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[Jimbob]

I'll agree with Mark, definately sounds like a Digital SLR you are after, but not cheap, but will give you all the fexability you require.

I have a previous version of Mark's 2nd link, the Canon 20D absolutely Love it, would recommend any of the x0D series.

the x00D series are also very good, but I find them too small to comfortably hold and operate.

[Mr Skrunts]

If I could afford it, this would be my weapon of choice:

http://www.canon.co.uk/For_Home/Product_Finder/Cameras/Digital_SLR/EOS-1Ds_Mark_III/index.asp

But sadly thats more than I have ever spent on a car for myself!

Would rather like one of these:

http://www.canon.co.uk/For_Home/Product_Finder/Cameras/Digital_SLR/EOS_40D/index.asp

Am with you there Mark, I missed a full set up with tripods and about 6 lenses of the EOS1 for a grand not so long back.

http://www.canon.co.uk/For_Home/Product_Finder/Camcorders/High_Definition_HD/index.asp

Also been taking a fancy to the ones at the bottom of the list, trust me not to pick the cheap stuff.  

[Mr Skrunts]

I'll agree with Mark, definately sounds like a Digital SLR you are after, but not cheap, but will give you all the fexability you require.

I have a previous version of Mark's 2nd link, the Canon 20D absolutely Love it, would recommend any of the x0D series.

the x00D series are also very good, but I find them too small to comfortably hold and operate.

I totally agree Jimbob.

I am not against spening arround £500 on a camera, even more depending  on it's practicalities.

When I bought the S5000 I paid £325 for it, a customer of mine saw it and had a go (a 72 year old farner) I got him one they had dropped to £175.  I dont mind buying older models as they are superseeded, but it never seems to work that way on Cannon.  I would go second hand, but it would have to be off someone I know and what there reasons are for upgrading.

[Jimbob]

I'll agree with Mark, definately sounds like a Digital SLR you are after, but not cheap, but will give you all the fexability you require.

I have a previous version of Mark's 2nd link, the Canon 20D absolutely Love it, would recommend any of the x0D series.

the x00D series are also very good, but I find them too small to comfortably hold and operate.

I totally agree Jimbob.

I am not against spening arround £500 on a camera, even more depending  on it's practicalities.

When I bought the S5000 I paid £325 for it, a customer of mine saw it and had a go (a 72 year old farner) I got him one they had dropped to £175.  I dont mind buying older models as they are superseeded, but it never seems to work that way on Cannon.  I would go second hand, but it would have to be off someone I know and what there reasons are for upgrading.

A lot of proper camera shops (ie not jessops) do good 2nd hand with a warranty, people always chasing the latest, greatest and want to trade in.

Try London Camera exchange for a good idea, they have a chain of shops and do 2nd hand.

[Mr Skrunts]

  

[Jimbob]

www.lcegroup.co.uk

will give you a good idea for 2nd hand availability and prices.

www.warehouseexpress.co.uk are normally very competitive for new stuff.

[Mr Skrunts]

Cheers Jimbob.

Am going for a Fuji with the remote before I move, then will check out finances and sell the V6 GLS and see what I can afford.

 

[razzo]

if you can find one at the right price, try the canon EOS 5D. I was using one a few months ago & it is a cracking camera  

[Kevin Wood]

I would say if you can cope with the bulk of an SLR it's a no-brainer. Also, remember that you don't have to spend a fortune on one. A base model DSLR will be reasonably comparable in price to the best of the compact cameras but will knock the socks off it in terms of picture quality and flexibility.

It will give you a base on which you can build a collection of lenses, accessories, etc. that will let you do what you want and, when time and finances allow, you can upgrade the body for a better one and, assuming you've chosen the manufacturer wisely, all your lenses will fit.

Kevin

[davlad22]

I've just bought a Nikon D80 off a mate   Lovely bit of kit and has three remotes with it! lol!....Wired, IR & Radio  

Nice camera, are the lenses interchangable?

Oooooo yes!  

[size=12]
......having taken the same picture on all MP sizes, it has proved in the 4 years or so I have owned the camera that I have never needed more than 3MP but most times use maximum zoom.
 [/size]

My advice at this current time is this...given the fact that storage space (computers, memory cards) is sooooo cheap compared to what they were a few years ago and crucially the fact that you may only get to take a (valuable) picture just once, I would be using the best pixel rate you can get from the camera.

The Nikon I mentioned above takes 2 copies of the same picture, one in standard jpeg and one in RAW format, RAW storing more of the critical information needed for editing later. It means that each image runs to about 9MB from it's 10.2megapixel sensor. The 2 pictures together running to 18-20MB per shot. You can't get that information back later. Your existing 3mp camera shots will also start to look grainy on a big print or a larger television (HD) which everybody has these days!

Given your interest in photography it sounds like you definately want a decent camera, as the others have said, go second hand for a better deal. Camera users tend to look after their equipment and many shops offer guarantee, or get one that has been 'factory reburbished'.

Treat yourself mate, go into a shop, have a hold of a PROPER DSLR camera and ask some questions, take some pictures, the shop owner won't mind, that's what it's all about. See what feels right for you, nikon/canon being the two most popular. A bit like the ford/vauxhall or Merc/BMW scenario, whatever floats your boat.

If you are still in touch with your web-designer mate you may be interested to know that the lenses from the higher end Fuji cameras are compatible with most of the better nikon range   Have a little word and see if you can play with a few lenses. In fact, all nikon lenses are compatible with the better nikons. Canon, you have to be a bit more careful what works with what.

The money you have mentioned (£500) is a great budget for a camera and should get you a nice bit of kit. It isn't a lot of money to spend for capturing some great memories so go for it mate  

[Mikejr]

[size=12]
So this is why I fancy the interchangable lens set up. also my intension is to start getting back into motorsport events, so I am even considering a set up where if possible (this is very much where my knowldge becomes limited) I can change my lenses from a digital stills camera to a digtol video camera.  I know this wont be cheap, and the only possibilities so far have been the Cannon high end range.  The reason here is to gain a lot more distance/detail for the country side shots and the long shots trackside. [/size]

My 2c worth Skruntie, if you want to shoot video as well as stills, is to buy individual camera's. These days you can pick up a reasonably decent video camera for around the £250 mark, unless, of course, you're into shooting broadcast quality films  . But for watching on your own TV, a Panasonic, Sony or Canon video camera at that price range will not disappoint.

As for still DSLR cameras there are a lot of choices with probably the best known ones coming from Nikon, Canon, Pentax & Olympus. Personally I'm a 'Nikon man' and have a Nikon N70s with 2 lenses, a Nikon 18 to 70mm, which I use for most of my shots (equivalent to 27 to 105 mm in the 'old' 35 mm format) and a Nikon 70 to 300 mm (equivalent to 105 mm to 450 mm in the 'old' 35 mm format).

Besides reading up on different models you should also go to a decent photo shop and try handing them because some you will find more comfortable than others e.g buttons/dials etc. are in different places, weight/balance are different between makes and 'feeling comfortable' with a camera goes a long way to taking decent photos.

3 years ago, for my 60th birthday, my sons treated me to a ticket for the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. What a glorious day it was too, baking hot, a day for plenty of sun screen. Our seats were in the upper level of the Hanger Straight grandstand, just before Stow, and cars were passing at around 180 mph. I took lots of photos with my Nikon fitted with the Long zoom lens and show a couple of the better shots here. I had the camera mounted on a mono-pod but for these shots had to hand hold it to avoid getting other spectator's heads in the frame. I'm extremely pleased with the results and believe they show, in particular, the quality of the Nikon lenses. The photo of the driver's on the parade lap has been cropped a few times but is still of reasonable quality. For me they certainly recall many happy memories of the day.

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh252/Mikejr_2008/DSC_0049.jpg

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh252/Mikejr_2008/DSC_0026.jpg

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh252/Mikejr_2008/DSC_0011.jpg

Best of luck with making your choices, it's never easy.  

[Mr Skrunts]

I am going to take my time to reply to all the excellent advice above.

Annother cheapie Fuji is on the books, but Cannon v Nikko for a DSLR, am upping the budget maybe to £1000 but deffo £750/800.  Like as mentioned, once the lense collection grows I can just chnage the body.

I need to now find out which lenses can be mixed with different bodies.  Original plan was maybe Cannon DSLR and Cannon DVR.

The DVR (Camera/DVRC from now on unless there is a proper abreviation for it) must be HD wide format.  Hvae looked a Cannon, Sony and some Panasonic, the latter dont seem to be interchanable on lenses.  But I dont know if HD lenses can be swapped over.

Maybe 6 months before I buy but am treading carefully.

All advice very much appreciated, keep it coming.

TIA.  

[Mr Skrunts]

Mikejr that F1 McClaren pic is smart, I have allways likes thier colour scheme and they are also my fav team.  Nice pics