Camera

[wishy]

Now having virtually sorted out the beer thing for Sebring...........I am thinking of treating myself to a new  camereand wondered what should I purchase for the event.

Having tried Jason's Nikon at Donnington....I was quite impressed.

Not being a pro.....I just point and shoot then delete.

So who recommends what?

Wishy

[Steve Pyro]

How wide is the ocean, how deep is the sea.

Wishy, what's your budget / expectations?

Do you want a point and shoot, a midrange compact with a good optical zoom, a 'bridge' all in one, or are you going the DSLR route and a bag full of lenses?

[nopanic - neil]

Do you want a point and shoot,

I was told by an American camera man once - this was also known as a PHD camera   - "Press here D*ckhead"   

[Piglet]

Hi Wishy

As a photographers OH I see both sides of the debate! 

I have what I guess is a PHD camera (I like that!), it works really well outside and in daylight but takes very poor low light pictures.  I'm a crap photographer but even I'm starting to see the restrictions in what I've got (mine's a Nikon Coolpixs). 

If we ever become solvent I'm probably going to buy a second hand Nikon DSLR body and play with that.  From what (as a photography idiot) I can see this would give me the ability to shoot in an automatic mode but would also give me some ability to shoot in manual if I could ever work it out.

If you want to shoot race cars you really need a DSLR - the compacts have too much shutter delay and your chances of actually getting a car in the frame are pretty slim (been there....got the tshirt!). 

Keith's buddy Andy runs the Chiswick Camera Centre, he often has second hand stuff for sale, google him and give him a call and he'll let you know what he's got in.  He'll also talk you through  what he's got in the way of new models. 

[termietermite]

I love my Nikon D70, it's pretty idiot proof if you stick it on auto.  However, you might like to handle a D40 - amazingly tiny and has had good reviews.  It depends if you prefer something light which you'll be happy to carry around with you or if - like my OH, you find small cameras problematical to handle and rather insubstantial.
All the pics on here
http://www.flickr.com/photos/97986095@N00/
which don't have "Ian" in the title, were taken on my D70. Take a look at some of the "set" of motor racing pics.
A non-SLR is a bit of nightmare for car pics as they scratch their heads and think about it for a while before actually taking the picture - by which time a fast-moving subject is gone!!

[wishy]

Hi Piglet and Termie

Firstly you are quite right about compacts.I currently use a Fuji Finepix.....and have managed to take some sensible pictures by holding the shutter half open ....but it takes practise.

I have been looking at both the Nikon D50 and the D70s  which both seem to fill my criteria.

If I should go for either do I go for a 18-55 lens and 55-200, or would a 25-200 be adequate for all jobs?

And I assume it is best to use Nikkor lenses rater than tamron or Sigma?

Wishy

[wishy]

Hi Steve,

I have an old Canon FX slr which is gatering dust in the loft.....and like a proper camera rather than my compact with built in telephoto,which is adequate but the telephoto is limited in focal length,hence I am looking at a DSLR instead.

my budget is somewhere in the £400 - £600 bracket.

Wishy

[termietermite]

Well now you are asking.  The speed of the lens is the most critical bit with sports photography and the greater the range of focal lengths the slower the lens tends to become.  If you want serious racing shots, you are going to do better with faster, fixed focal length lenses.  However, if you buy a modern Nikkor lens they have VR (vibration reduction) which gives you a good couple more F stops in hand (ie, what would look cr*p at say 1/60th with a normal lens will be about say 1/200th with the VR which is a real bonus.  But having said that, you can always alter the film speed with a digital which will give you a grainer-looking image but a sharper picture!  I could go on.. and on.. and on.... As no doubt can Piglet, Keith and others.
Bring your new body ( ) to Sebring and Mr Termite and I will let you try out a few different lenses and you can see what you think.

[wishy]

Termie

You are a star!!!!!

Going shopping now

Wishy

[termietermite]

Good man!   However, beware, Mr T will talk you to death on this subject..... (see you at Gatwick!)

[nopanic - neil]

oh no.......

How long is the flight?           

[nickliv]

It <might> be an idea to give dixons etc. at the airport a ring to see if they've got any offers on, alternatively buy one in the states.

[wishy]

Nikliv

I have already been browsing US sites and if I am mistaken....and I am open to suggestions.The sites I have looked at seem to be more expensive than here.

Like many corporate companies....Nikon appear to be price fixing worldwide....unless you can point me in the right direction stateside.

Wishy

[Piglet]

Well now you are asking.  The speed of the lens is the most critical bit with sports photography and the greater the range of focal lengths the slower the lens tends to become.  If you want serious racing shots, you are going to do better with faster, fixed focal length lenses.  However, if you buy a modern Nikkor lens they have VR (vibration reduction) which gives you a good couple more F stops in hand (ie, what would look cr*p at say 1/60th with a normal lens will be about say 1/200th with the VR which is a real bonus.  But having said that, you can always alter the film speed with a digital which will give you a grainer-looking image but a sharper picture!  I could go on.. and on.. and on.... As no doubt can Piglet, Keith and others.
Bring your new body ( ) to Sebring and Mr Termite and I will let you try out a few different lenses and you can see what you think.

Nope not me Termie - you're speaking a foreign language!   

[Martini...LB]

Something to aspire to possibly, while not motorsport you can appreciate the work that has gone into this guys work and it is not Photoshop work.

He is a friend, who I sold his first B&W developer, all pics are DSLR but not manipulated. Most of guernsey.

I was given two mounted prints today FOR MY BIRTHDAY.

Site -  http://www.mikebonsallphotography.com/

>Martini...