Camera Labs

Hi I am going to Africa in August, and have always had a cheap digital for "snaps". It is about time I bought a good camera for closeups, action shots, night shots and slr shooting I would like advice on a good quality camera for the above upto approx $800 AUS that is auto everything(pretty much) but still will let me zoom in from long distance and give me good quality even if I blow the pictures up to say 30 x 30 and more.
regards Ganejary

Hello Ganejary, welcome to Cameralabs!

You'll love Africa - it's a great destination for photography - especially if you get on a Safari.

If you're photographing wildlife, you'll need a camera with a powerful lens and which can respond quickly. An SLR is ideal, although I think it's unlikely you'll find a digital SLR for 800 AUD, especially with a long zoom lens.

So unless Australia has some amazing DSLR and lens deals, you'll need to either increase your budget or consider a different type of camera.

There are fortunately many non-SLR digital cameras with decent resolution and long zoom lenses built in which will meet your budget. Two great models we've reviewed on the site ate the Panasonic FZ30 and the Fuji S9500, although there are some newer models also worth considering.

These will give you the magnification you want at a good price, but they won't perform as well as a digital SLR in dark conditions, nor are as likely to respond as quickly in terms of power-up, focus and the delay when you press the shutter button.

Ultimately an SLR with a long zoom lens will be better for shooting wildlife, but you'll have to pay more. I'd advise going into a store and trying both an SLR with, say, a 70-300mm zoom, and an all-in-one 'bridge' camera which has a 10x or 12x zoom. See which you prefer the style and handling of.

Gordon

hi if ur after a good point and shoot sony is a really good brand. Check this one out unless uve already bought the camera:
DSCH50
9.1MP 3 INCH TILT LCD 15X OZ OIS BLACK
$599.00 AUD inc. GST


http://www.sony.com.au/dis/catalog/product.jsp?categoryId=34411

or just do a search around the brand sites : sony, olympus, canon, nikon etc and compare the specs. Point and shoots have really dropped in price. I Don't suggest an SLR unless your willing to spend $1000 AUS or its a waste getting one because u'll be spending more with a lower MP and zoom and ur lens may even cost more that ur camera.

enjoy you trip and don't forget to post photos here

hmm could anyway tell me how but 800 AUD is?? in US currency??

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Nikon D80/MB-D80/ ML-L3
AF-S 18-55 f/3.5-5.6, AF 50mm f/1.8D
SB-600
Vivtar 2800
My flickr
~Dan Nelson~

1 AUD = 0.9375 USD

...at least from what i could find on google.

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Jake

Canon EOS 400D + EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS + EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS + EF 50mm f/1.8
My Photos - My webpage (danish)

$800AUD = $750.2396 USD

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Roy
EOS 350D, 40D + BG-E2N, EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM, EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM, EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM, 430 EX Speedlite




My Fotopic

You could get the D40 with 18-55, and 70-300VR for around 1000 US dollars from bh photo in the states. Over budget, but worth the money imo.

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I've upped my Iso, now up yours.
Nikon D700, Nikon D80, Micro Nikkor 105 f2.8 AI-S,Nikon 85mm 1.8D, Nikon 50mm 1.8D, Nikon 35mm F2D, Nikon 16-35 f4 VR, Nikon 24-70mm F2.8 AF-S, Nikon 70-200VRII, Nikon 70-300mm VR, 300mm f2.8 AI IF ED, SB-800, SB-900. Noiseware pro,NIK Dfine, Nik Colour Effex, Nik Sharpener Pro

The Olympus e510 with 14-42 and 70-300 might come close.
Especially the 70-300 will be great for safari.

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Olympus E-500, 12-60, 40-150, 70-300

yes but they are going to cost more in australia. unforunatly if its $1000 in the US then its bound to be $1500 here, not because of the exchange rate but because they charge more for them here to. . i should go to america to buy the 40D

Buy one in Africa?

Not trying to be funny but like if somewhere sold them in africa, say, in south africa on a connecting flight maybe? might have them duty free or w/e

Just a thought.

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Canon EOS 5DmkII + BG-E6 + Canon EOS 40D + BG-E2N + Canon EOS 33
Canon 17-40 F/4L USM + Canon 24-70 F/2.8L USM + Canon 28mm F/1.8 USM + Canon 70-200 F/2.8L USM IS + Canon 85mm F/1.8 USM
Canon Speedlite 580EX II + Canon Speedlite 540EZ + 2 x Nikon SB-80DX
Cactus V2s Wireless Trigger - 5 x Cactus V2s Wireless Reciever

MY FLICKR!

That's a big gamble
If you won't find anything on the airport, you end up with nothing at all.
Last year I thought I might buy some lens at Miami airport, but it turned out to be a shabby airport without any shops worthwhile visiting.
For me it was no problem, because I did have other lenses I could use, but if you have nothing.......

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Olympus E-500, 12-60, 40-150, 70-300

Sadly my city airport seems thay way too, but youll find lots and lots of teddy bears

Don't buy from South Africa. It's the most expensive I've seen around for cameras. I know this, I'm from there and saw the prices recently. And if you buy in the airport, then you'll be ripped off big time.