Camera advice sought..

usedtobe

 I did a search for 'camera' before jumping right in, and wasting people's time, but there doesn't appear to have been a camera advice thread for a year, or more, so I thought I'd risk it..

Here goes:

Next year, the wife and I are going on a bit of a cruise (Norwegian fjords, Iceland, and back via the Shetlands, I think), and I was wondering about a new camera to get some nice shots, as it'll probably be a once in a lifetime job..

I actually have a Canon G9, which I get the odd really nice shot out of, but not with the degree of consistency, I would like - probably down to me not getting the best out of it, rather than the camera itself. 

I really should put some effort in, and get the best out of what I've got, but I could do with a back up, just in case, and something simple would probably suit me, anyway..

What I think I'd like is something simple to use that takes really good photos. I don't want to be faffing too much, and I'm not into swapping lenses, and all that - so a fixed lens, or something that comes with a good useful lens, in the box, maybe... 

I'm happy to go used, and budget is £200+, but I'd like to stay the right side of £300.. I've had a look around the web, but I seem to be going round in circles..

Any recommendations...?

spark240

I use one of these, though  you might want the next lens up 55-200.

Entry level SLR with good results. 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nikon-D40-6-1-MP-Digital-SLR-Camera-Silver-Kit-w-18-55mm-Lens-/331376301751?pt=UK_CamerasPhoto_DigitalCameras_DigitalCameras_JN&hash=item4d279116b7

TTony

I got one of these a few months back - Fuji HS50

I've got a reasonable DSLR and a simple pocket-sized Ixus, but wanted something "in the middle".  Something a bit more functional and feature-rich than the Ixus, but easier to use than carrying and swapping a range of lenses on the DSLR.

It's been great for the quick, grab a camera, sort of trips.  Used it extensively when we took the dogs away for a beach-based holiday a couple of months ago.  The zoom range is just stupid.  The shutter response and fps is great.  Reasonably clear LCD display (the Ixus is crap in sunlight).  It doesn't seem to have the pure image quality of my Nikon DSLR, but then I didnt' really expect (or need) it to.

Battery life is impressive too - took well over 1,000 (no flash) shots on holiday on the same battery.

stickyfiddle

I have a Canon 650D and an Olympus E-PL1. Both are excellent with their kit lenses. The little Olympus came with me round Iceland a couple of years ago and didn't even mind the waterfalls. Both should be easily under 300 used.

Fazer

usedtobe said:

I actually have a Canon G9, which I get the odd really nice shot out of, but not with the degree of consistency, I would like - probably down to me not getting the best out of it, rather than the camera itself. 

I really should put some effort in, and get the best out of what I've got ...

Any recommendations...?

i think you should practice a bit more with the canon, maybe check out some youtube vids on it, or get some personal advice on getting the best out of it
i dont think that there is a magic camera that automatically makes good pictures

FelineGuitars

If you would use a compact the Sony RX100is killer 

You don't need the mk2 or mk 3 - the original mk1 is brilliant

boogieman

Fazer;420265" said:

usedtobe said:

I actually have a Canon G9, which I get the odd really nice shot out of, but not with the degree of consistency, I would like - probably down to me not getting the best out of it, rather than the camera itself. I really should put some effort in, and get the best out of what I've got ...



Any recommendations...?





i think you should practice a bit more with the canon, maybe check out some youtube vids on it, or get some personal advice on getting the best out of it

i dont think that there is a magic camera that automatically makes good pictures

This ^. The G9 is already a good camera, you just need to practice and learn how to use it.

stickyfiddle

Fazer said:

usedtobe said:

I actually have a Canon G9, which I get the odd really nice shot out of, but not with the degree of consistency, I would like - probably down to me not getting the best out of it, rather than the camera itself. 

I really should put some effort in, and get the best out of what I've got ...

Any recommendations...?

i think you should practice a bit more with the canon, maybe check out some youtube vids on it, or get some personal advice on getting the best out of it
i dont think that there is a magic camera that automatically makes good pictures

There is certainly truth in that (as much as buying camera gear is fun!). 2 hours reading a couple of guides and taking pics at home can help a huge amount.

Good guide here: http://lifehacker.com/5815742/basics-of-photography-the-complete-guide

If you don't wanna get your feet too wet and don't want to do editing either then just parts 1 and 2 are a good start, and 4 is useful.

Rocker

Fazer said:

i think you should practice a bit more with the canon, maybe check out some youtube vids on it, or get some personal advice on getting the best out of it

i dont think that there is a magic camera that automatically makes good pictures

Very true my friend.  The Canon standard lens is OK but no better than OK.  A good lens will transform your photographs.  Check out your local camera club or call into a specialist camera shop.  You can try out different lens on your camera in the shop.

richardhomer

Rocker;420821" said:

Very true my friend.  The Canon standard lens is OK but no better than OK.  A good lens will transform your photographs.  Check out your local camera club or call into a specialist camera shop.  You can try out different lens on your camera in the shop.

I don't think there's a 'magic' lens either.

I started out with a Canon DSLR with a kit lens and now have two 'L Series' lenses.

While I have had some exceptional pictures out of them, 'pilot error' means some are quite disappointing. Stopping them down too far removes much of their sharpness and the amount of light makes a huge difference to the quality of a shot.

It almost seems that to extract the performance they are capable of, you have to up your game as a photographer. A bit like being a guitar player....

strumjoughlamps

richardhomer said:

I don't think there's a 'magic' lens either.

there is its called Pentax DA* 50-135 2.8, my PP reduced 50% when using this lens, the contrast and colours are absolutely spot on.. same goes with the Canon 24-105L, many prefer the 24-70 due to its wider aperture but I was hugely disappointed and went back to the 24-105 as I felt when partnered with the Canon 1Dsmk2 it gave much better results..

anyhoo to OP, sounds like a premium compact is right up your street, check out the Sony RX100, Fuji X20, Canon G16(which is a worthy upgrade from the G15 let alone the G9) and Panasonic LX7.

mirrorless is also a good option and progress has shifted over the past few years, where a few years ago even the most budget of DSLR would beat anything else this has now changed and quite often reviews and tests will show that mirrorless systems image quality outperform the budget end DSLRs nowadays..

it also sounds like you could do with a bit of schooling too, get a copy of Understanding Exposure it will help you no end, also read up about the rule of thirds, a bit of knowledge will go a long way.

G9 should still be very capable, the right light any camera is capable, if you are dead set on getting another camera then that's cool, at one point I had 17 cameras and 25 lenses in the house although I have seriously downsized I now have 2 for work and 3 for play/backups... just don't expect miracle results you still need to put some effort in.

LooseMoose

iPhone 6

boogieman

richardhomer;420948" said:

I don't think there's a 'magic' lens either.

I started out with a Canon DSLR with a kit lens and now have two 'L Series' lenses.

While I have had some exceptional pictures out of them, 'pilot error' means some are quite disappointing. Stopping them down too far removes much of their sharpness and the amount of light makes a huge difference to the quality of a shot.

It almost seems that to extract the performance they are capable of, you have to up your game as a photographer. A bit like being a guitar player....

There's also the old law of diminishing returns scenario. The L lenses are capable of giving superb results. Thing is, to get the very best out of them you really need a full frame body. Camera Gas is worse than guitar gas in a lot of respects.

chillidoggy

May I just point out to the OP that wasting people's time on here is not only expected, but obligatory?

Thanks.

fatherjack

You could look out for some courses to help you get the best out of your current camera.