what camera to buy (uni student) help requested

Hi Barbara,

A budget or max figure would help - Its no use us recommending whats way beyond the $ in the bank

cheers

TRY JB HIFI

May i say that whatever camera she buys,if she travels a bit or plans too, get one with a GPS in it....Then it can be cross referenced to Google maps etc etc

Good Luck

Hullo Barb
Is her heart set on a DSLR?
The reason I ask is that I have a DSLR (a Nikon D60 with twin lens) while Jen has a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40, which is a hybrid. I was up in the Vic HC earlier this year and over dinner sat with 2 semi-professional photographers with top end DSLRs. They asked me what cameras we had and I told them as above.
They were very complimentary about the FZ40, saying it is an ideal camera for people wanting ease of use, many settings and options, a choice of auto or manual and excellent lens (Leica). Jen would agree :-)
My daughter recently also bought one (the latest equiv) and is very pleased with it - and she is fastidious!
Worth a gander, methinks
Cheers
Andrew

Hi Barbara.

If you want value for money I suggest you have a look at the Canon 550D.
There are several packages available for this camera both with the standard 50 mm lens and tele lens options.
The 550D has many specs very similar to the much dearer 7D.

The 550D has a lighter plastic body but it represents excellent value for money.
My youngest son just bought 7 of these camera's for his arts department at a local Highschool. He majored in photography at uni.

Unless you prefer to pay things off I would suggest you stay clear from places like Harvey Norman. There are a number of reputable traders on E Bay at a much more compative price.

Your call, it's your money. Hope this helps your search.

Regards, Case

Hi Barbera,
Have a look at kogan. I dont know much about DSLR cameras but I have delt with Kogan in the past (digital TV) and they are very good. They sell both Canon and Nikon brand cameras which you couldn't go wrong with and they look to be well priced. No affiliation, etc. etc. just my 2 bobs worth.
Cheers Bushpig51

Whenever I need a camera I buy here: Best-place-to-buy

You won't beat the prices and it is a local company.

Look at a camera like this: Canon-with-2-lens-kit

Regards

Derek

Barb,
Have a very close look at Nikon cameras. The D3100 twin lens kit with an 18/55mm VR lens (vibration reduction) and a 70 to 300mm telephoto.

If you find a good price on the internet many of the big retailers will match or lower it, providing you give them the internet site.

Have a good one,
RA.

Hi Everyone,
Thank you so much for your input we are busy checking out the web sites and price. Thanks for the hint about taking the best price in to see if they will meet
it
Barb

Just been through the process of buying a SLR and found that the camera body is not the most important part of the package,a good quality lens is.
Ended up with a 500D and a 17-85 mm lens. A good all-round package as you don't have to change lenses like the twin lenses setup. On DWI for $1024.
Dave.

I am going through the same thing at the moment - was originally looking at Canon or Nikon, but am now probably going to buy a Sony with twin lens kit for about $950. The Sony hasnt got a mirror, therefore is capable of shooting 7 frames per seconds. Because of this there are less moving parts... I would suggest to at least check them out before making a decision....
Drew

Barbara,

A lot has been covered.
Agree with the Canon/Nikon debate. Try them out.
Also agree that good lenses make a difference.

One other point to note.
If she goes Canon and buys an EF-S lens, it will not fit on the top end Canon models if she ever decides to upgrade the body.
ie. 5D and above, however i suspect that's a fair way off.

A good website to compare the technical specs of models is:
DPReview
It is a US site.

Barb
We have an Olympus I Tough, and a Nikon D70S
The ITough takes an amazing foto.
The Nikon being a DigitalSLR is no better, but as I do not understand Photography, so I am not utilizing it's ability.
I actually prefer the ITough.
Cheers
Bucky

You must have a look at a Canon G12. I have a Canon 40D as well with aftermarket glass canon lenses but the G12 get used more.
The G12 is small and easy to travel with and has many functions, some better the 40D. The G12 takes video as well.
A Canon G12 is $512 and is available from camerasdirect.com.au.
We three in our family.
Stan

barbara, i just bought a Fujifilm finepix HS20 EXR.very happy with it and price was $600.

Barbara M..this is one of those subjects where you can be headed into a thousand different areas because it really is personal choice and it really comes down to actual needs from a camera and what you want to pay for those needs...there is some great point and shoot cameras now and I have one just to carry when not on a mission to photograph anything in particular and easily accessible just in case and only have to button on and shoot...I like to do a fair bit of photography so I also went for a Nikon D40 because that is all they produce (as far as I know)and hence I thought their research would be more dedicated..if she does go for a DSLR then vibration reduction is a definate advantage...lenses ?..once again comes down to what you intend to do with the camera and what end result you want...there is packages with DSLR's ..but you can end up spending thousands on lenses if what you have is not sufficient...one lense I want now is about 2000.00...so you really have to be serious if you get into DSLR"s and really might not have to depending on your actual needs and with the quality of the point and shoot cameras available now...

my son is at first year uni. He considered options including compacts, waterproof and so one before eventually deciding upon a Canon 550D DSLR, even though he had to save longer. The two key influences were his friends doing photography at uni and requirement to take sports photos. He purchased one with the twin lens kit and bag in an ebay group buy from an Australian retailer for $769 including shipping a couple of weeks ago. This was much cheaper than the local stores due to grey import shenanigans.

He now has a great setup to learn his photography on. I was concerned at first with the plastic composite body but hold no such concerns now having played with it.

good luck with your choice,

Have a look at the Canon EOS 550. Excellent stills and good to excellent videos. One thing I do like is the autostabiliser to take out the shakes.

We got the twin lense option from Japan for less than $800. But when you get it try for one with the small pocket sized use manual in English. We didn't think about. Now we cannot read it as it's in Japanese characters.

This may help:

Canon EOS 550 prices

EOS 550 options

Phil