Help me spend my money!

[Cogito]

[Graham_of_Rainham]

Re: Help me spend my money!

One of my favorite types of photography is "candid" and Street.

Candid can be very difficult with a big camera as it becomes very obvious (even at a distance with a long lens). Also a long lens requires a lot of skill to control and at 300mm you will need IS or a good tripod (there goes the candid element again)

A "Real Time" viewfinder is a must for street work and is great for candid as well, when the camera is held at waist level it is often ignored. It also provides a different viewpoint that is often better.

There are some excellent compact cameras that, being waterproof, offer much better candid opportunities (who thinks of people taking pictures in the rain) I have an Olympus mju725SW that is with me all the time and it's so robust that when it gets covered in sea spray, I simply wash it under the tap.

If you really want to specialise in candid/street photography, give some thought to a top spec (rugged) compact.

[Ian]

Re: Help me spend my money!

One of my favorite types of photography is "candid" and Street.

Candid can be very difficult with a big camera as it becomes very obvious (even at a distance with a long lens). Also a long lens requires a lot of skill to control and at 300mm you will need IS or a good tripod (there goes the candid element again)

A "Real Time" viewfinder is a must for street work and is great for candid as well, when the camera is held at waist level it is often ignored. It also provides a different viewpoint that is often better.

There are some excellent compact cameras that, being waterproof, offer much better candid opportunities (who thinks of people taking pictures in the rain) I have an Olympus mju725SW that is with me all the time and it's so robust that when it gets covered in sea spray, I simply wash it under the tap.

If you really want to specialise in candid/street photography, give some thought to a top spec (rugged) compact.

The A200 has IS built in, so that's ticked. I have a Sony 75-300 for my A100 and my example is not particularly good - soft, lacking in contrast plus suffers from fringing, though the one I used for the shot here:

http://dpnow.com/forum2/showthread.php?t=6763

[Gez]

Re: Help me spend my money!

Consider a true macro prime lens (1 to 1 lifesize). One that gives about 90mm on camera, although they are a bit more expensive than a zoom. For your money you get a portrait lens which is also ideal for close up. Candid shots - shoot from the hip and crop later. Join the Don McCullin school, one camera, one lens. Although not suitable for all occasions it's a great way to learn.

[Cogito]

Re: Help me spend my money!

Thanks for all the comments - really appreciate your input........I must admit I'm loving having the money burning a hole in my pocket so will probably take a few weeks to choose what to do with it. They say that over half the pleasure is in anticipation!


Regards

Neil