ones? The ones I've looked at in a few camera shops to get a feel for them seem sort of easily breakable with various sections of the legs etc. Any advice? (I have a 450d if it makes any difference )

If you can afford it get a manfrotto tripod, it'll last for life, not sure about the various models, the basic ones are reasonable enough. The type of camera you have does make a difference alright, the 450d would be light, so you could get away with a lighter tripod.

A manfrotto's for life, unlike a Hama which is just for Christmas! (damn I'm quick witted so early)

Enjoy the shopping
Brendan

www.brendanryanphotography.com

thegame

i need advice on these 3 cameras on what to get for my gf for xmas need good picture quality and video quality which is best? or would you recommend

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ38
Fuji HS10
Fuji s2800HD

smiley2742

BrendanRyan wrote: »

I was gonna get one of these a while back for similar reasons, and when I couldn't be bothered hauling the big camera! http://www.connscameras.ie/olympus--tough3000/p-4545350026691pd.html Olympus tough, probably much the same as the casio one, although i don't here much about casio cameras so am a bit wary, but I'm sure there fine. Olympus on the other hand have a rock solid reputation when in comes to cameras.

thanks very much. i bought this today in argos for e155 seems good value thanks again

swiftblade

Im interested in getting a DSLR for Christmas. Will be used mainly for landscaping. My only preference is it must have a long shutter speed (eg 30 secs). Budget is about €400-€500. Idealy closer to the €400 mark

Was looking at two different ones

http://www.currys.ie/Product/CANON-EOS-1000D-Digital-SLR-Camera-with-Canon-1855-mm-EFS-Zoom-Lens-101-mp/297829/176

http://www.currys.ie/Product/SONY-Alpha-DSLRA290L-Digital-SLR-Camera-1855mm-Zoom-Lens/298686/176

Thanks

Bacchus

Could anyone offer any recommendations for a camera bag. Looking for something with a shoulder strap (not a backpack), can hold a DSLR and has room for a spare lens, maybe a filter or two. Budget would be around e100.

Thoughts on these?
http://www.pixmania.ie/ie/uk/1572820/art/lowepro/photo-nova-180-aw-shoulde.html
http://www.pixmania.ie/ie/uk/41725/art/lowepro/stealth-reporter-200-aw-h.html
http://www.pixmania.ie/ie/uk/5292739/art/lowepro/photo-runner-100-shoulder.html

evolutionqy7

Its for my mother since she just broke her old sony cam

• So my budget is 200 max for a new one.
• Easy controls on navigating the shooting modes
• She usually takes pictures of landscapes and very few social events.
• Nothing over the top just decent quality would be nice

This is my main target Samsung WB600

Any advice would be appreciated
Thanks

BanzaiBk

Anyone with an opinion to share?

Looking for a crop frame second camera to compliment my 5DmkII. After doing a bit of research I was going to go for a 7D but after having a hold of a 550D I am won over! Movie mode etc isn't my concern but I am impressed by it's metering system. Not a fulltime shooter, would look to second cam for street & urban shooting, holiday snaps etc Have a full compliment of Canon glass so not looking to jump ship. Budget around 600/700€ mark.

positivenote

Hi all,
looking at getting my folkes a decent point and shoot digital camera and im at a loss, i honestly have never looked to buy one before. They would only be using it for holiday and recreational snaps they're no really into gadgety type things so the simpler the better. Any advice welcome.
thanks in advance

hoganpoly

Cant go wrong with the ak47

Yahooaccount

Hi Guys:)

I want to buy a camera for my mother for Christmas and I was looking at the Canon Powershot SX210 IS 14.1 MP camera. Can anyone tell me if they have had any experiences with this camera before, as it's quite expensive and I don't have a huge amount of knowledge on the camera front:o

I'd really appreciate any help ye can provide:)

PCPhoto

have you tried here : http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056053341

there is a dedicated section for people looking to purchase a camera.

to be fair - ANYONE Can recommend a camera but it comes down to what the person wants the camera for, how much experience/knowledge the person has and if the person is using a DSLR or SLR .... if the lenses will be compatible.

Gal44

Hi guys im looking for a camera for around 250-350euro... I will be photographing mainly my family (indoors and outdoors) and some countryside mountains etc, i have 2 small children that I want to capture good quick photos of them as they dont really have patience to pose..
any advice on the best camera for that would be great as i dont really understand anything about them!:)
The last two cameras iv had were Nikon coolpix S220

Thanks!

goods

Recently purchased a canon 550d with the kit lens 18-55mm , Want to get another lens and was thinking about the above Sigma AF 70-300mm - anyone have it or have experience using it ?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sigma-70-300mm-f4-5-6-Macro-Canon/dp/B000ALLMI8/ref=sr_1_5?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1291735014&sr=1-5

I like taking landscape shots and just general walking about shots. Would like a wide angle 10-20mm but currently out of my price range and i already have a wide angle / fisheye adapter so that will do me for a while.

Or any other sugestions for something about the €250- 300 price range >?

Cheers

Stoner

A freind of mine bought a negative scanner from the newspaper. Anyway it was in poor condition and they have taken it back i think. However she would still like one but most of the ones she has seen are not compatable with windows 7.

I guess i could find her one that is, but i have no idea about these things, what is good and what is not, she seems to have a lot of negatives built over time and I've seen some nice pictures that she has taken over time. So it would be worth some good advice please. I tnk the one has bought was made by Ion

thank you.

she was looking at this the res is 3600dpi

http://www.peats.com/cgi-bin/catalog_v2.cgi?type=product&id=27078

plus it wont need a PC

mawk

i have it in nikon mount, its fine. nothing amazing but good value. not an incredible macro lens but a fine tele

nobeastsofierce

Yeah, I second Mawk, for 250-300 euros, it's good glass

Heebie

I got mine, Pentax mount, for $300 USD back when I lived over there. It's definitely good value for the money, just like these other guys said.
(I really hate being a sheep.. but I can't fault the lens.)

Thecageyone

Honestly, I'd wait until I had enough for the OS version.

GhostInTheRuins

It's not great, I got mine for €50 or something. The contrast is fairly poor which is what annoys me most about using it. Most people say "It's good for the price" which is true I suppose, but don't expect a lot!

Will you get much use out of it if you mostly shoot landscapes and are actually looking for a 10-20mm? If you're looking for "general walking about shots" then I wouldn't recommend this, expecially on a crop body.

goods

cheers for the replys guys. Might get it alright, seems decent enough from reviews , esp for the price 220€ delivered from amazon,
Iv got the kit lens for everyday, so just experimenting really.

Wylie Luke

Hey Goods, how'd ya find the 550D? I'm picking one up in London at the weekend (hopefully), heard the kit lens is muck though so thinking of going for body only and getting a 50mm 1.8 for general use. Down the line I think I'll be getting a 70 200mm 2.8 for shooting rugby (not professionally!) but thought about the 70 300, I don't think it'd suit fast shots in Irish weather though!

macnab

I have it in a Nikon fit, I paid €130 2nd hand in perfect condition with a UV filter. I use it mostly for macro shots, but its not a bad tele photo lens also. It is a budget lens though.

goods

Wylie Luke wrote: »

Hey Goods, how'd ya find the 550D? I'm picking one up in London at the weekend (hopefully), heard the kit lens is muck though so thinking of going for body only and getting a 50mm 1.8 for general use. Down the line I think I'll be getting a 70 200mm 2.8 for shooting rugby (not professionally!) but thought about the 70 300, I don't think it'd suit fast shots in Irish weather though!

Hey Wylie Luke, Its my first slr , moving on from a sony cybershot, that stood the test of time.Compared to the point and shoot its amazing, but thats not saying much, I find the kit lens fine, maybe thats cause i dont really know anything else ,
But its done me so far almost, 6 months and iv got some impressive shots,
rarely use the flash and find that it takes just as good pictures in low light and at night as it does during the day. Iv taken shots in night clubs and they come out grand, lens seems to react fairly fast in low light, once you have any kind of point of focus - sometimes need to switch to manual focus in extreme low light.

Thecageyone

Your choice, but for your €220 you'd find much better lenses on the used market. I had one of those sigma 70-300 APO lenses before and apart from the terrible CA and purple fringing at the 300mm end, it was only ok at best.

A 55-200 IS lens would be so much better.

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-55-250mm-4-0-5-6-Telephoto-Digital/dp/B0011NVMO8/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

JayEnnis

Keep it above f/6.3 and over and you should be fine. It's pretty soft at lower apertures, abysmal at f/4.

goods

Thecageyone wrote: »

Your choice, but for your €220 you'd find much better lenses on the used market. I had one of those sigma 70-300 APO lenses before and apart from the terrible CA and purple fringing at the 300mm end, it was only ok at best.

A 55-200 IS lens would be so much better.

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-55-250mm-4-0-5-6-Telephoto-Digital/dp/B0011NVMO8/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

There is a 55-250 canon IS lens on amazon for about the same price as the sigma - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Canon-55-250mm-Telephoto-Selected-Digital/dp/B000V9D5LG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1291809546&sr=8-1
looks to be identical to the 18-55 kit lens i have,

would the IS make that much of a difference that i should sacrifice the additional 250- 300 end of the sigma - without IS would images be blurred at 300mm ?

MelanieC

Quick question I hope someone can help me with coz I know I've left it late.......I am looking everywhere for a digital video camera for my daughter for xmas. She is only 10 so I don't want to get an adults one,a kids one will do but obviously not a fisher p[rice or kiddizoom or anything. Preferably in pink coz she loves all things pink. And preferably one that takes still photos too. Now here's the thing, I have found a few on the internet that seemed perfect but then reading a review of one it said it had no in-built speaker so you could play back your recording on the little screen but with no sound, you have to play it on tv or a computer to get the audio. I think this is crazy coz she is going to want to record herself and her friends singing or whatnot and then view it immediately on the device itself so we need there to be sound. The others don't mention whether or not they have a built-in speaker for audio playback and I can't seem to find out. anyone have one they could recommend or that they know you can watch back properly on? Like I say I don't want to get an expensive adult one, a funky little pink one would suit her just fine, it doesn't even have to be amazing quality but sound is esential. I would pay up to 70ish euro.
Suggestions urgently needed! Thanks!

drunkmonkey

Would something like this do, http://www.memoryman.ie/more/crayola-32072-kids-digital-camcorder-purple.html