HELP! - What camera do I pick?

[Jonesaaaay93]

Hello all,

A bit of background;
I've always enjoyed taking photos yada yada and want to get myself a new camera. I currently have a Canon Powershot sx510 or something? (Can't remember the model, had it a few years and haven't used it of late). Now the reason I haven't used it is simple, the picture quality on my phone is sooo much better! (Samsung S6).
Anywho. Not your typical CS baller so can't be throwing mega bucks around. However I'm swayed towards DSLR instead of bridge - read a few threads around here etc people recommending but hoping to really build this hobby so is DSLR the better route to go? (Changeable lense etc?)

So here's the main point here, from what I've seen around the infamous Google, big recommendations point towards Nikon D3300 (lots of people saying later versions of it aren't worth the dollar - unless you are professional and need the bells and whistles etc).

Is there any other camera people would recommend around its price range (£300ish) that's a better contender for someone above beginner and looking to expand their interests? - Is bridge the better first step?

Thanks in advance

 

[Ay Ay Ron]

As said in pretty much each of these types of thread....

Go to a camera shop. Try various brands in your price range.

Some people prefer Canon. Some Nikon (weirdos) and some Sony (not sure they are in your budget though tbh)

 

[Jonesaaaay93]

As said in pretty much each of these types of thread....

Go to a camera shop. Try various brands in your price range.

Some people prefer Canon. Some Nikon (weirdos) and some Sony (not sure they are in your budget though tbh)

Will do

 

[TheEvilGiraffe]

As above really..!

Suggest going somewhere like Cex (yes that really does sound like sex) and going for a higher spec but older model. Try them out in the store etc.

£300 isn't going to get much new - then you'll need a memory card and probably a bag at least. Then you'll realise your kit lens is cack and you'll buy a 50mm because everyone tells you to, but then you realise on a crop sensor, 50mm is bordering on useless.

Check out eBay - lots of people sell bundles as they upgrade or get bored.

5 year old camera will still take damn decent pics - if the photographer knows what to do.

Composition > Lenses > Body.

 

[Jonesaaaay93]

As above really..!

Suggest going somewhere like Cex (yes that really does sound like sex) and going for a higher spec but older model. Try them out in the store etc.

£300 isn't going to get much new - then you'll need a memory card and probably a bag at least. Then you'll realise your kit lens is cack and you'll buy a 50mm because everyone tells you to, but then you realise on a crop sensor, 50mm is bordering on useless.

Check out eBay - lots of people sell bundles as they upgrade or get bored.

5 year old camera will still take damn decent pics - if the photographer knows what to do.

Composition > Lenses > Body.

Awesome advice, much appreciated! Will get lurking on ebay now for the next few days!

 

[White16valver]

Bridge cameras are extremely versatile because they're designed to do everything, from Macro to Suuuuper-zoom, from daylight to night-time, but as with all things that are designed to do everything, they do have their compromises.

Do you ever shoot in Manual mode now? Do you understand ISO/Aperture/Exposure time?

If not, a Bridge in manual mode is just as effective as a DSLR in most scenarios (in terms of picture quality, flexibility, and as a learning experience), plus you don't have to pine after and spend money on better lenses (because you can't change it) that you then have to faff around with lugging around, changing, cleaning, wishing you had ££££ to upgrade to L glass (if Canon)...

I have a DSLR + a selection of lenses I'm happy with. Frankly, it's a complete PITA taking everything you might need if/when we go away. What if there are some great panoramas? Need the Wide Angle. What if you want to do some whole-sky night-time shots? Need the Ultra-Wide Angle (and a tripod). What about shots while out in the evening / at dinner? Need a large-aperture Prime or two. What if you're doing some sightseeing that will take a lot of different things in? Need something like a 15-85 or 24-105. What about if there is wildlife at long distance? Need a super-zoom. What about if it's a place that might get you mugged for nice kit if you go off-resort or into town? Perhaps you should also take a second (battered) old body and a Nifty Fifty as a walkaround camera...

IIRC last time I travelled my rucksack (because it ain't being thrown into the hold by the baggage handling monkeys...) weighed the best part of a stone and a half, maybe more.

I was perfectly happy with the quality of the Fuji bridge I had before I started on the slippery DSLR slope - the image quality is perfectly fine if you're just using it for stuff you will never print or just print at 6x4 at most, and some of my favourite shots have been off that camera. Now I spend time pixel-peeping, stressing about CA, lusting after lenses I can't afford, wishing my bloody bag wasn't trying to break my back...


So, in summary, I would consider what you're going to use it for and whether you want to start on the DSLR path that you carry on over time. And if you do want to start playing that dangerous game lol, consider buying a secondhand body from Calumet / Cameraworld / FixationUK /A.N.Other retailer offering (decent) warranties on used kit:
https://www.calphoto.co.uk/category/used
http://www.fixationuk.com/secondhand/
https://www.cameraworld.co.uk/used-equipment.html?cat=9#isPage=NaN
Cameraworld appears to have a D300S for £300ish, which is a great price for quality kit, and they've got a couple of 5D for £299. Alternatively, save a bit more and you can get a 7D for about £450.


Anyway, others have posted a lot more succinctly than I have, thanks for sticking with it lol

 

[Jonesaaaay93]

Bridge cameras are extremely versatile because they're designed to do everything, from Macro to Suuuuper-zoom, from daylight to night-time, but as with all things that are designed to do everything, they do have their compromises.

Do you ever shoot in Manual mode now? Do you understand ISO/Aperture/Exposure time?

If not, a Bridge in manual mode is just as effective as a DSLR in most scenarios (in terms of picture quality, flexibility, and as a learning experience), plus you don't have to pine after and spend money on better lenses (because you can't change it) that you then have to faff around with lugging around, changing, cleaning, wishing you had ££££ to upgrade to L glass (if Canon)...

I have a DSLR + a selection of lenses I'm happy with. Frankly, it's a complete PITA taking everything you might need if/when we go away. What if there are some great panoramas? Need the Wide Angle. What if you want to do some whole-sky night-time shots? Need the Ultra-Wide Angle (and a tripod). What about shots while out in the evening / at dinner? Need a large-aperture Prime or two. What if you're doing some sightseeing that will take a lot of different things in? Need something like a 15-85 or 24-105. What about if there is wildlife at long distance? Need a super-zoom. What about if it's a place that might get you mugged for nice kit if you go off-resort or into town? Perhaps you should also take a second (battered) old body and a Nifty Fifty as a walkaround camera...

IIRC last time I travelled my rucksack (because it ain't being thrown into the hold by the baggage handling monkeys...) weighed the best part of a stone and a half, maybe more.

I was perfectly happy with the quality of the Fuji bridge I had before I started on the slippery DSLR slope - the image quality is perfectly fine if you're just using it for stuff you will never print or just print at 6x4 at most, and some of my favourite shots have been off that camera. Now I spend time pixel-peeping, stressing about CA, lusting after lenses I can't afford, wishing my bloody bag wasn't trying to break my back...


So, in summary, I would consider what you're going to use it for and whether you want to start on the DSLR path that you carry on over time. And if you do want to start playing that dangerous game lol, consider buying a secondhand body from Calumet / Cameraworld / FixationUK /A.N.Other retailer offering (decent) warranties on used kit:
https://www.calphoto.co.uk/category/used
http://www.fixationuk.com/secondhand/
https://www.cameraworld.co.uk/used-equipment.html?cat=9#isPage=NaN
Cameraworld appears to have a D300S for £300ish, which is a great price for quality kit, and they've got a couple of 5D for £299. Alternatively, save a bit more and you can get a 7D for about £450.


Anyway, others have posted a lot more succinctly than I have, thanks for sticking with it lol

Firstly, thanks for putting in the time/effort to write that up for me!
Seriously helpful, you brushed on the issue I'm toying with really which is; if I do go down the DSLR collection route, where i'll be pumping money like nobodies business into lens after lens, then do I save some more and buy a higher quality body? But like you eluded to, eventually you have all this kit for different shots, and to lug it all around (plus paranoia or it getting stolen etc). Do I just 'satisfy my needs' with a quality bridge and leave it at that :/

I was perfectly happy with the quality of the Fuji bridge I had before I started on the slippery DSLR slope - the image quality is perfectly fine if you're just using it for stuff you will never print or just print at 6x4 at most, and some of my favourite shots have been off that camera. Now I spend time pixel-peeping, stressing about CA, lusting after lenses I can't afford, wishing my bloody bag wasn't trying to break my back...

Last year I took a panoramic photo on my phone and had it printed on a canvas (can't remember size but its a good 4ft long), and like the idea of when I get my own place of printing more etc. Are bridges quality okay for this kind of thing (I would assume so as my phone photo came up really well - but you mention just printing at 6x4 at most?)

I appreciate a lot of the answers are personal preference etc, but know your response has been really helpful and insightful!

 

[White16valver]

You don't have to spend the price of a car on kit, but it seems to be the only option if you really are chasing 'the best' image quality. There are some bargains out there, but (irritatingly) the own-brand kit is often priced as highly as it is because it really is that good.

However, there are some excellent quality bargains out there...

Ssamyang 8mm:
https://www.dpreview.com/products/samyang/lenses/samyang_8_3p5/user-reviews
http://kenrockwell.com/tech/8mm-f35.htm
https://www.flickr.com/groups/1284660@N20/
http://www.camerapricebuster.co.uk/...Aspherical-IF-MC-Fisheye-CS-II-Nikon-Fit-Lens

Tokina 11-16 f2.8:
https://www.dpreview.com/products/tokina/lenses/tokina_atx_11-16_2p8/user-reviews
http://www.camerapricebuster.co.uk/...na-11-16mm-f2.8-AT-X-PRO-DX-II-Nikon-Fit-Lens

Tamron 17-50 F2.8 (but best from F4):
http://www.camerapricebuster.co.uk/...f2.8-XR-Di-ll-LD-Aspherical-IF-Nikon-Fit-Lens

... but even that selection only gets you to 50mm and costs the best part of a grand.

Once you start getting over 50mm, anything 'fast' (F4 and under) gets more expensive and much heavier very quickly.

It is worth noting, though, that it's better to spend on good quality lenses than a better body - a sensor is only as good as the image it is getting through the lens, and ultimately you can transfer lenses to your new camera so it's not money lost. There will always be better bodies coming out, that's technology for you, but good glass is glass. Those millions of megapixels will record a sharper image with sharper glass!

Most bridges seem to offer a high pixel count, so quality-wise they should have enough megapixels for printing at larger sizes (which will be viewed from a distance anyway so some slight softness up close shouldn't be an issue) but ISO noise is probably just as important. This can be fixed in post-processing if you want to learn that (which most do) but TBH I find it a bit of a faff and prefer to get it right in the camera first time lol.

IMHO you should get to the point that your camera is limiting you from doing what you want, then you know it's time to upgrade.

As mentioned earlier, it's worth visiting a local camera shop (independent or small chain is better than the monkeys in Currys, although asking Bob down the pub can be better than that...) to get your hands on some kit and see how you like it. You can talk about options within your budget, ask their opinions on what might be best regarding what you'll use it for, and your potential options for a future path / if DSLR is for you. Pick a quiet time (perhaps mid afternoon on a midweek day if you can get out of work, or half hour before closing on a Sunday) and they will hopefully not mind spending some time with you. Open with something about how you're looking at options for your birthday in a couple of months, and that way you've made it clear you're not going to slap down the plastic today and it will hopefully reduce any pushy sales techniques.

Again, all IMHO and take it with a pinch of salt etc etc

 

[Jonesaaaay93]

You don't have to spend the price of a car on kit, but it seems to be the only option if you really are chasing 'the best' image quality. There are some bargains out there, but (irritatingly) the own-brand kit is often priced as highly as it is because it really is that good.

However, there are some excellent quality bargains out there...

Ssamyang 8mm:
https://www.dpreview.com/products/samyang/lenses/samyang_8_3p5/user-reviews
http://kenrockwell.com/tech/8mm-f35.htm
https://www.flickr.com/groups/1284660@N20/
http://www.camerapricebuster.co.uk/...Aspherical-IF-MC-Fisheye-CS-II-Nikon-Fit-Lens

Tokina 11-16 f2.8:
https://www.dpreview.com/products/tokina/lenses/tokina_atx_11-16_2p8/user-reviews
http://www.camerapricebuster.co.uk/...na-11-16mm-f2.8-AT-X-PRO-DX-II-Nikon-Fit-Lens

Tamron 17-50 F2.8 (but best from F4):
http://www.camerapricebuster.co.uk/...f2.8-XR-Di-ll-LD-Aspherical-IF-Nikon-Fit-Lens

... but even that selection only gets you to 50mm and costs the best part of a grand.

Once you start getting over 50mm, anything 'fast' (F4 and under) gets more expensive and much heavier very quickly.

It is worth noting, though, that it's better to spend on good quality lenses than a better body - a sensor is only as good as the image it is getting through the lens, and ultimately you can transfer lenses to your new camera so it's not money lost. There will always be better bodies coming out, that's technology for you, but good glass is glass. Those millions of megapixels will record a sharper image with sharper glass!

Most bridges seem to offer a high pixel count, so quality-wise they should have enough megapixels for printing at larger sizes (which will be viewed from a distance anyway so some slight softness up close shouldn't be an issue) but ISO noise is probably just as important. This can be fixed in post-processing if you want to learn that (which most do) but TBH I find it a bit of a faff and prefer to get it right in the camera first time lol.

IMHO you should get to the point that your camera is limiting you from doing what you want, then you know it's time to upgrade.

As mentioned earlier, it's worth visiting a local camera shop (independent or small chain is better than the monkeys in Currys, although asking Bob down the pub can be better than that...) to get your hands on some kit and see how you like it. You can talk about options within your budget, ask their opinions on what might be best regarding what you'll use it for, and your potential options for a future path / if DSLR is for you. Pick a quiet time (perhaps mid afternoon on a midweek day if you can get out of work, or half hour before closing on a Sunday) and they will hopefully not mind spending some time with you. Open with something about how you're looking at options for your birthday in a couple of months, and that way you've made it clear you're not going to slap down the plastic today and it will hopefully reduce any pushy sales techniques.

Again, all IMHO and take it with a pinch of salt etc etc :smile:

That's some quality advice man! Very much appreciated, will get some time off work soon and when I have some spare time pop down to the local camera shop and see what takes my fancy and go from there!
Thanks so much for all the help - you've unfortunately dropped yourself in as my 'go to guy' for photography assistance now! (I will bother you non-stop) haha!

 

[Jekyll]

I had the same camera as you and upgraded for the same reasons as you.

I wanted a DSLR and having had a Nikon DSLR before and used a Canon and not really gelling with them, I opted for the D3300. I'm only a amatuer but i think its a great DSLR for the money.

However, this is only my opinion/experience and the above replies should be taken into consideration as the above guys certainly know there stuff when it comes to photography. I've learned a lot from them.

 

[Jonesaaaay93]

I had the same camera as you and upgraded for the same reasons as you.

I wanted a DSLR and having had a Nikon DSLR before and used a Canon and not really gelling with them, I opted for the D3300. I'm only a amatuer but i think its a great DSLR for the money.

However, this is only my opinion/experience and the above replies should be taken into consideration as the above guys certainly know there stuff when it comes to photography. I've learned a lot from them.

I've seen your pictures of the 370z Nismo, very nice shots!
Yeah, sadly I've spent money on the car now and with my recent engagement the camera is going to have to wait now but thanks for the input all the same!