first SLR advice please.

[scott.s]

Hi all

Ok i have a FinePix S9600 which is ok and seems to take a ok pic (i keep it set to auto all of the time) however i would like to get something better and easy to use.

I do a lot of watersports and winter sports if that helps any.

I would like to spend up to £750 either new or used.

[Steve Evil]

Why do you want to move up to a DSLR?

If it's simply for better pictures, then by leaving it on auto you probably won't notice much in the way of difference from your current camera.

If it's for the shutter speed for action sports then I can understand.

[GetCarter]

scott.s said:

Hi all

Ok i have a FinePix S9600 which is ok and seems to take a ok pic (i keep it set to auto all of the time) however i would like to get something better and easy to use.

I do a lot of watersports and winter sports if that helps any.

I would like to spend up to £750 either new or used.

Stick to Canon or Nikon and you'll be fine

[VxDuncan]

GetCarter said:

scott.s said:

Hi all

Ok i have a FinePix S9600 which is ok and seems to take a ok pic (i keep it set to auto all of the time) however i would like to get something better and easy to use.

I do a lot of watersports and winter sports if that helps any.

I would like to spend up to £750 either new or used.

Stick to Canon or Nikon and you'll be fine

+1000

You might save a bit up front by getting one of the other brands, but the other bits / lenses (esp. second hand) just isn't the same. Don't go the betamax route.

[kit80]

I just got a Nikon D60 which can be anywhere from 300-500, I would save the rest of budget for at the accessories you will want afterwards too. I am finding it great to use, ok for a beginer to point and shoot but all the other options for taking photography seriously.

[andy-xr]

I've never used a FinePix S9600, but looking at the spec of it, you've got a 9mp body that has scene modes together with manual, program, aperture priority and shutter priority. A 28-300mm F2.8-F11 lens and an SLR look about it.

What are the problems you seem to be having with it?

[JustinP1]

After having a finepix myself and getting the 'bug', I saw an ex-demo Canon 400D in PC World for the princely sum of £179.

Two weeks later I am having great fun with the Canon lenses I inherited from my Dad when he died last year.

I have just discovered shooting in RAW and bought Aperture for editing instead of iPhoto. All in all I am getting results night and day better than my Finepix.


My advice to the OP would be not to get too het up on which body to go for. I spent ages deciding the pros and cons but at the lower end they are much of a muchness. In stead, check out the included lens and keep the extra cash for another lens...

... I am already searching ebay for a used 'Bigma'...!

[scott.s]

andy-xr said:

I've never used a FinePix S9600, but looking at the spec of it, you've got a 9mp body that has scene modes together with manual, program, aperture priority and shutter priority. A 28-300mm F2.8-F11 lens and an SLR look about it.

What are the problems you seem to be having with it?

When trying to take action shots the the camera seems to have a slow shutter speed and on multi shot mode it is just to slow. I would also like to take action shots from a distance.
I guess i need two different lenses.

[furtive]

For your budget I would suggest a Nikon D60 kit (about £350) and a 70-300mm VR lens (about £380)

[andy-xr]

scott.s said:

andy-xr said:

I've never used a FinePix S9600, but looking at the spec of it, you've got a 9mp body that has scene modes together with manual, program, aperture priority and shutter priority. A 28-300mm F2.8-F11 lens and an SLR look about it.

What are the problems you seem to be having with it?

When trying to take action shots the the camera seems to have a slow shutter speed and on multi shot mode it is just to slow. I would also like to take action shots from a distance.
I guess i need two different lenses.

Good shout, at least you know what you want! As I say I've never used one, but the shutter priority setting on it might be more of a revelation

If you want to change up anyway (it's your money!)have a look at ebay item 120372575417 and 110346640958

[Established 1984]

andy-xr said:

scott.s said:

andy-xr said:

I've never used a FinePix S9600, but looking at the spec of it, you've got a 9mp body that has scene modes together with manual, program, aperture priority and shutter priority. A 28-300mm F2.8-F11 lens and an SLR look about it.

What are the problems you seem to be having with it?

When trying to take action shots the the camera seems to have a slow shutter speed and on multi shot mode it is just to slow. I would also like to take action shots from a distance.
I guess i need two different lenses.

Good shout, at least you know what you want! As I say I've never used one, but the shutter priority setting on it might be more of a revelation

If you want to change up anyway (it's your money!)have a look at ebay item 120372575417 and 110346640958

Scott by 'slow shutter speed' do you mean the time between pushing the button and picture being taken? aka Shutter lag. If so Andy's suggestion of using the shutter priority setting won't help.

In October I spent about your budget on a 450d twin lens bundle and a few extra bits of kit and love it. I'll shot 3.5 frames a second which should be enough for your requirements.

Some sales people might try to up sell you to a 40d because of it's faster max frame rate (9 fps?), resist and put your money towards better glass instead.

Edited by Established 1984 on Tuesday 3rd February 17:45

[scott.s]

OK thanks for the help, i think the Nikon D80 or Canon 450d are looking good at the moment.

are these a safe bet and what should i look for as to lenses?

Edited by scott.s on Tuesday 3rd February 20:05

[furtive]

If you are looking at a 2nd hand D80, it will more than likely come with the 18-55mm kit lens. If you find a body only it's worth buying the new VR version.

Then I would get a 70-300VR for a zoom

And if you've got any money left, a 50mm f/1.8

[Rob13]

Im also considering upgrading. Currently using a Panasonic FZ7 which has been great to learn the basics of exposure, ISO, DOF, Aperture, Shutter etc but think I will get better results with a DSLR. I took a couple of photos of someone with one and found the difference in being able to see the shot through the viewfinder night and day as opposed to using a digi viewfinder or an LCD screen.

[Rob13]

Just something else I thought would make a big difference - noise at higher ISO. I experience quite a lot of noise above 400 so much so that I cant really use it. Having the ability to shoot faster indoors without flash would make things a lot better.

[Beyond Rational]

The S9500 I had was slow to focus, 1.5fps and had awful noise, but it was fully manual (focus as well), had a great macro setting (minimum distance 1cm) and a good way to learn how to get the most out of what you have got. I doubt that you will find an SLR easier to use.

[scott.s]

A big thank you to all those in the know as i've just brought a used D80 with 2 lenses.

NIKON D80+BATTERY+CHARGER+MANUAL USER+CABLE+NACK STRAP+

BOX+

NIKON AF 28-80mmF 3.3/

NO DUST NO MARKS NO FUNGUS NO SCRATCHES ON GLASS

PERFECT WORKING ORDER+

NIKON AF70-300mm F4.5 LENS VERY GOOD CONDITION

NO DUST NO MARKS NO FUNGUS NO SCRATCHES ON GLASS

PERFECT WORKING ORDER+BOTH CAP

ALL ITEM PERFECT WORKING ORDER


I will boldly go into a new world of not using the "auto" setting.

[Established 1984]

Sound perfect for your needs

scott.s said:

I will boldly go into a new world of not using the "auto" setting.

With Canon there is a "P" setting, which is kind of half way between auto and timer/aperture priority modes. It has helped me learn the camera controls before moving in to the creative modes. You're Nikon might have a similar setting. One day, maybe, I'll move to full manual.

[flat-planedCrank]

Congrats on the new kit

Established 1984 said:

With Canon there is a "P" setting, which is kind of half way between auto and timer/aperture priority modes. It has helped me learn the camera controls before moving in to the creative modes. You're Nikon might have a similar setting. One day, maybe, I'll move to full manual.

The D80 has a similar system - helpfully also labelled "P"

'Exposure Mode Dial' section:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond80/page6.asp


Cheers.

Edited by flat-planedCrank on Wednesday 4th February 23:25

[L4MBOLUV3R]

scott.s said:

Hi all

Ok i have a FinePix S9600 which is ok and seems to take a ok pic (i keep it set to auto all of the time) however i would like to get something better and easy to use.

I do a lot of watersports and winter sports if that helps any.

I would like to spend up to £750 either new or used.

what I HATE about the camera is its dual screens. its so impossible to tell if you are in or out of focus. i wish i could just have an actual slr bit in the camera. that's the main reason why i want to upgrade from it. im looking at the Nikon d90 or d80