FabSwingers.com forum: Recommend a Camera

By *penJack OP Man
over a year ago

Northampton

Hi guys,

This might be a silly question because i know absolutely nothing about cameras!

Some of you guys have amazing photos and im wondering if you have a camera youd recommend?

I have a Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge, which has a pretty decent camera. Can i get a better camera for under £300? Or is it just a case of learning to use my phone better?

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By *ovelock4Man
over a year ago

Croydon

The cameras in phones are very good these days, but a 'proper' camera will always give better and more professional results. A digital SLR camera would give you the quality and features to get some amazing results. They aren't that expensive these days. Hope that helps.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

To be honest your 7 edge will do all you need it to do. Learn about the built in editing pack that comes with it. Its in the gallery. Unless you really want to get onto photography save your money 9r spend it on shoes lol

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I use my iPhone 5s for photos (my previous account). I do have a canon eos 1200D but a phone camera does the job.

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By *ngel n tedCouple
over a year ago

maidstone

Chris, he's a sports pundit

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By *eavenNhellCouple
over a year ago

carrbrook stalybridge

A better camera doesent take better pictures it just enables a person to get better results of the same subject a crap picture is a crap picture wether it's taken on a box brownie a dslr or a phone cam .

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By *evaquitCouple
over a year ago

Catthorpe

Our pics are all iPhone 5 ones, however, we've since purchased a digital SLR Nikon D700 with a package lens, any of the D range will produce great pics for under the price you're looking to spend. When you have a bit more spare cash get another lens for it doing some reviews which is more than you'll need.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Decent place price wise is probably pc world/currys they have a good range of camera gear and they will give you demos and stuff. I have a canon dslr and find myself using my phone alot. Xperia z5c 23mp full HD 4k video also.

More options and room to work with a dslr if your heading for a learning process and pro results.

Easy point and shoot digial camera is what it is, not much option but these days still a good enough photo.

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By *harpDressed ManMan
over a year ago

Here occasionally, but mostly somewhere else

A £200 dedicated digital camera would give a larger, more detailed image than your phone, but as said above, the content is more important.

In my limited experience, getting light right makes all the difference.

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By *kcoupleCouple
over a year ago

.....

"A better camera doesent take better pictures it just enables a person to get better results of the same subject a crap picture is a crap picture wether it's taken on a box brownie a dslr or a phone cam ."

While you are right you are also very wrong. A better camera allows you to take full advantage of lighting and the ability to us off camera flash guns or strobe lighting etc. Put my s7 beside my D7200 in a studio test and the medium level DSLR will leave it for dead every time... providing you have the knowledge to use your equipment.

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By *he_tykiesCouple
over a year ago

West Yorkshire.

I have a Canon DSLR with a range of lens, but prefer just to use my Canon SX700HS compact most of the time, as its easy to slip in my pocket or glove box of car. I bought it second hand for just over £100. Cracking piece if kit, 16mp, mega zoom, hd video, a range of features I also have with my DSLR, and it produces great results with my help lol.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Hi guys,

This might be a silly question because i know absolutely nothing about cameras!

Some of you guys have amazing photos and im wondering if you have a camera youd recommend?

I have a Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge, which has a pretty decent camera. Can i get a better camera for under £300? Or is it just a case of learning to use my phone better?"

Use phone better I'd suggest. Learn how to set where the exposure picks up from, probably spot, centre or whole frame (or similar wording) and what the difference is. Turn off the flash. Play with settings.

When you've exhausted everything that very capable camera can do then think about buying one.

Remember the first rule of cameras: no matter how good it is it's useless if you haven't got it with you! Your phone almost always will be.

The second rule: turn the bloody flash off!

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Very true! Look at the works of Ansel Adams, marvel at them, then consider what he took them with!

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Whatever camera you use and depending on circumstances always take more than one picture, flash and no flash, if it's of a female be be prepared to take 150 and still not be allowed to show anyone especially fab

...

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By *oggoneMan
over a year ago

Derry

If you've got an s7, i would start there. Invest in a Bluetooth shutter release and mini tripod. £15 on Amazon.

As stated above, built in flash can be very harsh. And a dslr in the hands on a experienced user is very hard to beat.

The basic rules still apply, composition, background, lighting.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"If you've got an s7, i would start there. Invest in a Bluetooth shutter release and mini tripod. £15 on Amazon.

As stated above, built in flash can be very harsh. And a dslr in the hands on a experienced user is very hard to beat.

The basic rules still apply, composition, background, lighting. "

True the flash can be harsh but that isn't my reason for turning it off. In many (most?) cases the flash is on at ranges that make it useless and when it's on it changes the camera settings to expect flash. Because the distance is too great (and we're talking a few metres here, single figures) the camera settings can't cope with what is there. Turn off the flash, give the camera a chance to choose appropriate settings for the situation.

You see it frequently, especially sporting events, concerts etc. All those flashes at distances 100m, useless.

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By *eavenNhellCouple
over a year ago

carrbrook stalybridge

Simply put there is no point buying a new expensive DSLR of any kind unless you are willing to take it out of auto mode and try to understand how it works. You could pick up a great Nikon D5100 with a kit lens for about 230 pounds. Paired with a local photography class you will be amazed at what you can create. If you intend on buying an expensive camera and leaving it in auto mode the I urge the OP to stick to their phone instead"
if you are going the dslr road have a look at mpbphotographic realy descent second hand camera dealers can save loads on ebay/shop prices .and agree about getting it off auto and earning what your camera can do no substitute for experiance paractice paractice paractice and if you happen to have a willing model go for it

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I would go with a Sony dslr there are plenty of 2nd hand ones about and they use the same lens mount as old minolta cameras so you can use lenses from minolta slr which are really cheap 2nd hand

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Panasonic have an android phone in the Lumix range. It is as close to a DSLR meets phone as you can get. for any kit monsters It has a 1" sensor, basically 4 times the size of the sensor in an Samsung iPhone etc.. the camera has all the modes you find in a DSLR. It has 4K photo modes and time lapse as well . It can even take 60 second long exposures. I have got some cracking pics with it .

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By *ust_for_laughsCouple
over a year ago

Hinckley

A DSLR will give you the best results, a half-decent point and shoot will give better results than your phone...and your phone will get you more than adequate results if they're only ever going to be seen on the internet at low resolutions.

Our images were taken using all three and you'd probably be hard-pushed to tell which was which unless I told you, or you saw the full-resolution images zoomed in 100% on a 27" monitor.

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By *imon and saffyCouple
over a year ago

southampton

At that price it's not really worth looking at a DSLR, try looking at a sony qx30. Camera that you control using your phone, gives you better images for that price range.

Then learn how to take photos.

A monkey with £4000 of camera is still a monkey.

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By *eovilcouple76Couple
over a year ago

yeovil

"At that price it's not really worth looking at a DSLR."

Plenty of second hand DSLR cameras out there within that budget. Can even pick up an entry level camera with kit lens for that money brand new.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

It all depends upon what you want to use the camera for. If it's just for quick snaps, profile pics etc, a phone or even a bridge camera will suffice but if you are looking to take high quality images for printing, etc then you'll need to shoot in RAW and will need a good dslr. I use a Canon 5D3 with an assortment of lenses and also use Lightroom and Photoshop to edit them as required ... but sometimes use my phone for a quick unimportant 'snap'

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By *amelhunterMan
over a year ago

newcastle

Very true! Look at the works of Ansel Adams, marvel at them, then consider what he took them with!"

Ansel Adams, that is all.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"It all depends upon what you want to use the camera for. If it's just for quick snaps, profile pics etc, a phone or even a bridge camera will suffice but if you are looking to take high quality images for printing, etc then you'll need to shoot in RAW and will need a good dslr. I use a Canon 5D3 with an assortment of lenses and also use Lightroom and Photoshop to edit them as required ... but sometimes use my phone for a quick unimportant 'snap'

I used to be with you on this, lugged my beloved dslr everywhere and got some cracking photos. Was so sceptical about phone cams, the lens is too small to gather light, etc.

Then I started to use my phone cam more, I got sick of carrying the dslr, and, guess what, the pics from the phone are great. Printable, canvases from the touchy feely place, etc.

Yes, there's certainly a place for dslr, bridge, etc. But for most uses and users a phone cam, especially a fairly new one, is great.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Very true! Look at the works of Ansel Adams, marvel at them, then consider what he took them with!

Ansel Adams, that is all.

A true genius!

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By *opmanforfun300Man
over a year ago

. Newcastle

A cannon slr works for me both shoots and hd videos

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Also one thing to consider when using a phone camera is the camera app itself, don't be afraid to forget the stock app and download another from the play store, FV 5 for instance is a very impressive camera app, others have different filters and settings / shoot modes that you can play about with that you don't find in the stock app

There are some good comparison videos out there and usually lots of free trial versions to see what you think

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I bought a secondhand EOS 450D with the stand 18-55mm lens for £100.

It was a great way to get into DLSR photography and didn't break the bank.

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By *ust RachelTV/TS
over a year ago

Horsham

Get yourself a decent compact camera, if you have not used a dslr before. If you have shop around, you can get some decent dslr cameras out there.

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By *oachman 9CoolMan
over a year ago

derby

"If you've got an s7, i would start there. Invest in a Bluetooth shutter release and mini tripod. £15 on Amazon.

As stated above, built in flash can be very harsh. And a dslr in the hands on a experienced user is very hard to beat.

The basic rules still apply, composition, background, lighting. "
I remember a clip on flash I used before digital was known in photography It had about 300/400 flashes built in it could never go back to it again everything was manual settings on my praktica MTL meter through the lens slr camera as of course it was on flash bought as new in 1981 all roll film took some nice photos but then came the world of digital I always think what you can,t take auto you won,t be able to take manual In todays world unless your a bright bod..

thinking back that praktica slr useing manual produced some nice pictures some surprised me useing a pentacon 50 mm screw in lens there was something about the old lenses the quality was certainly there just so bulky and in convenient to one you can put in your pocket now days also with digital I,ve taken some fine close ups thou only dslr digital can you get macro,s to my displeasure...

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Nikon D3200; with remote; standard sense is okay (18-55mm) but you may wish to upgrade that..

you will need a solid light (around 2-300); although the best photography uses natural light where possible (nature does such a good job).

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By *iamondjoeMan
over a year ago

Glastonbury

Lol @ all the good advice from well-meaning camera bores on this site.

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By *inky-MinxWoman
over a year ago

Grantham

Tripods help, even for phones

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Lol @ all the good advice from well-meaning camera bores on this site."

https://youtu.be/OXRBELZpKak

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By *iamondjoeMan
over a year ago

Glastonbury

"Lol @ all the good advice from well-meaning camera bores on this site."

Listen here, OP, there's basically 3 types of camera:

* digital - cheap, cheerful and crappy

* compact - still fits in a pocket, much better but not as good as

* DSLRs - expensive & large, take the best photos

So choose what type

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Lol @ all the good advice from well-meaning camera bores on this site.

Listen here, OP, there's basically 3 types of camera:

* digital - cheap, cheerful and crappy

* compact - still fits in a pocket, much better but not as good as

* DSLRs - expensive & large, take the best photos

So choose what type

This has been a simplified thread summary courtesy of DiamondJoe®

FTFY

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By *iamondjoeMan
over a year ago

Glastonbury

"Lol @ all the good advice from well-meaning camera bores on this site.

Listen here, OP, there's basically 3 types of camera:

* digital - cheap, cheerful and crappy

* compact - still fits in a pocket, much better but not as good as

* DSLRs - expensive & large, take the best photos

So choose what type"

Then choose a model/make you're happy with and go to your Generic Online Auction Site and search for 2nd-hand reconditioned goods.

Maybe pick something that's last year's model.

You'll pick it up for peanuts.

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By *inky-MinxWoman
over a year ago

Grantham

"Lol @ all the good advice from well-meaning camera bores on this site.

Listen here, OP, there's basically 3 types of camera:

* digital - cheap, cheerful and crappy

* compact - still fits in a pocket, much better but not as good as

* DSLRs - expensive & large, take the best photos

So choose what type"

*phone cameras

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By *iamondjoeMan
over a year ago

Glastonbury

"This has been a simplified thread summary courtesy of DiamondJoe®

FTFY"

Too fast.

Hope you last longer in bed

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By *iamondjoeMan
over a year ago

Glastonbury

"Lol @ all the good advice from well-meaning camera bores on this site.

Listen here, OP, there's basically 3 types of camera:

* digital - cheap, cheerful and crappy

* compact - still fits in a pocket, much better but not as good as

* DSLRs - expensive & large, take the best photos

So choose what type

*phone cameras"

Ffs - they're in the digital category

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By *inky-MinxWoman
over a year ago

Grantham

"Lol @ all the good advice from well-meaning camera bores on this site.

Listen here, OP, there's basically 3 types of camera:

* digital - cheap, cheerful and crappy

* compact - still fits in a pocket, much better but not as good as

* DSLRs - expensive & large, take the best photos

So choose what type

*phone cameras

Ffs - they're in the digital category"

They aren't cheap though

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"This has been a simplified thread summary courtesy of DiamondJoe®

FTFY

Too fast.

Hope you last longer in bed

I hope you don't need to take a 5 minute breather whilst shagging.. most disappointing

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By *inky-MinxWoman
over a year ago

Grantham

"This has been a simplified thread summary courtesy of DiamondJoe®

FTFY

Too fast.

Hope you last longer in bed

I hope you don't need to take a 5 minute breather whilst shagging.. most disappointing "

Or a club sandwich snack break

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"This has been a simplified thread summary courtesy of DiamondJoe®

FTFY

Too fast.

Hope you last longer in bed

I hope you don't need to take a 5 minute breather whilst shagging.. most disappointing

Or a club sandwich snack break

Its when he uses your back as a table whilst he is spreading his margarine that I object too... and where he stores the dill pickle is most distressing

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By *inky-MinxWoman
over a year ago

Grantham

"This has been a simplified thread summary courtesy of DiamondJoe®

FTFY

Too fast.

Hope you last longer in bed

I hope you don't need to take a 5 minute breather whilst shagging.. most disappointing

Or a club sandwich snack break

Its when he uses your back as a table whilst he is spreading his margarine that I object too... and where he stores the dill pickle is most distressing "

Dilldo pickle?

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By *penJack OP Man
over a year ago

Northampton

Thanks for the responses, folks!

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

[Removed by poster at 27/10/16 07:32:26]

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By *ornographic ArtsCouple
over a year ago

Glasgow

A bit late but we would like to add it's never the camera, it's how you use it. Do a little research on framing and composition and you can get playboy quality out of a disposable.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

[Removed by poster at 27/10/16 11:12:09]

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By *penJack OP Man
over a year ago

Northampton

"A bit late but we would like to add it's never the camera, it's how you use it. Do a little research on framing and composition and you can get playboy quality out of a disposable."

Looking at the quality of your pics, I'll take that advice very seriously. Thanks.

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By *orwegian BlueMan
over a year ago

Iceland, but Aldi is closer..

If you want to buy a camera..like desperate and life can't go on without one then a bridge camera will do what you want.. All the advantages of a dslr without the cost of additional lenses, external flash, camera bag, blah, blah, blah.......

To get the best out of any camera you have to learn how the aperture (iris on the lens), shutter speed and iso (term for film speed but now sensitivity of the camera sensor) interact with each other..

Unless you have the appetite to learn and suffer the heartache of missed photos cos you are fitting the right lens and getting the settings right for the surroundings by which point the world has moved on... Honestly, it is a real ball ache and you will end up sticking with the cameras preset modes instead.

Personally, I would stick with your phone camera, they are pretty amazing now and the editing apps you can get for a few quid are simple to use to produce photoshop quality edits... And all in a single hand held pocketable camera that can also make phone calls and get you onto fab with...

Honestly,Why would you want more.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Hi guys,

This might be a silly question because i know absolutely nothing about cameras!

Some of you guys have amazing photos and im wondering if you have a camera youd recommend?

I have a Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge, which has a pretty decent camera. Can i get a better camera for under £300? Or is it just a case of learning to use my phone better?"
trying using the professional settings in the camera app. They're actually pretty good. A tripod (or a mini one) can give great results. Particularly in low light. Which the s7 is good at anyway

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By *ornographic ArtsCouple
over a year ago

Glasgow

"A bit late but we would like to add it's never the camera, it's how you use it. Do a little research on framing and composition and you can get playboy quality out of a disposable.

Looking at the quality of your pics, I'll take that advice very seriously. Thanks.

Thank you very much. If you want advice etc... Please feel free to message us.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

If you are looking for a step up from your phone camera, then go for a compact camera with manual, SP and AP modes so you can play with depth of field and shutter speeds but make sure it has at least a 1" sensor. The increase in the sensor size will give you a much improved picture quality.

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