Noob needs some help buying digital camera pretty pls

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Steennies

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I want to get started in photography, looking to get a good digital camera for around R3000, but not sure what to get, one of my friends mentioned that i should make sure to get one with manual settings so that when i want to start experimenting and playing around i will be able to and also make sure the camera has a tripod stand, and i preferably want something portable like in the link below.

Was looking at this: http://www.take2.co.za/electronics-...is-12-1-megapixel-digital-camera-4602328.html
Review: http://www.dpreview.com/news/0902/09021801canona2100isa1100is.asp

but it doesnt appear to have a manual settings option.

Thanks in advance for any help or suggestions that will be much appreciated :)
 
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Maybe try get ur hands on a entry level or second hand D-SLR. You can do so much more and they will have full manual setting and a fitting for a tripod.
Use it, don't use it!!!!!
 
If you want full manual overrides in that price range go to your nearest Kodak shop and ask about the Z-range of cameras. If you can try getting a Z1015 (10mp & 15x zoom) or Z980 (12mp & 24x zoom).
 
point and shoot cameras should have some manual settings u can play with. I have an 8 year old + digital ixus V3 and i remember being able to adjust white balance, light source etc etc settings. but maybe u should go for a camera which is SLR like that you would be able to play with a bit more. Second hand of course. Like the Panasonic FZ50 going for about R2800 when last I looked on gumtree. Great camera, it has a manual focus ring which is great! I can no longer come to terms with digi cam zoom.
 
Bridge type cameras like the Canon Powershot S range and Kodak Z range are perfect if you want to enjoy photography on a budget. Their lenses will cover anything from 1cm macros to 15x telephoto zoom. They are also much more lightweight to carry around meaning that you will have yours around more times when a photo moment arises. Another thing to keep in mind is that they are a lot less intrusive than a SLR with it noisy mirror and carry case of lenses.

You really do not need SLR. I have seen many SLR users that fail to take noteworthy pictures with their hardware making them look like amateurs with too much money.

Edit : Feel free to have a look at my Flickr page to see what can be done with cheap cameras (Kodak Z812/Z1015, Canon S1/A460, Nokia 6233/N82) : http://www.flickr.com/photos/rouxenator/
 
I recently used the Fujifilm S2000HD for around 4 months.

Was an excellent camera and I see now they can be had new for less than R3k.

Spec:
15x Optical
Dual IS
2.7" LCD
HD Video
Electronic Viewfinder - viewfinder is a must imo
Manual settings

Can PM me for example shots if you like, took some really stunning pics for a noob.
 
Very good option that Fuji. Good to see it is one of the newer ones that uses SDHC cards and not those horrific xD picture cards. They also have excelent EVFs on those.

Only thing I spotted on the S2000HD that is a bit if a let down is the longest exposure you can shoot with it is 4seconds, where as Canons and newer Kodaks allows for up to 16seconds.
 
Thanks for all the input, will go and read up on some reviews for that Fuji, lol, hate that round and round feeling you get when you cant makeup your mind on what to buy.
 
Steennies said:
I want to get started in photography, looking to get a good digital camera for around R3000, but not sure what to get, one of my friends mentioned that i should make sure to get one with manual settings so that when i want to start experimenting and playing around i will be able to and also make sure the camera has a tripod stand, and i preferably want something portable like in the link below.

Was looking at this: http://www.take2.co.za/electronics-...is-12-1-megapixel-digital-camera-4602328.html
Review: http://www.dpreview.com/news/0902/09021801canona2100isa1100is.asp

but it doesnt appear to have a manual settings option.

Thanks in advance for any help or suggestions that will be much appreciated :)
Click to expand...

Keep in mind, that you'll need lenses. I've got a Power Shot, and a lens is about R1600. You can get by without it, but it limits you a lot.
 
Brawler said:
I recently used the Fujifilm S2000HD for around 4 months.

Was an excellent camera and I see now they can be had new for less than R3k.

Spec:
15x Optical
Dual IS
2.7" LCD
HD Video
Electronic Viewfinder - viewfinder is a must imo
Manual settings

Can PM me for example shots if you like, took some really stunning pics for a noob.
Click to expand...

I got that camera in Jan for R2999 from a place in Cape Town.i just still havent sat down properly and fiddled with settings. :mad: The Macro shots are pretty stunning for a bridge cam and the hd video is just a little show off on top of it (quality isnt great with fast moving objects but its still HD!).
The zoom is exceptional.i took some pics at the Confed Cup and some are super.Just be ready to get a battery charger as it chows 4 AA's a time

Steennies said:
Thanks for all the input, will go and read up on some reviews for that Fuji, lol, hate that round and round feeling you get when you cant makeup your mind on what to buy.
Click to expand...

Im in the same boat at the moment..... its such an annoying feeling.
 
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