Help needed - Complete photography novice!

[GazM]

Hi guys, never read this section before today but i've decided i need a decent camera so i've had a quick read through some of the sticky's and other posts.

I've always been interested in photography but always bought (very) compacts. I have a casio exilim at the moment which i bought as its easy to carry about. I'm getting fed up with going to concerts and getting crap photo's and also im going on holiday to the caribbean in January so would like to take some quiality photo's. Earlier this year I bought a cheap Panasonic Lunix which turned out to be crap tbh.

I don't think i want to spend as much as a slr but maybe a high end larger compact with a larger zoom (maybe 12x) and a decent lens width.

I don't have a clue what im mooking for or the best place to look so any help will be great.

Thanks alot guys!

 

[White16valver]

Sounds to me like you want a bridge camera!

 

[GazM]

thanks for the reply bt i dont know what one of them is

Please explain

 

[White16valver]

Bridge camera = looks like a DSLR, has most of the features of a DSLR, but has a lens you can't change.

Fuji 6500fd is mine and I <3 it, but they're discontinued now

 

[GazM]

ah right ok thanks alot. Any particular makes/models that spring to mind?

 

[Ian]

Don't really know much about what's available at the moment, but from what I've overheard the Fuji 'S' range are decent, as are the Canon 'G' (I think..?) range and the Panasonic Lumix type jobbies. They can get pretty expensive though. I had a Fuji S5700 for a year, good camera for what it was, can pick a newer model up for anywhere between £100 and £200 I believe.

 

[Alex H]

I was actually thinking of selling my Fuji S5700, in great condition, with everthing it came with new.

Have a look online, see what you think about them and post any questions in here.

Have a look at the bottom end of my flickr for some samples, the last three pages, or:

 

[GazM]

thanks for the help guys.

That fuji s5700 really suprised me, i though the pics wouldn't be very goo but they are! Im looking for something with at least a 12x zoom i think though. I might try and find a later model as that seems really good for the price!

 

[GazM]

i went on Jessops website and it was pretty helpful. The Lumix DMC-TZ7 and the Fuji s2000HD and s1500 look pretty good to me, seems to be what im looking for anyway.

Any other ideas, looking up to £250 ideally

 

[GazM]

Very interested in the Samsung WB550 as its very similar to the Lumix but its availiable for less!

 

[TheEvilGiraffe]

Can highly recommend the Fuji S5700 bridge. Had one for a year before I decided I should get a real SLR !

Some photos I took with it:

 

[Alex H]

Mine's on ebay - http://www.cliosport.net/forum/showthread.php?t=450332

 

[Justin]

For that sort of money. Try and get an SLR. You'll only wish you did once you fancy a new lense etc.

I'm sure you could pick up a D40 for that sort of money.

 

[JJ!]

Panasonic FZ28

 

[GazM]

For that sort of money. Try and get an SLR. You'll only wish you did once you fancy a new lense etc.

I'm sure you could pick up a D40 for that sort of money.

I would try an SLR but i'm worried i wouldn't have a clue how to get the best out of it and how to use the different lenses :S

Panasonic FZ28

That looks good, do you have one??

 

[GazM]

Panasonic FZ28

Very tempted in getting this one, plus i can get it from Dixon's Tax free for £234

 

[Justin]

Gaz you can always learn as you go along. I'm far from an expert, but would rather have a camera which was better than my skills, compared to me being too good for the camera

 

[GazM]

I see what your saying Justin but on the other hand i cannot justify spending that much on a new DSLR and i don't really want a used one. If i like the bridge and want something better in the future i will no doubt upgrade

 

[Justin]

Yeah fair enough!

 

[TheEvilGiraffe]

I've just looked at the prices of the fuji s5700 on amazon-uk. good lord... I bought mine for about £90 and sold it for 60 a year later to a friend.

I think I should have kept it and ebay'd it .. £200 !!!? :dead:

 

[GazM]

As if amazon are charging that, there around £100 - £110 most other places!

 

[Ian]

They weren't that much new! I paid £190 for one in summer 2007 with a case and memory card. When I sold it in January this year they were going for £90 new and I let it go for £60!