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I've always been Crazy!
kept me from goin Insane!
posted
We are headed to Scotland in the spring and I want a really good camera that's going to take nice pictures of the family and the scenery. Prefer to stay under or around $500


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A 'Veteran' -- whether active duty, discharged, retired, or reserve -- is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to 'The United States of America,' for an amount of 'up to, and including his life.' That is honor, and there are way too many people in this country today, who no longer understand that fact.
Author unknown
 
Posts: 2182 | Location: Lyndon,KS | Registered: November 07, 2007Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Crusty old
curmudgeon
Picture of Jimbo54
posted Hide Post
You won't do better than this for the money. I love mine and find myself using it more than my DSLR.

https://www.amazon.com/Sony-Cy...0&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1

Jim


________________________

"If you can't be a good example, then you'll have to be a horrible warning" -Catherine Aird
 
Posts: 9791 | Location: The right side of Washington State | Registered: September 14, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Picture of bigdeal
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It may sound like an odd question, but what cellphone do you currently carry? The new iPhones and Samsung phones have tremendous optical sensors in them, so much so I now travel almost exclusively with my cellphone as opposed to my Nikon DSLR.


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Guns are awesome because they shoot solid lead freedom. Every man should have several guns. And several dogs, because a man with a cat is a woman. Kurt Schlichter
 
Posts: 33845 | Location: Orlando, FL | Registered: April 30, 2006Reply With QuoteReport This Post
I've always been Crazy!
kept me from goin Insane!
posted Hide Post
Android Moto z it takes decent pics but sunrise sunset pics are weak.

quote:
Originally posted by bigdeal:
It may sound like an odd question, but what cellphone do you currently carry? The new iPhones and Samsung phones have tremendous optical sensors in them, so much so I now travel almost exclusively with my cellphone as opposed to my Nikon DSLR.


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


A 'Veteran' -- whether active duty, discharged, retired, or reserve -- is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to 'The United States of America,' for an amount of 'up to, and including his life.' That is honor, and there are way too many people in this country today, who no longer understand that fact.
Author unknown
 
Posts: 2182 | Location: Lyndon,KS | Registered: November 07, 2007Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Told cops where to go for over 29 years…
Picture of 911Boss
posted Hide Post
quote:
Originally posted by Jimbo54:
You won't do better than this for the money. I love mine and find myself using it more than my DSLR.

https://www.amazon.com/Sony-Cy...0&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1

Jim



Yes you will Wink

https://www.amazon.com/Panason...s=electronics&sr=1-6

For that money micro Four Thirds is in reach. Those mega zoom point and shoots haved teeny tiny sensors and if you are looking for low light it will still suffer compared to a larger sensor, even at fewer megapixels.

GX85 is a nice compact camera with two lenses. Not much larger than a point and shoot with the 12-32mm (24-64mm equiv) and easily slips in a jacket pocket. The 45-150mm (90-300mm) give much better image quality then a mega zoom small sensor that is a collection of compromises.






What part of "...Shall not be infringed" don't you understand???


 
Posts: 11337 | Location: Western WA state for just a few more years... | Registered: February 17, 2006Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Ammoholic
Picture of Skins2881
posted Hide Post
quote:
Originally posted by southernmaninla:
Android Moto z it takes decent pics but sunrise sunset pics are weak.

quote:
Originally posted by bigdeal:
It may sound like an odd question, but what cellphone do you currently carry? The new iPhones and Samsung phones have tremendous optical sensors in them, so much so I now travel almost exclusively with my cellphone as opposed to my Nikon DSLR.


I'd say just update your phone to a new flagship phone at $650-$1,000. You use and enjoy it more than a new camera. Unless you are like my wife with all her lenses for various things, you will not do markedly better with a point and shoot than a cell flagship phone.

I am using a OnePlus 6. The latest OnePlus 7 Pro has a 48 megapixel camera. May upgrade to that when they get half way through life cycle or wait for the 8. The 6 takes silly good pictures. A current model Samsung or iPhone will also do the same or better for a few bucks more.

I suggest something easier to carry and more functionality. You will end up with better pictures in the end, unless you want to master whatever $500 point and shoot you buy. Still you will likely get better pics with a good flagship phone. Wife gets pissed when I take better pics with my cell phone than her mid to high end camera gear.



Jesse

Sic Semper Tyrannis
 
Posts: 21254 | Location: Loudoun County, Virginia | Registered: December 27, 2014Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Member
Picture of bigdeal
posted Hide Post
quote:
Originally posted by southernmaninla:
Android Moto z it takes decent pics but sunrise sunset pics are weak.

quote:
Originally posted by bigdeal:
It may sound like an odd question, but what cellphone do you currently carry? The new iPhones and Samsung phones have tremendous optical sensors in them, so much so I now travel almost exclusively with my cellphone as opposed to my Nikon DSLR.
Personally, I'd consider upgrading your cellphone to one of the hot new phones that have killer sensors. Heck, even the new Pixel 3a (and 3a XL) have Google's excellent software and sensor for terrific pics. I can't (and won't) speak to the quality of the other recommended cameras. All I can say is my days of hauling around all that extra 'stuff' is over. Trying to carry and keep up with a camera bag is a hassle. An excellent cellphone takes terrific pics that are either usable as is, or with a little post processing, can be excellent. And the added benefit is, you end of with an upgraded cellphone for the remainder of the year.

I hope you have a great time on your trip to Scotland, a place I've never been but one I would love to see before I leave this rock.


-----------------------------
Guns are awesome because they shoot solid lead freedom. Every man should have several guns. And several dogs, because a man with a cat is a woman. Kurt Schlichter
 
Posts: 33845 | Location: Orlando, FL | Registered: April 30, 2006Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Picture of Beanhead
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I disagree with the cellphone recommendations. Yes, great for selfies and snapshots. But the range you get with lens on a dslr will get you better shots. Get a good lens length and you only need the one lens rather than a gadget bag full.
 
Posts: 1371 | Location: Georgia | Registered: May 27, 2009Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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quote:
Originally posted by Beanhead:
I disagree with the cellphone recommendations. Yes, great for selfies and snapshots. But the range you get with lens on a dslr will get you better shots. Get a good lens length and you only need the one lens rather than a gadget bag full.


And, 90% of the time it's too heavy and bulky, or you just didn't have it with you when you want to take some photos. Cell phones have great cameras, super easy to share or save the pics, etc.
 
Posts: 21421 | Registered: June 12, 2005Reply With QuoteReport This Post
eh-TEE-oh-clez
Picture of Aeteocles
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I'm a camera guy. I like cameras and haul mine around when I travel. I bring a tripod, shoot in raw, and post process my photos. It's fun, it gives me something to do while I travel, and occasionally I get a photo worth printing.

A new camera will not get you good photos. Good photos come from technique and practice. A new camera might give you flexibility to express yourself, but it won't make your pictures good.

If you understand that making good photos is on the shooter, and you understand that there is effort in capturing compelling photos, then get a new camera. If you expect your pictures to improve simply because you upgraded the camera, then you are probably just taking snapshots and improving your camera phone will get you better results.
 
Posts: 13066 | Location: Orange County, California | Registered: May 19, 2002Reply With QuoteReport This Post
california
tumbles into the sea
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a tad overbudget... Fujifilm X70.
 
Posts: 10665 | Location: NV | Registered: July 04, 2004Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Truth Wins
Picture of Micropterus
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quote:
Originally posted by Aeteocles:

A new camera will not get you good photos. Good photos come from technique and practice. A new camera might give you flexibility to express yourself, but it won't make your pictures good.



But once you have good technique and can compose a shot, a DSLR will produce far better pictures than a cell phone. A DSLR is all camera. A cell phone is mostly not-camera. A DSLR lens zooms out and captures far off shots with focal length without loss of resolution. Cell Phones have almost no focal length and play a trick by turning off portions of the photo sensor to create the appearance of zoom, and by doing so they always lose resolution. So, if you zoom with a cell phone, you will lose clarity by losing resolution. That's not good whether or not you know how to compose your shot.

To the OP, if you want a good camera in your price range, I'd recommend the Nikon D3400 with the 18-55mm lens and the 70-300 lens. This camera will take photos with outstanding clarity. It's high resolution. And if you leave it set to "Auto", it is essentially a point-and-shoot camera.

https://www.amazon.com/Nikon-D...G/dp/B01KITZRBE?th=1


_____________
"I enter a swamp as a sacred place—a sanctum sanctorum. There is the strength—the marrow of Nature." - Henry David Thoreau
 
Posts: 4285 | Location: In The Swamp | Registered: January 03, 2010Reply With QuoteReport This Post
I've always been Crazy!
kept me from goin Insane!
posted Hide Post
I understand completely I used to be a camera guy. I spent so much time behind them when
I was stationed overseas felt like I had missed my life.


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


A 'Veteran' -- whether active duty, discharged, retired, or reserve -- is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to 'The United States of America,' for an amount of 'up to, and including his life.' That is honor, and there are way too many people in this country today, who no longer understand that fact.
Author unknown
 
Posts: 2182 | Location: Lyndon,KS | Registered: November 07, 2007Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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posted Hide Post
I'd try to get a micro 4/3rds. The smaller the camera the more likely you'll have it with you, or get a phone like the iPhone XS. The camera is amazing for a phone. I enjoy shooting with an SLR and having all of its advantages but because of its size there are times I wouldn't have it with me and I'd miss a great photo opportunity.


No one's life, liberty or property is safe while the legislature is in session.- Mark Twain
 
Posts: 3665 | Location: TX | Registered: October 08, 2005Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Member
Picture of xl_target
posted Hide Post
quote:
Originally posted by Micropterus:
quote:
Originally posted by Aeteocles:

A new camera will not get you good photos. Good photos come from technique and practice. A new camera might give you flexibility to express yourself, but it won't make your pictures good.



But once you have good technique and can compose a shot, a DSLR will produce far better pictures than a cell phone. A DSLR is all camera. A cell phone is mostly not-camera. A DSLR lens zooms out and captures far off shots with focal length without loss of resolution. Cell Phones have almost no focal length and play a trick by turning off portions of the photo sensor to create the appearance of zoom, and by doing so they always lose resolution. So, if you zoom with a cell phone, you will lose clarity by losing resolution. That's not good whether or not you know how to compose your shot.

To the OP, if you want a good camera in your price range, I'd recommend the Nikon D3400 with the 18-55mm lens and the 70-300 lens. This camera will take photos with outstanding clarity. It's high resolution. And if you leave it set to "Auto", it is essentially a point-and-shoot camera.

https://www.amazon.com/Nikon-D...G/dp/B01KITZRBE?th=1


Or even the Nikon D3500 kit. It is the replacement for the D3400. The only thing about this kit is that the 70-300 lens doesn't have VR.
It even does decent video.
Link
 
Posts: 2322 | Registered: January 15, 2009Reply With QuoteReport This Post
The 2nd guarantees the 1st
Picture of fiasconva
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If you've seen some of the pics Micropterus has taken in the Gallery you'll see that he knows what he is talking about. I'd take his advice.



"Even if the world were perfect it wouldn't be." ... Yogi Berra
 
Posts: 1913 | Location: York County, VA | Registered: August 25, 2007Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Start here and work your way up in the newer releases. Will fit in your pocket.


https://www.amazon.com/Sony-Pr...354&s=gateway&sr=8-3

Also the Sony A6000 is a good camera still.
 
Posts: 3977 | Location: UNK | Registered: October 04, 2009Reply With QuoteReport This Post
goodheart
Picture of sjtill
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I have used Olympus OM-D and Pen micro-four-thirds cameras for years; they are much smaller than APS-C DSLR’s but have resolution indistinguishable from the larger sensor cameras for most purposes (ie. Not blowing up to poster size photo prints); and lenses are much smaller.
For $500 you can buy this excellent camera
Olympus OM-D. For an additional $100 you can extend the lens range to a 40-150 mm zoom (equivalent to 80-300 mm in a full frame camera).


_________________________
“ What all the wise men promised has not happened, and what all the damned fools said would happen has come to pass.”— Lord Melbourne
 
Posts: 18515 | Location: One hop from Paradise | Registered: July 27, 2004Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Picture of mikeyspizza
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You can get a Panasonic Lumix ZS100 for $500 or maybe less. It came out in 2016 and is a top-rated travel zoom. I have one and also a Nikon DSLR. I take the ZS100 when I want something small and/or quiet. And it will fit in a Docker's pants pocket.

You can read a detailed technical review here https://www.dpreview.com/revie...umix-dmc-zs100-tz100
 
Posts: 4070 | Location: North Carolina | Registered: August 16, 2003Reply With QuoteReport This Post
I've always been Crazy!
kept me from goin Insane!
posted Hide Post
Just wanted to say thank you everyone for the info


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


A 'Veteran' -- whether active duty, discharged, retired, or reserve -- is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to 'The United States of America,' for an amount of 'up to, and including his life.' That is honor, and there are way too many people in this country today, who no longer understand that fact.
Author unknown
 
Posts: 2182 | Location: Lyndon,KS | Registered: November 07, 2007Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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