Amateur seeking advice

Hi there, This might be the wrong group but it seems like a very good
place to start. I'm a relative beginner planning to buy an SLR camera
in the next few weeks as I'm going to Canada in September - some of the
most beautiful scenery on the planet. I'd like some advice about the
best camera for someone who hasn't handled an SLR in almost 20 years
and wants to go digital (of course). So any info would be gratefully
received about cameras suitable for someone nervous at the prospect but
keen to give it a go. Thanks alot.

If you are not familiar with dSLRs and image processing, and do not want to
learn these skills, I would strongly recommend you do not buy a digital SLR.
They are heavy, complex and when used in auto/jpeg mode will yield images of
no better quality than lighter, easier to use all in one cameras.
I strongly recommend you consider one of the new crop of image stabilized
long zoom cameras like the Canon S3. Similarly featured cameras are
available from other manufacturers.
It is also a good idea to be completely familiar with a new camera before
you go off on an extended trip.

Fran wrote:
Hi there, This might be the wrong group but it seems like a very good
place to start. I'm a relative beginner planning to buy an SLR camera
in the next few weeks as I'm going to Canada in September - some of
the most beautiful scenery on the planet. I'd like some advice about
the best camera for someone who hasn't handled an SLR in almost 20
years and wants to go digital (of course). So any info would be
gratefully received about cameras suitable for someone nervous at the
prospect but keen to give it a go. Thanks alot.

I would make a comment similar to bmoag.

Digital SLRs are very nice cameras and can do a few things that can't be
done with the non-SLRs but they are more complex to use and generally larger
and heavier.

The most recent non-SLR digital cameras are very nice and have most of
the most desirable features of the other cameras.

OK let's assume you do want an SLR, which BTW I chose myself. There are
a number of very good ones on the market today. I would not recommend the
very top end (professional models) as they are not likely to provide you
with any additional usefulness. I would suggest the Canon Rebel or the
Nikon equivalent. There are other good models out there, but I just don't
know enough about them to make a recommendation.

If you chose a non-SLR then I don't have a specific recommendation as
there are many many choices out there. I do suggest that you will want one
the better models. I would look for one with minimal shutter delay. The
minimal shutter delay will only be available on the latest models. That old
delay from the time you press the button until it actually records the image
can seem very long when you are trying to photograph something with action.

There really are many many great choices.

You can find a lot of detailed comparative information from
http://www.dpreview.com/

When looking at the specs, I suggest that most users will be happier
with a camera with more wide angle and less telephoto.

One last suggestion. Before you make your final decision, get one in
your hands. See how it feels when you go through all the motions of taking
photographs. Check changing settings, flash, zoom etc. While the reviewer
may have loved the camera, if he had very large hands and long fingers and
you have smaller hands, you may find it very clumsy.

Good Luck

--
Joseph Meehan

Dia duit

Joseph Meehan wrote:
Fran wrote:
Hi there, This might be the wrong group but it seems like a very good
place to start. I'm a relative beginner planning to buy an SLR camera
in the next few weeks as I'm going to Canada in September - some of
the most beautiful scenery on the planet. I'd like some advice about
the best camera for someone who hasn't handled an SLR in almost 20
years and wants to go digital (of course). So any info would be
gratefully received about cameras suitable for someone nervous at the
prospect but keen to give it a go. Thanks alot.

I would make a comment similar to bmoag.

Digital SLRs are very nice cameras and can do a few things that can't be
done with the non-SLRs but they are more complex to use and generally larger
and heavier.

The most recent non-SLR digital cameras are very nice and have most of
the most desirable features of the other cameras.

OK let's assume you do want an SLR, which BTW I chose myself. There are
a number of very good ones on the market today. I would not recommend the
very top end (professional models) as they are not likely to provide you
with any additional usefulness. I would suggest the Canon Rebel or the
Nikon equivalent. There are other good models out there, but I just don't
know enough about them to make a recommendation.

If you chose a non-SLR then I don't have a specific recommendation as
there are many many choices out there. I do suggest that you will want one
the better models. I would look for one with minimal shutter delay. The
minimal shutter delay will only be available on the latest models. That old
delay from the time you press the button until it actually records the image
can seem very long when you are trying to photograph something with action.

There really are many many great choices.

You can find a lot of detailed comparative information from
http://www.dpreview.com/

When looking at the specs, I suggest that most users will be happier
with a camera with more wide angle and less telephoto.

One last suggestion. Before you make your final decision, get one in
your hands. See how it feels when you go through all the motions of taking
photographs. Check changing settings, flash, zoom etc. While the reviewer
may have loved the camera, if he had very large hands and long fingers and
you have smaller hands, you may find it very clumsy.

Good Luck

--
Joseph Meehan

Dia duit


Thanks everyone, I appreciate your advice very much. I was finding all
the models/options quite overwhelming and only have limited time in
which to purchase and familiarise myself with a new camera before I
depart mid September for BC from Sydney, Australia.

Kind regards
Fran

Fran wrote:

Thanks everyone, I appreciate your advice very much. I was finding all
the models/options quite overwhelming and only have limited time in
which to purchase and familiarise myself with a new camera before I
depart mid September for BC from Sydney, Australia.

Fran, take a good look at the new Sony A100, or perhaps even the Sony
R-1 EVF camera. The EVF type camera lets you see exactly what you are
getting for exposure and color before you pull the trigger. The Alpha
100 is a DSLR that is light weight and relatively inexpensive, and comes
with a good kit lens. The camera is lightning fast and the autofocus is
top-notch - extremely sharp pix every time. Also has Super Steady Shot,
built into the body rather than the lens.

Both cameras are 10 megapixels and give fab results.

Gary Eickmeier

Fran wrote:
Hi there, This might be the wrong group but it seems like a very good
place to start. I'm a relative beginner planning to buy an SLR camera
in the next few weeks as I'm going to Canada in September - some of the
most beautiful scenery on the planet. I'd like some advice about the
best camera for someone who hasn't handled an SLR in almost 20 years
and wants to go digital (of course). So any info would be gratefully
received about cameras suitable for someone nervous at the prospect but
keen to give it a go. Thanks alot.


I won't recommend a specific brand. I have not tried them all, so in no
position to do so.

Instead, I will talk about getting a DSLR to get back into the hobby.
If you had an SLR 20 years ago, I don't think the DSLR is too much for
you. Most of the film SLRs we have are twenty plus years old. So my
wife just recently did the switch to digital. The big thing in the DSLR
is the myriad options you can select. But then, this is true in the
better digital point&shoot cams, so no difference there. The
recommendations below come from watching my wife adapt.

One can select manual everything, and here the DSLR is better because
it is much easier to focus. Did you use a seperate light meter in the
old days? If so, you will adapt to manual focus AND exposure easily.
If you do NOT want to use seperate light meter, start by selecting
aperture or shutter priority metering, whichever your old SLR used.
Use that until you get comfortable with the programmed exposure.

I agree, that a DSLR is not too much to handle, especially if you have
used even a film SLR in the past. The options are amazing, and learning
while actually shooting is the best way-plus with the digital you know
immediately if you have to shoot again, using another setting. I just
switched to digital this year-and will never go back to film! Have
fun...enjoy the whole process of learning the new stuff is what I say!!
Be well.

wrote:
Fran wrote:
Hi there, This might be the wrong group but it seems like a very good
place to start. I'm a relative beginner planning to buy an SLR camera
in the next few weeks as I'm going to Canada in September - some of the
most beautiful scenery on the planet. I'd like some advice about the
best camera for someone who hasn't handled an SLR in almost 20 years
and wants to go digital (of course). So any info would be gratefully
received about cameras suitable for someone nervous at the prospect but
keen to give it a go. Thanks alot.


I won't recommend a specific brand. I have not tried them all, so in no
position to do so.

Instead, I will talk about getting a DSLR to get back into the hobby.
If you had an SLR 20 years ago, I don't think the DSLR is too much for
you. Most of the film SLRs we have are twenty plus years old. So my
wife just recently did the switch to digital. The big thing in the DSLR
is the myriad options you can select. But then, this is true in the
better digital point&shoot cams, so no difference there. The
recommendations below come from watching my wife adapt.

One can select manual everything, and here the DSLR is better because
it is much easier to focus. Did you use a seperate light meter in the
old days? If so, you will adapt to manual focus AND exposure easily.
If you do NOT want to use seperate light meter, start by selecting
aperture or shutter priority metering, whichever your old SLR used.
Use that until you get comfortable with the programmed exposure.

"Fran" wrote in message
ups.com...
Hi there, This might be the wrong group but it seems like a very good
place to start. I'm a relative beginner planning to buy an SLR camera
in the next few weeks as I'm going to Canada in September - some of the
most beautiful scenery on the planet. I'd like some advice about the
best camera for someone who hasn't handled an SLR in almost 20 years
and wants to go digital (of course). So any info would be gratefully
received about cameras suitable for someone nervous at the prospect but
keen to give it a go. Thanks alot.


Hi.

I would agree with J. Meehan.

Either the Canon Rebel or the Nikon D70 or 50. They are both very competent
cameras, but both feel quite different in the hand. Do not be influenced by
the difference in sensor size, the 2Mb difference is negligable.

I would also suggest you go for the better of the Kit lenses, the 17 to 70
Zooms, rather than the 17 to 55. The shorter ones are a bit on the
plasticky side, and while the Canon is a good lens, the Nikon is less so.
The other 2 Kit lenses are both much better quality as well as having a
longer range..

Roy G