Hi, Im new, and after some advice

[ben306]

Hi all,

I have recently moved to Toronto from Manchester in England, UK. Currently on a 12 months working visa.

Im finding myself taking more and more photos, but currently just have a dated 5MP Samsung cyber 530 point and press camera with 3x optical zoom. Im now finding myself to be very limited with what I can do although I try my best.

Few examples but I have lost abit of the quality when Ive up loaded them.

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b41/Ben306/Canada%20Sep%202008/S5006398.jpg

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b41/Ben306/Canada%20Sep%202008/S5006491.jpg

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b41/Ben306/Canada%20Sep%202008/S5006622.jpg

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b41/Ben306/Canada%20Sep%202008/S5006665.jpg

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b41/Ben306/Canada%20Sep%202008/S5006689.jpg

Now I am after stepping it up a little, and looked at DSLR's but I just cant afford that money, so looking at the 'ultra zoom' cameras and have seen a few I like.

Liking the sony, and fuji cameras but after some pointers. really I'd have to get second hand as my budget is limited to about $200 but if I really like the camera I could stretch to $250 all in. Bearing in mind I'd have to spend on memory cards, case/bag etc.

So an hello from me, and any suggestions would be very much appreciated.

Thanks

ben

[mjsneddon]

Ben:

For $200 or very little more you will be able to purchase a new, decent quality, point and shoot camera. And it will be (only) very simple to operate - and that may be the rub. From the images you included in your post, it is clear that you would benefit most by having a camera that allows you to control the aperture, etc. (which your current camera provides).

Also, the size of the sensor of a new $200 camera will be significantly smaller than the one in your current camera. This also will limit your ability to produce images with a shallow depth of field (as exhibited by your second and fifth image).

Looking to the used market is probably the way to go in order to find something worth having while staying within your stated budget.

Good luck.

Mike

[Screenclutter]

Looking at your photos, I'm not sure how you are feeling limited.

Being from Toronto, I can suggest:

1) Buying a camera here I think is cheaper than buying in Manchester but you may need to make sure the charger you buy with your camera here works the electrical outlets back home.

2) Camera stores I'd suggest in downtown Toronto: Vistek, Downtown Camera, Aden Camera, Henrys and Blacks (specifically the big store at the northeast corner of Yonge/Dundas).

[Spookonthe8ball]

ben306, Welcome to the forums. Buy what ya can afford. Looks like you have some photability :)
A used DSLR will suite you fine. Work up in cameras as you go. If this is your passion, save for a nice camera and continue down this road.
Spook

[fionndruinne]

Even a used Nikon D40 with the kitlens would be a very respectable starting point, so do consider a DSLR... if you've any sort of passion about photography, a point and shoot is bound to disappoint you after a while.

However, if you want convenience, go that route instead. DSLRs are complex critters to corner effectively. Ultrazooms are also members of the convenience crowd; they sacrifice some quality for that crazy focal range.

[Phill D]

Looking at what you're shooting I'd say you will definately get a lot of benefit from going for a dslr. I couldn't find your camera details in Jeffs lists so not sure what it's worth second hand but maybe selling it would get you that bit extra to get a new budget dslr. On the other hand it would probably be better to stick with your Samsung as you are getting some nice shots with it & get a secondhand dslr as well to grow with. That way you will have the convenience & familiarity of your old camera to fall back on as you learn the tricks of a dslr. As to which brand then it probably doesn't matter too much just see what you like the feel of that's available. I'm sure if you post some alternatives when you are about to make your decision then there will be lots of advice from this forum.

[ben306]

Well as an inbetween, I went out and bought a Panasonic FZ18, which has 18x optical zoom (28-504 35mm equivelant). Picked it up for $200 from Henry's. It also has the added bonus that it shots in RAW aswell and looks to have plenty of features, going to have a play with it over the coming weeks, see how it feels.

I am going to hopefully save and get a DSLR in a few months, but because of my move here, the initial outlay just to get the ball rolling with living here has taken it out of me.

Thanks for the welcomes and hopefully you'll all be able to give me pointers as I start playing with this camera.

[Phill D]

That sounds like a very good deal & it's a very good camera & excellent Leica lens. Good choice. I spent a very enjoyable few years with a Panasonic FZ20 & found it difficult to make the move to a dslr as it was so good. In fact I still miss that versatility & convenience the long zoom gives. I'm sure you'll have fun & I bet it's more than a few months before you want to go for a dslr.