Hmmm, body and lens for $1200...

[mickeyjuice]

G'day all,

a mate who works for an online news service in Perth has been given a budget of $1200 for a camera for the bureau. (Yes, they're going mad with money.)

They'll be using it for everything from shooting footy training to court reporting to entertainment to ... you get the idea.

My first thought (despite being a Canon shooter) was a Nikon 18-200 and a body to hang off it, but that's not looking doable for the budget. (The similar Sigma seems to be about the same price.)

Next thought was a compact with a big old zoom, but the quality is going to be pretty dire if they ever need to go beyond the websize images.

I have warned that low-light just isn't going to work all that well whateverthe solution.

Anyone have any suggetions? Ta.

[Matt. K]

Did you mean $12,000?
Otherwise there is a camera in the shape of Minnie Mouse and it plays a tune each time you take a picture.

[Pa]

discount didgital has this deal

Body only: $699; + 18-55VR + 55-200VR + 4gb SD: $1085;

[mickeyjuice]

discount didgital has this deal

Body only: $699; + 18-55VR + 55-200VR + 4gb SD: $1085;

nice stuff. I know they would like to have just one lens, but that looks like a good solution of they won't spend the required cash.

[gstark]

Tell 'em they're dreamin'

They're professionals. right?

And not comedians?

[mickeyjuice]

Tell 'em they're dreamin'

They're professionals. right?

And not comedians?

They don't want to make wall prints, it's mostly for the web. If it was ONLY that, it'd be a bit easier.

[gstark]

Tell 'em they're dreamin'

They're professionals. right?

And not comedians?

They don't want to make wall prints,

They want a camera that will work when it's needed, right? That will handle difficult conditions, right?

This is not simply about the output the camera is capable of producing: it's about ensuring that, when the 'tog goes onsite, he will be able to carry out his duties, no matter what.

One shudders to think of what their content will be like with this sort of attitude. May as well use a bloody webcam!

So, as I said ...

Tell 'em they're dreamin'.

[mickeyjuice]

Tell 'em they're dreamin'

They're professionals. right?

And not comedians?

They don't want to make wall prints,

So, as I said ...

Tell 'em they're dreamin'.

Terrific. Anyone with any other useful comments like Pa with be gratefully received.

[Matt. K]

Pa is spot on. That's about the best they'll get for that money. Hope they don't need a decent flashgun or tripod. The other option is to look for second hand stuff. 70-300mm for around $400 perhaps. Maybe a D70 body for around $400?

[robert]

I'm not a Nikon man but another alternative could be the D80 and 18-135 for $1115 from DD.

No idea on the image quality of the superzooms but you may find the video a helpful addition as well as having approx 28-400+mm on tap. You'd be well under $1000 for whichever you choose, eg Fuji S2000HD (HD video) , Nikon P80, Olympus SP-570UZ, Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28.

At least with Compact SLR type they should be a little easier to use. I've no experience with them but you should be able to go A4 at least.

Robert

I just checked the prices and can you believe almost all the superzoom compacts are under $500!

[Oz_Beachside]

since the budget is not in SLR territory, how about something like a canon G9, with a flashgun (canon 580?)?

[who]

I would agree - aim for a quality "large" PnS for that budget.

Option it up with a flash that they can at least angle the head up and do ceiling bounce flash with......

Also depends on who their photographer is and what skills that person actually has -- can they even hold the camera level, compose a good picture etc?

[mickeyjuice]

Pa is spot on. That's about the best they'll get for that money. Hope they don't need a decent flashgun or tripod. The other option is to look for second hand stuff. 70-300mm for around $400 perhaps. Maybe a D70 body for around $400?

If they find they need a flash or tripod, they can maybe scrape them out later on. (I told them they needed a flash, first thing.)

I'm not a Nikon man but another alternative could be the D80 and 18-135 for $1115 from DD.

I just checked the prices and can you believe almost all the superzoom compacts are under $500!

Yeah, suggested the superzoom idea, but hadn't thought of the 18-135.

since the budget is not in SLR territory, how about something like a canon G9, with a flashgun (canon 580?)?

I've got a G9, (and it's terrific), but that's not going to have the reach for them.

I would agree - aim for a quality "large" PnS for that budget.

Option it up with a flash that they can at least angle the head up and do ceiling bounce flash with......

Also depends on who their photographer is and what skills that person actually has -- can they even hold the camera level, compose a good picture etc?

If they had a real photographer (or even a pretend one) they wouldn't be asking me for information

Thanks guys, all good stuff for giving them options and so they know it's not just me telling them they're stretching.

[who]

If they had a real photographer (or even a pretend one) they wouldn't be asking me for information

Thanks guys, all good stuff for giving them options and so they know it's not just me telling them they're stretching.

Well - that also influences things - as if they don't know how to do it - they won't be able to rise above the weaknesses of a cheap DSLR solution IMHO.

And that includes low light shots with a slow variable apeture lens etc.

Whereas if you throw a basic kit at someone with some skill they'll work around the limitations (and probably whinge) but get a 1/2 assed job done at least.

[mickeyjuice]

Thanks guys - they've been following the thread, and Pa's suggestion is probably going to be the winner.