Arbtalk.co.uk | Discussion Forum for Arborists

Having a nosey at some of the cracking photos throughout the site I've realised that my poxy little point and shoot isn't really up to much so thought I might bye myself a bit of an upgrade and maybe a couple of photographic courses to learn how to use one properly. I've no idea where to start and there seems to be an awful lot of second hand stuff out there at reasonable prices. So, camera specialists, what camera and is second hand enough to do the job or should I buy new? Any other advice would be welcome.

Some of the point and shoots are amazing. A little experience and you can get some amazing shoots. No need for the big guns for most people.

If you are going for a DSLR then decide what brand you want. Nikon and Canon are the obvious choices but there are other choices. The most important tool might be a solid tripod.

Camera bodies I think are fine to buy used (at a cut rate price) but buy the absolute best new lenses you can or the very best used lenses from a high end dealer. There are people who turn over lenses pretty quickly so if you find the right dealer you might get some good lenses.

I would start of with a lumix FX5, its compact does RAW images and Jpeg at the same time, and has a larger sensor than most compacts giving superb images combined with an ecelent lens that it has.

most of my images you see are shot on it, and i love it, particulary the macro capability

As Hama says there are some cracking point and shoot cameras out there. More than capeable of holding their own with a DSLR.

The Nikon D60 is a great beginner camera for DSLR just a pain to get AF lenses for. If you can strech to a D90 then you can take some fantastic shots and have lots of options to grow into and explore.

I have a Nikon D90 DSRL. Fantastic camera but if you want to do macro stuff you need a macro lense. I've got a few lenses for it do do different things. from 17mm to 300mm some fixed most zoom.

S/H camera you can get some cracking deals. My friend got a Nikon D80 s/h had taken less shots than his D60 that he traded in at the same time. S/h lenses are great value i have a 17-50mm F2.8 lense. Cost 280 well over 500 new. It's my current fave.

One thing about camera is that its a real Nikon/Cannon club. Once your in one the other brand does not exist

Canon DSLRS

LUMIX compacts

period!

see he knows!

nikon owners cant do fluorite crystal!

I'd enjoy a compact Lumix with like 10 x or 12 x zoom. But I think I'd take a Canon G10, or G11 over that.

Mainly because its handy to have more than one camera, and may as well have zoom of at least 20x. And for that, I'd be looking at a Canon SX30 IS.

For an all-in-one only, Lumix is a pretty good choice. There is a fairly comparable small Canon, but the features vary.

The lumix range are very good,but if you want point & shoot and manual control the canon g range of compact cameras are the best,I have the g12 & it is very easy to use from the off,and you can get very engrossed in the manual settings as you learn,its ideal if you intend to do some courses on photography due to the extensive control it offers.

hi mate i have canon g10 good camera thanks jon

Panasonic Lumix - very good lense, great optical zoom - good movies and good in awqward light.

D-SLR's are not very easy to transport, they don't go in your pocket, as people say above Canon G - series or Lumix.