Cameras and photography help please.

laurajane

Bronze
May 23, 2005
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www.thecircusofdreams.com
I would really like to treat myself to a professional quality digital camera, I have always had an interest in photography, but with the kind of business i have i feel it would be hugely beneficial to be able to take my own photos for the website and so on.

Because of the type of business all the shots i have to take are action shots and my camera just cant handle it. So what i am asking is, can anyone recommend a good camera that would take great shots and be resonably user friendly and good to learn on. Money isnt really an issue, but i think an all singing all dancing camera would be wasted on a first timer. I would like to look on ebay, but have no idea what to look for.

Any help would be greatly appreciated, Thanks xx
 

bigbird

Gold
May 1, 2005
7,375
163
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..........can anyone recommend a good camera that would take great shots and be resonably user friendly and good to learn on.............
I have a Canon G9 which I am really pleased with. It has a retractable lens which makes it very easy to take with you. The latest model is the Canon G10 which has a few improvements.

You can set the camera on automatic or you can use some of the bells and whistles in manual mode.

If you intend to do a lot of indoor or outdoor photos at night I advise getting an additional flash. Other items would be a lcd screen protector, carrying case, and an extra rechargeable battery.

Don't quote me but ballpark figures are camera-$550, extra flash-$150, screen protector-$5, carrying case-$25, extra battery-$40, all in USD.

One thing to be careful of if you shop online. Some camera dealers sell the camera at a very low price but require you to buy additional equipment. The additional equipment is junk but they charge you top dollar to make up for the loss on the camera.

If you are in the USA take a look online at Adorama Camera located in NYC.
 

beeza

Silver
Nov 2, 2006
3,480
732
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I used to be a Canon user too, until my digital SLR was stolen in the robbery.

I have replaced it with a Panasonic Lumix after reading several reviews. Even in it's basic point and shoot mode it takes brilliant pictures and is so easy to use. I have found it to have the best of both worlds in this digital age. It has all the user functionality and quality of a Panasonic product with the quality of Leica optics, but not too expensive.

Leica, if you don't already know is a camera brand for professionals. The Rolls Royce of cameras.

LUMIX | Digital Camera | Panasonic Global
 

bigbird

Gold
May 1, 2005
7,375
163
0
.........I have replaced it with a Panasonic Lumix after reading several reviews..........
Beeza when I was in the process of purchasing my Canon the Panasonic Lumix was also mentioned as a very good camera, glad you enjoy it.
 

jrzyguy

Bronze
May 5, 2004
1,832
22
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where are you located? THe best camera store in the WORLD is B&H here in nyc or 34th & 9th. If you tell them your specific need they will come up with the best camera for you...and they dont try to oversell you either.

I have friends who are professional photographers around the world and they only deal with B&H.

They have an extensive web site and if you are not in this area I am sure you can call and get a sales person.

I am serious...ask any serious pro photographer and they will know B&H. But you dont need to be a pro to take advantage of their excellent staff and their advise.

Oh one thing...i believe they are closed on saturdays as it is run by hassidic jews.

Personaly..i like nikon products.

Best of luck in your endevours!!!
 

belgiank

Silver
Jun 13, 2009
3,251
103
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Fujifilm S2000

Simple, decent camera of 10 megapix, and up to 33 photographs at 3 megapix per second. Easy to use, easy on the batteries.

Downside:
flash is a little weak
at action photogaphy storing the pics on the card takes longer than with more expensive camera's (couple of secs)

Pro: price of around 200 us dollar

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El Tigre

El Tigre de DR1 - Moderator
Jan 23, 2003
2,306
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Hi. Being a semi pro photographer I recommend the Canon 50D. I own the 40D and let me just say I am extremely again EXTREMELY satisfied with it. Just look at the reviews it gets on amazon and you will be convinced that it is a magnificent camera. When I purchased this camera I considered one of the Rebel series. After trying both out went with the 40D (discontinued, hence I recommend the updated version - 50D). Why? The rebel felt like a toy camera in my hands. Lightweight and plastic construction. The 40D is sturdy, feels like a real camera when you hold it. That is one of the many reasons why I got it. I can go on and on praising this camera. Here is a link to my photo page on flickr so you can see the amazing/beautiful photos I have taken with my 40D.

Flickr: Acruz77's Photostream

Also, worth mentioning...this camera retails for about USD $1,200 (body only). A pro camera like the Canon 5D is USD $2,800.

Don't buy on ebay. Try to get it from B&H Photo in NYC. The best camera store IN THE WORLD!
 
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wuarhat

I am a out of touch hippie.
Nov 13, 2006
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where are you located? THe best camera store in the WORLD is B&H here in nyc or 34th & 9th. If you tell them your specific need they will come up with the best camera for you...and they dont try to oversell you either.

I have friends who are professional photographers around the world and they only deal with B&H.

They have an extensive web site and if you are not in this area I am sure you can call and get a sales person.

I am serious...ask any serious pro photographer and they will know B&H. But you dont need to be a pro to take advantage of their excellent staff and their advise.

Oh one thing...i believe they are closed on saturdays as it is run by hassidic jews.

Personaly..i like nikon products.

Best of luck in your endevours!!!

I concur. B&H has been a good shopping experience for me many times. Nikon is good also.
 

GordonS

New member
Nov 6, 2005
19
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I am in the photo equipment industry so I do have an extensive knowlege of many makes/models. I would definitely agree with belgiank about the Fuji S2000HD. Not only is it very highly rated on the important digital camera review sites such as dpreview.com but the addition of HD videos can be important depending on your intended usage. With a long zoom and optical image stabilization you should be able to get the type of photos you are looking for. Owners Opinion: Fujifilm FinePix S2000HD: Mike G Lee: Digital Photography Review

Another excellent camera to consider is the Fuji F200EXR which has received top reviews, especially for scenes where there is very high contrast such as you are likely to find in DR with the bright sun and the deep shadows. Here's a review: Fujifilm FinePix F200EXR Review: 1. Introduction: Digital Photography Review

Hope this helps.
 
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alicious

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Oct 2, 2007
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I'm not a professional, but I have always used Fuji camera's, I love the color quality that they provide! (just my 2 cents...)
 

laurajane

Bronze
May 23, 2005
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www.thecircusofdreams.com
Thank you everyone, i have a friend in NYC so maybe she could help me out by checking B+H out for me, as i am in the DR.

I will check out the models you have mentioned online.

Most of the photography i intend to use it for, for the business will be in low light and in need of a flash. Someone mentioned being able to take so many multiple shots in one second, this is important as it is action photography and getting that perfect shot is not easy.

Thanks again everyone xx
 

Stuart Polkinghorne

New member
Nov 13, 2008
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Been a canon guy for all my shooting life, the G10 and powershot SX1 IS, SX10 IS, are both very good cameras and will let you learn but also be fast and easy, before you want to go to a DSLR.
If price is no problem then hahahaha LEICA DIGILUX 3 but I do know that panasonic make copy of this camera, sorry don't know the name! Lumix diglux cameras use Leica lens, they are the best!
Pm me if you want to know more
 

bob saunders

Platinum
Jan 1, 2002
32,504
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I have a Nikon coolpix S600 for a pocket camera, and D80 for my good camera. I've had canon, pentax, Fuji....etc. There is no one camera that is head and shoulders better than the rest.
 

GordonS

New member
Nov 6, 2005
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Another thought: Some here are recommending DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) models. In view of your experience level and your intended application, I would suggest that the DSLR may not be the answer you are looking for. DSLRs are the "wonderchild" of marketing right now since their price point is higher than the "Point and Shoot (P&S)" variety of cameras and manufacturers and dealers make more profit from them. The vast majority of people purchasing them do so because of the marketing skills of the manufactures and because Dealers get better "spiffs" (bonuses for sales) from DSLRs. Also they look professional which is great if that's what you need. The downside of DSLRs is that they are heavier, bulkier and more costly than P&S. They require interchangable lenses which are extra cost if you need a very long telephoto or very close macro focussing. As well, they are more susceptible to dust on the image sensor which normallytend to attract dust.

For MOST people, a P&S is probably the better solution.

Following is a link to an informative article comparing DSLR and P&S

Should you buy a DSLR or Point and Shoot Digital Camera?

There are other comparisons so you might want to Google for them.
 

Stuart Polkinghorne

New member
Nov 13, 2008
90
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Hi, If your taking shots mainly for a web page, it not about how big the shot is but how good it looks... So with this in mind Forget all the amazing amounts of megapixels some small cameras tell you you get... It really is about the glass at the front of the camera... All about the lens.. There is really only two makers of reader chips and all the guts of all the cameras around...The bigger the glass on the lens the more light and more information goes onto the reader..
ok It comes down to what feels good in your hand, what your want to do with it and how far you want to take it? ( As far as your technical use of it )
Cameras that will let you shoot fast and full program and move up to shooting manual. I would look at the PowerShot G10, PowerShot SX1 IS, PowerShot SX10 IS...
Moving up any of the Canon D series 20D, 40D, 50D all good cameras.
Up more. Canon EOS1 mark 1, 2, very very good.
Luxmix FZ28, FZ50 great cameras.
Panasonic DMC L1. this on is even better or for just a little more got to the LEICA DIGILUX 3.. Good luck.. put cameras in you hands. look at the lens and just pick what makes you happy.. remember you can always fix color, white balance and some exposure but you can't fix a bad composition.. lol.. hahah
Stuart
 
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GordonS

New member
Nov 6, 2005
19
2
0
Sorry to have to contradict you but as I said earlier, I am a professional in the photographic industry and I can assure you that purchasing from some of these stores is NOT in YOUR best interests. I have personally bought cameras there before and lived with the consequences since I was moving to the Far East at that time. If you expect follow up service, go with a company that you know well. You will save pennies with the companies below, but if you have a problem, you are SOL.

If you live in DR, they may be one alternative, but mainstream stores are ALWAYS the better choice. I won't go into the details, but I will state categorically that I am in the industry and know whereof I speak.
==================================

where are you located? THe best camera store in the WORLD is B&H here in nyc or 34th & 9th. If you tell them your specific need they will come up with the best camera for you...and they dont try to oversell you either.

I have friends who are professional photographers around the world and they only deal with B&H.

They have an extensive web site and if you are not in this area I am sure you can call and get a sales person.

I am serious...ask any serious pro photographer and they will know B&H. But you dont need to be a pro to take advantage of their excellent staff and their advise.

Oh one thing...i believe they are closed on saturdays as it is run by hassidic jews.

Personaly..i like nikon products.

Best of luck in your endevours!!!
 

dcblue

New member
Jul 21, 2008
41
1
0
I am a professional photographer and I buy all my equipment at B&H as do most photographers that I know. I bought my father a Canon G7 (earlier model) from B&H online. When in NYC with my parents, we went to B&H so my dad could look at some add-ons including an extra lens (even though the G10 is not a DSLR, you can buy an extra lens) - my dad was extremely impressed with the level of service he got in terms of education and no pressure sales - he was only buying an add-on lens for probably less than $200. (many professionals spend thousands each purchase).

If I have a problem with my canon equipment, I have to deal with canon directly - that's true no matter where I buy it.

As far as your needs, what kind of action are you shooting? It might be worth a phone call to B&H for their recommendations. They have specialists for just about every area of photography and will guide you through the decision making process. It's possible that you won't be able to capture what you want with any point and shoot. Anybody would need to know more specifics as to what you're trying to shoot. Action in low light gets even more difficult - even with flash. I think someone else pointed out that you can buy an additional more powerful flash for the canon G10. But you also need to have an idea of what shutter speed you would need (based on action and available light) and look at the shutter lags on any point and shoots. Do you expect ambient light to show up in the photos? (for example fast dancing shots at night with nice lighting in the background)
 

Alyonka

Silver
Jun 3, 2006
2,757
155
0
I am sorry if I am bringing up an old thread, but I need to get a new camera myself. I love photography, but the pictures that my camera takes are not the best quality, unfortunately. I have Olympus Camedia, but someone recommended me to buy a camera with mirror lenses. Does anyone know how important those are for the better quality pictures?