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Best digital 'Step up' option for beginner + Good in Japan

  • 09-09-2005 07:36PM
    #1
    Vok
    Closed Accounts Posts: 43 ✭


    Hi there.

    Typical newbie question, I'm afraid. My girlfriend bought me a Fuji Finepix A203 about 2 and a half years ago and I've used it on and off for the last while but, recently, have started getting quite into this whole thing. I come from a beautiful part of the country and so landscapes / nature scenes are a big focus. But, with my current gear, I'm not getting the quality or control I want.

    In short, I'm ready to take it to 'the next level'. [Click: cue dimmed lights and Barry White]

    I'm torn between the idea of going for something for around the sub 500 mark - like a Fuji S5500 or a Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ5 - or actually taking the plunge and going for a low end Digital SLR that I can buy lenses for and upgrade as I get more serious.

    Context:
    A) I have zero training in Digital photography and am aware that I could do with learning in areas like composition, lighting, understanding what an F-Stop is etc. That said, given my current setup, I think worrying about light levels or focal lengths is pretty much an academic exercise.
    2) The two cameras I quoted above are basically about the only two cameras I know of at the moment.
    and D) I'm heading to Japan next Saturday and may have a very rare opportunity to pick up some decent kit for a lot less than I'd pay for it over here.

    So, I'm looking for reccies on the sub-500 and the low end digital SLR side of things or any general, "You're out of your mind, will you learn how to use your current camera properly first" warnings.

    I'd check all this out on DPreview.com but it seems to be a place to go to verify details when you've narrowed down your options, as opposed to completely clueless and impressionable like me.

    Also, if anyone has any experience of buying cameras in Japan - in particular, in Akihabara in Tokyo, which is my most likely stop off point - then I'd really appreciate it.

    Cheers!


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