camera advice

[Fiji Dave]

I know this is supposed to be for underwater photography, but I was wondering if any of the people on the boards could give me a little advice as regards cameras.

My partner is off to work in the Seychelles for a year and as it's her birthday soon I thinking of getting her a camera to take with her. She already has a MMII-Ex for the underwater shots, but has nothing for taking photos when she's on land.

What I know about photography you could write on the back of a stamp...twice...in capitals, so I'm hoping someone could give me a bit of advice on what would be a decent all-round setup with a budget of approx 150-250 quid.

Digital is a no-no as she probably won't have the facility to download pictures to a computer. I'm thinking an SLR, (canon? Nikon? any thoughts) with a lens that allow for some degree of zooming in?

Anyway, if anyone has any suggestions I'd be very grateful.

Cheers
Dave

[Jules]

Dave
I have an MMII and it's a crackling camera for both land and underwater shots. I used to just take that on holiday and take all my photos on it... Does she really need two camaras? Just a thought..
jules

[Bunny]

How about a little Canon EOS 300N

It's an entry level SLR which has a number of automatic settings, so until you figure out your fstop from your elbow you (or your girlfriend) can use it as an upmarket point and click, it supports EOS lenses which you can keep using as you upgrade your cameras, even if you eventually decide to go for a digital EOS SLR.

Or if you prefer Nikon to Canon (that is a debate that could flare up much like PADI vs BSAC) the Nikon N55 does same sort of thing, both come in at around 200 quid and will hold you in good stead for many years.

[cdiver2]

Originally Posted by fijidave

I know this is supposed to be for underwater photography, but I was wondering if any of the people on the boards could give me a little advice as regards cameras.

My partner is off to work in the Seychelles for a year and as it's her birthday soon I thinking of getting her a camera to take with her. She already has a MMII-Ex for the underwater shots, but has nothing for taking photos when she's on land.

What I know about photography you could write on the back of a stamp...twice...in capitals, so I'm hoping someone could give me a bit of advice on what would be a decent all-round setup with a budget of approx 150-250 quid.

Digital is a no-no as she probably won't have the facility to download pictures to a computer. I'm thinking an SLR, (canon? Nikon? any thoughts) with a lens that allow for some degree of zooming in?

Anyway, if anyone has any suggestions I'd be very grateful.

Cheers
Dave

I have the Cannon eos with 20mm and 28-80mm for uw and a nikon N80 with a 28-300 lens for land use and would recommend ether.

[Fiji Dave]

Jules - hadn't thought about using the MMII above water, but as my partner doesn't have any extra lenses, wide angle or macro or suchlike I wasn't sure it would have the same versatility that she'd get from an SLR (but then Bunny is correct in that I don't know my fstop from my elbow!)

Bunny - I've seen the Nikon F55 - is that the same as the N55?

Ta for the advice
Dave

[tom]

Originally Posted by fijidave

my partner doesn't have any extra lenses, wide angle or macro or suchlike

So is anyone else thinking what I'm thinking?

[Neil M]

Originally Posted by fijidave

Jules - hadn't thought about using the MMII above water, but as my partner doesn't have any extra lenses, wide angle or macro or suchlike I wasn't sure it would have the same versatility that she'd get from an SLR (but then Bunny is correct in that I don't know my fstop from my elbow!)

Bunny - I've seen the Nikon F55 - is that the same as the N55?

Ta for the advice
Dave

Dave,

Just a quick point, the supplemental lenses for the MM2 do not work out of the water... On the Surface, you should use either the normal lens or the close up option (on the Focus settings...)

but for total flexibility, I'd always choose an SLR.... (now I just want a nice housed one!!! )

Cheers
Neil

[Jules]

Originally Posted by fijidave

Jules - hadn't thought about using the MMII above water, but as my partner doesn't have any extra lenses, wide angle or macro or suchlike I wasn't sure it would have the same versatility that she'd get from an SLR (but then Bunny is correct in that I don't know my fstop from my elbow!)

depends if she wants to do mega arty stuff of just take holiday snaps..mine was always great for the latter.

Jules

[Neil M]

You can get some great photos with a MM2ex... when I invest in a slide scanner, I may unleash some of my attempts on you all!!!

Cheers
Neil

[John Gulliver]

Originally Posted by Neilm

Dave,

On the Surface, you should use either the normal lens or the close up option (on the Focus settings...)

Cheers
Neil

Neil, does the MM II EX close-up lens work on land? I've never thought about that but it suggests some interesting possibilities.