Digital camera & digital photography resources
for professional & amateur photographers

Hi there, I work as a theatre designer, and am looking to buy a camera which would suit low light, so a good exposure i guess. Im a novis at camera's. I like SLR camera's but am unsure whether its what i really need to document my work. So basically im on a look out for a good quality camera that I can play with functions such as long exposers. can come compact cameras do this?
confused!
Any help welcome!
My budget is about £200 but am willing to invest in a good solid piece of kit.
thanks!

Report this to a moderator | IP: Logged

Because of your budget, I'd probably look at a good used dslr body or one of the newer "entry level" dslrs. I shoot Nikon, so I can't really comment on other brands, but I hope someone will chime in. I think I would go for a good used Nikon D70 or maybe a new D40x. They are decent low light performers IF you can use a monopod or tripod, unlikely if you're in the audience, but good if you're offstage.

As to a lens, you can start out with the "kit" lens, but you eventually will want a longer focal length for theater. Nikon makes a new 16-85 vr (vibration reduction) lens. VR will help a bit with low light situations, but it's no substitute for a monopod.

Good luck & enjoy!

__________________
Jim Pope
Visit my gallery at www.borrowedlight.net

Report this to a moderator | IP: Logged

Jim has provided loads of good info. Since you're looking for good quality low-light/long exposure performance, dslr's are the way to go! All the camera's mentioned above will work very well for you. You may want to look at some of the older Canon dslr's,too. The Canon EOS 350D has an edge when it comes to low-noise image production over older Nikon models such as the D70.

Report this to a moderator | IP: Logged

Jim, let me do a bit of translation here. The "kit" referenced is not a kit in the sense that we understand it here i.e. a slr camera that comes with a lens and is referred to as a kit, as opposed to a camera body and a lens bought as separate items. The "kit" here simply means the equipment.

Sheila.

Report this to a moderator | IP: Logged

quote:

---

Originally posted by shaggydoo
Jim has provided loads of good info. Since you're looking for good quality low-light/long exposure performance, dslr's are the way to go! All the camera's mentioned above will work very well for you. You may want to look at some of the older Canon dslr's,too. The Canon EOS 350D has an edge when it comes to low-noise image production over older Nikon models such as the D70.

---

__________________
-=wynngd=-

Report this to a moderator | IP: Logged