Travelling to East Asia soon - Digital or SLR(digital)?

Freeman

Freeman

Freeman

Soldato
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24 Jul 2004
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I don't have much idea about cameras but I do know I'd like something that will take quality pictures, both need to be digital, it's just a case of deciding to go SLR or only digital for compact.

I'm just wondering what would be the best to use for taking pictures in places like Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Japan and China. SLR or a pure digital camera with only a digital zoom?

My budget is between £150-230. What would be the two best options from digital and SLR?

Thanks.

Mark
 
Saying an SLR gives better pictures is like saying a 35mm movie camera gives the best results. It's obvious. The difference is in the learning to use the equipment. You can't jump behind a film camera and expect to be able to get any coherent results.

What you need to decide is whether or not you want to learn how to use an SLR, research and decide what lenses to use (extra ££s), and be prepared to spend quality time on your shots whilst you're out there.

Given that you "don't have much idea about cameras" and only have a budget of ~£200, it's pretty clear that you'll just want a decent PAS or bridge. Don't let anyone here tell you otherwise, they'll be wasting your time and money.
 
It depends what you want from your pics and if your prepared to carry a dslr around with you.

Oh and if you choose a dslr you'll spend loads of money once you get the bug. 'I just need that tripod'. 'I could do with another battery'. 'I need a faster lens' ect ect.
 
In that budget I would opt for a decent bridge camera, I had (have) a Fujifilm s9600 which I have had for nearly 3 years and only just upgraded to a Nikon D90 SLR. the bridge camera was a good travel camera, good zoom, manual options etc and helped me with learning the different settings, I'm sure the newer models will be much better. Mine had manual zoom which helped with speed of taking snaps as well as lowering battery consumption, useful when on trips without constant plug sockets available.

I am off to Vietnam in just over 1 week so I am hoping the D90 should be fine. I had a long look on Flickr as to the types of scenery you will get when out there, its quite contrasting but hopefully the kit lens will do me for the general landscape type shots and the 35mm f1.8 I'm hoping will be good for the low light night time shots that the kit lens struggles with.

I can confirm p0ss3s3d notes about SLRs being a money pit, I just bought the D90 3 weeks ago and have allready bought:

35mm lens
remote release cable
sb400 flash
2x8gb SD cards
polariser for the kit lens (allready got filters from the s9600 I can use on the 35mm)
Crumpler muffin top 4000 bag
Spare battery

Nothing I would really call extravagant purchases for an SLR and it has cost me nearly £400 just for those bits. :(

I would have bought these items over time usually but as my trip to Vietnam is quite soon I wanted to have everything before I go and the D90 was a semi impulse purchase this month.

Bridge cameras or a decent P+S really wont set you back more than a spare card, battery and a bag, so bare that in mind if you are on a tight budget, the s9600 only cost me around £100 for the extra bits I bought in its lifetime.
 
BruceLee said:
In that budget I would opt for a decent bridge camera, I had (have) a Fujifilm s9600 which I have had for nearly 3 years and only just upgraded to a Nikon D90 SLR. the bridge camera was a good travel camera, good zoom, manual options etc and helped me with learning the different settings, I'm sure the newer models will be much better.


...Crumpler muffin top 4000 bag...
Click to expand...

Love my 'muffin top'. Highly recomended bag - discreet too.

Not excatly a "look at me with my lowepro. See I have a camera. Rob ME!!" bag.

Back on topic, I have posted about canon selling refurbished 400Ds on the auction site. Thats somthing to look into.

I'm only hesitiant to recommend compacts and bridges becuase I find they limit creativity and image quality.

If you want serious snaps, use a DSLR and if you go canon, use the RAW tool thingy and boost the levels and colours and you'll get pretty pro looking shots.

I'd also recomend getting a 'For Dummies' book or whatever, that'll help understand shootinmg modes ect.
 
You have to take couple of things into consideration.

1. Image Quality
2. Battery Life
3. Durability
4. Portability
5. Easy of use

I went to Mongolia in 2006 with Nikon D70 and it broke half way through my 9 week holiday. This year I went to Mongolia with Canon 30D and Sigma DP1 (compact), Sigma DP1 stopped focusing, luckily the Canon 30D worked perfectly and I was able to use it throughout the holiday.

It is not all about Image Quality, you want to be sure the camera can cope throughout your journey in various weather condition and and good battery life to take photos many photos.

If you have photographic skills then you can take good picture with any camera.
 
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