recommended cameras?

[MCW]

Hello all,

Being a transport enthusiast and liking photography, I do take a fair few pictures of buses and the like, sometimes railway orientated as time and funds allow.

I have been looking for a new camera. at the moment I have a Pentax Optio E70 camera, which has served me well for 4 years. However, I wish to purchse a camera which has more definition to the image as well as clarity and better focus all round, my current camera has a tendancy to focus on one area and then the rest gets blurred, which is no good when things are on the move.

I use the various settings and found that the moving objects setting isn't good for buses or trains.

I am looking at something like an SLR but maybe not an SLR because of limited money. I know I can get a decent bit of kit for around £120 so That's my budget.

I would also like something that can zoom in more than 3.0x and also has a high image detail, even when zoomed in.

What would you recommend?

Many thanks,

Bruce

 

[eMeS]

Hi,

If you can't afford a DSLR, perhaps you should consider one of Canon's Superzoom compacts. I have an SX40 HS (now superseded by the SX50), but there are earlier models like the SX30 and SX20. The SX20 is available "used" from just below £100 to £170. Perhaps worth checking out the specs. This range of models isn't slim as they do have wide range zooms.

Try not to use them in full auto mode where they choose what to make sharp!

 

[dangie]

...my current camera has a tendancy to focus on one area and then the rest gets blurred, which is no good when things are on the move.

All lenses, wether they be on a compact or SLR can only focus on one distance at a time. Laws of optics. Our eyes do exactly the same. The amount of distance which is in focus (depth of field) depends on the lens aperture. On basic compacts you usually have no control over this. If you are photographing a moving subject, prefocus on the spot where you want the train to be when you take the picture (usually done by a half press on the shutter button) then follow the train through the viewfinder and when it reaches your chosen spot press the shutter fully to take the picture. Try to use a 'panning' technique then any blurring will hopefully be the background and not the subject.

 

[MCW]

thanks guys, will take a look at those canons