Camera help / advice ....

[steviefleming]

With a few cameras for sale on Sales Corner, its got me thinking about buying a replacement one for myself - but its a complete minefield out there and I cant seem to narrow down a camera to fit what I want …..and I dont have a clue about them which doesnt help.

I wondered if there was anyone 'in the know' who could help narrow down a camera to fit my requirements

The purpose isn't 'serious' photography …...I do some photos & do match video highlights for my little boys 12yo footie team.

Stuff like this;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAk8b51AihY&t=591s

The requirements I have are ;

1. Primarily to be used for video.....Think I'd be happy with 1080p video, as I'm assuming if I move to 4k, the size of a 20min video will be a lot bigger in 4k (and therefore cause me problems transferring & loading to the internet etc )

2. Must have a big zoom ….40 - 60 x zoom ……...need to easily get to the far end of a full size footie pitch without any stress

3. Must have an external mic port & shoe 'thingy' for on top to hold it….would really like to add an external mic to boost sound quality

4. Would really like a tilting screen …..the fixed screen I have at the moment can be a nightmare to view in direct sunlight

5. Probably around £300(max) price point - although happy to buy ebay etc pre-owned at that price.


Thoughts , help , advice would be very much appreciated.

Thanks in advance

[astonandy]

As one of the SC sellers that have prompted this I'll give my view. I've had faultless experience with a range of brands and can honestly say I'd have no issue buying an older camera and lens/lenses to stay within budget but get a better spec. People become obsessed with the latest features and, most notably, with the number of megapixels but few actually need the additional resolution. A mate who is a pro wedding photographer still uses and Nikon D3 that he had from new and he's never had a bride demand higher resolution.

I like micro 4/3rds kit for its size, quality, price and choice of lenses and bodies. I've had a few Olympus and Lumix cameras and have taken some excellent pictures. A GH-2, while older, could easily be bought with a long zoom within your budget and give great result and there are plenty of other G-series models that would work for you. What I do like is the choice of lenses that all work with the same body. You can pick up a tele-zoom for less than £100 used or a fast pre-spec version of the same lens for £1000+. That's not the case with other brands that have full-frame and AP-C sensors. Once you buy in to the system you can also up-spec the body as you have more money - the GH-4 and GH-5 are broadcast quality and used by car shows and for drone footage the world over. Only the Canon 5d models are equally ubiquitous for pro-filmmaking if this is a primary driver of an SLR-style digital camera purchase.

Fuji also make some good solid cameras but I'm not as familiar with their video capabilities. You're also more limited on cost-effective lens choices.

Lots of people buy a DSLR or Compact System camera thinking they'll get into it but then they end up on ebay or FB marketplace. Haggle hard in a private sale because trade-in on a lot of older / non-pro equipment is terrible!

[wileeeeeey]

Lots of people buy a DSLR or Compact System camera thinking they'll get into it but then they end up on ebay or FB marketplace.

Ha! I bought a Canon 40D with lens for about £1.7k back at uni. Have used it probably 10 times. Have gone to sell it a few times but always feel hollow when I see the current prices Vs what I paid. Doesn't help the OP as it won't do video but I'm sure there are lots of idiots like me about.

[astonandy]

Ha! I bought a Canon 40D with lens for about £1.7k back at uni. Have used it probably 10 times. Have gone to sell it a few times but always feel hollow when I see the current prices Vs what I paid. Doesn't help the OP as it won't do video but I'm sure there are lots of idiots like me about.

Yeah probably worth £50 now. I think the pace of change, the rise of the quality phone camera and the lack of any meaningful residual value in digital equipment are all conspiring to kill camera companies. It'll soon only be "prosumer" cameras and those with specialist uses that have any real market and like the highs street brands we knew, loved and lost, we'll see some camera brands totally disappear in the next 2-5 years.

[Bluemoon7]

As one of the SC sellers that have prompted this I'll give my view. I've had faultless experience with a range of brands and can honestly say I'd have no issue buying an older camera and lens/lenses to stay within budget but get a better spec. People become obsessed with the latest features and, most notably, with the number of megapixels but few actually need the additional resolution. A mate who is a pro wedding photographer still uses and Nikon D3 that he had from new and he's never had a bride demand higher resolution.

I like micro 4/3rds kit for its size, quality, price and choice of lenses and bodies. I've had a few Olympus and Lumix cameras and have taken some excellent pictures. A GH-2, while older, could easily be bought with a long zoom within your budget and give great result and there are plenty of other G-series models that would work for you. What I do like is the choice of lenses that all work with the same body. You can pick up a tele-zoom for less than £100 used or a fast pre-spec version of the same lens for £1000+. That's not the case with other brands that have full-frame and AP-C sensors. Once you buy in to the system you can also up-spec the body as you have more money - the GH-4 and GH-5 are broadcast quality and used by car shows and for drone footage the world over. Only the Canon 5d models are equally ubiquitous for pro-filmmaking if this is a primary driver of an SLR-style digital camera purchase.

Fuji also make some good solid cameras but I'm not as familiar with their video capabilities. You're also more limited on cost-effective lens choices.

Lots of people buy a DSLR or Compact System camera thinking they'll get into it but then they end up on ebay or FB marketplace. Haggle hard in a private sale because trade-in on a lot of older / non-pro equipment is terrible!

Absolutely sound advice. I am still using my D4 for Landscapes and seascapes. I still sell quite a few prints and nobody has any interest in what equipment makes the prints. I won’t be upgrading anytime soon. I would be looking at second hand if I were the OP. There are just so many bargains to be had.

[catch21]

WEX have been good to me over the years.

[astonandy]

Fir used I check into MPB and CameraJungle (jessops) as they often have discount vouchers (20% off all stock for Black Friday) andCJ has 0% over 12 months over £350

[markyboy.1967]

I love my D850 for landscapes and anything required to show great detail. My D4S is the one I use for sports/wildlife/pets etc. There are loads of decent systems out there. Best thing it to narrow it down to a few going by the spec lists and then go try each system to see if it suits your needs. Good luck.

[steviefleming]

It's looking like the Nikon P1000 is ticking all my requirement boxes except one !!!

Price !

My be fairly new out....second hand prices are still double what I want to pay

[David_D]

Lots of people buy a DSLR or Compact System camera thinking they'll get into it but then they end up on ebay or FB marketplace.

Yup, that's me!