crazywelshman
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Cofused about buyingI want a camera that can take good high quality images for fast moving objects say on a DH course. i dont know what make or type i should look for. I looked at the buying guide but it didnt help. It would be 2nd hand so could you name cameras at a sensible price please.
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dandantheadminman
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you want compact or slr?
if compact, id say get the same camera i got atm (though getting slr in 2 weeks), which is a Nikon Coolpix P1, its 250 new, and has 8mp, fuck loads of features and settings, and always getting the best value compact awards in the mags...
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fozzybear
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The critical factor i have found (as i have learnt and been advised) is apature (F stop) ratings of a lens.
a 70-300mm lens is a great zoom but if you go to the max zoom your apature is 5.6 (roughly mid point on apature ratings) so more light is needed to "stop" the shot, when i say stop i mean to freeze the action, say 200th of a sec. now getting enough light on a dark day to do this will be hard with a lens at f5.6 unless it pretty bright.
what i'm saying is be aware of what lens you buy along with the camera and the F stop rating.
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Hamish
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Welshie - Can you give us an indication of size and price? it's impossible to give you any proper advice without this?
If it's fast action photos that you want to take you'll need to use a fast shutter speed. Given a lot of MTB pics are taken in dark situations, like forests, that means you'll need a camera with decent high ISO performance if you're not planning on buying large aperture lenses or only using a compact.
If you want "good high quality images" then I'd say you should look at a SLR camera rather than a compact as there's much more flexability. If shooting digital isn't a priority then you can get good film SLRs for much cheaper than digital. If digital is a must then let us know your price range.
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crazywelshman
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ok cheers so far,
what are the main differences between compact and SLR
i would want a digital camera just for the fact they will be easier to upload to my computer for use. Although i want sharp images i dont fancy lugging a huge camera around with me as it will have to put up with being in my bag and raging it down the track with me possibly. Prices im at a complete loss with, it will be off e-bay or second hand as i dont have enough money for new but i will probbabbly share the cost with a mate so if i say under £100 is good but nothing over £200
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dandantheadminman
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id def say compact then for you
as i said before, look around for the nikon coolpix p1, you could prob get it second hand quite cheap, and again, as i said, it wins all teh compact reviews in the mags
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Hamish
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I'd go for a compact camera then. SLRs are quite big although I ride XC with a Nikon D200 which isn't the smallest of cameras to put in your CamelBak and I don't find it restrictive.
You won't get as good photos but it's a compromise between quality and how much stuff you want to carry around.
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crazywelshman
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Are compacr cameras like the one trail builder suggested, if so i have one of those and was looking for a proper camera, not saying that that isnt a proper camera but i think you know what i mean.
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dandantheadminman
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o rite, I think you mean an SLR then
in that case, you DEF want a D50, its known as the best value dslr and its just about the smallest slr too.
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crazywelshman
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ok cheers ill e-bay it now
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Hamish
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If I were you then I'd have a look & play with a couple in a camera shop first. The Nikon D50 is a great camera but if miniscule size is a must then the Canon 350D is also worth a look. I personally find the Canon 350D to be too small and not comfortable and preferred the feel of the Nikon. Both are good starter 'proper cameras' and each have their own pros and cons. It's important to see which one feels best in your hands though as that really makes a difference when you're using them.
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crazywelshman
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cheers for that, i cant ride during half term so ill take a trip into town with my mate
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