The Photography Thread

[MikeyT]

One of my photos will be appearing in the Leicester Mercury over the next few days. Not sure which day. It's a shot I have put in this thread already.

[Legend_in_blue]

Having been suitably impressed by the quality of the photos on offer in this thread, I am beginning to feel the need to upgrade my current camera.

The compact has done well (I have a Canon IXUS75) and is generally very convenient and easy to carry about but it's starting to show it's limitations. I have been looking into a decent SLR, something not too complicated, something easy to get into.

I found the Canon EOS 550D which is currently about £450 on amazon. What is people's take on this? Is there a better alternative at that price and/or will it take something £1000+ to notice much of a difference from this one?

Any help would be appreciated. Cheers.

[anotherharboroughfox]

Having been suitably impressed by the quality of the photos on offer in this thread, I am beginning to feel the need to upgrade my current camera.

The compact has done well (I have a Canon IXUS75) and is generally very convenient and easy to carry about but it's starting to show it's limitations. I have been looking into a decent SLR, something not too complicated, something easy to get into.

I found the Canon EOS 550D which is currently about £450 on amazon. What is people's take on this? Is there a better alternative at that price and/or will it take something £1000+ to notice much of a difference from this one?

Any help would be appreciated. Cheers.

At the moment Sony are dominating in the low/mid range market the a55 can be picked up for around £500 I believe. Your best bet is to head into to Jessops and try out the camera to see which you prefer, all photographers prefer different grips/weight balances. and you can get some professional advice at the same time

And when I got my Sony they randomly start chucking in free things to make you buy it I got my A330 which was worth £380, 3 years repairs cover (worth £70), SD card (Worth £15) and a case (Worth £25) for £400! so I'd head there and just try camera's out and see what deals you can get out of them

[flowwolf]

If you are going in for a SLR you have to bear in mind that top quality like Canon normally sell the body and lens separate. The good thing about Canon though is if you want to up grade the body at some point in the future the lenses will fit the new model. Personally I have always had Canon SLR's and find them easy to use and top quality for your money.

[stix]

Finally got my hands on my first DSLR today decided on the Nikon D5100. Not really managed to use it alot so far but will try and get out and about over the holiday and test it out.

Any recommendations of places locally to go?

[anotherharboroughfox]

Got a fisheye lens for Christmas, great fun already!

[MikeyT]

Finally got my hands on my first DSLR today decided on the Nikon D5100. Not really managed to use it alot so far but will try and get out and about over the holiday and test it out.

Any recommendations of places locally to go?

What kind of stuff you wanting to photograph?

[MikeyT]

Managed to capture this yesterday at Bradgate Park. Bloody thing flew quick though.

[Trav Le Bleu]

That's a tame one (you can see it's tag round it's ankle )

[MikeyT]

That's a tame one (you can see it's tag round it's ankle )

Yeah there was a bloke there with it and a massively long rope attached to it. Didn't half fly quick. Was fun trying to snap it.

[Trav Le Bleu]

Wildlife photograph is difficult. The number of times I've seen a bird do something spectacular without a camera to hand. Even if I did I'd have to be quick on the snap. Guess that's what hides and telephoto lens are for.

[stix]

What kind of stuff you wanting to photograph?

Just the usual kind of thing really, Nature, Landscape...generally just somewhere to practice.

[Legend_in_blue]

At the moment Sony are dominating in the low/mid range market the a55 can be picked up for around £500 I believe. Your best bet is to head into to Jessops and try out the camera to see which you prefer, all photographers prefer different grips/weight balances. and you can get some professional advice at the same time

And when I got my Sony they randomly start chucking in free things to make you buy it I got my A330 which was worth £380, 3 years repairs cover (worth £70), SD card (Worth £15) and a case (Worth £25) for £400! so I'd head there and just try camera's out and see what deals you can get out of them

If you are going in for a SLR you have to bear in mind that top quality like Canon normally sell the body and lens separate. The good thing about Canon though is if you want to up grade the body at some point in the future the lenses will fit the new model. Personally I have always had Canon SLR's and find them easy to use and top quality for your money.

Thanks for the ideas.

I've researched this a little more over the past couple of days and have come to the conclusion that £800 is required to get a camera, associated accessories and a couple of decent lenses. Apart from the 18-55mm supplied, a 55-250mm lens and a 50mm lens would appear to be the norm. Any suggestions as to a wide angle lens? Price? How do the attachment lenses perform compared to the ones which I can't find for under £250!?

I've no rush for it as I need it by the time the summer holidays are here so I will pop into Jessops as suggested, try them out and save up over the next 6 months.

[Lamby]

Taken with my old Tocco Lite phone camera, taken in 2009

[MikeyT]

Just the usual kind of thing really, Nature, Landscape...generally just somewhere to practice.

Well there's the obvious that is Bradgate Park, Groby Pools. To be honest if you can travel a bit further, you should get yourself up to the Derbyshire Peak District. Hope Valley, Lumsdale Falls, Monsal Dale, High Peak Estate. Some great scenery and waterfalls too at Lumsdale and Monsal Dale!

[liamsm]

Im sure you can go private and get plastic surgury to sort your head out. How do you eat?

he sucks his moodles

[nuttytimmy]

Having been suitably impressed by the quality of the photos on offer in this thread, I am beginning to feel the need to upgrade my current camera.

The compact has done well (I have a Canon IXUS75) and is generally very convenient and easy to carry about but it's starting to show it's limitations. I have been looking into a decent SLR, something not too complicated, something easy to get into.

I found the Canon EOS 550D which is currently about £450 on amazon. What is people's take on this? Is there a better alternative at that price and/or will it take something £1000+ to notice much of a difference from this one?

Any help would be appreciated. Cheers.

If you're going in that price bracket the only alternative is the Nikon D5100. I'd go for the Canon if I were you, though, despite my being a Nikon user. The menu systems and terminology will be more familiar to you as a Canon compact user and it won't seem such a daunting prospect.

[rico]

[rico]

[Wycombe Fox]

[Legend_in_blue]

If you're going in that price bracket the only alternative is the Nikon D5100. I'd go for the Canon if I were you, though, despite my being a Nikon user. The menu systems and terminology will be more familiar to you as a Canon compact user and it won't seem such a daunting prospect.

I'm having a rethink now.

I'm now looking in the £400-£600 price bracket and am considering the CSCs.

The one that is particularly attracing my attention is this...

The Panasonic G3.

From what I have read the quality of these is on a par with the entry level DSLRs and the obvious advantage is it's size and weight. Apart from that it has a really nifty lcd screen which is touchscreen and can rotate through 270. The 14-42mm lens doesn't pull up many trees but a wide variety of decent lenses are available. Maybe not up to a pro's standard but I think it'll do for a step up from the Canon IXUS compact we have.

The alternatives to this are the Olympus PEN series, Sony NEX and the recent Nikon 1. All of these are as pricey as a Canon 550d/600d though.

Thoughts people?

[anotherharboroughfox]

I'm having a rethink now.

I'm now looking in the £400-£600 price bracket and am considering the CSCs.

The one that is particularly attracing my attention is this...

The Panasonic G3.

From what I have read the quality of these is on a par with the entry level DSLRs and the obvious advantage is it's size and weight. Apart from that it has a really nifty lcd screen which is touchscreen and can rotate through 270. The 14-42mm lens doesn't pull up many trees but a wide variety of decent lenses are available. Maybe not up to a pro's standard but I think it'll do for a step up from the Canon IXUS compact we have.

The alternatives to this are the Olympus PEN series, Sony NEX and the recent Nikon 1. All of these are as pricey as a Canon 550d/600d though.

Thoughts people?

I only have one problem with these types of cameras (especially the NEX it's tiny!). That is when you put on your big zoom lens because they are so light, the weight balance is absolutely awful. So I'd bear that in mind if your wanting to do wildlife or anything that requires a big 200-300 ish zoom lens.

Edited 3 January 2012 by anotherharboroughfox

[Rincewind]

I have a Zenith SLR which has the Moscow Olympic symbal on.That is heavy. Not one you can slip in your pocket.

At some point the new phographic galery are going to have organized photography days. If I go along I may take my Zenith and use B/W so I can use the developing workshop they are intending to set up. All are welcome I believe.

[MikeyT]

Took these yesterday at Twycross Zoo. Took loads, but these were my faves. Quality on the monkey/gorilla ones could have been better if they hadn't been taken through the glass.

Oh and Gareth Mcauley was there with his family too. Just saying.

[Trav Le Bleu]

Like the first meerkat one and the gorilla would be fantastic if there wasn't so much light on the left. Shame.

I also like the self-portrait you took in the last photo.