Question for photography buffs

[Gamedawn]

BTW don't get caught in the mega pixel trap - high mega pixel = high image files not high quality - again - lens and sensor make the quality.

I also own a canon G9 compact - (for out and about without lugging my expensive gear about) virtually a compact DSLR - very good compact - but expensive - now superseded by the G10.

I've got a G9 as well but it's nowhere near as good as my dslr's (a Sony a700 and a Minolta Dynax 7D) (apologies to all you Canon fans but I've been using Minolta for 40 years and ain't about to change). The main problem with something like the G9 is speed of response (or lack of it). I do agree about the pixel trap though and Canon's G range proves the argument - they've gone from 12Mp in the G9, through 15Mp in the G10 and back to 10Mp in the G11. I would also agree about lenses. Most modern slr bodies are so clever they'll take the picture for you but if you've got a cheap lens it'll still be a bad one.

The second hand point made earlier is also a good one. I've only bought one camera new (my latest dslr body) and all the lenses I'm currently using were bought second hand (only way I could afford f2.8 zooms!)

[blackpoolsparks]

As I know nothing about lenses or photography in general, what lenses or set of lenses are best to begin with.
He intends to primarily take pictures of moving objects.
His mates doing tricks on their BMXs

[yoshie]

As I know nothing about lenses or photography in general, what lenses or set of lenses are best to begin with.
He intends to primarily take pictures of moving objects.
His mates doing tricks on their BMXs

Ha I knew it, like his dad, girls running away

[blackpoolsparks]

Ha I knew it, like his dad, girls running away

drive-by shootings

[jaky cakes]

I would recommend - for starters - a decent general purpose zoom lens.
something like the Sigma 18-200mm DC or similar and possibly a prime lens around 50mm for getting some great crisp portrait pictures.

with lenses, they will be named by a measurement in mm. A prime lens ( ie not zoom-able will have a single number ie 50mm and will be followed by a "f" number - say f1.8
a zoom lens will have two numbers written as 18-200mm followed by a "f" number of say f4-5.6

these numbers in mm tell us how much range of zoom they have or how much magnification they have, referred to as the focal length. A low number of say 28mm would be called a wide angle lens - as it would capture quite a wide angle vision - good for landscape photo's etc. A high number say 200mm would be classed as a long lens and would be good for capturing a close up image from far away - good for nature photography, and those private investigators who don't want to get too close to the action for fear of disturbing their subject, or sports photography from the side line of a footy pitch

the "f" number tell us how bright or fast the lens is or in other words how much light it will let in or how big an aperture it will allow. The lower the number - the faster or brighter the lens is and will allow more light into the camera.

prime lenses often have a low f number - which means they will allow a lot if light in. Zoom lenses often have more pieces of glass or elements inside which generally makes light harder to travel through so in general will have a higher f number. There are some zooms with low f numbers - but these will be very expensive to buy - generally for pro sports and wildlife photographers.


I would suggest buying a book on DSLR photography just to get your head around the basic of light and how a camera capture the right amount of light to produce a correctly exposed image.
or have a quick read of this.......
http://www.tutorial9.net/photography...graphy-basics/

[blackpoolsparks]

wow!
thanks for that, lots of info.

The reason I asked was that I was thinking of buying a body only and a separate lens.
I will now buy the bundle (including a lens) and also buy a book.
That way I, ahem, he can understand the basics before we carry on any further.
Thanks for all your help and I'll keep you posted after Christmas and no doubt ask a few more questions.
Thanks for your time, much appreciated.

[jaky cakes]

no problem Gordon, you're welcome.

[Albannach]

[quote=jaky cakes;604046]

The 100,000 shutter operation life expectancy is a new one on me, I'd like to see that documented somewhere.



EDIT: QUOTE]

http://photocamel.com/forum/canon-fo...xpectancy.html

Yes, I saw that and amended my post 2 hours before you posted the link.

[blackpoolsparks]

One more question.

Ive found the Canon EOS Rebel XS / 1000D camera including a 18-55 mm lens for sale on e-bay.
The camera is a Cannon recon unit with a 3 month warranty,and there seems to be a question whether its a UK or US warranty.
There doesn't appear to be any UK sellers on e-bay selling new units with the 12 month UK warranty.


http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...t_16516wt_1165

I've also found the same package at Jessops selling for around £100 more. I would assume that it carries the full 12 month UK warranty.

Should I pay the extra £££ to purchase it from a highstreet retailer vs. the cheaper e-bay shop?
and
Is there another retailer I should be looking at?

ok 2 questions.

[Albannach]

Buy any DSLR magazine and you'll find dozens of them in the classifieds.

One thing to bear in mind, there is no memory card supplied with new Canon DSLRs.

[Gamedawn]

One more question.

Ive found the Canon EOS Rebel XS / 1000D camera including a 18-55 mm lens for sale on e-bay.
The camera is a Cannon recon unit with a 3 month warranty,and there seems to be a question whether its a UK or US warranty.
There doesn't appear to be any UK sellers on e-bay selling new units with the 12 month UK warranty.


http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...t_16516wt_1165

I've also found the same package at Jessops selling for around £100 more. I would assume that it carries the full 12 month UK warranty.

Should I pay the extra £££ to purchase it from a highstreet retailer vs. the cheaper e-bay shop?
and
Is there another retailer I should be looking at?

ok 2 questions.

I bought my G9 from Canon's ebay shop http://stores.shop.ebay.co.uk/Canon-...__W0QQ_armrsZ1 and all the stuff they sell has a 12 month UK warranty. I think they are based in Wellingborough. a few miles down the road from me.

[adpsimpson]

One more question.

Ive found the Canon EOS Rebel XS / 1000D camera including a 18-55 mm lens for sale on e-bay.
The camera is a Cannon recon unit with a 3 month warranty,and there seems to be a question whether its a UK or US warranty.
There doesn't appear to be any UK sellers on e-bay selling new units with the 12 month UK warranty.


http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...t_16516wt_1165

I've also found the same package at Jessops selling for around £100 more. I would assume that it carries the full 12 month UK warranty.

Should I pay the extra £££ to purchase it from a highstreet retailer vs. the cheaper e-bay shop?
and
Is there another retailer I should be looking at?

ok 2 questions.

'Rebel', 'XS' and all that jazz is the American branding, so that will almost certainly have the US warranty not the UK one.

The US seems to prefer racy names to get the pulse going, like "rebel" with exotic letters like X, Z, S and R after them, which generally means you have no idea where in the range the particular camera you're looking at fits. The UK branding (and I presume most of the rest of the world) simply gives them a number. Much more sensible. Much more British.

[jaky cakes]

I've bought loads of gear - bodies - lenses through an online (UK -Norwich) company called warehouse express (www.warehouseexpress.com) - loads cheaper than high street stores and full UK warrenty.

1000d + 18-55 lens £379

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-...s-kit/p1030429