Camera Help

[Kiwi Carguy]

Now I know a few of you here are camera buffs. My Kodak Easyshare V803 has just died with a shattered LCD screen (no idea how it happened). We got it with our Flybuys and used it to take pics of the kids, cakes at work and everything else I need to take photos of. In short I'm glad its naffed as it always took blurry pics even if I wasn't behind the camera.

Now I need a new camera I was thinking of getting a larger traditional style camera and learn to take better shots. However I have no idea on whats whats and if bigger is better (cameras) and whats a good camera and a bad one. I have a measly budget of $500 and looking to buy something off TradeMe. Below is some I've found and have no idea if they're old/new good/bad etc.

Any advice appreciated.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=24...
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=24...
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=24...

These two are a little dearer but I'll keep a watch on them...
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=24...
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=24...

Feel free to post links to other deals..

[Kiwi Carguy]

I had been watching these...
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=24...
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=24...

I probably should've brought this one...
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=24...

[Kiwi Carguy]

Here's what I mostly use it for.

Edited by Kiwi Carguy on Sunday 27th September 07:18

[iwilson]

I'd recommend looking at this review site - Digital Photography review. Unbiased and very knowledgeable. Also covers lens which are the key to good macro photography.



Edit - Some amazing cakes there as well!

Edited by iwilson on Sunday 27th September 08:42

[GravelBen]

I'm firmly in the dSLR camp when it comes to cameras, you're looking at slightly older models for that price but still very capable and (for me anyway) much more enjoyable to use than a regular point&shoot. They still have auto modes so you don't need a comprehensive understanding of photography to use them, but full manual control is always there if you want to play with it. Instant response, no annoying shutter lag etc.

Something like this perhaps:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Electronics-photography/D...

The lens with that one is pretty limited for range (wider angle than most point&shoot cameras at 18mm vs 26+mm) but if you want you can pick up another cheap lens for longer shots, motorsport etc (like this: http://www.trademe.co.nz/Electronics-photography/C... ) and you'll be away laughing. It can be hard to compare directly as they often quote (for example) '10x optical zoom' without saying what SLR focal lengths that zoom range is equivalent to. Most often 10x will be around 28-280mm, for comparison my shots are all between 18-200mm.

If you do prefer to go for a 'prosumer' camera (as they like to call it) rather than an SLR, those you've posted above should all do the job pretty well- most of the Lumix cameras have nice Leica lenses in them which is classified as a good thing and I have good experiences using Fujis as well.

ETA: Also agreed that www.dpreview.com is full of usefulness, especially if you want in-depth reviews of specific cameras.

Edited by GravelBen on Sunday 27th September 12:59

[Kylie]

OMG you are so clever, those cakes are fantastic !!!!

I bought a middle of the range Sony F828 many moons ago for quick point and shoot for my art work. I was also referred to this webby below before I purchased mine. I ended up buying extra lens for close-up work and other for landscape shots. You will find everyone has got their favourites though, so just work off a budget and do loads of reading across all the brands. Consider puchasing a light box or something to minimise shadows. Have fun!

www.dpreview.com

[RobDickinson]

I'll be selling my canon 350D very shortly.

Its 'only' 8mp but thats plenty, checkout by blogsite for pics, www.zarphag.com Its been a great little camera (moving on to a 7D).


I have a few lenses I'm probably going to shift (75-300, 28-80) also but IMo your porbably better off with the nifty fifty (50mmf1.8) for $170 or so too.

[lestag]

NON_SLR
I have always had a soft spot for fuji
http://www.fujifilm.co.nz/products/products.asp?id...
the s2000HD or S1500

and the olymus or panasonic
the dpreview site is what I use to comapre too