The Photography Thread

[briareos_kerensky]

OK, looking for some advice....

Getting a DSLR is expensive. I'm not speaking about the body itself (bodies like the Canon 400D, Nikon D50/D80 or Sony Alpha 1000) are cheap and are excellent performers for someone who never used a reflex before. The problem lies in the extra equipment a DSLR needs. External flashes, extra lenses, batteries and SD/Flash cards...this is where your money will go. It's true that all of the cameras I've mentioned above have an internal flash unit and an average zoom lens in their kits, but, believe me, soon the internal flash won't be powerful enough and the kit lens won't have enough reach, sharpness or color rendition and you'll be buying more specialized glasses or a more expensive zoom lens.
DSLR-shaped compact cameras are less expensive and are better performers than "normal" compact cameras, but if you are eyeing a DSLR right now it's probably because you feel that DSLRs are more flexible and more suitable to your needs, even if ultra zoomers give DSLRs a run for their money in most situations.
If you need to learn more about photography and your current camera doesn't allow for complex manual operations, I think it's only a matter on how much you want to spend on your photographic equipment: I think that your current camera supports SD cards, so it would be cheaper to go for a camera supporting SD cards as media, like Nikon D50 or D80. If buying Compact Flash cards or other media isn't a problem, all other DSLRs are fine too, with those cameras you'll have something that is capable of full automatic operations as well as giving you the chance to taste how DSLRs work.
If you can, go to your favourite shop and ask if you can try the cameras you are interested in, even if it's within the shop only, so you'll be able to understand what you are paying for.
BTW, after all this incoherent rambling my basic suggestion is to get an exntry-level DSLR camera, learn how to use it and then buy extra gear, if you'll ever need it.

[Alastair]

I went straight from a P&S to a DSLR Garf so I'm afraid I can't really give you advice on the bridge route. All I can say is that I already want to upgrade every bit of my kit after just 6 months or so so I would recommend getting the very best you can afford. i can live with mine but every time I use it I dream of upgrading the lenses and today the body annoyed me by saying busy as it was writing to the card while I wanted to take a shot ft:

And don't be put off Canon due to using CF cards, they are getting cheaper by the day, a 1gb card can be had easily for 18 quid.

Here's what I got from a visit to Petworth Park in Sussex:

A landscape:


A deer (with a story):


Another deer that made me feel like a hunter:


And some angry geese that really need to be viewed large (by clicking):

[MartyG]

My other worry is that I'll spend a bundle on a DSLR and realise that I was getting poor shots because of a lack of talent and not 'cause the Casio is average

A more expensive camera won't make you a better photographer, so if the reason you're upgrading is down to that, then I'd stop before you spend any cash at all. You can get decent photos with any camera, even a ?12 digicam.

As briareos_kerensky suggested, any of the entry level kits will be fine, you can buy additional stuff later. You don't have to spend loads of money on extra lenses, external flashses ( the one on the Nikon D50 is adequate for most situations ). Again whilst these extra things help get results, they don't take photographs for you - you have to do that yourself.

I'd suggest taking a look at the D50, you'll get these with the kit lens for ?400 easy, and it's a great entry level camera, but you won't go wrong with any of them.

[Ish]

My other worry is that I'll spend a bundle on a DSLR and realise that I was getting poor shots because of a lack of talent and not 'cause the Casio is average

Practice practice practice mate. Thats mostly what it comes down to.

When I started with this photographier lark I knew next to nothing about it. I'm still very much a beginner. But the great thing about a digital camera is that there's no film involved and the results are instant so it makes for a great learning tool with a really quick feedback loop.

[Garf]

Nice one guys - thanks for the responses.

Certainly given me something to think about, so I think I now need to pop into my local camera shop and get my hands on a few different models to see how they feel.

I think my biggest stumbling block at the moment is a complete lack of manual control on my camera - it feels very limiting to let the camera make all the choices, so something with a finer degree of control will let me experiment a bit more.

Since viewing threads like this one and a few others, I certainly am starting to think more about the photos I take - it's just the end result doesn't always match up

I am thinking about taking a beginners course as well to learn more about the basics.

I don't mind spending a few quid on a decent camera - I just won't tell my wife how much !

[Ginger Tosser]

Nice pics Alastair, Agree with the comments above Cost Vs Good shots. I've seen to number of pics taken by people with Hasselblad's etc that would just as good with a 35mm compact. A DSLR does handle much better though, but don't go mad on one just yet. The Entry level Nikons/Canons and the Pentax DSLR's are excellent. Also kit lens do get slated a fair bit, but for most they do exactly what they want.

Anyway, back to Devon - Sidmouth to be precise.

Night 1 Eos 5D EF70-200mm f/4 L @ 70mm 13 seconds f18 ISO 100
Night 2 Eos 5D EF70-200mm f/4 L @200mm 20 seconds f7.1 ISO 100
Night Sea Eos 5D EF70-200mm f/4 L @70mm 30 seconds f4 ISO 100

(Another Sunrise!) Eos 5D EF17-40mm f/4 L @ 40mm 2 seconds f22 ISO 50

[Alastair]

I like the night shots there GT - no exif though I wanna know how long the exposures were.

[charlesr]

These appeared in my pond today. Bit unexpected. Not had any so far and the season has ended....

[charlesr]

2nd

[PeteJ]

Random cullender photo....get! (edit, yes I know, spelt wrong. Should be Colander. I checked the 'net and the 'net failed me)

C - those are lovely. Great colours! Wish our pond had interesting stuff in it rather than skank.

GT, very nice. I've lived about ten miles out of Sidmouth all my life, have worked there for over two years and yet I've never been there with my camera, other than a poor attempt at a sunrise. I hope the old people didn't freak you out down here, we aren't all like that.

[Ginger Tosser]

People seemed normal, old but normal. I did see quite a few young un's so wasn't worried.

Nice cullender, that'll confuse the Flickr crowd!
Odd things on the pond Charles. Decent shots though.

[Nijo]

Nice shot, shame about the spelling!

[PeteJ]

http://www.roundshot.ch/xml_1/intern.../d925/f934.cfm

Crickey!

[Alastair]

"Handy digital camera, never miss a shot with our new point and shoot"

[Spagoli]

OK maybe its a basic question but just got a digi camera Canon 30d a 60mm Macro lens as well as the standard 18-55 one and wanted to load pics up like you guys do to get opinions. Anyone advise me easiest/best way to do it. I'm not a genius hence cant set my own site up so simple sounds good. Any help appreciated.