Cheap camera to start out

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westhamfan84
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Cheap camera to start out

Post by westhamfan84 »

Hi all after a little advice please. Been going to air shows for over 15 years never even took a camera with me never used one apart from one on my phone lol. This year thought would try taking some photos seen this camera it's super old like 2007 but told works perfectly and is only £10. The camera is the Panasonic dmz-fz8 it's only 7 megapixel but 12 optical zoom would this be a good starter camera to dip a very small toe in the water thanks in advance
Planned Shows for 2022 - Midlands air festival, Cosford, Weston, Southport, Riat, Blackpool, Bournemouth

farnboroughrob
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Joined: Fri 05 Jun 2009, 8:31 am

Re: Cheap camera to start out

Post by farnboroughrob »

Looks very much like the Panasonic I had until 2012ish. You will be limited, forget about anything flying unless its a large aircraft. Fast jets etc will just be pixelated dots. Static shots are fine as are runway shots if you are close enough. Its a good start for a cheap price, take it to your local airport and play around.

nighthawk999
Posts: 132
Joined: Fri 08 Apr 2016, 11:15 pm
Location: Leicester

Re: Cheap camera to start out

Post by nighthawk999 »

Take a look at MPB.Until I recently upgraded,I had a couple of Canon 7D Mk 1s from there and they were more than adequate at Cosford in 2019.And for my photo agency work too.

Don't worry about pixel counts too much,you only need high levels if you're going to print to poster size.

Also,look for the shutter count figures on whichever camera you choose and go for the lowest one available.

The Canon 7D Mk 1 will be ideal for airshow work,but pair it with the best quality glass you can afford.Plenty of lenses on MPB.

Stagger2
Posts: 1940
Joined: Thu 16 Jun 2011, 8:46 am

Re: Cheap camera to start out

Post by Stagger2 »

Quite frankly the output from your phone (assuming it's no more than 5 years old) will leave that camera in the dust! The limitations with the mobile are samey to the ones you'll have with this camera.
As said by nighthawk999 you need to raise your game & budget baseline to avoid big disappointment! HTH.

westhamfan84
Posts: 405
Joined: Sun 31 Aug 2008, 9:09 am
Location: Wolverhampton
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Re: Cheap camera to start out

Post by westhamfan84 »

Would the below items be more suitable I know it's really old like 2010 but one on eBay fully working for 50 quid with one lens it's a 18-55 so guessing would need better zoomed lens which I have put link to as well tenner as tenner on eBay for that lens from same person
Thanks all for your help
Camera
https://www.trustedreviews.com/reviews/pentax-k-m

Lens
https://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreview ... -Lens.html
Planned Shows for 2022 - Midlands air festival, Cosford, Weston, Southport, Riat, Blackpool, Bournemouth

nighthawk999
Posts: 132
Joined: Fri 08 Apr 2016, 11:15 pm
Location: Leicester

Re: Cheap camera to start out

Post by nighthawk999 »

To give you some idea,at Cosford I had both cameras,one with a Canon 24-105 L lens for close ups of stuff close to the crowdline fence,also of the statics.

Then a borrowed 100-400L for the flying shots.Bear in mind also that the cameras have crop sensors,so all stated lens lengths in mm are plus 1.6x,effectively giving extra"reach".
The 7D Mk 1 has a fast burst rate of 8 frames/second,which is more than enough for even the fastest of fast jets.

nighthawk999
Posts: 132
Joined: Fri 08 Apr 2016, 11:15 pm
Location: Leicester

Re: Cheap camera to start out

Post by nighthawk999 »

westhamfan84 wrote:
Tue 31 May 2022, 3:44 pm
Would the below items be more suitable I know it's really old like 2010 but one on eBay fully working for 50 quid with one lens it's a 18-55 so guessing would need better zoomed lens which I have put link to as well tenner as tenner on eBay for that lens from same person
Thanks all for your help
Camera
https://www.trustedreviews.com/reviews/pentax-k-m

Lens
https://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreview ... -Lens.html
Don't trust Ebay for photo gear,pay a bit more from a recognised site like MPB etc to guarantee good quality and to get a warranty.

You will still be disappointed I think with the results from the kit you mentioned.

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Mooshie1956
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Joined: Wed 01 Jun 2011, 11:46 am
Location: Manchester

Re: Cheap camera to start out

Post by Mooshie1956 »

I'm only looking at Nikon but I'm sure you'll find Canon equivalent on MPB
Body D3200 £139 https://www.mpb.com/en-uk/used-equipmen ... u-1486141/
Lens 70-300 £70 https://www.mpb.com/en-uk/used-equipmen ... u-1445267/
Might be a bit more than you're willing to pay but that should do you for flying shots.
My Flickr https://www.flickr.com/photos/mooshie1956/
Panny G80 12-60 Lens
Panny 100-400 Lens
Olympus 60 Macro Lens

westhamfan84
Posts: 405
Joined: Sun 31 Aug 2008, 9:09 am
Location: Wolverhampton
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Re: Cheap camera to start out

Post by westhamfan84 »

Thanks again everyone for your help and advice in the end I went with the cannon Eos 100d with a standard kit lens and then I also got an additional zoom lens the ( Canon EF 100-300mm f/4.5-5.6 USM Black Lens)hope fully this combination should be good start for a complete photography newbie
Planned Shows for 2022 - Midlands air festival, Cosford, Weston, Southport, Riat, Blackpool, Bournemouth

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Mooshie1956
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Joined: Wed 01 Jun 2011, 11:46 am
Location: Manchester

Re: Cheap camera to start out

Post by Mooshie1956 »

westhamfan84 wrote:
Sun 05 Jun 2022, 3:58 pm
Thanks again everyone for your help and advice in the end I went with the cannon Eos 100d with a standard kit lens and then I also got an additional zoom lens the ( Canon EF 100-300mm f/4.5-5.6 USM Black Lens)hope fully this combination should be good start for a complete photography newbie
Hope you enjoy it. I would think most of us started out with a basic setup. Look forward to seeing some of your shots in the near future.
My Flickr https://www.flickr.com/photos/mooshie1956/
Panny G80 12-60 Lens
Panny 100-400 Lens
Olympus 60 Macro Lens

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