What gear

[mowgli]

I know that this is not a WHICH? guide, but can anybody help with what camera and accesories to buy? I have a compact digital but it is very limited. I am not new to exploring but new to photography.

Any help appreciated

Mowgli

[foz101]

Short answer: Buy only what you can afford to drop and break. Then RTFM.

Longer answer: Most people have a small-ish DSLR and a tripod. Canons 350d, 400d, 20d, 30d are used most here, along with a lot of Nikons, D40, D40x, D50, D60, D70, D80. Wider lenses are better for smaller spaces and darker conditions, but buy what you'd use most.

If you don't know much about cameras, you could get a 'bridge' camera like a Fuji s9600 or go for a Canon powershot or Nikon coolpix P-series cam (or equivalent sony, olympus etc). They all take good shots if used correctly.

There used to be a good guide to cameras and photography on here - one will no doubt appear again soon from someone who knows far more than me.

[Alley]

Canon A640 is a cracking little bridge cam, under £200.
Doesnt really matter what you get if you learn how to use it properly,
though it helps to have longer exposure if you're taking night shots.
RTFM :D

Tripod is essential, I have velbon mini which is sturdy, if a little small.
Found the aerial style extending ones a bit flimsy.

[Revelation_Space]

I use a Nikon D300, plus I always carry my Manfrotto 055XProB tripod, which is very heavy, but also extremely sturdy and adaptable, so I don't mind.

As far as lenses go, I used to use a Nikkor 18-200mm VR as a primary lens until I dropped it and it smashed to pieces on the stone floor in Broadford Works a couple of weeks ago. Now I mainly use a Sigma 10-20mm, but I'm not very happy with its image quality so I'll be buying the Tokina 11-16 2.8 as soon as I get the money.

Whatever you buy, make sure you have some sort of insurance for your equipment. That Nikkor lens was the only thing of mine that wasn't insured, and it was going to cost almost £500 to get it repaired.

[Midnight Runner]

good point Mexico which points to a good bag as well... i got a Nikon D300 and a Lowepro AW200 and i just swing my bag to my side open the side zip throw the camera in and run :p

[Derelict-UK]

Whatever you buy, make sure you have some sort of insurance for your equipment. That Nikkor lens was the only thing of mine that wasn't insured, and it was going to cost almost £500 to get it repaired.

You can buy them new for cheaper than that lol

I also use a D300, a Calumet Tripod (like manfrotto but a lot cheaper), I usually go out with my tokina 12-24mm lens but also have the use of the Nikon 18-200mm VR and (but I never use it for UE) the Tokina 10-17mm Fisheye.

All my stuff is insured with Photoguard which worked out at about £80 for £3000 worth of kit which included accidental damage away from home.

It was much cheaper to go through a specialist insurer than to add it to your home insurance, I saved about £110 doing it this way.

[Oxygen Thief]

I wouldn't suggest an SLR for your first 'decent' camera. As Alley recommended, the Canon A640 is a great camera, as are the G7 / G9 and soon the G10. Get them pushed to the limits before you upgrade. Berghaus do an armoured belt pouch for them that will protect them from absolutely everything (and I mean that!).

[Vivo]

that will protect them from absolutely everything (and I mean that!).

Even sharks? :eek:

[rookinella]

Lions, tigers and bears! Oh my!:eek:

[jonesyb]

You can buy them new for cheaper than that lol

I also use a D300, a Calumet Tripod (like manfrotto but a lot cheaper), I usually go out with my tokina 12-24mm lens but also have the use of the Nikon 18-200mm VR and (but I never use it for UE) the Tokina 10-17mm Fisheye.

All my stuff is insured with Photoguard which worked out at about £80 for £3000 worth of kit which included accidental damage away from home.

It was much cheaper to go through a specialist insurer than to add it to your home insurance, I saved about £110 doing it this way.

Off topic I know but care to link me up to that Calumet tripod? I have a tripod thread going if you want to post it in there.

I would so love a D300.. but my D50 is still serving me very very well indeed.

[REEF]

One camera I would recommend is the new Canon SX10 IS.
10million, 20x zoom, 28mm lens, swivel screen and its great in low light.
Price will be a lot cheaper than a G10:thumb

[Oxygen Thief]

One camera I would recommend is the new Canon SX10 IS.
10million, 20x zoom, 28mm lens, swivel screen and its great in low light.
Price will be a lot cheaper than a G10:thumb

Looks pretty good actually. Not compact enough for my liking personally though. The price of the G10 is going to be around £500 ! Which is taking the pi55 somewhat eh?

[REEF]

G10 £449 I think. Its got a 28mm lens but you can't use the wide angle converter which is a pain. I've used an SX10 and its a cool camera if you don't mind the size. The SX1 will be out soon as well, like the SX10 but will also do HD1080 movies.
The G10 is superb in low light much better then the G9, I know this for a fact;)

[wormster]

Get what you can afford, get a tripod and PLAY.

[mogawowo]

I use a Olympus E-400 10 mp dslr for trudges ourt as its the worlds smallest dslr and packs a lot of punch and doesnt matter if you rough it up a little as there only like 400 quid with 2 lenses

[Markok765]

I use a nikon F5. It is very durable and fast. The controls are well placed, and I don't mind the 1.2KG[without lens/batteries] weight.

Its only $400 US for EX condition on Keh.com

[snappel]

A good compact is severely overlooked. OT's suggestions are good, the other option to consider are products by Ricoh, such as the GR-D and GX-100. It's so much nicer carrying one of them around on a lightweight tripod (in my case the 785B or 785SHB) rather than an SLR. Also, with an SLR the 785 series Manfrottos are a little unstable, particularly the ball-head which doesn't always grip well.