What camera do I buy? / general gear talk

I’ve taken heaps of shot with my 6d that wasn’t even remotely possible with some of my older cameras.

What kind of shots ?

This sort of thing is basically impossible on older hardware unless you start removing IR filters and stuff...

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I'm after a digital compact for my daughter. Not top end, but would like something that will be significantly better than a phone camera.

Any suggestions? The market seems to be dominated by crazy zooms , which come at the expense of sensor size and lens quality.

In general, low light stuff and also shots requiring fast autofocus. I had a Fuji xe1 and lost countless shits due to the slow and occasionally blind autofocus. It either got stuck searching or found focus on an ear, a shoulder or a painting behind the subject, instead of the eyes that I was pointing it at

would you rather have a 40D with an L lens of your choosing or a 1D X mkii with a 50mm 1.8 for the type of photography that you do?

It's weird to chose between these particular two options for me to be honest.
I said I'd love to have more pixels, the 40D is 10mp, the 1DmkII is still only 20mp. Not sure where you're getting at.

It all has a lot to do with what kind of pictures you need or want to take actually,
I'm not sure what the "kind of photography I do" actually is that you have in mind -
I hardly do any digital stuff (apart from work, which I don't show on here) these days.

you have to weigh up tech/cost/artistic requirements.

Yea, definitely.

It's interesting isn't it? I only dabble in photography. I'd love to be good at it, I'm not, but I enjoy it, but actually if I really think about it the gear isn't part of that. I think I was happiest when I had my first SLR and was developing B&W film in the Drill Hall by TCR. I do like the idea of toys though

Yea nice gear is nice, most photographers will agree -
but since you already know what you like bout photography I would go from there.
Use what you have, make prints, try to figure out what's missing - is it quality or is it your skills?
Learn to shoot your 40D like your old SLR, really know whats what and take some cracking photos with that thing.
Depending on what lenses you already have maybe treat yourself to a nice prime in your favourite focal length if you think this will improve your images.
Or a nice new body, only you will know what you'll need more.

Nikkor 17.3mm Fisheye LOL

Is that the fisheye that can see behind itself?

This is

6mm!

For an all in one compact look at the Sony RX 100 or Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX15. Otherwise look at mirrorless cameras like the Sony A6000 range where there's scope to get better lenses in future if she starts to take it more seriously.

Apart from making a Jamiroquai video, are there any valid, practical, creative uses for something like that?

This series of lenses were originally developed for special scientific and industrial use where wider-than-180° picture coverage is required in surveillance work, photographing the interiors of pipes, boilers, conduits, cylinder bores and other constricted areas

https://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/nikkoresources/fisheyes/6mmf28.htm

Ta. Might try and find 60 grand and take up plumbing photograph. Or see if Jay K wants some promo ahead of Coachella.

Thanks; I should have noted budget which was originally under £200 but once I started looking at a few things, went up to £200 - £300.

Although, if i did get something like the DMC-LX15, it would make a good replacement for my elderly DMC-LX3, in the event that she loses interest...

will have a think!

Just think of the "rad" 90s skate videos you could shoot with it

Pressed the button on bottom of the range RX100. It has the lens and the sensor so should be good.

It's OTT for 14 year old but if she gets into photography, it will be worth it and if she doesn't, I'll use it.

Is that the one that was HAL in 2001?

Edit: nope it was the f8 8mm

photographing the interiors of pipes

BIG PIPES ONLY!

I wonder how many mirrors have been smashed off with that lens?

quick question, best camera for £150? needs to be new, from a shop I can use a company credit card in.

Sorry, another annoying question:

Also want some basic / moderate photo editing software to get my daughter started (ie not Photoshop).

Any suggestions?

if she's editing on a phone/tablet - lightroom mobile is free and pretty easy to get in to.

Thanks - this will be for use on a PC.

Although if Lightroom CC will work on a Chromebook, that could be an option.

Lightroom is a good start I think. Easy enough to get started with basic edits, heaps of presets if she likes filters etc, and plenty of depth to do more advanced stuff.