What second hand Canon DSLR should I get please?

[rpcrowe]

One thing that troubles me regarding this camera is that it doesn't appear to have an eye level viewfinder built-in. I have trouble composing an image using live-view with the camera held a distance from my eye. A 2.7 inch LCD would just not be large enough to see small details of the image. Additionally, I have never been keen on using live-view when the sun is at my back but, that just may have been a function of the cameras I was using because the image shown on the LCD has always been a bit washed out from flare.

The manual for this camera admits that it may be difficult to view the monitor under bright direct sunlight (page. 100).

In order to get eye-level, reflex viewing with this camera, it appears you have to purchase an accessory electronic viewfinder which here in the USA costs in the area of $200+ US Dollars and increases the overall size of the camera.

http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&key...l_5atebfy9ei_b

That would bring the price of this camera above what I think you are considering paying, There is an optical viewfinder which is considerably cheaper but, I wouldn't even consider that option because it eliminates through the lens viewing and could introduce some bad parralax problems.

I understand that a lot of folks are perfectly happy using the LCD viewfinder to compose their shots. However, I just wanted to mention this to you so that you walk into the purchase with your eyes open.

A definite positive for the camera is that it allows you to shoot RAW as do virtually all DSLR cameras. IMO, RAW capture is the way to go and if you are working with a camera that only cptures JPEG images, you will be working under a disadvantage in the future.

[MrGladstone]

I have had excellent results from Fuji bridge cameras. Namely the s5800. Has a decent zoom which is usable through most of its range and is capable of capturing great images. Only 8 mpx but I have blown images upto A2 from this camera. Pretty cheap aswell!

[LouiseTopp]

One thing that troubles me regarding this camera is that it doesn't appear to have an eye level viewfinder built-in. I have trouble composing an image using live-view with the camera held a distance from my eye. A 2.7 inch LCD would just not be large enough to see small details of the image. Additionally, I have never been keen on using live-view when the sun is at my back but, that just may have been a function of the cameras I was using because the image shown on the LCD has always been a bit washed out from flare.

The manual for this camera admits that it may be difficult to view the monitor under bright direct sunlight (page. 100).

In order to get eye-level, reflex viewing with this camera, it appears you have to purchase an accessory electronic viewfinder which here in the USA costs in the area of $200+ US Dollars and increases the overall size of the camera.

http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&key...l_5atebfy9ei_b

That would bring the price of this camera above what I think you are considering paying, There is an optical viewfinder which is considerably cheaper but, I wouldn't even consider that option because it eliminates through the lens viewing and could introduce some bad parralax problems.

I understand that a lot of folks are perfectly happy using the LCD viewfinder to compose their shots. However, I just wanted to mention this to you so that you walk into the purchase with your eyes open.

A definite positive for the camera is that it allows you to shoot RAW as do virtually all DSLR cameras. IMO, RAW capture is the way to go and if you are working with a camera that only cptures JPEG images, you will be working under a disadvantage in the future.

My Fugi Finepix doesn't have a viewfinder and I do admit it's a pain when sunlight is shining on it. The screen on this model is a bit smaller, I might look at the Olympus Pen 2. My friend who does photography said it was a good camera, I'm not rushing into buying it so I will be doing my homework. Argos are doing it at a special offer minus the bits and bobs, do you think that is better please?

[rpcrowe]

Olympus is often a trend setter. During the 1960's and 1970's single lens reflex film cameras had become quite big. There were Nikon F models that were, IMO, quite unwieldy due to size.

Olympus bucked the trend by offering the original Pen models which had a smaller format (1/2 frame 35mm) and a greatly decreased camera/lens size. Although these were nice cameras, they were not a commercial sucess. This was probably due to the smaller size format and the large number of exposures you got on a roll of 35mm film. That could mean up to 72 exposures which took the average birthday and vacation shooter a long time to finish. It was quite expensive also, to have 72 exposures processed and printed. Additionally, half-frame 35mm film was just not capable of any significant enlargements at the time.

However, Olympus changed the film single lens reflex camera style decisively when they brought out their full-frame OM models which were significantly smaller than the average SLR cameras of the day. Pentax and other manufacturers brought out similar size cameras and soon most of the SLR film cameras on the market were conveniently sized.

[Dave Humphries]

Hi Lousie,

If you want a viewfinder, manual and semi-auto controls, how about a Canon G10, G11 or G12?

Welcome to the CiC forums from ...

[chrisa62401]

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/....php?t=1109012

[Davem]

I would almost be tempted to suggest a Bridge camera like a fuji HS20 (The new fuji panorama stitching is better) it will do everything you want and still shoot RAW which not many of the bridge cameras do

[Mark von Kanel]

Louise. welcome, is there a local camera club you can join? people there will have an array of different equipment and the member will probably let you play (under close supervision!) they may also have second hand equipment for sale and you will be able to trust that the equipment will work!

good luck and keep posting!