cameras - what's good

[EML]

Question from left field,
We are currently in the market for a new camera.
It needs to be great for portrait/still shots so we can post on the web.
Also handy for some short video/movie stuff.
Has to be reasonably compact.
And is it more to do with the camera and/or the lens these days.
oh and not be a million bucks...... 

[motomaniac]

I was about to ask the same question.

[Rossvickicampbell]

you really can't go wrong with a Canon or Nikon DSLR - or I am hearing rave reviews about the new compact Sony RX100.  Sony aroud the $500 mark.  Really depends on whether you want to play with the elnses or go compact and integral.

regards

[EML]

Currently scoping for a deal on the Nikon D7000 at just over 1400 but will need an extra lens (+300+/-) It has a magnisium body and I asked the kid if it would catch fire ( had NFI what I was talking about )

Stop press. have found one @ $1099 here in Bris.


Any one have good/bad reports re this model?

[Tony T]

I can't really offer any other advice other than be wary of 'grey imports'.
The market is flooded with them and Canon and Nikon here will not do any warranty claims nor will they even service them at your expence. You have to send them back to the country of origin for service or repair.
That said, some sellers are offering their own warranty in Australia, but be very, very careful.......... 

[EML]

Thanks for the tip Tony...good on you.
We have already discussed the difference between a hundred bucks and local warranty.

[EML]

bump

[Rossvickicampbell]

but on the othere hand be aware of sellers that won't honour warranties here - if you get an international warranty such as is usually offerred with name brands such as Canon or Nikon - then they are in default if they don't help.

I bought my wife  a small PHD camera in Dubai - very much specced up - and Canon had no drams here in Aus with where it came from - it was a Canon.

[Tony T]

This bloke has been reviewing cameras for years and seems to know his stuff.

www.steves-digicams.com

Might be of some help?

[Tony T]

I bought my wife  a small PHD camera in Dubai - very much specced up - and Canon had no drams here in Aus with where it came from - it was a Canon.

Now that's interesting!
How long ago was that? I was actually talking to my local Canon rep yesterday and he tells a very different story. 

[crash n bern]

Have a look at the Cannon Powershot G series camera's.  I was reading on another bike forum were a couple of photographers were prefering to use them for anything outside their studio over their high end digital SLR's.

[mboddy]

I want Tony T's cameras.

[Tony T]

I want Tony T's cameras.

No you don't. Too expensive and too heavy to be any fun. 

The G series are good, but not as good as a decent SLR if you want to shoot moving bikes. But they are much smaller and lighter.
I've got an older G9 that still produces excellent results and is great thing to have in your pocket all the time.
You can pick one of these up secondhand for under 200 bucks these days. 
 

[firko]

Compared to Tony T and Billy F I'm a pretty ordinary photographer. However after working with some of the best throughout my time in this industry I've learned that if you want good, professional quality photos, avoid the little silver fixed lens cameras and get a good digital SLR. 99% of the pro's use either Canon or Nikon equipment so if you want quality, they're the names to ask for. In the end it comes down to what you can afford....both brands offer good cameras all through the range. I've used Canon EOS cameras since 1995 still occasionally use my first Canon EOS 350D which I've had for 6 or 7 years with no major problems. I recently bought a three year old top of the range Canon EOS 1d mK II and it's a whole new ball game to the little 350d, a shitload more bells and whistles and probably a bit much for a beginner. I'm still using it on the Auto settings myself.

I've been told by friends who know such stuff  that the new Canon EOS 650D is a really great entry level digi SLR camera for the money (around $800 with two lenses) that with its 18 megapixels can produce professional quality shots. 

[Rossvickicampbell]

Firko - I still have my EOS 300 "Rebel" - other than a clean (not surprising being used at motocross) hasn't missed a beat - something like over 12000 shots.  But don't rule out the happy snap cameras the professionals keep in their pockets either - like the RX100 - 20 MP as well.  Depends on whether people are after a DSLR or a PHD camera.  Tony - 2 years ago I bought my wife a mid range Canon point and shoot in Dubai.

Also - don't hesitate to look at second hand - some of the Nikon and Canon deals are so good as most get looked after really well that you could save bucket loads buying a camera through a dealer second hand.