Camera enthusiasts

[Itsnoteasy]

My daughter would like a proper camera for her 16th birthday in a couple of weeks.
Don't know the 1st thing about a decent one. Anyone know of or are selling one or best place to go to get this in Edinburgh.
Any help on this matter would be appreciated.

[Jack]

I'm a bit old school so if it's to be a vlogging camera I'm out 😆

How much are you wanting to spend?

Do you want a simple compact camera? I use a cheapish Samsung that's currently just over £100. It's very versatile and slips in and out a pocket nice and easy, point and shoot or go learn about all the settings.

A DSLR. These are the ones with the changeable lenses. I was into all this before they went digital. Just to keep up I got a Sony package when I retired and went on more exotic holidays. You could probably pick up a similar kit to what I got of camera and a couple of lenses for £5/600 (that can be added to leter).

Get her more than 1 battery and more than 1 memory card, swap the memory card about when on holiday so if you somehow lose one you've still got half your photos!

Edit. Just looked up my cameras and they're up in price! Compact £190 but they start much less than that. A DSLR kit probably over £600 now but cheaper is available.

[nonshinyfinish]

Caveat: I'm not an expert.

I assume 'proper camera' means one with interchangeable lenses? In the past the default would be an entry-level DSLR and the main decision would be whether it's Canon or Nikon. However, these days mirrorless cameras are often the better bet for non-professionals. This article has a quick summary of DSLR vs mirrorless (and a link to more detail) as well as some recommendations for starter cameras: https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/buying-guides/best-camera-for-beginners-best-entry-level-dslr-mirrorless-and-compact-cameras (There's a massive range of prices in that list – something like the Fuji X-T5 is way over the top for a beginner IMO and I imagine you weren't intending to spend £1500+).

It's a good idea to look at the 'lens ecosystem' before you settle on a camera – if she gets into it then she'll want more lenses eventually. In most cases there will be both first- and third-party lenses available (third-party lenses are often almost as good for a lot less money), but the number/type of available lenses for a given camera mount will differ.

With those things in mind, my non-expert opinion is that you can't go far wrong with a well-reviewed APS-C mirrorless camera from any of the major brands. Someone more knowledgeable than me can probably give more specific recommendations based on budget and any particularly type of photography she's interested in.

(I've had a Fuji X-T10 with the kit lens plus a couple of first- and third-party lenses for about six years and it's served me well.)

[HUTCHYHIBBY]

My daughter would like a proper camera for her 16th birthday in a couple of weeks.
Don't know the 1st thing about a decent one. Anyone know of or are selling one or best place to go to get this in Edinburgh.
Any help on this matter would be appreciated.

Might be worth sending Wookie70 a PM.

[Jim44]

There’s good information and advice here but before you start paying a fair bit of money on DSLR cameras and related equipment, establish exactly what your daughter wants from a ‘proper camera’. If she wants to get seriously into photography, a DSLR camera is the one to go for but remember that handling one of these cameras can be quite tricky. She would have to build up basic knowledge of the combination of focus, aperture and shutter speed settings. I would recommend a beginners course for this. Of course, you can set these cameras to ‘auto’ and basically point and click, but if that’s all she wants, a decent compact camera would be as good. I find I use my DSLR camera less and less these days and use a compact camera or even my phone. You can even get handy clip on lenses for a phone camera which give interesting opportunities and effects. There are also lots of apps for editing and manipulating basic digital photographs.

[AltheHibby]

I would also let her handle the camera you want to buy. If it doesn't feel comfortable in her hands it can be a distraction. Back in the day I used a Chinon (Dixons own brand) because it felt right, with added bonus that it had the same mount as Pentax, giving me access to loads of cheaper new and second hand lenses.

[Fuzzywuzzy]

You could also try mpb - you can get some good deals. It is mainly second hand so would depend on whether she was after brand new.

They generally list the camera with the shutter count which is good

https://www.mpb.com/en-uk?gclid=Cj0KCQiApKagBhC1ARIsAFc7Mc7ZM1subwvxTG7q-qVLcvjZ10Sr8EhpD7Uc91vVvYWnzYi61n1DiRUaAoK2EALw_wc B&gclsrc=aw.ds

[Itsnoteasy]

You could also try mpb - you can get some good deals. It is mainly second hand so would depend on whether she was after brand new.

They generally list the camera with the shutter count which is good

https://www.mpb.com/en-uk?gclid=Cj0KCQiApKagBhC1ARIsAFc7Mc7ZM1subwvxTG7q-qVLcvjZ10Sr8EhpD7Uc91vVvYWnzYi61n1DiRUaAoK2EALw_wc B&gclsrc=aw.ds

I think we'll go down the 2nd hand route just now.

[Itsnoteasy]

Thanks all for taking the time to reply.

[Itsnoteasy]

There’s good information and advice here but before you start paying a fair bit of money on DSLR cameras and related equipment, establish exactly what your daughter wants from a ‘proper camera’. If she wants to get seriously into photography, a DSLR camera is the one to go for but remember that handling one of these cameras can be quite tricky. She would have to build up basic knowledge of the combination of focus, aperture and shutter speed settings. I would recommend a beginners course for this. Of course, you can set these cameras to ‘auto’ and basically point and click, but if that’s all she wants, a decent compact camera would be as good. I find I use my DSLR camera less and less these days and use a compact camera or even my phone. You can even get handy clip on lenses for a phone camera which give interesting opportunities and effects. There are also lots of apps for editing and manipulating basic digital photographs.

Where do you find beginners courses in Edinburgh?

[Santa Cruz]

Where do you find beginners courses in Edinburgh?

Leith School of Art, weekend class course.

https://www.leithschoolofart.co.uk/course-info/721/landscape-photography-experimental-techniques

[Jim44]

Where do you find beginners courses in Edinburgh?

Another possibility. - https://www.superprof.co.uk/lessons/photography/edinburgh/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=ads_el&utm_campaign=EL_GB_SEARCH_General&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIsOC1-ODR_QIV54FQBh24zgcbEAAYAiAAEgIomfD_BwE

[Jack]

A friend of mine was a very good photographer, won a few prestigious global awards, retired a few years ago and was looking for something to fill in his time. I suggested that he used his experience and give courses on photography. No point, he said, everything you need to become a competent/good photographer was all online (free to access) these days both written and video (youtube) tutorials.

I would certainly start with online, learning the basics, before paying any money and I'd be surprised if there weren't a few specific videos for the camera she gets. By the time she's done that I'd suspect she'd be ready to look for more specialist tutoring - probably most easily found online!

[Moulin Yarns]

I've just used my Canon 760D DSLR for the first time in ages to photograph and video the badgers that visit our garden most nights thanks to this thread. Cheers guys 👍

[Itsnoteasy]

A friend of mine was a very good photographer, won a few prestigious global awards, retired a few years ago and was looking for something to fill in his time. I suggested that he used his experience and give courses on photography. No point, he said, everything you need to become a competent/good photographer was all online (free to access) these days both written and video (youtube) tutorials.

I would certainly start with online, learning the basics, before paying any money and I'd be surprised if there weren't a few specific videos for the camera she gets. By the time she's done that I'd suspect she'd be ready to look for more specialist tutoring - probably most easily found online!


:thumbsup:

[Itsnoteasy]

I've just used my Canon 760D DSLR for the first time in ages to photograph and video the badgers that visit our garden most nights thanks to this thread. Cheers guys 👍

Badgers are bigger than you think. I had one stare me out walking hame fi the toon one night. I thought **** that & crossed the road.

[Moulin Yarns]

Badgers are bigger than you think. I had one stare me out walking hame fi the toon one night. I thought **** that & crossed the road.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cp0C_dPI0ir/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

[BroxburnHibee]

Badgers are bigger than you think. I had one stare me out walking hame fi the toon one night. I thought **** that & crossed the road.

I passed one on Tipperlin Rd one night when I was in my taxi. He stared me out all the way as I drove past.

[pollution]

I passed one on Tipperlin Rd one night when I was in my taxi. He stared me out all the way as I drove past.


It may seem that it was staring but badgers have terrible eyesight and it may have been smelling its way, so to speak.

We have an occasional visit from a badger and even shining a torch at it goes unnoticed.

[ErinGoBraghHFC]

Badgers are bigger than you think. I had one stare me out walking hame fi the toon one night. I thought **** that & crossed the road.

Drove past one in Bothwell one night after being out for dinner, thing was the size of a medium dug and it didn’t pay any attention to the car going past maybe 5 feet away, was right at the edge of the grass next to the road. Only time I’ve ever seen one of them and still can’t believe the size of it, absolute unit. I don’t know if it was just a ****in massive badger or if they’re all that size but I wouldn’t have wanted to have a scrap with it


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Moulin Yarns]

Drove past one in Bothwell one night after being out for dinner, thing was the size of a medium dug and it didn’t pay any attention to the car going past maybe 5 feet away, was right at the edge of the grass next to the road. Only time I’ve ever seen one of them and still can’t believe the size of it, absolute unit. I don’t know if it was just a ****in massive badger or if they’re all that size but I wouldn’t have wanted to have a scrap with it


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The one in the clip I posted on Instagram above is a youngster, a year old, the adults are about double the size. The clip is from my living room window and they don't bother that you are watching.

[Itsnoteasy]

The one in the clip I posted on Instagram above is a youngster, a year old, the adults are about double the size. The clip is from my living room window and they don't bother that you are watching.

Does a thread on .net ever start & finish with the same topic. Cameras to badgers 🤣

[JeMeSouviens]

I'm by no means an expert but I like taking pictures. I have a Canon SLR, think it's my 3rd of those, 1 film and 2 digital. A few years ago I bought a little Sony compact RX100 and now I hardly ever bother lugging the SLR around. The only thing I miss is it doesn't have much optical zoom, but the lens and sensor are both great and with 20MP to play with you can do a fair bit of cropping later and still have a good image. The latest versions of it, I think they're up to version 7 now, have more zoom and a ton of other features.

I think a "proper" camera person would have both compact and a "proper" setup so they can always have a camera with them ("the best camera is the one you have with you" is the famous quote) but have more if they're setting out with a shot in mind.

Also, digital photography really did change the game. No more worrying about wasting film and easy post-processing with as many discardable attempts as you like to get the right thing. You can do a lot even with the basic software packaged in your OS or with the camera or that you can get free online. So it's worth spending time learning that side of things too.

Good luck. :aok:

[JeMeSouviens]

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cp0C_dPI0ir/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Aw, brilliant. Love badgers.