I need camera advice

[NordieBoy]

I am tempted to take the 20D with a 50mm f1.8 lens on the Molesworth/Rainbow ride tomorrow, just for the halibut.

[Padmei]

Thanks guys for the feedback. It's all being slowly sorted in my heads. please feel free to post a link to any of your pics.

[misterO]

Many of my favourites can't be displayed on Flickr for contractual/ethical reasons but here ya go:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jmogden/

[Big Dave]

I always liked the line 'advice is worth what you paid for it'.
So, I advise you to get a camera.

There are a number of online resources. I used Ken Rockwell's stuff quite a lot too.
I generally agree with him though - but I have a Nikon D90 as well.
Several sites do in depth reviews - pick a model you think you might like and let google be your friend.
'Brand loyalty' is for geeks. It's about what's in it for YOU.

"Canon 2Ti with 'Magic lantern' Firmware" is highly recommended - if you want to do Video as well.
Performs like a $6k video rig I'm told by a man who knows.

Ansell Adams said 'There are no rules for photography - just good photographs.'

Andy Warhol said 'My idea of a good photograph is one that is in focus - and has a famous person in it'.

Happy snappin'

[Big Dave]

just for the halibut.

Was it good enough for Jehovah?

[CrazyFrog]

Has anyone got or used an Olympus TG-310 or TG-810?
I'm considering one as an ADV bike camera for it's tough qualities, drop proof, waterproof, dustproof, cold proof.

Alternatively, considering Fujifilm XP20 and Sony DSC-TX5 or DSC-TX10.
Any good/bad experience with any of these?
Thanks in advance

[Gremlin]

Alternatively, considering Fujifilm XP20 and Sony DSC-TX5 or DSC-TX10.
Any good/bad experience with any of these?

Ref my first post re the TX5... I use one. It can also do HD recording... not that I really use it for that.

[huff3r]

Thanks guys for the feedback. It's all being slowly sorted in my heads. please feel free to post a link to any of your pics.

Canon EOS 550D. Probably a bit out of your price range, but the older models are very similar. My father uses a 500D and has had a photo featured in a tourist guide for Sydney. They are very good cameras.

Here are a few pics of my first time photographing motorcycles, at Cemetery Circuit on Boxing Day. I took over 700 photos on the day, bringing my total photos ever with a decent camera to just over 2000 so I'm still VERY new at this.

Sure it's big and heavy to lug around, and there are lots of places I don't take it, but if I know I'm going to really want photos, I'm going to want really good photos so I put the effort in

[NordieBoy]

Canon EOS 550D. Probably a bit out of your price range, but the older models are very similar. My father uses a 500D and has had a photo featured in a tourist guide for Sydney. They are very good cameras.

Here are a few pics of my first time photographing motorcycles, at Cemetery Circuit on Boxing Day. I took over 700 photos on the day, bringing my total photos ever with a decent camera to just over 2000 so I'm still VERY new at this.

Sure it's big and heavy to lug around, and there are lots of places I don't take it, but if I know I'm going to really want photos, I'm going to want really good photos so I put the effort in

Too big and not very waterproof.

Ok for taking pics of bikes but not so much from bikes.

[NordieBoy]

Has anyone got or used an Olympus TG-310 or TG-810?
I'm considering one as an ADV bike camera for it's tough qualities, drop proof, waterproof, dustproof, cold proof.

Alternatively, considering Fujifilm XP20 and Sony DSC-TX5 or DSC-TX10.
Any good/bad experience with any of these?
Thanks in advance

The TG series look like slightly weaker versions of my 1030SW but with 14Mp, HD recording etc.
Bloody good price though.

[huff3r]

Too big and not very waterproof.

Ok for taking pics of bikes but not so much from bikes.

OP didn't mention taking pics from bikes, simply taking pics whilst out riding. Backpacks aren't exactly hard to wear. OP also said they would consider a DSLR... Just providing some evidence of why I like my 550D.

[cromagnon]

Too big and not very waterproof.

Ok for taking pics of bikes but not so much from bikes.

I have a pelican case for my dslr when going into rougher stuff, waterproof and it floats (if required). It isnt the easiest to access to take quick photos (have a second camera in the jacket pocket for that). I wouldnt take the pelican case on more than an overnighter at the moment due to the space that is taken up.

[NordieBoy]

OP didn't mention taking pics from bikes, simply taking pics whilst out riding. Backpacks aren't exactly hard to wear. OP also said they would consider a DSLR... Just providing some evidence of why I like my 550D.

OP also falls off a lot.
Things fall out of his backpack regularly too...

I love my 20D.
You can't beat a dSLR for the clarity of the shots but he really needs something that'll take a good shot at a moments notice and still fit into a bike jacket pocket.

This is the OP. Pic taken with a 20D with 28-70 f2.8 lens.


Same camera/lens here too.


OP again. Pic taken with Olympus 1030SW.

[Henk]

Have a 550D that is a great camera, it all depends on what you want to take photos of. Would I take it on the bike, probably not, went to the cemetery cct and left it at home, took a crap P&S instead that is now going in the bin. If you want nice scenic shots etc a P&S will be fine, if you want pictures of bikes actually moving you can't beat a DSLR, the advantage isn't so much in the interchangeable lenses or stupidly high pixel counts but in the fact that they are fast, you take the picture you wanted, not a picture of the front wheel of the bike following.

[Winston001]

Was it good enough for Jehovah?

Big Dave, son of Deuteronomy of Gath:

You have been found guilty by the elders of the town of uttering the name of our Lord, and so, as a BLASPHEMER...you are to be stoned to death!