So I'm looking at getting into photography..

ajstan

ajstan

ajstan

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I really want to get into photography and I thought a good first step would be so buy a relatively cheap digital SLR camera.

I have been looking at the Fujifilm FinePix S1500 and S2000HD, but have read very mixed reviews on them both.

Is there anyone on here that can tell me about them, or any other camera that is £160 or less.

Cheers
 
Those 2 cameras you mentioned arent DSLR, they are what people called 'Bridge' cameras which are basically cameras that sits between compact and DSLR.

The cheapest entry level DSLR currently are the Canon 1000D, Nikon D3000, Sony A230(?) and an Olympus equiv which I cant remember model number of. These will all set you back in the £300+ price range, if you are prepared to go second hand then you can find quite a few older bodies on auction which are still extremely capable at lower prices.
 
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Normally that you cannot change lenses as the one on the camera is fixed. Its normally an all rounder lens offering telephoto, macro, wide angle etc, all to a certain level, but never quite fulfilling any of them fully.

If you are looking to get into photography, buy an entry level DSLR (as above). They hold their value relatively well, so if you sold it after say six months you would probably only lose £50 which I don't see being all that bad.
 
I'm going to be upgrading to a Canon 7D hopefully selling off my 400D :) Have a look around for a Canon 400D/1000D or Nikon D40/D60, perhaps a little over your budget but fully worth it and if it's something you think you would really focus on and enjoy then you won't regret it :)
 
Disadvantages

Picture quality wont be as high as a DSLR (although it would still be good enough in most situations) and noise handling at higher ISO would be worse due to sensor size being smaller. Although saying that, a decent photographer can take better pictures than an idiot using a DSLR. It's all down to the person using it.

With DSLR you are essentially buying a system where you can buy interchangable lens and accessories to suit the situation. With a bridge camera you are stuck with whatever lens you have which can be limiting at times.

I'd be tempted to say you have more control with a DSLR than a bridge camera to allow you to be more creative such as DoF control and manual focusing.

The advantages of a Bridge camera is that its cheaper as you dont fall into the trap of endlessly wanting to buy new lens and accessories :p and it's easier to carry around due to both size and weight.
 
Once you use a DSLR you will find yourself wanting with a bridge, realising what your missing out on!
My friend has a Fuji bridge and after being so used to the 1000D, the Fuji just felt cheap, flimsy and overall "automatic", didn't feel as involved in taking the picture.

However I suppose if its your first "proper" camera then you wouldn't notice.

I'd reccommend either the 1000D, Sony Alpha (A220??) or the Nikon equivlent, all pretty much the same camera to be honest, just depends on your needs. Big stretch on your budget though.
They can be picked up second hand for relatively cheap.

What sort of photography are you into?
 
n1blo said:
Once you use a DSLR you will find yourself wanting with a bridge, realising what your missing out on!
My friend has a Fuji bridge and after being so used to the 1000D, the Fuji just felt cheap, flimsy and overall "automatic", didn't feel as involved in taking the picture.

However I suppose if its your first "proper" camera then you wouldn't notice.

I'd reccommend either the 1000D, Sony Alpha (A220??) or the Nikon equivlent, all pretty much the same camera to be honest, just depends on your needs. Big stretch on your budget though.
They can be picked up second hand for relatively cheap.

What sort of photography are you into?
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Thanks for responses all, well I'm very much into cars/motorsport so thats what the camera would be used for.

I've had a quick look at the cameras you suggested and most are way over my (admittedly small) budget, is there anything closer to my budget, I'm not that bothered if its second hand and off ebay.
 
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I was plenty impressed when playing playing around with a Canon G11, the amount of controls it had can rival that of a entry level DSLR and the picture quality was fantastic. TBH I was very tempted by it as it can be bought for around £300 from a HK dealer and sometime carrying a 5DMK2 + lens isnt appropriate whereas something more compact would be more suitable.
 
mcc49 said:
I was plenty impressed when playing playing around with a Canon G11, the amount of controls it had can rival that of a entry level DSLR and the picture quality was fantastic. TBH I was very tempted by it as it can be bought for around £300 from a HK dealer and sometime carrying a 5DMK2 + lens isnt appropriate whereas something more compact would be more suitable.
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Oh yeah, the G11 is a great bit of kit, but it is Extortionate!
Slightly more than the OPs budget! As are most DSLR's, but he may be able to find a bargain if he hunts on auction sites.

Motorsport, you would possibly need a superzoom and a fast shutter. :)

Can't get on the Bay as I'm at work, but I'm sure somebody else will be able to have a look and recommened something.
 
I got myself my first DSLR (Canon 20D) off the 'bay with two lenses, original manuals etc and a bag, for £265 - bargain.

If you don't mind having an older model, then definitely go second hand (mine is in mint condition)
 
If you look carefully, Olympus E410,/420/450 with the 14-43mm kit lens can be had for around £200, some even inc CF cards e.t.c. Might be worth a note.
 
One big difference is that with a bridge camera you will never really feel that you are in control. You will just be requesting the camera to do something, with a DSLR you are much more in the driver seat. and I don't mean manual vs autmatic controls. Just that with a brige you have the 1 lens to work with and you will have to really adapt your photograpyh to fit the lens and the camera.

These bridge cameras all feel sluggish and unresponsive next to a SLR. And even if you can manually adjust everything, all the controls a buried under menus rather than being a physical button/wheell like a good DSLR (yes, cheap DSLRs are gettign worse and worse for UI but are still better than a bridge).
 
Mr Jones said:
If you look carefully, Olympus E410,/420/450 with the 14-43mm kit lens can be had for around £200, some even inc CF cards e.t.c. Might be worth a note.
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Ok i've spent some time researching more into it and the E410 looks like a great camera, but I've seen a few people saying the Nikon D40 is better, they both stretch my budget but as someone else said, they look like they hold their value well which is good.

So E410 v D40

Thoughts?
 
Olympus is more feature packed whereas the Nikon has a better overall system as in accessories and lens. The D40 dont have a onbody AF motor so any lens that dont have built in AF motor will have to be operated in MF mode.
 
D.P. said:
These bridge cameras all feel sluggish and unresponsive next to a SLR. And even if you can manually adjust everything, all the controls a buried under menus rather than being a physical button/wheell like a good DSLR (yes, cheap DSLRs are gettign worse and worse for UI but are still better than a bridge).
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Having come from a bridge camera before I got my first DSLR, this really hits the nail on the head above everything else. :)

ajstan said:
Ok i've spent some time researching more into it and the E410 looks like a great camera, but I've seen a few people saying the Nikon D40 is better, they both stretch my budget but as someone else said, they look like they hold their value well which is good.

So E410 v D40

Thoughts?
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I used to have a D40 (well I still do but its just sold). I would highly recommend it!

mcc49 said:
The D40 dont have a onbody AF motor so any lens that dont have built in AF motor will have to be operated in MF mode.
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By the time you come to realise this as a limitation you would be looking for something much better anyway. The only time it was ever an issue was with a 50mm prime and to be honest, you can get a AF-S one anyway which does autofocus if its that important.
 
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