Buying a Digital Camera

AppleBack

Hi,
I,ve gotten very interested in Photography recently for some reason(Bloody Flickr!) and I plan on buying a Digital Camera and was looking for some advice. I need a camera for around 100-300 Euros. I'm a beginner but I want a camera that would take decent quality photos and have a zoom function. I'd be mainly using it for taking pictures of landscape and places, etc. I live in Kilmore Quay and I'd be taking photos of the village to put on my website on Kilmore Quay.

Basicly I was wondering can anyone make any recommendations? I,ve had a look at the Samsung S800, Vivitar V8400, the Fuji Finepix A500, and the Vivitar V6320 but I still don't know what camera I should buy!

I'd also be wanting to learn how to make the photos I take better so I'd want the camera to last. What I mean is I don't want it to brake on me or anything.

Phew! [joke]I'd also like it to have a built-in microwave and tv please![/joke]
Thanks.

yoshytoshy

you should go into bermingham cameras on the quays and have a look at this

http://www.berminghamcameras.ie/store/index.php?target=products&product_id=1637

Rudekid

Hi I own PIXELS camera shops in Dublin. So I won't try and pretend to be neutral in my recommendation where to buy your new camera.
Olympus are about to launch a camera( SP550) that is going to shake up the Digital camera market.
http://www.olympus.co.uk/consumer/29_SP-550_UltraZoom.htm

This will retail withy extra memory for under €400.

If I'm too late let me know what you got and I'll advise you how to get the best use of it.

Regards
C

PaulieC

18X Zoom? Jeez, looks like Zoom is the new Megapixels. I can't imagine the quality of that lens would be up to much...

Sebzy

Even DPReview seem to be knocked back by this one.

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0701/07012507olympusp550uz.asp

-- QUOTE --
Most interesting is the SP-550 UZ ultrazoom, boasting the world's first 18x (yes 18x) zoom capability. Covering an astounding 28-504mm (equiv.) range it is sure to appeal to travellers seeking a compact camera for all occasions. Also featuring CCD-shift Image Stabilization, a 15fps burst mode (1.2MP) and a 7.1 megapixel sensor, the SP-550 continues a legacy of innovative large-zoom cameras from Olympus.
-- QUOTE --

Redundo

I'll give the bog standard advice that photography beginners should, but never do, listen to.....

...... sod knows I didn't

More important then your budget:

You should first decide what kind of photographs you think you will take. This will dictate a lot about the camera best suited for you. For example, most people use digicams for snapshots, family, friends, nights out and holidays, etc.
For this I would recommend a wide-angle camera rather then a zoom to fit everything into frame. Large Zooms are only really usefull for sports and nature shots.
In fact a quick ask around here should reveal that most people here use wide-angle over telephoto for most of their photos.

Next decide how much you think you will use it. Do you want something small that you can carry in your pocket every single day? Or do you want something for dedicated trips, in which case you can probably go with something larger (and more fully featured)? The smaller the camera is, the more likely you are to carry it around with you.

Now think about how far you intend to take your photography. If you only intend to use it for the odd photographic occasion, then you needn't worry too much about higher end cameras. If however you can see yourself spending quite a bit of time and effort on your photography then a camera with more features (manual controls, Raw files, etc) may help you learn your craft better (and stay usefull for longer) while still being easy to start out on.

Now that you know what type of camera you need you should decide how much you are willing to spend on it.

And don't feel pressured into buying more then you need. If a €150 camera offers all you are going to use, then buy a €150 camera!

I know this advice isn't tailored to your situation, but hopefully you can still find something of use in there.

Ghost Train

18x zoom sounds pretty nice, heres a review of the olympus,
http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/olympus/sp550uz-review/index.shtml#

zefer

Rudekid wrote:

Hi I own PIXELS camera shops in Dublin. So I won't try and pretend to be neutral in my recommendation where to buy your new camera.
Olympus are about to launch a camera( SP550) that is going to shake up the Digital camera market.
http://www.olympus.co.uk/consumer/29_SP-550_UltraZoom.htm

This will retail withy extra memory for under €400.

If I'm too late let me know what you got and I'll advise you how to get the best use of it.

Regards
C

So all boards members would have a discount in your stores if they were to buy something yes?

311

I bought my first canon point and shoot there ,but they don't seem to stock anything more than point and shoots
Very helpful staff ,pitty about the stock

Rudekid

Excellent advice Redundo. If you want to work in the Dublin area give me a shout.
Everybody thinks the shop keeper wants you to spend more in their shops. Some probably do.
My advice about choosing your price range is picture yourself a couple of years from now with the camera you choose in your hands. Are you going to be glad you got the cheap one or are you going to be looking for a better one. The extra money you spend today will mean nothing to you then. You could have a camera that has performed much better giving you much more flexibility and probably improved your photography.
I can buy any camera at great prices but I find it hard to justify changing from the models I have because I bought the right cameras in the first place. (Canon D60 with 24-70 F2.8 and a Canon Ixus 700) This new Olympus has something I will use when I go to a match. So I know I have to have it.

All I'm trying to say is think ahead. A bad choice could turn you off a great hobby and cost you even more money if you stick it out.

Rudekid

Due to market demand in Liffey St. We were forced into the point and shoot digital cameras. If we can't drag people over from the south side shops to buy in Liffey Street there is no point wasting our time and money.
The good news is we opened a new store on South Anne Street last November. We have an extensive range of SLR. Nikon D70's D80's D200's Canon eos 5D's 30D's 1DMKIIn's Olympus e400's etc.
FOR DISCOUNT
Ask for Colin or Keith in South Anne St. One of us is always there except Sundays. Say your a board member and you will be looked after. I promise you. Keith is also a board member. Nobody else will have a clue what you are talking about.

Check out our new exhibition style printing service.

punchdrunk

i'll say one thing,get a lithium ion battery!

eirlink

punchdrunk wrote:

i'll say one thing,get a lithium ion battery!

exactly ...times 4!

msdurden

I just hav a quick question.....i know 1 or two of you have bought digital slrs in the states.

do you know, if the 350/400d has a model number resembling "teble-something or other"?

thanks

Roen

Teble? Do you mean Rebel? The 350 is the Rebel XT and the 400D is the Rebel XTi.