Help with digital cam purchase needed!

[anarres]

I'm just about to look at a digital SLR-type camera and wanted to know what I should look out for.

Note: I only have an hour and 15 mins before I see it, so any advice is appreciated.

I know the obvious things like scratches on the lens or damage to the case, but does anyone know what mechanical things I need to check (like zoom function, etc)?

It is the Nikon Coolpix 5000 I am looking at, they're pretty cool cameras!

 

[betazed]

I have dome pretty extensive testing with Nikon SLRs (I have three myself, and planning to buy another) so I can provide some advice. But the first question I need to ask is what will you use it for primarily and what is your budget?

 

[anarres]

Mostly for general use (outdoor pics, landscapes, buildings, some portraits), but I also want to do lots of macro shots, and I hear the coolpix is the market leader for that (1 inch macro focal length!).

 

[betazed]

But coolpix range of cameras are not SLR cameras. Which is the reason I was a mite confused by your first post. You said you wanted a SLR and then you said you are looking at coolpix.

here is an extensive review of the coolpix you are looking at.

If you are interested in macro photography I will strongly suggest going with a proper SLR. A D70 review here. It is not much more expensive than a coolpix but a true SLR. I say this because a good macro lens is a very specialized lens and not ideally suited for outdoor photography (which will require a f28-f70 lens ideally). So you will need to change lenses; hence a SLR.

 

[anarres]

Hmm. I actually said "SLR-type", because I know already it's not a reflex lens.

They are called "SLR-type" because they have the same functions and control over settings as an SLR, but without the reflex lens (so it uses an LCD viewfinder). The coolpix 5000 allows you to add a lens adapter to take 58(?)mm SLR lenses, which also makes it "SLR-type".

FWIW I think parallax on macro shots would totally mess with your head with an SLR, so I'm not crying over it...

The camera you show is $1300, but the model I am looking at second hand is going for £250 (but I will offer 200 max). I'm afraid £800+ is out of my price limit.

 

[anarres]

btw, the camera I am looking at is the nikon 5000, not the nikon 5200 as you linked to.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Nikon/nikon_cp5000.asp

 

[betazed]

btw, the camera I am looking at is the nikon 5000, not the nikon 5200 as you linked to.

Ah, sorry about that. Hope the site helped.

Since that is your budget range go with the coolpix. Just make sure that when you photograph something it is well lit because the auto focus of the coolpix range does not work very well in low light conditions.

 

[anarres]

What are the "warning signs" I need to watch for when looking at it? I will make sure it sounds ok and pics look ok when I take it, but do certain parts tend to wear quickly on digital cams like the battery cover (for instance)?

 

[carlosMM]

one thing I can add: DO take a flshlight and check the battery connectors. I do not know what they look like in this camera, but some have funny ones that wear quickly.

 

[stormbind]

In a review infront of my, from a computing magazine, the Canon PowerShot G5 was recommended. Nikon were not represented, so I have nothing to say..

Battery compatibility, optical zoom (instead of digital), and megapixels were main topics of interest. However, the Canon G5 (5 megapixels) created better images than it's competition with 6 megapixels so go figure..

 

[betazed]

What are the "warning signs" I need to watch for when looking at it? I will make sure it sounds ok and pics look ok when I take it, but do certain parts tend to wear quickly on digital cams like the battery cover (for instance)?

Not sure if any parts of coolpix wear out (since I have not used coolpix very much). I can vouch for the build of the true SLRs and no parts of those do wear out.

that said The only really mechanical part should be the autofocus lens part. If anything can wear out that that is it. make sure that is working. Make sure the flash shoe is not damaged because I have seen those damaged in second hand cameras. check that the LCD screen at the back is not scratched or otherwise is bright enough. Also make sure the lens does not have scratches etc that can affect the pic (the only way to see that is to take a pic and see it on the computer at maximum magnification. Not sure you will be able to do that).

Hmmm.. can't think of anything else right now...

 

[anarres]

I just saw the camera and he was 100% unwilling to budge on price so the meeting was very short.

Apparently people are prepared to pay £250 for something that is only £330 new. Also I actually want the nikon coolpix 5700, which is much superior and only £360 in some shops (£450 highstreet). Maybe I will get one of my US friends to buy and ship it to me cheap...