decent camera upto £400

iceman · 04-07-2010, 00:50

i have been looking at the lumix fz38 but apparently every july a newer model comes out so waiting but i'm desperatly looking for one in the meantime, i dont mind if it's a DSLR model because i have been using a average fuji bridge camera to learn alot and i'm ready to step up.

£400 ish

any advice be appreciated.

iceman · 09-07-2010, 01:59

i'm still looking for a decent camera any advice please.

macabethiel · 09-07-2010, 07:41

I bought a Nikon EOS 40D about 18 months ago a Digital SLR to replace my old film unit of the same make I am delighted with it.

I tried reading up in What Camera and came to the conclusion that like a computer the best time to buy is yesterday or tomorrow.

Depending what magazine you buy they all seem to have different views including user reviews.

I would buy the one you fancy the look of as long as its not a lemon according to the testers.

You often get better value if you buy a model thats discontinued and discounted accordingly. I would avoid e-bay or buying from China or America due to warranty issues.

I bought mine from Dixons website and was well chuffed as there was a promotional interest free credit deal on offer - this was not widely offered in the store plus a manufactures cash back deal !

The camera pack deals for lenzes deals is usually good value.

macabethiel · 09-07-2010, 08:52

Sorry its a Cannon not Nikon anyways it will be obsolete now !

iceman · 09-07-2010, 15:54

thankyou for your info, i have been upgrading gradually from a basic compact camera to a Kodak EasyShare Z7590 10x optical Zoom then onto my last camera a FujifilmFinePix S8000fd, im very interested in the PANASONIC LUMIX FZ38 but i read that every year around july they bring a newer model so i'm unsure what todo.

i would love to crossover to a DSLR but it's hard to know whats best, with the PANASONIC LUMIX FZ38 it has a fantastic 18x zoom which works great according to cameralabs review, so if i go for a DSLR i would like it at least 18x zoom, so what size lens would i need to look for if i get a DSLR.

i'm back to a fuji A800 atm as i sold all the above to help with funds for a upgrade.

what i might consider is getting the Item picture PANASONIC LUMIX DMC-ZS3 as a camera to carry on a daily basis in my pocket and maybe a good DSLR for serious photograpy.

i'm going to goto a local photography class in September as i want to take photography onto next level as a serious hobby.

much appreciated.

Loz · 09-07-2010, 20:24

I love my Ricoh Caplio GX100, it has the control of an SLR in a small package, I've done timelapse with it & all sorts. It's getting a bit long in the tooth now & it's been superseded by the GX200 but when I come to upgrade I think I may go to a GR digital III or even a GXR if I could afford it!

AndyW · 09-07-2010, 20:33

I'd recommend having a look at the Pentax range of DSLR's, you should just be able to get a k-x with lens for your budget. I've had lots of Pentax SLR's both film & digital and never had a problem. A big advantage with them is virtually all the old lenses (widely available & cheap!) work on latest DSLR's.

iceman · 09-07-2010, 21:26

looked at the reviews and they are nice camera's bit out of my price range.

andyw i have a look at the Pentax range now.

briggie · 09-07-2010, 21:31

http://catalog.ebay.co.uk/Sony-Alpha...=p3286.c0.m271

iceman · 09-07-2010, 22:07

just convince myself on a pentax kx model the briggie puts a spanner into the works lol.

AndyW where is the cheapest place to get one, could you tell me what lens size is equivalent(confused in the mm sizes) to about 20+ optical zoom you would get on a compact camera.

i live right next to lough erne and so i need to zoom, also i need a good camera to get me to take pictures of my sons playing rugby when they are the far side of the pitch.

btw some irish members are here i like to say as a proud daddy my youngest cub is in the UU19 squad and was also scouted by irish selectors,

iceman · 10-07-2010, 03:09

ok please can anyone tell me is there a cheaper one then this price which has a second lens as well.

PENTAX K-x Digital SLR Camera + 18-55mm Zoom Lens & 50-200mm Zoom Lens £449.99

macabethiel · 10-07-2010, 08:39

My brother has the Cannon Powershot and he does a lot of fancy pictures on it, seems as good as a DSLR but nice & compact. Not that expensive either plenty of pixels etc

briggie · 10-07-2010, 08:42

just spoke to my son in law on the phone , hes very heavily into photography .. he highly reccomends the nikon d50 or d90

macabethiel · 10-07-2010, 08:52

Not exactly a camera you can carry in your manbag or pocket though is it ?

iceman · 10-07-2010, 20:44

after alot of reading reviews on mentioned cameras here and after seeing a youtube vids i went with the "PENTAX - K-x Digital SLR Camera + 18-55mm Zoom Lens & 50-200mm Zoom Lens" i managed to get it with a voucher code for £ 427.49.

thx for the input here.

04-07-2010, 00:50	#1
iceman Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: northern ireland Vehicle: nissan terrano 2.7 tdi Posts: 218	decent camera upto £400 i have been looking at the lumix fz38 but apparently every july a newer model comes out so waiting but i'm desperatly looking for one in the meantime, i dont mind if it's a DSLR model because i have been using a average fuji bridge camera to learn alot and i'm ready to step up. £400 ish any advice be appreciated.

09-07-2010, 07:41	#3
macabethiel Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Derby Vehicle: Freelander & Jeep GC 3.0 Posts: 4,416	which SLR I bought a Nikon EOS 40D about 18 months ago a Digital SLR to replace my old film unit of the same make I am delighted with it. I tried reading up in What Camera and came to the conclusion that like a computer the best time to buy is yesterday or tomorrow. Depending what magazine you buy they all seem to have different views including user reviews. I would buy the one you fancy the look of as long as its not a lemon according to the testers. You often get better value if you buy a model thats discontinued and discounted accordingly. I would avoid e-bay or buying from China or America due to warranty issues. I bought mine from Dixons website and was well chuffed as there was a promotional interest free credit deal on offer - this was not widely offered in the store plus a manufactures cash back deal ! The camera pack deals for lenzes deals is usually good value.

10-07-2010, 08:52	#14
macabethiel Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Derby Vehicle: Freelander & Jeep GC 3.0 Posts: 4,416	Nikkon D50 Not exactly a camera you can carry in your manbag or pocket though is it ?

09-07-2010, 01:59	#2
iceman Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: northern ireland Vehicle: nissan terrano 2.7 tdi Posts: 218	i'm still looking for a decent camera any advice please.

09-07-2010, 08:52	#4
macabethiel Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Derby Vehicle: Freelander & Jeep GC 3.0 Posts: 4,416	Sorry its a Cannon not Nikon anyways it will be obsolete now !

09-07-2010, 15:54	#5
iceman Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: northern ireland Vehicle: nissan terrano 2.7 tdi Posts: 218	thankyou for your info, i have been upgrading gradually from a basic compact camera to a Kodak EasyShare Z7590 10x optical Zoom then onto my last camera a FujifilmFinePix S8000fd, im very interested in the PANASONIC LUMIX FZ38 but i read that every year around july they bring a newer model so i'm unsure what todo. i would love to crossover to a DSLR but it's hard to know whats best, with the PANASONIC LUMIX FZ38 it has a fantastic 18x zoom which works great according to cameralabs review, so if i go for a DSLR i would like it at least 18x zoom, so what size lens would i need to look for if i get a DSLR. i'm back to a fuji A800 atm as i sold all the above to help with funds for a upgrade. what i might consider is getting the Item picture PANASONIC LUMIX DMC-ZS3 as a camera to carry on a daily basis in my pocket and maybe a good DSLR for serious photograpy. i'm going to goto a local photography class in September as i want to take photography onto next level as a serious hobby. much appreciated.

09-07-2010, 20:24	#6
Loz Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Wolverhampton, UK. Vehicle: Still saving... Posts: 188	I love my Ricoh Caplio GX100, it has the control of an SLR in a small package, I've done timelapse with it & all sorts. It's getting a bit long in the tooth now & it's been superseded by the GX200 but when I come to upgrade I think I may go to a GR digital III or even a GXR if I could afford it!

09-07-2010, 20:33	#7
AndyW Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Yorkshire Vehicle: 2000 Terrano 2.7 SE+ 5dr Posts: 6	I'd recommend having a look at the Pentax range of DSLR's, you should just be able to get a k-x with lens for your budget. I've had lots of Pentax SLR's both film & digital and never had a problem. A big advantage with them is virtually all the old lenses (widely available & cheap!) work on latest DSLR's.

09-07-2010, 21:26	#8
iceman Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: northern ireland Vehicle: nissan terrano 2.7 tdi Posts: 218	looked at the reviews and they are nice camera's bit out of my price range. andyw i have a look at the Pentax range now.

09-07-2010, 21:31	#9
briggie Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: peoples democratic republic of west yorkshire Vehicle: " alice " Posts: 10,473	http://catalog.ebay.co.uk/Sony-Alpha...=p3286.c0.m271

09-07-2010, 22:07	#10
iceman Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: northern ireland Vehicle: nissan terrano 2.7 tdi Posts: 218	just convince myself on a pentax kx model the briggie puts a spanner into the works lol. AndyW where is the cheapest place to get one, could you tell me what lens size is equivalent(confused in the mm sizes) to about 20+ optical zoom you would get on a compact camera. i live right next to lough erne and so i need to zoom, also i need a good camera to get me to take pictures of my sons playing rugby when they are the far side of the pitch. btw some irish members are here i like to say as a proud daddy my youngest cub is in the UU19 squad and was also scouted by irish selectors,

10-07-2010, 03:09	#11
iceman Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: northern ireland Vehicle: nissan terrano 2.7 tdi Posts: 218	ok please can anyone tell me is there a cheaper one then this price which has a second lens as well. PENTAX K-x Digital SLR Camera + 18-55mm Zoom Lens & 50-200mm Zoom Lens £449.99

10-07-2010, 08:39	#12
macabethiel Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Derby Vehicle: Freelander & Jeep GC 3.0 Posts: 4,416	My brother has the Cannon Powershot and he does a lot of fancy pictures on it, seems as good as a DSLR but nice & compact. Not that expensive either plenty of pixels etc

10-07-2010, 08:42	#13
briggie Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: peoples democratic republic of west yorkshire Vehicle: " alice " Posts: 10,473	just spoke to my son in law on the phone , hes very heavily into photography .. he highly reccomends the nikon d50 or d90

10-07-2010, 20:44	#15
iceman Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: northern ireland Vehicle: nissan terrano 2.7 tdi Posts: 218	after alot of reading reviews on mentioned cameras here and after seeing a youtube vids i went with the "PENTAX - K-x Digital SLR Camera + 18-55mm Zoom Lens & 50-200mm Zoom Lens" i managed to get it with a voucher code for £ 427.49. thx for the input here.