Help a friend with first DSLR

[A[L]C]

Hi all,

I have a friend who is interested in getting a DSLR. His current camera is a Lumix DMC FZ150.

http://www.photographyblog.com/reviews/panasonic_lumix_dmc_fz150_review/

Now he has around £400 to spend. I think he's going to struggle to be honest at that price point, but thought I would throw it over to you guys.

The thing is, currently his camera has 24x zoom. What lens would he need to keep that focal length? I'm not sure how to convert it to crop sensor focal length?

Can anyone help and recommend anything?

Thanks
Paul

 

[Armageus]

The thing is, currently his camera has 24x zoom. What lens would he need to keep that focal length? I'm not sure how to convert it to crop sensor focal length?

According to the specs from the review you linked, the Lumix uses a 1/2.3" Sensor. The lens of the Lumix is a 4.5-108mm, based on a 5.64 crop factor
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image_sensor_format) - that would give you approx a 25-600mm Full frame lens.

The closest lense to that for a DX crop sensor would probably be something like a 18-300mm (27mm-456mm FF Equiv).

I think a £400 budget would be a bit too low to replace this, given that a 18-300 lense would probably eat half of that.

Someone else please step in and correct me if I'm wrong - kind of new to Photography/Lens calculations etc.

 

[K.C. Leblanc]

New Nikon D3100 kits are around the £325 mark. He could then probably get a Nikon 55-200 used for about £100.

EDIT:

Someone else please step in and correct me if I'm wrong - kind of new to Photography/Lens calculations etc.

They sound ok to me.

Bridge cameras are all about crazy zooms!

I think Sigma and Tamron make some 18-loads lenses fairly cheaply. They won't be great quality, but might be a solution. It might well be useful for your friend to first rationalise what he uses the camera for and work out what range he needs. Lots of people out there shoot with fixed prime lenses that have no zoom adjustment what so ever.

 

[A[L]C]

Thanks guys. He mainly likes taking pictures of birds - red kites and things like that.

I was looking at the Tamron 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di LD Macro, Canon EF Fit, which is £79 secondhand. It won't be the best, but might be a good start?

Paired up with a 550D or similar maybe?

 

[Columbo]

Thanks guys. He mainly likes taking pictures of birds - red kites and things like that.

I was looking at the Tamron 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di LD Macro, Canon EF Fit, which is £79 secondhand. It won't be the best, but might be a good start?

Paired up with a 550D or similar maybe?

Used Canon 400D - £119
http://www.mpbphotographic.co.uk/us...-canon-digital-slr-cameras/canon-eos-400d-13/

Canon 70-300mm IS USM - £259
http://www.mpbphotographic.co.uk/us...-fit-lenses/canon-ef-70-300mm-f/4-5.6-is-usm/

Or for a little more

Used Nikon D5000 - £199
http://www.mpbphotographic.co.uk/us...used-nikon-digital-slr-cameras/nikon-d5000-1/

Tamron 70-300mm Di VC USD - £229
http://www.mpbphotographic.co.uk/us...0-300mm-f4-5.6-sp-di-vc-usd-lens---nikon-fit/

There is also a Tamron 18-270mm Di II VC PZD for £279.
http://www.mpbphotographic.co.uk/us...n-18-270mm-f/3.5-6.3-di-ii-vc-pzd,-nikon-fit/

That last lens is as close to a bridge camera focal length as you get for this money though is probably not as sharp as the 70-300mm I've listed.

 

[Robzere31]

Thanks guys. He mainly likes taking pictures of birds - red kites and things like that.

I was looking at the Tamron 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di LD Macro, Canon EF Fit, which is £79 secondhand. It won't be the best, but might be a good start?

Paired up with a 550D or similar maybe?

Ive had the Tamron lens for about 6 months coupled with my D3100 & I'm very pleased with the results I've got from it.
Brought it new for £118 from jessops just before they went bust.

 

[Armageus]

Tamron 70-300mm Di VC USD - £229
http://www.mpbphotographic.co.uk/us...0-300mm-f4-5.6-sp-di-vc-usd-lens---nikon-fit/

How does the above Tamron lens stack up against the Nikon 55-300 VR - £162

http://www.procamerashop.co.uk/nikon-af-s-dx-nikkor-55-300mm-f-4-5-5-6g-ed-vr.html


Would be looking to get a longer zoom lens myself for my D3200.

(Only have the 18-55mm Kit lens at present) before the motorsport season (BTCC/Mini Challenge/Mini Se7ens) kicks off. Given that I am still very much in the amateur photography bracket, and not getting a huge amount of use, would be looking around the £200 bracket.

 

[Columbo]

I've had them both on my camera and the Tamron focuses noticeably faster than the Nikon.

In terms of IQ though there isn't much between them and the Nikon is a bit of a bargain in that area.

 

[A[L]C]

Thanks guys