| Ranked Posts: 101 |
| North Yorkshire |
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 #1 Camera Suggestions 22/06/2009 @ 11:08:34 |
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Hi
I currently have a Panasonic DMC-FZ18 and its great for basic stuff, but the burst rate on it sucks and because of that I think I miss a load of great shots.
So I'm thinking of buying a "proper SLR" or something that gives me a better burst rate.
I know it's probably a very open question, but anyone have any suggestions, ideally I'd like to buy something second hand / cheap(ish) to start with.
Thanks
Nik |
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| Ranked Posts: 2273 |
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| #2 Re: Camera Suggestions 22/06/2009 @ 11:43:44 |
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| In reply to post #1 ... |
| I think there's an SLR thread somewhere round these parts... but personally, I reckon a camera with low shutter lag is better than high burst rate. Anticipate the action, know where the best part of the shot is and snap... |
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| #3 Re: Camera Suggestions 22/06/2009 @ 17:46:38 |
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| In reply to post #1 ... |
According to DPreivew, you have 2 - 3 fps.
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Panasonic/panasonic_dmcfz18.asp
To get better than that with an SLR you'll need a mid to pro model.
To get this for a budget will be hard, mainly because to get higher frame rates, you need a fast lens too (One with a very low F-stop number: F2.0; F2.8; etc).
This gets pricey fast
What I'd recommend is you get a second hand slr that has framerates of 6+ fps.
Or, get a small camera that does very good HD quality video and use software to take the stills you need.
As mentioned, the cpmpacts will have some form of shutter lag, but there's ways around this, such as prefocus on the lip of a jump or similar.
some of the new dSLRs also have good video, at around 20-30 fps so these should be fine for still grabs from video. (See, Nikon D90, D5000, Canon 500D)
If you were serious about this and didn't mind the weight, I'd look at an older Canon 1Dmk2 "N" or Nikon D2H if you want super high 8-11 fps.
Add a 50mm lens to it and you're set to go if you can get to the the distance you want to the subject.
Personally, I'd look at newer compact cameras as that's what you're used to.
Unfortunately, dpreview's feature search doesn't offer the continous mode feature to search by, but put in the mp you need, and the price and compare the results of what you want:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare.asp
Personally, I like this one:
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0903/09030315panasoniclumixdmcgh1.asp
You can buy cheap adaptors and use pretty much any lens, Nikon, Canon, Olympus, Pentax, Medium format, etc. |
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| #4 Re: Camera Suggestions 22/06/2009 @ 17:58:11 |
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| Ranked Posts: 1254 |
| UK - England |
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| #5 Re: Camera Suggestions 22/06/2009 @ 21:25:11 |
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| In reply to post #1 ... |
As Exige said, you probably don't actually want frame rate as much as low latency in your shutter. Canons have the same shutter lag on the DSLRs as their old film cameras used to have; milliseconds, and it feels instantaneous, even though the mirror has to flip. I'm sure Nikons are similar, although check the specs.
Personally I very rarely use continuous shooting; that's the sort of "spray and pray" approach which tends to miss the shot you actually need. It depends what you're shooting, but mostly timing is more important than 8 fps. You can generally turn the frame rate down on machines capable of that, and if you don't then you'll be spending a lot of time in the editing room wading through all those unused frames.
If you're shooting sequences then you still don't need 8fps. It's a bit like owning a car capable of 200mph in the uk. Pointless, but some people think you'll be inpressed by it.
A proper SLR is a good thing. There are some alternatives around, and they're better than the alternatives used to be, but still most people who are serious lug SLRs around.
You can shoot video with the latest DSLRs, but that's a whole different game, and even with the best you can't compare the quality of HD video with a raw frame. And then there's how you're going to hold that camera steady; it's much harder than with a conventional video camera.
A second level concern is buffer size. For snowboarding, so long as you're shooting people who know what they're doing then it's not a huge problem, but you can't shoot high-res raw continuously with most current DLSRs.
For cheapish, I'd look at the prices of second hand DSLRs - the technology moves on so fast that the second hand prices should fall like cars. |
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| Ranked Posts: 101 |
| North Yorkshire |
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| #6 Re: Camera Suggestions 22/06/2009 @ 22:05:51 |
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| In reply to post #5 ... |
Thanks for the advice guys.
So for 250ish what do you think I should be able to pick up on fleabay ? |
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| #7 Re: Camera Suggestions 23/06/2009 @ 08:41:59 |
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| In reply to post #6 ... |
Hey Nik,
I'm selling my 400D if you are interested. I have recently sold my len's, but still have the body and kit lens. All in excellant condition.
Its got all boxing, paperwork, Lowe pro Slingshot bag, polarising filter.
My reason for selling it is, to by a Camcorder.
PM me if you are interested.
Scott. |
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| Ranked Posts: 101 |
| North Yorkshire |
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| #8 Re: Camera Suggestions 03/07/2009 @ 12:27:36 |
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| In reply to post #7 ... |
Thanks for the offer Skot 9and adice from tohers), but i ended up buying a D60, playing with it in the garden got some great shots.
Took it to cas last night and got some great shots of the rainbox box, and loads of the rainbow box with blured figures flying over it !!!
Out of 200 pics i got about 3 keepers (http://www.goneboarding.co.uk/Gallery/Rainbow/PhotoID/7469/ShowPhoto.aspx) is the best of the bunch, and it aint great.
Lots to learn  |
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| #9 Re: Camera Suggestions 06/07/2009 @ 10:33:12 |
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| In reply to post #8 ... |
Decent starter camera, You'll be happy.
What you will soon learn that you'll need, escpecially for indoor shooting, is a decent flash.
Have a look at the new 35mm 1.8 from nikon. Quite cheap and will also let you shoot a lot faster than the kit lens. |
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| Ranked Posts: 101 |
| North Yorkshire |
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| #10 Re: Camera Suggestions 06/07/2009 @ 15:13:27 |
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| In reply to post #9 ... |
QUOTE (WillyPete - 06/07/2009 @ 10:33:12) Decent starter camera, You'll be happy. What you will soon learn that you'll need, escpecially for indoor shooting, is a decent flash. Have a look at the new 35mm 1.8 from nikon. Quite cheap and will also let you shoot a lot faster than the kit lens.
Thanks Pete - I'm was looking at the Nikon 70-300 mm f4.5-5.6G AF-S VR Zoom Lense ..... just ned to convince the missus I need it 
Have been looking for a second hand SB-800 flash unit also .... will wait for one to come up on ebay at the right price. |
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| Ranked Posts: 2273 |
| Australia |
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| #11 Re: Camera Suggestions 07/07/2009 @ 13:51:20 |
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| In reply to post #10 ... |
| Good luck getting a cheap SB800... they hold their value pretty well since they're generally regarded as one of the best portable flash units on the market (at least until the recent SB900! 200mm zoom sounds and looks pretty awesome). |
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| Ranked Posts: 101 |
| North Yorkshire |
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| #12 Re: Camera Suggestions 11/07/2009 @ 10:30:50 |
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| In reply to post #9 ... |
The 35mm 1.8 arrived and I had a play at cas last night, quite please with the results, though judging by some of the different light / shades I am getting, the flash is defo next purchase !!
Sample 1
Sample 2
I am gonna need to get really close to get the snaps i want, I tried a couple of times, but the flash fired and I ended up with:
Flash 1
Flash 2
But I'm stoked to go, take 200 pics and most of them be at least worth looking at rather than deleting straight away. |
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| Ranked Posts: 2273 |
| Australia |
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| #13 Re: Camera Suggestions 13/07/2009 @ 23:34:34 |
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| Revision #1 (Last edited: 13/07/2009 @ 23:35:26) |
| In reply to post #12 ... |
Not bad, it looks like your metering was throwing out the background in your flash shots... check out EV compensation in your camera manual, and you may just want to dial it down -1 to tame the backdrop whilst keeping your subject nicely lit...
Added you on flickr too, keep up the good work! |
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| Ranked Posts: 1254 |
| UK - England |
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| #14 Re: Camera Suggestions 14/07/2009 @ 17:35:01 |
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| In reply to post #13 ... |
What he said. Shoot a couple of frames, then check the histogram. The flash shots look way over exposed, and you should be able to see that in the histo. You should be able to dial in the exposure for the background and the foreground (flash) separately, so you can adjust the balance between the two.
If you can shoot raw it will make it easier to correct the lighting colour in those places. Bear in mind that your flash is going to be a different temperature from the lighting so it may be tricky. |
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| #15 Re: Camera Suggestions 03/11/2009 @ 20:55:12 |
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| In reply to post #14 ... |
D60 was a good choice, i have it and i love it.
The lens i use is the 18-135. Its actually a really good lens. If you have a 70-300 and you also want a wider angle i'd recommend looking at the 18-135. |
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