Newbie camera recommendation

[Mortimus]

After happily making do with point and click cameras and more recently smartphones for my photography needs, I've decided I'd like to make the step up to something better suited for displays, with wildlife and landscape photography being a secondary use.

My budget is around £1,000, I'm currently leaning towards a high end bridge camera but am also open to DSLRs, probably second hand based on my budget.

Could anyone offer any recommendations?

Thanks

[nighthawk999]

Hi,you may want to check out the Canon 7D2 with it's superb autofocus system and fast burst rate of up to 10 frames per second.
It's daunting to set up at first but there's plenty of useful vids on YouTube..including on setting up for airshows.
Currently under £470 on MPB but go for the lowest shutter count that you can find on there.
Mine covers 8 or 9 local events each year for a media agency and hasn't let me down.I always take 100s of shots each time.
Yes it's an old camera now but still 100% reliable.I would strongly advise you to avoid getting any camera gear from ebay etc and to use a dedicated photography site.MPB are reliable.

[Brenden S]

You really need to go mirrorless. The new Canon mirrorless camera's are pretty good.

[Mortimus]

Hi,you may want to check out the Canon 7D2 with it's superb autofocus system and fast burst rate of up to 10 frames per second.
It's daunting to set up at first but there's plenty of useful vids on YouTube..including on setting up for airshows.
Currently under £470 on MPB but go for the lowest shutter count that you can find on there.
Mine covers 8 or 9 local events each year for a media agency and hasn't let me down.I always take 100s of shots each time.
Yes it's an old camera now but still 100% reliable. I would strongly advise you to avoid getting any camera gear from ebay etc and to use a dedicated photography site.MPB are reliable.

Thanks. What telephoto zoom lens would you pair it with? I've done more research after my initial post and am currently strongly leaning towards a Sony RX10 mkIV bridge camera (none available on MPB atm but I'm hoping if/when one does appear it'll be below a grand) but if there was a used DSLR body + lens combo for a similar prices which matches or beats the performance of the RX10 I'd seriously consider it.

[Mortimus]

You really need to go mirrorless. The new Canon mirrorless camera's are pretty good.

Sorry, should have made it clear in my initial post, if I go the DSLR route my budget is for camera and telephoto zoom lens which I think rules out even a second hand mirrorless camera.

[nighthawk999]

Hi,you may want to check out the Canon 7D2 with it's superb autofocus system and fast burst rate of up to 10 frames per second.
It's daunting to set up at first but there's plenty of useful vids on YouTube..including on setting up for airshows.
Currently under £470 on MPB but go for the lowest shutter count that you can find on there.
Mine covers 8 or 9 local events each year for a media agency and hasn't let me down.I always take 100s of shots each time.
Yes it's an old camera now but still 100% reliable. I would strongly advise you to avoid getting any camera gear from ebay etc and to use a dedicated photography site.MPB are reliable.

Thanks. What telephoto zoom lens would you pair it with? I'm currently leaning towards a Sony RX10 mkIV bridge camera (none available on MPB atm but I'm hoping if/when one does appear it'll be below a grand) but if there was a DSLR body + lens combo which matches or beats the performance of the RX10 I'd seriously consider it.

Hi again,from what I can see of the Sony's specs,you might be better getting one rather than a DSLR.I guess it depends on what you want to shoot.If you're looking at airshow displays it could do a decent job for you.

When I last went to Cosford I used a Canon 7D-1 with a borrowed 100-400 Canon lens and it struggled,I got some decent shots but most had to be cropped tightly.

For my events I use a 24-105L and a Tamron 70-300 and get excellent results.All the best to you if you can find the Sony at a decent price,let us know how you get on.

[Pen Pusher]

am currently strongly leaning towards a Sony RX10 mkIV bridge camera (none available on MPB atm but I'm hoping if/when one does appear it'll be below a grand)

Wex have a used Sony RX10 mkIV for £1,005.00
https://www.wexphotovideo.com/sony-cybe ... d-3115365/

[postman pat]

London Camera Exchange have two for just under £1000.

[helired3]

Just to chip in I many shoot wildlife and do a bit of aviation i think you will struggle with birds in flight with a bridge camera. Most i know that have them say if its perched up its fine but difficult in flight.

[Mooshie1956]

another one chipping in with a thought for you. Once you decided which system you wan to go for, find a price for a decent lens Sigma or Tamron 150-600 would be my choice for Airshows and wildlife, with a personal preference for Sigma 150-600c lens.
Then spend the rest on the best body you can afford be it Canon, Nikon or Sony.
I would also shoot raw and maybe get Lightroom/Photoshop on a monthly sub, just to save the initial outlay of other editing software.

Edit. Just to say you can get a reasonable landscape shot with the Sigma 150-600 @150mm. This is Fiddlers Ferry power station in Widnes taken from the hills over Stockport last night, about 25 miles away.

Fiddlers ferry-2419- by Peter Hurley, on Flickr

[nighthawk999]

another one chipping in with a thought for you. Once you decided which system you wan to go for, find a price for a decent lens Sigma or Tamron 150-600 would be my choice for Airshows and wildlife, with a personal preference for Sigma 150-600c lens.
Then spend the rest on the best body you can afford be it Canon, Nikon or Sony.
I would also shoot raw and maybe get Lightroom/Photoshop on a monthly sub, just to save the initial outlay of other editing software.

Edit. Just to say you can get a reasonable landscape shot with the Sigma 150-600 @150mm. This is Fiddlers Ferry power station in Widnes taken from the hills over Stockport last night, about 25 miles away.

Fiddlers ferry-2419- by Peter Hurley, on Flickr

If you notice,the OP has got a budget of around £1000,a superb lens like that would go way above 1K and then there's the body to add onto it.

[Mooshie1956]

If you notice,the OP has got a budget of around £1000,a superb lens like that would go way above 1K and then there's the body to add onto it.

A second hand Sigma 150-600 should cost between £600 and £700 leaving enough for a body.

[nighthawk999]

If you notice,the OP has got a budget of around £1000,a superb lens like that would go way above 1K and then there's the body to add onto it.

A second hand Sigma 150-600 should cost between £600 and £700 leaving enough for a body.

I always thought they were more than that,apologies,my bad.

[Mortimus]

If you notice,the OP has got a budget of around £1000,a superb lens like that would go way above 1K and then there's the body to add onto it.

A second hand Sigma 150-600 should cost between £600 and £700 leaving enough for a body.

Now that is tempting, love your photo of Fiddlers Ferry too, I've always been a fan of industrial landscapes.

Having seen that I think I've narrowed it down to two options, the RX10 iv or the Sigma 150-600 + body. There's no great rush anyway, I won't be going to another airshow or on holiday until summer 2024 so plenty of time to mull over the options and keep an eye out for good deals.

Thanks to everyone else who's taken the time to comment too.

[Stagger2]

If you're only gonna use the camera on Holiday or Airshows, that's Mistake number 1 imo. Whilst you've got near on 12 months to find the equipment. that would be Mistake #2. Don't leave it too long though as your current experience of one-touch imaging won't get you far
with the proposed items you're considering. You need to get ultra-familiar with the controls & settings then practice, practice & practice some more!
Don't make the Novice mistake of setting your chosen device to 'Auto' as you will be disappointed. Choose wisely & get learning asap. HTH.

[helired3]

Don't make the Novice mistake of setting your chosen device to 'Auto' as you will be disappointed. Choose wisely & get learning asap. HTH.

100% Agree with this the more decisions you make for the camera rather than it make them for you the better photo should be in the end.
Practice. practice and when you think you have done enough do a bit more

[Aquarious]

thanks to everyone for the advice here, I'm recovering from a stroke and I've currently lost the use of my left arm and I'm planning to get back into photography next year and especially airshow photography.I currently have an EOS 1 D MK iV which I think I will now sell and search for a 7D Mk 2 which seems to be a more manageable option for me and is compatible with my existing set of EF lens.

[nighthawk999]

You won't go far wrong with the 7D 2.
It's a bit daunting to start with,but if you search youtube for the vids by ChristopherKblog,I think you'll find them helpful.I certainly did when I got mine.

[Stagger2]

The OP. seems to have gone quiet on this one? Clearly, by reference to the current items for sale on reputable Camera Dealers websites, you can get more bang for your Buck recently. Firstly I need to confirm the Sony RX10 IV is imo excellent as a convenient 'one-rig does all' set-up, that I recommended it to a friend who was going on a Safari Holiday as a perfect camera with wide-angle to massive zoom without the need to swap lens in dusty bumpy conditions! The shots she got were stunning!
That's great, BUT most critters & landscapes are not moving & even in the case of a Leopard, nowhere near the speed of a Rafale jet. Right there is the issue for the OP. especially! He needs a digital quality SLR with a reasonable pixel count imo. I only know about Canon products, so I can see the suggested 7D mk2 + an EF.100-400 Mk II is still over the arbitrary £1000. The 7D mk2 has an APS-C sensor (1.6) crop giving a max' focal length on the lens noted above of 640mm, compared to a full-frame body. More than enough for an airshow.
Problem is that a 'low mileage' example is still costing £500-600. Consider then the 1D mk IV, 16 mega-pixel APS-H (1.3) crop giving a max' focal length on the lens noted above of 520mm! compared to a FF body. Try to roll with me on the next bit, the 20 Mp 7D mk2 has 20.2 Mp & the 1D mk IV has 16.1 Mp but due to the smaller sensor in this body the number of pixels per square mm are very similar. (& both shoot 10 fps) it's NOT all about how many pixels you got!
You can get a low-mileage 1D mkIV [built like a Tank!] for £300 or less, which brings the EF.100-400 much more attainable at the sub-£1000 price they've been selling for recently.
Pray for cash this Christmas OP. ....Oh ! & £50 for an EF-1.4 TC Extender for either 896mm or 728mm max' focal length with the combinations shown!

[Mortimus]

The OP. seems to have gone quiet on this one? Clearly, by reference to the current items for sale on reputable Camera Dealers websites, you can get more bang for your Buck recently. Firstly I need to confirm the Sony RX10 IV is imo excellent as a convenient 'one-rig does all' set-up, that I recommended it to a friend who was going on a Safari Holiday as a perfect camera with wide-angle to massive zoom without the need to swap lens in dusty bumpy conditions! The shots she got were stunning!
That's great, BUT most critters & landscapes are not moving & even in the case of a Leopard, nowhere near the speed of a Rafale jet. Right there is the issue for the OP. especially! He needs a digital quality SLR with a reasonable pixel count imo. I only know about Canon products, so I can see the suggested 7D mk2 + an EF.100-400 Mk II is still over the arbitrary £1000. The 7D mk2 has an APS-C sensor (1.6) crop giving a max' focal length on the lens noted above of 640mm, compared to a full-frame body. More than enough for an airshow.
Problem is that a 'low mileage' example is still costing £500-600. Consider then the 1D mk IV, 16 mega-pixel APS-H (1.3) crop giving a max' focal length on the lens noted above of 520mm! compared to a FF body. Try to roll with me on the next bit, the 20 Mp 7D mk2 has 20.2 Mp & the 1D mk IV has 16.1 Mp but due to the smaller sensor in this body the number of pixels per square mm are very similar. (& both shoot 10 fps) it's NOT all about how many pixels you got!
You can get a low-mileage 1D mkIV [built like a Tank!] for £300 or less, which brings the EF.100-400 much more attainable at the sub-£1000 price they've been selling for recently.
Pray for cash this Christmas OP. ....Oh ! & £50 for an EF-1.4 TC Extender for either 896mm or 728mm max' focal length with the combinations shown!

I upped my budget and went for a new RX10 IV in the end. A couple of months ago I happened to spot that London Camera Exchange were offering a £200 discount on selected Sony cameras, with TopCashback on top of that it worked out at around £1,270 compared to around £1,050 for a mint condition used example, when the % price difference is that close I'd rather go new.

Very happy with it, mainly used for wildlife and landscape shots so far.

If anyone else owns one and is looking for good but cheap case, this one from Amazon is a perfect fit for the camera with the hood in the shooting position:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B008MWBY6W/ ... _lig_dp_it

[Orion]

I did look at the Sony but I decided I wasn't willing to pay the price. I bought a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1000 instead see https://amateurphotographer.com/review/ ... 00-review/.
It isn't perfect and I dare say that the Sony is better. Its issues are really around the lens at its maximum extent (which is is 416mm). At this,or near it, the lens loses definition to a degree in that the focus and contrast are a little soft. Nothing that cannot be fixed by a photo editor.