Korean Job Discussion Forums

[blunder1983]

I'm looking at getting a semi decent camera.

I'm a total novice with photography but its a hobby I want to take up, so I'm looking at cameras which are LIKE slrs but arent.

(Nikkon Coolpix 8700, Panasonic FZ-30 Lumix)

I went to Yongsan today, price checking. I was amazed at the varying prices, some stores were asking for around 1,200,000won where as the cheapest i found it was 470,000!?! (this was the lumix) Regardless, the price fluctuation was insane. Can anyone explain why its so different? My only theory was perhaps the more costly ones came with memory cards and other gubbins but I asked (admittedly in English) for the price of just the camera... Wierd.

[blunder1983]

Few more questions:

For a person looking to do some decent photography what sort of spec camera would be good to buy? My father is offering to bring across his old Fuji camera (3mp, somehow doubles up to 6mp? about a 3x zoom) but I'd prefer something with a little bit more in the zoom department.

Also how good is the anti shake jobby you see in the Nikkon 8800, worth the extra cash?

[muggie2dammit]

[blunder1983]

Done a bit more research, and I think I'd be happiest with the fz-20, its only 5mp as opposed to the fz-30s 8, but if ur not blowing pics up (and I'm not) then its not really an issue. Plus the noise is much worse on the z-30, which lowers pic qual back down to the 5mp mark anyway.

Can you barter discounts in Yongsan or is it more of a set price jobby?

[joe_doufu]

What are you doing up so late?

My take on this is that 3.2 megapixels has been enough for me to print any size of photo (up to A4 size) and have it look decent. When I buy my next camera I don't see much reason to get more than 5. Huge pictures require more expensive memory cards and store fewer photos on them. I studied photography in college and high school but as far as I can tell the secret of the great photographers is TAKE A LOT OF PHOTOS and get educated enough about photography that you can notice which ones came out good. It's always a surprise.

As far as equipment goes, get something with a flash you don't have to carry separately. You might want an SLR-like model that you can fit with different lenses. The camera should have autofocus, auto-exposure, auto everything, but it should also be possible to do these manually (in case you want to experiment). A tripod is essential but need not be expensive, you can probably get one at Dongdaemun or your local flea market. Also try to get an international warranty or exchange policy.

[IlIlNine]

The only compact to get is the F10 (for its usable 800 iso).

Slr-like camera that's not an slr? What's the point? Seriously.. I find that category of camera pretty useless. You'd be far better off going for something like a Nikon D50 or a Canon Rebel 350D - both are well under a million won with a lens.

The difference in picture quality is very big -- and, to be honest - cameras like the 8800 or the lumix are almost the same size. If you want something that big - why wouldn't you want an SLR? Batteries, picture quality, expandability ... it's all there.

[blunder1983]

Bleh I dont even know what an ISO is, so there is not much point in me blowing a load of cash on something i wont be able to use

I want a camera which will allow me to improve my skills and improve with me. SLR is too expensive and all I want are interesting photos of my time in Korea. My Casio z-30 wont do that adequately.

[blunder1983]

Oh and how acceptable is the idea of bartering in Yongsan, is it done or not?

[IlIlNine]

You can pick up a D50 kit (with lens) for 750,000. That's not too much to spend... and it's almost as easy to use as a point-and-shoot, if you want it to be.

If you don't even want to bother learning about things like ISO, than you'll never take decent pictures, sorry. It's an integral part of (digital) photography.

If you just want to press the shutter without thinking too much about the result, your results will be similarly mediocre, no matter the camera.

[blunder1983]

I'm going for the Lumix FX-20 which is only 5mp but gets rave reviews.

I'm only just looking into photography, I dont wanna blow 750k on an SLR and find I suck/its not for me. The one I'm looking it clocks in at just over 400k and I'll be able to sell it on if I have a change of heart without to much of a hit.

ATM I'm only JUST learning cameras, hence me not knowing what an ISO is. I want a camera which at its most basic is point and click. Thats where I am now. From there I want it to be able to grow with me, as I learn.

U seem pretty knowledgable Il, ne book reccomends? I'm doing an online course on photography (just started) and have a very knowledgable father coming to Korea in a month, but any hints on where to start is welcome.

[IlIlNine]

Ah .. I got my Panasonic models confused. Sorry.

The american naming scheme is a little different (actually, that review is for the slightly better 8mp model)... but this looks like basically the camera you want to get... take a look at it compared to that Fuji F10 I reccomended at ISO400

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonicfx9/page8.asp

The Fuji's a little worse at very low ISOs (good only for daytime) - but if you want to do evening/bar shots without flash (which you do), take a look at the Fuji F10.

[IlIlNine]

The F10 ..

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/fujifilmf10zoom/

[blunder1983]

They dont have manual control tho, which is something I'm hoping to get into later on.

[Giant]

The bottom line is what is your budget? If its around a million just get a Nikon D70 with kit lens.

[logan]

Here is something to think about when it comes to point and shoots these days.

http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/multi_page.asp?cid=7-6468-7844