In the market for a camera

[HooT]

Hi chaps.

I'd like to get a camera for when my kiddy arrives in November.

Preferably one that has a good quality film recording function too - Can't afford both unfortunately.

Price range of around £400.

[burundi]

I can't fault my Canon Powershot s95, the hd video recording is superb and the functionality and battery life are excellent, I bought an energizer battery for mine from 7dayshop for about £7 delivered and it lasts a little bit longer than the canon supplied battery. I also got a 16GB SDHC class 10 card and a case for it all for about £250 I think.

[burundi]

This is the thread: http://www.trickery.net/vb/showthread.php?t=59481

[[RaG]Ethel]

If you want the next step up the quality ladder take a look at the micro four thirds offerings or Sony Nex. I just picked up a GF1 for £100 s/h (and add £70 for the kit lens) and the video is pretty darn good on it although it's 720p max. Newer ones take 1080p. The depth of field is very cinematic, but I'm using it with manual focus classic lenses which makes it a bit trickier (but more fun !)

[Orange]

Yeah, I love my GF2 and I can't imagine it's much different from a GF1. I just bought a fish-eye conversion lens which is quite nice (but not much use for a little 'un).

[milou]

£359 after cashback: http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-p...-lens/p1525595 and the ability to add extra lenses or use Canon etc (with converter).

Excellent copy: http://www.mpbphotographic.co.uk/use...mm-lens-kit-1/.

[[RaG]Ethel]

or even use proper lenses too with a converter

[[RaG]Ethel]

in all seriousness though...

With any adapter and M4/3 or NEX you have to shoot manual focus. If you're going to do that then save your money and don't buy nikon or canon lenses ... they will be v. expensive (although good) and you lose all the fancy AF ability.


For mine I've got the following...

Optomax 28mm f2.8
Optomax 35mm f2.8
Pentacon 50mm f1.8
Chinon 55mm f1.7
Helios-44 58mm f2
Optomax 135mm f2.8
Hoya 135mm f2.8
Hanimex 200mm f3.5
Soligor 200mm f3.5

Those lot set me back about £80 in total. The quality of the Chinon 55mm is unreal ! And the bokeh on the helios-44 just makes me wear waterproof trousers when I venture out.

I'll be flogging a few of those shortly and maybe getting some Pentax super takumar or carl zeiss lenses instead.

I'll post some sample pics later on when I get in tonight, show you what's possible on a reasonable budget.

[milou]

The trouble with cheap(er) converters is that there's often no ability to change the aperture which does tend to negate the cost of using less expensive lenses. Aside from the 14-42 standard lens, I have a 45-175 Panasonic to use with my GF2 and it's rather spinky.

[[RaG]Ethel]

all of the above can change aperture (manually)

[milou]

Interesting. Cheers. I guess the same would apply to the older Canon FD manual lenses.

I know a couple of people who use the Metabones converters with good success: http://www.metabones.com/product/micro-43

[The Big Kahuna]

Originally Posted by [RaG]Ethel

in all seriousness though...

With any adapter and M4/3 or NEX you have to shoot manual focus. If you're going to do that then save your money and don't buy nikon or canon lenses ... they will be v. expensive (although good) and you lose all the fancy AF ability.


For mine I've got the following...

Optomax 28mm f2.8
Optomax 35mm f2.8
Pentacon 50mm f1.8
Chinon 55mm f1.7
Helios-44 58mm f2
Optomax 135mm f2.8
Hoya 135mm f2.8
Hanimex 200mm f3.5
Soligor 200mm f3.5

Those lot set me back about £80 in total. The quality of the Chinon 55mm is unreal ! And the bokeh on the helios-44 just makes me wear waterproof trousers when I venture out.

I'll be flogging a few of those shortly and maybe getting some Pentax super takumar or carl zeiss lenses instead.

I'll post some sample pics later on when I get in tonight, show you what's possible on a reasonable budget.

Let me know when you decide to start getting rid Ian, I have a 42mm converter for my Canon that I'd like to try. Where did you get them all btw ?

[[RaG]Ethel]

yes the old FD lenses work fine adapted. Keep me talking and I'll start mentioning 'flange distance'

[[RaG]Ethel]

all off ebay with some careful, patient bidding. The chinon was labelled as a "35mm lens" by someone who didnt have a clue.

The hoya 135mm and Soligor 200mm are minolta MD mount, the rest are M42 screw thread. I've got a M42 2x teleconverter too (free off father-in-law), but not sure how useful that will be with a 2x crop in the camera already. (Makes the 200mm into a 800mm f7 equivalent)

[[RaG]Ethel]

as an example ... 200mm f3.5 prime, cost me £5.98 (99p for the lens, 4.99 delivery)

[[RaG]Ethel]

by the way there is a second hand Lumix G2 on the TP forums now with a 14-42 lens, £180

http://www.flickr.com/photos/6819684...7629768405099/

Articulated screen would be very handy with a toddler, get camera down to their level and shoot from above. Downside is only 720p and it's not as dinky as the gf1/2/3 or the olympus e-pl3 for example

[HooT]

Damn guys! Thanks for the prompt responses! I probably should have also said that I am a complete rookie regarding photography.

I will start with the suggestions above and the links you've all posted and will go from there.

I would rather spend about £250 max but the wife seems to want to spend more.

[DizMatt]

interesting Ian, I'd love to see some output from those

The EOS M1 gives you all of this and more but it's pricey.
The older CSC cameras like the lumix mentioned will give you a lot more than a random fuji.
if you don't want something basic and simple though, I rate my LX5.
one of the best you can get I think before you start being able to change lenses.

[milou]

Originally Posted by [RaG]Ethel

as an example ... 200mm f3.5 prime, cost me £5.98 (99p for the lens, 4.99 delivery)

Insane!

[[RaG]Ethel]

I'm still working on my dodgy manual focus, but anyway .. Chinon and Helios-44 wide open (f1.7 and f2) taken on the Lumix GF1

[[RaG]Ethel]

these are all hand held as well






I should get the 14-42 kit lens on friday, so just shout if you want some samples of that too.

[Goody]

Smirnoff Ice? really?

[HooT]

Thanks Eth. Nice pics mate

[DizMatt]

yes, more pics mate. very nicely done
interesting kit
a good way to go old school on the photography without getting the chemicals out.
primes, manual focus etc.

[[RaG]Ethel]

as I don't have a baby in the house ... this is the nearest alternative.

14-42 kit lens, whacked it on full auto.

[DizMatt]

looks good
I can tell compact shots normally from a DSLR., although my LX5 looks a cut above normal compact shots (lighting, metering, etc)
can't see any big tells in this, looks really good
very tempted by a CSC camera but it's not something I can afford atm

[[RaG]Ethel]

[HooT]

Originally Posted by [RaG]Ethel

as I don't have a baby in the house ... this is the nearest alternative.

14-42 kit lens, whacked it on full auto.

If my baby comes out looking like that then I want my money back!

Nice pics though Eth.

Need to discuss with the Mrs as to what I'm allowed to buy

[DizMatt]

bang for your buck? 2nd hand CSC or 2nd hand canon DSLR with kit lens and 50mm 1.8
just get the generation that can record movies

[burundi]

Although with a DSLR it's a lot of kit to take with you when you think of prams and changing bags etc... that have to go as well.

That's one reason I went for the Powershot, it's pocketable.