New camera

[Pblakeney]

This thread is making me want to crack out the gear again - I'm tempted to dust off my 20yr old 350D and stick one of Canon's wide little pancake 24/2.8 STL lenses on it for a relatively small and light riding companion..

I got a cheap camera pod/box thing to fit in my cycling backpack for leisurely days out on the bike stopping wherever takes my fancy for photos.

 

[wafter]

I got a cheap camera pod/box thing to fit in my cycling backpack for leisurely days out on the bike stopping wherever takes my fancy for photos.

Cheers; I'd definitely need some compact form of protection as sticking it in a full-size case would defeat the point!

 

[wiggydiggy]

Talking of cases, my new camera is too big for my case..... I have a general purpose shoulder bag I'll use instead until I buy something better.

 

[Psamathe]

Re: Interchangeable Lens Ranges
It can be confusing, there is a lot of overlap and sometimes compromises are necessary.

Probably my favourite lens is my Sony 100-400 GM, but certainly most competitors have virtually identical offerings.

Probably my most used lens is my Sony 24-240 super-zoom which is a bit bulky and probably not Sony's best optical quality but for travelling fabulously useful. Compromise is it's a bit bulky so travelling round areas where you really don't want to show wealth just like a big arrow "target". Often a Shemagh makes it a lot less obvious or carrying with wrist strap rather than round neck. You need to consider many different aspects.

nb most lens focal lengths are for full frame sensors. Use them with an APS-C sensor and the focal lengths will be x1.5 times longer (1.6 for Canon) due to the smaller sensor.

Ian

 

[Jameshow]

Agreed. Use whatever research you can to decide which lens is the correct one for you, then buy the body to fit.
All cameras are capable these days and buying into the latest and greatest is a fools errand.

Yes even an Panasonic fz38 for £25 is a cracking camera!
Great lens, 12m res, 18x zoom!

I'm really enjoying it!

My dad has a fz62 and the 38 is significantly lighter! The 24x lens might be good but it gets less and less steady unless you use a tripod.

 

[Vapin' Joe]

As they say, the best camera is the one you have in your hand. My favourite is the Sony Cybershot I bought about 15 years ago. Very basic, but light, small and simple and it makes a great everyday carry.

I know you could say the same about a phone, but I just don't get on with phone cameras.

 

[Regular.Cyclist]

My primary camera at the moment is a Sony Alpha 7 mk III. I use it mainly with Canon L series lenses (still own a Canon 7d mk I, 5d mk II, 5d mk III and a 60d that has had a full IR conversion, hence the lenses). I use the metabones adapter which is excellent. The Alpha 7 mk III can be picked up in good condition from just over £600 from MPB at the moment.

 

[Psamathe]

In addition to my interchangeable lens mirrorless (significant size) I also have an RX100m6 which is also brilliant. Cycle touring I take the RX-100 as it's small and light and good quality subject to limitations (eg 1" sensor gets noisy in low light).

Ian

 

[Psamathe]

Another consideration that is important for me is that camera has a viewfinder. Mine have both viewfinder and rear screen and rear screen useful for menus, settings and even picture review but maybe I'm old fashioned but I don't get on with rear screen for taking pics and find them useless in any sunlight.

Ian

 

[wiggydiggy]

Another consideration that is important for me is that camera has a viewfinder. Mine have both viewfinder and rear screen and rear screen useful for menus, settings and even picture review but maybe I'm old fashioned but I don't get on with rear screen for taking pics and find them useless in any sunlight.

Ian

The new Fuji I got they moved the viewfinder/screen swap button. Had a minor panic in the shop when I couldn't find it.

I keep getting screens dirty with my nose when using viewfinders though!

 

[Psamathe]

I keep getting screens dirty with my nose when using viewfinders though!

Bit of <off topic> but I've generally been fitting screen protectors to my camera rear screens and despite always using those from the manufacturer they do lift round edge and I got fed-up (they are not cheap) so I called a reputable camera retailer to ask if they were actually necessary and their response for Sony was that the screen coating is a bit soft and chemicals people often use (sun creams, insect repellant) transfer nose to screen and can over time damage the screen. They did specifically mention Sony screens so I have no idea how general the advice is to other brands.

When asking I was careful to "I've already got this protector is it worth fitting it?" so there was no aspect of whether to buy or not buy from them so no sales pressure in their answer.

Ian

 

[wiggydiggy]

Bit of <off topic> but I've generally been fitting screen protectors to my camera rear screens and despite always using those from the manufacturer they do lift round edge and I got fed-up (they are not cheap) so I called a reputable camera retailer to ask if they were actually necessary and their response for Sony was that the screen coating is a bit soft and chemicals people often use (sun creams, insect repellant) transfer nose to screen and can over time damage the screen. They did specifically mention Sony screens so I have no idea how general the advice is to other brands.

When asking I was careful to "I've already got this protector is it worth fitting it?" so there was no aspect of whether to buy or not buy from them so no sales pressure in their answer.

Ian

I never even thought of trying to get a screen protector, as an older camera there are few options but I have found a couple.

I wonder if I was to get instead a phone protector screen, and cut it to size. The screen I have is not touch screen so its just to protect it from my nose like you say and other things.

 

[Psamathe]

I never even thought of trying to get a screen protector, as an older camera there are few options but I have found a couple.

I wonder if I was to get instead a phone protector screen, and cut it to size. The screen I have is not touch screen so its just to protect it from my nose like you say and other things.

I was (and even after talking to specialist in shop) still am a bit unsure. Cameras, like bikes, get used, sometimes get bumped into things sometimes get a scratch, it's part of being used and wrapping in cotton wool ... they get used and get to show signs of use.

I always disable touch screen function of the rear screen as I find it a real nuisance. The screens are too small to do much beyond a brief glance at the image so a scratch or abrasion is not a big issue.

I still feel put efforts into protecting lens (front element).

That said, I did fit a new rear screen protector recently.

Ian

 

[wiggydiggy]

I was (and even after talking to specialist in shop) still am a bit unsure. Cameras, like bikes, get used, sometimes get bumped into things sometimes get a scratch, it's part of being used and wrapping in cotton wool ... they get used and get to show signs of use.

I always disable touch screen function of the rear screen as I find it a real nuisance. The screens are too small to do much beyond a brief glance at the image so a scratch or abrasion is not a big issue.

I still feel put efforts into protecting lens (front element).

That said, I did fit a new rear screen protector recently.

Ian

I wouldn't fit a protector to the front surely? Just use the dust cap always and use a dry cloth (I use my glasses ones) to go over it.

I'll have a look in charity shops for a phone screen protector and chop it to size for the screen.

 

[Psamathe]

I wouldn't fit a protector to the front surely? Just use the dust cap always and use a dry cloth (I use my glasses ones) to go over it.

I always use a UK filter. UV probably because of the era I'm from as UV doesn't need filtering these days (I believe the sensor has it's own UV filtering) but I use a a bit of glass that's a lot cheaper than the lens (except worth getting filter quality to match lens quality and some can get a bit expensive).

Ian