Advice on Buying Camera
James
I am currently a beginner and will be enrolling on a short photography
course in the near future.
James
Simon Stanmore
"James" <jame...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:Hh_e9.1181$Yc7.35570@newsfep2-gui...
Deathwalker
learn what your doing you'll know what features you want from a camera and
appreciate more about different exposure modes and general handling. I'd
look for a 2nd hand practica mtl or something. should be able to get one
with a 28mm a 50mm and 135mm for under £100
"James" <jame...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:Hh_e9.1181$Yc7.35570@newsfep2-gui...
David Frew
Come on guys, get real!
You need more information to give any meaningful advice.
What kind of photography interests you? How serious are you? Give us a clue
Colin Davidson
>
> I am currently a beginner and will be enrolling on a short photography
> course in the near future.
I was in a similar position about a year ago. I wanted to learn some basics,
but I also wanted a camera that I could use with some automatic features, so
that I could start getting good results right away and so that I could
compare my own efforts with those from a fully automatic. I wanted a set up
that I could do some decent close up shots, as well as some other portrait
shots and landscapes.
I bought, for about 170 quid, a Minolta Dynax 404Si with a 28-80mm lens. I
would say that I have had no regrets in that purchase, the results I have
obtained have been superb. The automatic features are very good, and I have
the option of turning off the automatic features separately or all at once
to allow me to take control where I feel comfortable.
This would be spending more money than the other posters here have
suggested, and I'd be interested to know what other contributors made of my
choice!
Martin Sweeney
basics...and its a nice good(ish) quality camera...for under a hundred quid
new...pentax K lens fit so you can find some other lenses fairly easily...
--
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Martin Sweeney
UKRA# 1228 - Level 1
sweeney [at] rokits [dot] org
www.rokits.org
www.rokits.org/~martin (for weather)
www.rokits.org/~martini
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
"Never judge a man until you've walked a mile in his shoes.
Then - who cares, he's a mile away and you've got his shoes ;-)
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James <jame...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:Hh_e9.1181$Yc7.35570@newsfep2-gui...
Rod
recent FM2n (a delightful machine) or a new FM3a - if you buy the AF
lenses(they're fine on manual bodies) then you can upgrade to autofocus etc
later if you find your kind of photography needs it. With care you can find
some good stuff on ebay.
Rod
John Halliwell
<jame...@yahoo.com> writes
>I am going to buy a 35mm camera and need to be advised which to get.
>
>I am currently a beginner and will be enrolling on a short photography
>course in the near future.
The best new 'starter' camera out there could well be the Pentax MZ-M,
about £200. It features all you really need with a very useful user
interface, easy to turn off all the auto stuff if you want. It doesn't
have autofocus, but its easy to focus. It uses Pentax K lenses that have
been in production since the mid '70s, there are thousands around at
very good prices, it works with current Pentax AF lenses as well.
Exposure control comes down to a shutter speed dial and aperture ring,
giving intuitive handling without the electronics getting in the way. If
you want to use the auto features, you have a complete set to use.
I bought a used MZ-M body for just £90, throw in a 50mm f/1.7 lens
(about £20-30 used) and you have a decent start that will grow as
required.
There are many other options, used gear can be a very good way of
getting good deals but you have to be careful when buying. The best
actual choice comes down a lot to personal taste, what you want to use
it for and how you plan to work (all of which are likely to change
during your adventures in photography).
Ideally you're looking for a camera with depth of field preview, some
form of remote release, DX film speed override (or manual setting) and
easy access to the manual mode. You may want to add/delete items to/from
this list as you go along, but it's a good a start as any.
--
John
Preston, Lancs, UK.
Photos at http://www.photopia.demon.co.uk
Brownie
"Simon Stanmore" <s.sta...@virgin.net> wrote in message
news:vE%e9.254$Yh.4...@newsfep1-win.server.ntli.net...
> A Nikon FM (second-hand)
Actually although I love the camera I'd disagree! I haven't used one in a
while but the FM is fully manual (if I recall correctly) and can be quite
slow in use. An aperture or shutter priority camera should still teach the
user the basics of making decisions about exposure aperture or shutter and
can be useful when you don't have time to fiddle. For that reason I'd
suggest an FE or FG over an FM.
However, I used to work with Nikon kit, and as an amateur I found the lenses
terribly expensive even though they are of course great quality. There's
not much point in buying into a system if you can't afford it. Generally I
found Canon accessories a bit cheaper and just as good (in practice).
Depending on budget, I'd suggest a manual focus camera with depth of field
preview such as an AE1Program or T90 which leaves the door open to lots of
FD lenses.
The Pentax K system is also popular and allows the use of cheaper bodies
such as Cosina if you ever get around to wanting a spare body say for BW
film on the same shoot.
Someone else in this thread suggests a Praktica. They were OK, I think
sharing the K mount, but earlier models had M42 screw which is well out of
date.
Roger
. There's
> not much point in buying into a system if you can't afford it. Generally
I
> found Canon accessories a bit cheaper and just as good (in practice).
> Depending on budget, I'd suggest a manual focus camera with depth of field
> preview such as an AE1Program or T90 which leaves the door open to lots of
> FD lenses.
A word of warning. Many secondhand T90s are faulty. Although I used AE1s
and an AV1 without problems for donkey's years and still do my T90 kept
going wrong and after several expensive repairs I threw it away as a lost
cause. (I have since met a friend who knows how to repair such faults, just
my luck.)
--
Roger Blackwell, Norwich, Britain
ICQ 71780619
http://www.blackwell23.freeserve.co.uk
Simon Stanmore
subject/technique. So a fully manual, cheap, but decent body is all that's
required. I suggested an FM 'cause it meets this criteria, plus it has a PC
socket (most courses include some studio work), and it's part of a system he
can expand easily in the future without giving up the lenses he buys for the
FM.
"David Frew" <cust...@btinternet.com> wrote in message
news:ali53b$93h$1...@venus.btinternet.com...
Nigel Wilkins
>
> I am currently a beginner and will be enrolling on a short photography
> course in the near future.
My first camera was a second hand Chinon CE-4S. Fantastic camera. It has
everything you would ever need to take quality photographs, including things
like depth-of field preview, aperture priority, full manual, self timer,
cable release thread etc. It uses Pentax K lenses which are VERY common &
cheap. I recently bought my 11 year old son a CE-4 for £40 on ebay complete
with standard lens! He finds it easy to use, with virtually no experience
of photography whatsoever.
Also, if you need to change film type / speed mid-roll, just buy another
body!
Mike2000
Mike
"James" <jame...@yahoo.com> ha scritto nel messaggio
news:Hh_e9.1181$Yc7.35570@newsfep2-gui...
T.P.
>Canon EOS33 (Elan7) + 50mm f1.8 or 28-105mm f3.5-4.5 USM II
Not acceptable on many photography courses.
I was going to prefix that statement with
"Alas, ..." However, in reality, there is
everything to *celebrate* about that and
nothing to be sad for.
donwong
Pat Chaney
> Get into Digital Photography-the way to go
Well the depth of your argument has certainly convinced me.
Pat
--
Photos at:
http://www.shuttercity.com/ShowGallery.cfm?Format=Cell&AcctID=1251
T.P.
There is nothing like a well-argued case to convince
people to go digital. And that was nothing like one.
Tony Walker
i have a dynax sri 404 minolta autofocus with a 28 -80 zoom for 179.99
from last year, an old minolta srt 101b (fully manual) from a long time
back plus i have bought a RICOH KR10 SUPER from ebay because i want a
metal body plus automatic features and manual control - i have got a
zoom 35 -75 with it - it uses k mount lens my no 1 reason for making
this change - minolta are only making 4 types of MD lenses now and not
convinced of build quality of x370s? go pentax unless you have lots of
dosh in which case Nikon or Canon - the reason i have not gone for mz-m
is money too when i have got more money i can splash out on new pentax
mz-m body - 2nd hand pentax stuff is starting to fetch higher prices
thna comparable cameras from the same period ie 15 to 20 years ago
Roger
And anyway it is better to use film cameras for prints and digital for web
and e-mail purposes. Photography never replaced oil painting so why should
digital photography replace film photography? Each has their own
advantages.
rab
Liz
Tony Walker <tonyc....@ntlworld.com> wrote:
> 2nd hand pentax stuff is starting to fetch higher prices
> thna comparable cameras from the same period ie 15 to 20 years ago
Oh goody.
Anyone wanna buy a Super-A?
Actually, I bought it second hand as my first camera.
Great camera, loads of features but can also be set to fully manual.
Tough as old boots - 7 safaris, SWUS Deserts, Everglades x2, HongKong,
Seychelles, India, loads within Europe, never cossetted.
It's been serviced twice at most. Still works great.
Highly recommended if you can get one.
(I'm not really selling mine, though I'll *maybe* trade it in for an AF
sometime)
Liz
--
Virtual Liz at http://www.v-liz.co.uk
Safaris (Kenya and Tanzania); NEW: Kenya 2002 'rushes' now up
"I speak of Africa and golden joys"
T.P.
>
>i have a dynax sri 404 minolta autofocus with a 28 -80 zoom for 179.99
>from last year, an old minolta srt 101b (fully manual) from a long time
>back plus i have bought a RICOH KR10 SUPER from ebay because i want a
>metal body plus automatic features and manual control - i have got a
>zoom 35 -75 with it - it uses k mount lens my no 1 reason for making
>this change - minolta are only making 4 types of MD lenses now and not
>convinced of build quality of x370s? go pentax unless you have lots of
>dosh in which case Nikon or Canon - the reason i have not gone for mz-m
> is money too when i have got more money i can splash out on new pentax
>mz-m body - 2nd hand pentax stuff is starting to fetch higher prices
>thna comparable cameras from the same period ie 15 to 20 years ago
Try using commas and full stops and starting your sentences with a
capital letter and your postings might be slightly more intelligible.
T.P.
>
>And anyway it is better to use film cameras for prints and digital for web
>and e-mail purposes. Photography never replaced oil painting so why should
>digital photography replace film photography? Each has their own
>advantages.
Hi Roger,
That's a pretty good analysis. Of course things are different in the
professional world, but your view represents the amateur scene well.
John Halliwell
writes
>Anyone wanna buy a Super-A?
>
>Actually, I bought it second hand as my first camera.
>Great camera, loads of features but can also be set to fully manual.
>Tough as old boots - 7 safaris, SWUS Deserts, Everglades x2, HongKong,
>Seychelles, India, loads within Europe, never cossetted.
>
>It's been serviced twice at most. Still works great.
>Highly recommended if you can get one.
>(I'm not really selling mine, though I'll *maybe* trade it in for an AF
>sometime)
Yes, the Super-A is a decent little camera, very good features for a
manual focus camera, compact and quite sturdy. It gets even better when
bolted onto the motordrive (although quite a bit heavier).
Tony Walker
> In message <3D81DDDF...@ntlworld.com>
> Tony Walker <tonyc....@ntlworld.com> wrote:
>
>
>>2nd hand pentax stuff is starting to fetch higher prices
>>thna comparable cameras from the same period ie 15 to 20 years ago
>
>
> Oh goody.
>
> Anyone wanna buy a Super-A?
>
> Actually, I bought it second hand as my first camera.
> Great camera, loads of features but can also be set to fully manual.
> Tough as old boots - 7 safaris, SWUS Deserts, Everglades x2, HongKong,
> Seychelles, India, loads within Europe, never cossetted.
>
> It's been serviced twice at most. Still works great.
> Highly recommended if you can get one.
> (I'm not really selling mine, though I'll *maybe* trade it in for an AF
> sometime)
>
> Liz
>
i would be interesteD but not even seen my ricoh kr10- super yet its in
the post! - Super A -is it a ricoh ? where can i get the spec see a
photo of it?
Joseph Kewfi
"Martin Sweeney" <bill...@microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:ns4f9.1557$Yc7.79733@newsfep2-gui...
John Halliwell
<Joe_...@iol.ie> writes
>Is the Centon K100, an aperture priority camera ?
No, it's manual only (but not mechanical - needs a battery for the
shutter).
You should be able to find details about it from http://www.jessops.com
(the sole UK distributor). I'm not sure if it's available
internationally other than mail order from Jessops in the UK?
Neil Marsh
"John Halliwell" <jo...@photopia.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
news:pWX69WAY...@photopia.demon.co.uk...
> In article <am0fcb$286$1...@dorito.esatclear.ie>, Joseph Kewfi
> <Joe_...@iol.ie> writes
> >Is the Centon K100, an aperture priority camera ?
>
> No, it's manual only (but not mechanical - needs a battery for the
> shutter).
and the exposure meter. :-)
The shutter will work without the battery, but only at 1000th sec.
I bought one a few weeks ago as my first SLR camera. Coming at this from the
digital side, I wanted something manual to play around with as a contrast to
my digitals. Now I'm building a small collection of Pentax K-mount lenses
for it. :-)
--
Neil Marsh
nird...@gmail.com
> I am going to buy a 35mm camera and need to be advised which to get.
>
> I am currently a beginner and will be enrolling on a short photography
> course in the near future.
>
> James
1. Consider a cheaper and simpler point and shoot camera.
2. Consider a digital SLR camera for more control.
3. Don't assume a high price or popular brand means quality.
4. Pick a camera that suits your mode of transport.
5. Find a camera you can hold comfortably.
6. Count the cost of the accessories.
7. Don't make decisions based on megapixels.
8. Consider your need for speed.
9. Evaluate the zoom ability.
10. Consider battery type.
11. Know the memory card format.
Buy top branded digital camera online at http://www.lotuselectronics.com/products/Digital-Cameras