What's your camera set-up?

[Will]

I haven't done photography since college, and it shows. But I've got a good camera and some good books to get me back into it again. I thought I'd see what everyone else has got too.

• Nikon f2 camera.
• Nikon Standard 35mm Lense.
• Tripod
• Photoshop
• Basic panasonic digital camera.

I'd really like to buy a lense with a much longer focal length. But I'd also really like to buy a powerful macro lense, but these don't seem to be cheap. I do enjoy close up photography though.

So, I have the basics, and I intend to start using them again soon. How about the rest of you?

[optrex]

For basic stuff I am using a Canon 350D with 75-300 and 28-80 zooms.

[Madhatter]

I haven't got a Digital Camera as such so use my sony k750i phone camera. I've took some good shots on it although due to the low pixel count they're not as clear as a 10megapixel digital or my SLR's. If I use my SLR, I scan them in to the pc using a flatbed scanner.

I have no hesitation in using the above to enter, it's not what you've got, it's what you do with it.

I have an awfull lot of manual focus SLR and some auto focus SLR camera's, mostly canon. You can pick this stuff up relatively cheap nowdays but not from camera shops, it's all camera fayres and ebay. A close up lens is far more usefull than a 300mm
There's a camera Fayre at wolverhampton Race coure this Sunday I believe.

[Shizara]

Originally Posted by Madhatter

........it's not what you've got, it's what you do with it.

People have different camera specs and brands for different reasons, yet, all are capable of taking a picture. I think one of the biggest differences being that with the higher specced cameras you can cope with a greater range of situations. When your camera is not steadied by a tripod or rested against/on another object then your challenge is not just to get a balanced picture in the viewfinder but to hold it steady, especially when taking pictures with longer exposures.

I have used disposable cameras in the past and managed to take clear, balanced pictures with focal points of interest. For a while I used a camera with film and because I tend to be a pointNclickaholic, as you can imagine, the cost of processing was rather high. I now have a nice little Canon IXUS which has done much mileage - especially at Disney - however, for a 'quick pic' I often use my Nokia mobile camera - thank goodness for bigger memory cards.

For those with lower specced cameras your pictures are every bit as important as those from higher specced cameras.

[Lex]

Originally Posted by Madhatter

I have an awfull lot of manual focus SLR and some auto focus SLR camera's, mostly canon. You can pick this stuff up relatively cheap nowdays but not from camera shops, it's all camera fayres and ebay. A close up lens is far more usefull than a 300mm
There's a camera Fayre at wolverhampton Race coure this Sunday I believe.

There's a pretty good second-hand camera shop on Market Square in Warwick. I bought a film SLR camera from there at ther end of last year, after my previous camera gave its ghost up after 15 years faithful service (I'd like to see a digital camera last that long!)

[Shizara]

My digital camera has 2 modes. Off or PointNclick.

[cathidaw]

whils Ihave a Canon 400D, I also use a 5 megapixel Olympus compact-and the pictures are so good. I think with all the hype about SLRs, these others are underestimated. OK you can do more with an SLR but it all depends on what you want it for.I belong to 3 clubs and only a few have SLRs in 2 of them. How about this for a tale(true)
A year ago Iwas asked to 'do' a wedding, a posh Society do in an Oxfordshire village . An hour before the wedding Ichecked my camera-the canon and decided to put in a larger '2Gig' card, . as Iwas putting it in someone knocked my elbow, and the card jammed. Did I panic? DID I PANIC? I jolly well did! However I decided to use my little compact--no other choice anyway!
Obviously I could not do exactly as planned-- this was 5 years old digital point and shoot remember -and I took 180 photo's.
Results? well thank goodness for Photoshop. I did a beautiful album--or rather an album of beautiful photos for the bride as a a wedding present.
Many of the photos needed no enhancement.
I paid about 350 pounds for the compact 5 years ago and the same one is now around £125 with more features.
It is also good for taking photos to e.mail , or for e.bay as the files are smaller.
Jessops is pretty good too and Curry's. You can always bargain with Jessops!.

[cathidaw]

Continuing from before.
Yes Nikon lenses cost two legs but Tamron have had a good write up in the photo mags and someone in one of my clubs has one .He says its excellent and cost a fraction of Nikon. I am going to get the Tamron for my Canon
PC World have an offer on at the moment.
I'll let you know----------

[Lex]

After saying what I did in my last post, I have been tempted by digital cameras, but the cost has put me off. I paid £90 for my current camera, which I can get some really good photos from and will last me donkeys' years. The problem I have with digital cameras is the price; a good digital SLR camera seems to cost a small fortune, plus software & printers have to be bought if you want to develop them, as it were. Perhaps I'll invest in one if I ever decide to take the step into professional photography..