MK5 Golf GTI

General => Photography Section => Topic started by: NB07 on December 04, 2009, 02:44:45 pm

Title: Where to buy a camera??
Post by: NB07 on December 04, 2009, 02:44:45 pm: thinking of getting a SLR in the new year got my eye on a d500 but they aint cheap! was thinking john lewis are good or have i missed a trick here??
Title: Re: Where to buy a camera??
Post by: JPC on December 04, 2009, 02:47:07 pm: have a look on camerapricebuster.co.uk ;)
Title: Re: Where to buy a camera??
Post by: JPC on December 04, 2009, 02:48:30 pm: Amazon currently cheapest, at 569.

If you can buy instore @ john lewis, then you can get it for 579. or 579 delivered! ;)
Title: Re: Where to buy a camera??
Post by: JPC on December 04, 2009, 02:49:09 pm: dixons are also doing it for 569. so theres plenty of places to buy one instore (inc jessops! ;)
Title: Re: Where to buy a camera??
Post by: NB07 on December 04, 2009, 02:51:07 pm: thanks Jay, think i will probably be needing a lense too, will have a good look on there now :happy2:

edit- so thats probably the same deal then with the kit at those places. so everywheres about the same then. hopefully it will come down a touch after crimbo :smiley:

cheers for the help :drinking:
Title: Re: Where to buy a camera??
Post by: Lean on December 04, 2009, 03:55:35 pm: If your getting it in the new year just wait until sales start - you will defo get better prices than what's about now.
Title: Re: Where to buy a camera??
Post by: scotta on December 04, 2009, 05:41:37 pm: Quote from: NB07 on December 04, 2009, 02:51:07 pm
thanks Jay, think i will probably be needing a lense too, will have a good look on there now :happy2:

edit- so thats probably the same deal then with the kit at those places. so everywheres about the same then. hopefully it will come down a touch after crimbo :smiley:

cheers for the help :drinking:

Lens wise i recommend getting yourself a 50mm AFS 1.4AF - totally awesome little lens. Additionally you will want a 200mm zoom the 18 - 200mm 3.4 - 5.6 AFS VRII is a very good starter zoom look on ebay for this. would also recommend polarising filters for both. However you probably wont get any change out of £800 for both - unless you find an eBargain!
Title: Re: Where to buy a camera??
Post by: JPC on December 04, 2009, 05:49:20 pm: Just remember the vat goes back up in jan
Title: Re: Where to buy a camera??
Post by: NB07 on December 04, 2009, 10:09:29 pm: ooh poop almost forgot about that J but i will have to swallow it because i know i cant do it now until mid jan so will have to take the hit, then next on the list i will be saving for my exhaust even though ive been telling myself that was priority lol things change, we need a few good holiday pics next year!

scotta thanks for the heads up, ive been out of touch for a few years so ideas of lenses is great help. i really wanted a lens i can use day to day for landscapes/ portraits like what you get in the kits then was thinking about an almost macro lens for hobby photography. we used to use 35mm at college and i thought it was great but i suppose a 50 would have more depth of field, its been a while so please excuse my ignorance! actually it wasnt that long ago maybe 8 or nine years but lets just say i was too busy doing other things! now i think i can appreciate the time and effort put in to it a bit more! : :laugh:
Title: Re: Where to buy a camera??
Post by: Lean on December 04, 2009, 10:47:19 pm: My guess is the January sales will be driven by 'additional' 2.5% 'off' and 'No VAT increase here' sales..... so doubt you'll have anything to worry about
Title: Re: Where to buy a camera??
Post by: scotta on December 04, 2009, 11:16:53 pm: Quote from: NB07 on December 04, 2009, 10:09:29 pm
ooh poop almost forgot about that J but i will have to swallow it because i know i cant do it now until mid jan so will have to take the hit, then next on the list i will be saving for my exhaust even though ive been telling myself that was priority lol things change, we need a few good holiday pics next year!

scotta thanks for the heads up, ive been out of touch for a few years so ideas of lenses is great help. i really wanted a lens i can use day to day for landscapes/ portraits like what you get in the kits then was thinking about an almost macro lens for hobby photography. we used to use 35mm at college and i thought it was great but i suppose a 50 would have more depth of field, its been a while so please excuse my ignorance! actually it wasnt that long ago maybe 8 or nine years but lets just say i was too busy doing other things! now i think i can appreciate the time and effort put in to it a bit more! : :laugh:

Baah cocked that up hang on!!
Title: Re: Where to buy a camera??
Post by: scotta on December 05, 2009, 12:02:51 am: ok now ive worked out how link photos here goes

A few different shots and a small explanation of how they were taken so you can see what shots are possible with both the Lens's i was talking about.

Scenery :

Shot using Nikon D60 and 18-200 mm AFS F3.5 - F5.6 VR lens and Circular polarising filter

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm3.static.flickr.com%2F2644%2F4153665729_1fbe950a8c_b.jpg&hash=ceb9d10f5c3b2901ee94991973f86b517dddf335)

Exposure: 1/2500 sec
Aperture: f/3.5
Focal Length: 18 mm

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm3.static.flickr.com%2F2668%2F4153660393_56008239c0_b.jpg&hash=f0818ad9549f3a97a8c4ee9c1189d55de8bbd45c)

Exposure: 0.001 sec (1/2000)
Aperture: f/5.6
Focal Length: 150 mm

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm3.static.flickr.com%2F2623%2F4153668433_e78f2a4ce6_b.jpg&hash=6f94ae18714d64aa5506ac2982ae7423eef11ad4)

Exposure: 0.05 sec (1/20)
Aperture: f/36.0
Focal Length: 200 mm
This one was taken with the Polarising filter removed and the UV filter fitted. Slightly annoyed at myself here tho as i think the filter was a bit dirty. If you look closely you can see a blue car driving down the road. you can notice how different the lighting is with the different filter.

ACTION :

Again shot using Nikon D60 and 18-200 mm AFS F3.5 - F5.6 VR lens and Circular polarising filter

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm3.static.flickr.com%2F2713%2F4154343452_79ba50664d_b.jpg&hash=572718a4148645ed5a0b55c11a4fa5b002965c0e)

Exposure: 0.003 sec (1/320)
Aperture: f/7.1
Focal Length: 150 mm

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm3.static.flickr.com%2F2705%2F4153578831_f413bca1ed_b.jpg&hash=d7c8307e8da0e0b7393f3e3a31b38dc382179b3f)

Exposure: 0.008 sec (1/125)
Aperture: f/5.6
Focal Length: 82 mm

All the above were shot on the Zoom. Theses next ones were shot in low light so i used the Prime 50mm AFS 1.4 AF as i needed the apature wide open to let as much light in as possible.

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm3.static.flickr.com%2F2612%2F4153645509_afa5fd8d0d_b.jpg&hash=9783dd1b192ee2f327ca256143be631ba50b317a)

Exposure: 0.005 sec (1/200)
Aperture: f/1.4
Focal Length: 50 mm

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm3.static.flickr.com%2F2507%2F4153642669_14be881fa2_b.jpg&hash=b2dfeb0d64ea324ee69c561c22acd61c572b139c)

Exposure: 0.008 sec (1/125)
Aperture: f/1.4
Focal Length: 50 mm

As you can see on these two the Depth of Field is pretty awsome you just cant get the same effect with the zoom unles you wanna spend £1000+ on a F2.8. You are a bit limited with the 50 sometimes because its fixed focal length - i usually find its not to bad though. Just need to stand a bit further back or a bit closer!!

Motorsport :

For motorsport photography you really need the zoom tho!

heres a few from this years BTCC

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm4.static.flickr.com%2F3426%2F3881377126_25f32cd01b_b.jpg&hash=025b20f505c5002906413110911a9f2725da9d75)

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm3.static.flickr.com%2F2473%2F3880601967_5d0b00f53d_b.jpg&hash=00bd031fdebc148e4530ced717c84b2834aa131c)

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm4.static.flickr.com%2F3445%2F3818246081_041da81ec9_b.jpg&hash=91e0a15b1645eb22542d6b18e8a2f7bb5c86f36d)

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm4.static.flickr.com%2F3084%2F2782373728_6436f21abd_o.jpg&hash=031607036906bcad80f9cc98b102a64e14f7971e)

The above shots were grabbed by messing about with various shutter speed from 1/40 to 1/320 and using panning with the multi burst release function on the camera. This is where the D60 falls down a bit - it could do with a faster multi burst. Ive used my mates D300 and its about four times quicker on the multiburst. It is however roughly four times more expensive!

Hope this helps illustrate the difference between the Lens's and shows what different shots can be acheived by each.

If you fancy a rumage around my flicker site then the link is http://www.flickr.com/photos/29381471@N07/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/29381471@N07/)

Scott
Title: Re: Where to buy a camera??
Post by: NB07 on December 05, 2009, 10:29:34 am: wow, thanks for that scott, some amazing shots there, something to aspire to. :congrats:

thats a great help cheers :drinking:
Title: Re: Where to buy a camera??
Post by: scotta on December 05, 2009, 11:09:47 am: No probs mate .

Any other questions just give me a shout - i dont profess to be an expert but ive got a few good contacts.

My mates got a Z3 convertible so when the better weather comes in were gonna try a few motoin shots with the roof down of the GTI. See how that goes!!
Title: Re: Where to buy a camera??
Post by: Moschops on December 16, 2009, 10:28:56 am: Jessops are also doing interest credit on some Camera's too at present... :happy2: They may work a little bit more expensive but overall you'll come out even if you pay for it either on the plastic or the never never... :wink: Plus they have shops in most places so you can always pop in with it if you have trouble. (just had to do it with the wifes Panasonic)

Warehouseexpress is another online place, but the aftersales is poor... :xmassmiley:
Title: Re: Where to buy a camera??
Post by: Hedge on December 16, 2009, 01:06:48 pm: Lots of options Nick but I think it's probably best to decide a budget and/or brand and go from there.

Some shops to try
www.srsmicrosystems.co.uk
www.parkcameras.co.uk
www.warehouseexpress.co.Uk
Title: Re: Where to buy a camera??
Post by: tony_danza on December 16, 2009, 01:18:02 pm: Wildings and Jessops will pricematch the 'net - just print off the best deal and walk in. They'll also 'outdo' each other by throwing in a free bag etc etc. I got a bag, CPL and spare battery thrown in.

I got my 450D from Wildings, simply because I preferred the people in there - anything wrong, walk back in through the door. No messing around with faceless internet shop douchebags.
Title: Re: Where to buy a camera??
Post by: NB07 on December 16, 2009, 04:55:13 pm: cheers hedge - think im set on a canon 500d although if i can get a 450 at a really good price might do that. i like the nikons too but used canon at college and my dad has one thats 30 years old and bomb proof!

thats good to know tony as i will be needing a bag too will get my serious bartering face on :happy2:
Title: Re: Where to buy a camera??
Post by: Moschops on December 23, 2009, 03:39:52 am: Jessops price match is like pulling teeth..... :sad1: The branch in Telford dismissed my haggling straight away and wasn't even interested in doing any sort of deal....so once shopping was completed off in the :driver: to Shrewsbury who were more ameanable...deal done (not brilliant but got Â£130 off) now on order should be in this weekend...... :xmaspresent:
Title: Re: Where to buy a camera??
Post by: Moschops on December 23, 2009, 03:41:50 am: Just checked camerapricebuster again and it looks like I did get a good deal... :tree: :pomppomp: :star:
Title: Re: Where to buy a camera??
Post by: animal on December 23, 2009, 06:33:50 pm: Tony_d - what did you pay for your 450D? I have one sat at home all wrapped up under the tree. We really couldn't justify the extra cost of the 500D - infact, I'm disappointed with Canon for adding a compact-camera feature to a robust pro-sumer DSLR that just didn't need the extra gimic (IMHO). And again, I've no real need for the extra resolution either.

I know my Fiancee got it from Jessops because with the Canon cash-back deal no where was budging on price, but being female, she batted her eye lids and got loads of stuff thrown in free too.
Title: Re: Where to buy a camera??
Post by: Moschops on December 24, 2009, 11:57:36 am: Sounds like she got a good result, let me know what freebies you got... :happy2:

I've gone for the Canon EOS 7D with the 18-135mm lens :xmaspresent:
Title: Re: Where to buy a camera??
Post by: Moschops on December 24, 2009, 12:00:32 pm: Woo....just got a phone call and it's arrived today...best go and picked it up... :xmaspresent: :driver:
Title: Re: Where to buy a camera??
Post by: NB07 on December 24, 2009, 06:39:15 pm: wow, result moschops! :xmaspresent:

my plan is hit john lewis in the new year, i know my misses got me a couple of vouchers she cant keep anything quiet long!! hopefully they will let me haggle but if not they do have a good policy on electrical goods warranties and stuff, i told the mother to get me JLP vouchers too but we shall see! knowing her i will be getting socks and aftershave! :laugh:
Title: Re: Where to buy a camera??
Post by: Moschops on December 24, 2009, 06:57:34 pm: Quote from: NB07 on December 24, 2009, 06:39:15 pm
wow, result moschops! :xmaspresent:

my plan is hit john lewis in the new year, i know my misses got me a couple of vouchers she cant keep anything quiet long!! hopefully they will let me haggle but if not they do have a good policy on electrical goods warranties and stuff, i told the mother to get me JLP vouchers too but we shall see! knowing her i will be getting socks and aftershave! :laugh:

Yes it's home but haven't had/got time to play with as I'm now off to work....PAH! Jessops have a sale on at present and things like filters and Memory cards are cheap, got a sandisk 16gb extreme iii CF for Â£37!! normal price is Â£90.. :xmaspresent:

Good luck with your haggling... :pomppomp:
Title: Re: Where to buy a camera??
Post by: Ifti on December 26, 2009, 05:36:30 pm: I just sold a Nikon D50 a few weeks back!!

I regret it now though - I love those action shots. Would love to start taking shots like that!
Title: Re: Where to buy a camera??
Post by: NB07 on December 29, 2009, 08:15:04 pm: as its my birfday today i treated myself with the help of a few vouchers from the misses and the folks to a new camera, so ive only had a couple of hours playing with it but it is brill. :happy2:

obviously im still learning but have played with a few of the functions this arvo before we had our curry! :evilgrin:

couple of pics for people to tell me what im doing wrong, or right holefully!! :smiley:

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg99.imageshack.us%2Fimg99%2F5236%2Fimg0007.jpg&hash=904009a744954856bdb70c09ab3f616329367ed7)

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg697.imageshack.us%2Fimg697%2F8489%2Fimg0031gw.jpg&hash=df56e7fc2031c6e9ca11dc2365857ffc9a41b146)

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg99.imageshack.us%2Fimg99%2F458%2Fimg0039.jpg&hash=6e8249fc332a7ad58a557a1271046a8131ccdd92)

:santa:
Title: Re: Where to buy a camera??
Post by: Hedge on December 29, 2009, 08:49:20 pm: If you want to learn how to use it then I can recommend any of the books by Bryan Peterson especially these 2.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Understanding-Exposure-Photographs-Digital-Camera/dp/0817463003/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1262119639&sr=1-2

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Understanding-Digital-Photography-Techniques-Pictures/dp/0817437967/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1262119639&sr=1-7

Either will be the best money you spend on top of the initial purchase. :wink:
Title: Re: Where to buy a camera??
Post by: NB07 on December 29, 2009, 09:01:38 pm: thanks hedge, i should have known someone would be along soon telling me more ways to spend money! need to get a nice bag for it really, was thinking of a lowepro one but saw a nice rucksack on amazon a while back that looked nice for 24 quid....

http://www.amazon.co.uk/DURAGADGET-Rucksack-Backpack-Compatible-PowerShot/dp/B0030U0V0G/ref=sr_1_24?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1262120329&sr=1-24

or even something like this to keep it warm...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lowepro-Altus-140-Shoulder-DSLR/dp/B002EQF3CI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1262120329&sr=1-2
Title: Re: Where to buy a camera??
Post by: NB07 on December 31, 2009, 11:02:32 am: couldnt find any Bryan Peterson books on my travels so far but managed to find a bargain in WHSmiths

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Collins-Complete-Photography-Manual/dp/0007243944/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1262257118&sr=1-2

was marked up as 15 quid off the Â£25 tag so a 10er, took it to the till and only cost Â£6.25, quiet a nice book havent got far through it yet though but explains a few tricks. :nerd:
Title: Re: Where to buy a camera??
Post by: Hedge on December 31, 2009, 11:05:40 am: As lond as it explains the ISO - AV - TV relationship then all is good. :happy2:
Title: Re: Where to buy a camera??
Post by: Moschops on December 31, 2009, 11:36:44 am: Quote from: NB07 on December 31, 2009, 11:02:32 am
couldnt find any Bryan Peterson books on my travels so far but managed to find a bargain in WHSmiths

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Collins-Complete-Photography-Manual/dp/0007243944/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1262257118&sr=1-2

was marked up as 15 quid off the Â£25 tag so a 10er, took it to the till and only cost Â£6.25, quiet a nice book havent got far through it yet though but explains a few tricks. :nerd:

Wow that was a bargain... :happy2:
Title: Re: Where to buy a camera??
Post by: scotta on January 03, 2010, 10:48:41 am: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Understanding-Exposure-Photographs-Digital-Camera/dp/0817463003/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1262119639&sr=1-2

borrowed that one off my mate - good read. Very infomative.
Title: Re: Where to buy a camera??
Post by: VC on January 07, 2010, 02:04:15 pm: i can recommended this place:

www.7dayshop.com

takes a few days longer for delivery but a superb site :notworthy:

and yes those prices are real :jumpmove:
Title: Re: Where to buy a camera??
Post by: Gti Jal on January 07, 2010, 02:18:28 pm: I'm in Bangkok, just bought a D500, 18-55 and 55-250 well chuffed.

Anyone want a Nikon D60 body as new hardly used?
Title: Re: Where to buy a camera??
Post by: cmdrfire on January 15, 2010, 10:47:12 pm: Needs moar 5dII.

Also: Every camera whore's kitbag should include at least one fast 50 (50mm Summilux f1.2 mmm but Canon and Nikon both do very sweet 50mm f1.4 for not much moolah, especially if you get a used one) and a fast-ish wideangle (28mm f2 is what I carry for both 5dII and M8).
Title: Re: Where to buy a camera??
Post by: monte on January 15, 2010, 11:13:25 pm: I got an entry level D40 Nikon years ago. It did everything I needed it to. Great camera :happy2:

I got a shot of a toy car too.....

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi612.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Ftt210%2Fmonte0797%2FP1070395.jpg&hash=b2bd9b6567d5efeed702c17b3108ed6c7e1a4d68)