I'm wanting a professional digital camera for various uses and I was wondering what make you had, what you like about it, what you dont like about it and would you recommend it.

:)

I have a prosumer model - the Nikon D70s. I love it! I'm trying to think of something I don't like and am struggling. It's very fast, the focus is very good and I can easily adjust the controls. One thing about Nikons, they tend towards underexposing to avoid saturating the bright end of the photo. I capture raw format files and process them through Photoshop. If you don't want that kind of control you can capture jpg and even do a little image processing on the camera. The camera is fast and the battery life is phenomenal. I'll take loads of pictures, leave it on all day and still have a full battery meter showing.

I always go hold a camera before I buy it. Not every model suits everyone's hand size, fingers and 'feel'. You have to like the way it feels in your hand and comfortably reach all the controls. Oh boy, buying toys is so fun! :-D

Thanks Lori,

I was thinking of nipping in to comet or somewhere like that and just having a browse but if I have a few names to go with it will make the choices quite easy. Theres so many to choose from and I cant find a website that says 'here is such and such camera, it does this, this and this and doesnt do this. heres what people think' etc etc - I feel like theres a hidden agenda to sell the cameras sometimes!! :)

Just had a look at reviews on the Nikon and its very impressive!

Comet isn't really the place to go if you want a 'professional' camera :) You need advice from a 'professional'. I used to work for a camera retailer - the owner was himself an award winning amateur cameraman and so was able to give the best advice, apart from the fact that he only sold a large range of 'professional' cameras :) :)

Daisy

I use a Canon 400d :) Excellent camera and very highly rated in all the surveys

The Canon EOS 350D and 400D get excellent reviews from professional photographers that I know.

M.

Michael Trafford recommended to me a Canon EOS 400D - so if a professional recommends, must be good.  :D

Yes we have one too and it is excellent :)

Canon and nikon are very good. If your after a smallish compact camera with more features than most then the Canon G7 is very good and gets great reviews. Once you step into the slr range look at the Nikon D200 and get advice on a lens to match what you want. 
It really depends on your budget and what you want. If its just a good all round camera then the G7 could be up your street and it is priced well. Very well made too.
http://www.steves-digicams.com/ this link has lots of info including reviews, tests and samples.
Take your time and have a good look at what you want.

Canon EOS 400D here too, can't fault it in any way.

Other half has a Canon 20D and he lurves it
Bit too much money to spend on a camera for my liking but hey ho :rolleyes:
It does take lovely photo's granted. But still wouldn't spend over a grand on a camera!
Rather spend it on the dogs, me or my home :D

He uses a place called Camera Warehouse Express (If I remember correctly)
It's much cheaper than some shops, delivery and service is normally excellent :)

You say you want a professional digital camera but is that what you mean or just a DSLR.
If you really do want a pro version then you are looking at spending well in excess or £1,000 for a body and lens.
In my opinion the glass you put in front of the camera is far more important then the features you get.
I personally have the Nikon D200, originally I bought the entry level D50 but found it far too restrictive and automated.
The lenses you get with the kits do tend to be budget version and often you can do better by buying body only and getting a far superior lens for a bit extra.
As has already been said, go to a proper camera shop not comet/curries/jessops etc. talk to them about what you want the camera for, what budget you have, they will let you handle the camera and try them out before you buy.

Thing is some people can spend hundreds on expensive cameras and still take lousy photos (I've seen the results on some sites!), so it's worth investing in camera lessons too if you're outlaying a lot of money.

So much to think about!!! :rolleyes:

Thanks for your replies. Its certainly given me something to have a look at!!

I think I need to enrol on a college course for photography!! :)

Canon professional camera's cost in excess of £2000 for the body alone (the 1Ds Mark II is approximately £4500). They do mid-range bodies (the 30D and the 5D) where you are looking at between £1000 & £2000 for the body and a basic lens and then they do a budget (or entry level) range for less than £1000 again including the lens (the 350D and the 400D).

As Ingrid said, the lens is actually more important than the body. I personally would chose a body and then buy the lens separately rather than buying a kit. Boxacrazy mentioned Warehouse Express - I bought my last lens from them and had no problems with the product or the service. I have the 30D's predecessor, the 20D, and love it

My Dads' got the Cannon 300D but his birthdays coming up soon and his hoping to get the 30D!!!!

Boyfriends got the 400D which dad quite likes but not that much up on the 300D for what he wants (hobby photography of dogs, especially likeing movement photo's)


Though myself I want any camera as long as it's pink! :D

Which report - this month gives the best buy as Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ30 - £370.  But that is not a professional camera - just every day.   

>Though myself I want any camera as long as it's pink!

Shameful, Rox!! (Says Marina, who bought the pink Olympus Mju for precisely that reason. :D Ended up going and buying an Ixus for 'proper' photos though, as the Mju just wasn't up to photos of the dogs. Fabulous little camera for sticking in your handbag and taking to parties etc. though.)

M.

We've just bought Panasonic Lumix TZ3. Very pleased so far................brill zoom compared to our old digital camera.

Have to say my sister has the Ixus and its great for being so small.  I won the CD best photographer (Well joint) in the photo comp last year with photos taken on an Ixus!   ;)

Oh yes, no complaints at all about the Ixus, it's a great camera. In my head, I'd like a more 'pro' model, but I know I'd never take it anywhere because it would be too big and bulky. The Ixus - and the Mju even more so - can be tucked into any bag or pocket.

M.

from what you have said so far i think that you want a dslr, not a professional dslr.

We have a canon 350d with various lenses, if we could afford to change it we would go for a 400D, use it as a hobby but done two weddings for friends and another one in May next year, also took shots at a local moto cross for riders. Cannot fault the Canon. I even have a powershot to just to carry around in my handbag.

Thought you were skint a couple of weeks ago?? LOL

;) Im downgrading my car!!

Well if you do want to save your pennies and like the Canons they sell factory refurb models on ebay. If you're not in a rush you can pick up a bargain if you don't get many bidders on a camera. Costco used to have the Nikon D50 for a really good price too (though I got D70 for a good price with a little haggling ;-))

We are researching a new compact camera and have just found a very useful site in case it is of help to anyone now.  www.cameras.co.uk   There are even videos of someone handling the camera explaining all the details.  My husband liked it especially because he is not good at understanding things technical!!

don't know how to make a web site a link - thought it would do it automatically.

Camera site

Yes the cannon refurb shop on ebay is where my boyfriend got his 400D, at for a little extra money was given 1 year warrenty, not bad at all really, saved himself a couple of hunderd pounds. :)

Thanks Jan

Ok..... I bought a

Nikon D40! Its got lots of great features about it and has little help tips so that if it wont take a picture it tells me why!! lol.

Thanks for all your help and Im off now to get snapping!! :D