Camera question

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Embob1

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Hello
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I love taking pictures, mainly of horses and riding pictures, and at the mo I only have a 7 megapixel digital camera, it does the job, and I'm not complaining but I have always wanted a 'professional camera' (don't quite know how else to put it!) that takes pictures instantly etc, like the ones equestrian photographers use, but not quite so good - obviously!

I was thinking of saving up and getting one, as I have some birthday money I saved and I'm working over the summer so wouldn't take too long to save up (hopefully!) and I was wondering what is the 'cheapest' camera I could get?

Also;
What cameras do you use? And how much did it roughly cost?
Do you like it/reccommend it?

Any thoughts would be much appreciated, thanks!
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WOW, that's a big question, rather like a 'what horse should I get?

By 'Professional' I guess you mean SLR (Single Lens Reflex), the type where you look through the view finder and can actually see what you are about to photograph.

I use a Nikon D40x, mainly because my son already had a Nikon, so we had a couple of spare lenses, but Canon, Pentax and several other manufacturers make excellent SLR type cameras.

My advice would be to visit you local camera shop, be it an independent or chain like Jessops, LCE etc. They will be able to assess your abilities and needs and in the current climate there are some excellent package deals.

Don't spend all your money on the camera, as you WILL need a bag to keep it and any spare lenses in, but again, some of the chain stores offer packages.

How much are you thinking of spending?
 
Haha yes a big question, sorry I've never had a camera better than a little pocket digital camera
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Yes, I mean an SLR, the type of thing I've been looking at on the internet and they have been around £500 give or take.

I haven't got a price in mind as I was going to look, then save up when I found something suitable. I have somewhere around £200-£250 at the minute and I'm working over the summer and the money will really mount up from that, but I want to find something really suitable for me before I go spending all my money on it
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The cheaper the better, but I won't get one that won't do the job I want it to just because it's cheap, if that makes sense?

Thank you NeilM for your reply
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I don't have a SLR, as for my budget I couldn't get a great one. Instead I have a finepix s2000hd. Its lovely also does High Definition Video and has loads of settings to take action shots etc. Its lovely
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OK, to repeat myself then, take a trip to a camera shop. Just like buying tack, you need to look at and handle the 'goods' to find something the right size and with the right features.

Don't worry how many Mega Pixels the camera has, this figure is almost meaningless. To illustrate, a 3.2 mega pixel camera sounds like rubbish. No! I have had dozens of crystal clear photos published, taken with my 3.2 Mp Olympus point and shoot, some half page and in colour. So, don't let a slippery salesman fool you into thinking a big Mp count is what you need.
 
I have admittedly always thought the bigger the megapixel, the better the picture etc, so thank you for the that thought!

Thank you for your help, I will be taking a trip to a camera shop I think, thanks!
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As has been said, speak to people at camera shops, but don't be forced into buying immediately. Walk away & have a good think. I have a 3MP camera (Finepix S5000) & I get lovely photos. You only need the high MP if you plan to blow up the pictures to poster size which you probably won't be doing.

Another thing you could do is if you go to a BSJA venue invariably there is a photographer there. Have a quick chat to him/her. You won't need a camera as sophisticated as theirs but they may be able to steer you in the direction of somethi ng that would do what you want....... just a though?
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