Spec Me A Camera

GiraffePencils

GiraffePencils

GiraffePencils

Soldato
Joined
15 Feb 2013
Posts
3,089
Location
Edinburgh
Hey All,

I've got a Nikon coolpix camera I've had for years, 8 megapixel, it's done me well but I don't know if it's not up to scratch or I'm just useless with it but I can't get as good quality pictures as I'd like.

So I'm looking for a new camera, One that'd be good for taking nice pretty pictures of my PC with, But also one that's not over the top for taking out and about to take pics of the family on holiday etc.

I really don't know what to look for, loads of people seem to have dslr's I always viewed them as expensive 'real photographer' cameras, but they seem to be not that expensive these days and that makes me cautious that they're not as good quality. But then a work colleague says it's largely about the lens's then another suggested a dslr thing with a fixed lens and now I'm pretty confused.

My Budget is sub 300.
 
I don't like keeping much in my pockets, I'd take a bag anyway, even with my little camera (Kids make the bag a must have for outings) so bigger is not bad for me, something you get get a good grip on's nice.

I would want indoors photo's but probably not a whole lot of night time shots, if that's what you mean by low light?

I'd be taking shots of my 3 year old mostly, so chances are he'd not be that still, but not trying to photograph cars/planes etc
 
I understand it's not "Good camera=good picture" but with my little coolpix I've fiddled with every setting It has, which there are only 3, and pictures still come out lacking. I've read & been told that it's a lot about knowing what settings you need to adjust in what situations etc.
 
Right so browsing the second hand market, saw:
Canon EOS 400D/Digital Rebel XTi DSLR camera with 18-55 Lens: £200

Also a:
Nikon D100 with:
Nikon 50mm lenses
Tamron 70-300mm macro zoom lenses
Lowepro shoulder bag
Lense protector caps for both lenses
Grip and two batteries
Charger
Sandisk memory card
Manual
220

looks alright, If I was to buy a second hand camera what should I look for? i.e most likely places there might be damage etc?
 
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How much am I looking to for the adapter?
Is there an equivalent DSLR to the EOS-M i should look out for second hand? (if it saves me the adapter it might be worth it etc)

Also, I might sound silly hear,
But what's the difference between the
EOS M
and
EOS 1100D
it's 50 quid difference on argos, am I better with the Eos m?
 
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There's a fair few camera shops, jessops is a big one fairly close.
some more enthusiast looking shops are down the road.
I suppose the M looks like I'd use it more, I'd probably not chuck any massive lenses on it. I think Its the look of the camera that's putting me off :p
it doesn't 'look' like a proper camera, but It's got more megapixel, takes the lens's and i'm probably more likely to take it out places, I'm assuming these auto focus problems can be overcome by just getting better manually focusing? or do I have the wrong end of the stick here?
 
Damn that review site's making it hard :p
Ease of carrying it but no viewfinder or flash.
but the size of the bigger ones make it look a bit hard to take anywhere (I'm thinking if I got on a plane with only carry on the camera's a fair chunk of that)

A friend at work keeps pushing a 'bridge camera' which he says only has a fixed lens but he's had his for 5 years and never found it lacking. might that be a good 'middle ground' for me?
 
I'll try the smaller camera shop near my house and jessops tomorrow, I've got a couple weeks till I go on holiday, it'd be nice to get one before then.
Any advice on the minimum kit?
Camera
A lens
a bag
extra batteries? Charger? someone said filters to protect the sens or something?
 
so i went round and manhandled some cameras. I really liked the canon dslr cameras, the man in the shop was pushing the EOS 1200D on me, they wanted 330 with a lens, rainforest has 309 with a lens.... is that a fair place to start? Or for the beginner i am would i do fine with the 260 quid EOS 1100D?
 
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That ebay shop looks good, but I'm wanting it before I go on holiday on the 23rd, so I think for now I'll get the 1100D and get some practice in. I'll know where to go if I get into this whole picture taking thing :p
 
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