Hello to all from a newbie

Hi Everyone.
I would just like to introduce myself and the skills I have and also at the same time would like feedback if possible on the type of camera I should purchase.
My name is Steve and I live in the Manchester area U.K. I consider myself an advanced user with Adobe Photohop. The version I am using is CS2. I have been editing photos for the past five years or so but have never got around to purchasing (to me) a serious camera. I have around £250/300 to spend and was considering somthing with a large zoom. I do not want one with interchangable lenses just yet as I am a total beginner when it comes down to taking actual pictures.
My only photographic experience is with a 4mp compact used during holidays etc. Any advice would be appreciated as I would like to start producing my own decent pics.
I replied to a thread the other day with regards setting up Photoshop, monitor and printer settings. If anyone would find it useful I could post a tutorial covering the subject in detail if required.
I hope this is the first of many post's as I am still finding my way around the site
Hope to hear from you all soon.
XP1

hi xp1
the main thing for buying any camera is to hold it and have a play with it in the shop see how it feels in your hands! i was looking at compacts the other week for a mate and his mum and there are some cracking ones out there! i must admit some of what you find on any camera is very gimmicy, both nikon and lumix have some excellent quality compacts for around the 200-300 mark!

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http://www.genesephotography.com

Thanks Genese,
By the way I always laugh last.

maybe the joke wasnt that good xp1

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http://www.genesephotography.com

Welcome, have fun.

As an advanced Photoshop user there’ll be no need for me to convince you of the abilities and benefits of using RAW. That said, there is only one camera to consider in my view, the Canon G 9, a direct replacement for the G7 that lacked RAW. This is a small camera, with a large effective zoom and 12.1mp and you"ll have a fiver left for a pint. You can ask for no more, my son has the G7 which I have used to great affect, and Santa is bringing me the G9 to ‘keep in my pocket’. Don’t take my word for it though, here is the dpreview article.


Alistair

Thanks alistair,
Im on my way to check it out now.
Cheers Mate

I am still reeling at the cost of a Pint!
Greetings xp1.
dpreview will give You a great insight as to the abillities of a Digi Cam.
Cheers, Tedz.

Hi Xp1....I'm a newbie too...from Canada..sounds like you will be a great asset to this forum...In many ways I still consider myself a simple drone when it comes to editing. I use Paintshop Pro X2...but i'll be watching for any of your tutorials..and I know I won't be the only one.

What ho Xp1 do you have any siblings called xp4?? lol sorry bad joke and on my first impression

i know diddly squat about all in one cameras apart from the family's Fuji compact which has a 3" screen and is fabulous but not a togs camera! i know Fuji do some that bridge the gap between compact and slr's.

only thing i would say is make sure the batteries are good ones, avoid anything that doesn't come with its own rechargeable lithium battery. no AA's!!! try and aim for the best deal to include as many extras as poss. ie flash cards, cases etc.

cheers and happy landings!
Anps watch out for shrek! he takes his pants off! lol!!!!!

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The summer is here and the time is right,
We're going racing in the street....Bruce Springsteen

Canon Forever

1Dmk2,10D, 20mm,28-70mm,200mm, Elinchrom3000,1500,600's,500's, Multiblitz200,Bronica SQb, expensive Manfrotto tripod

Hi,
Welcome to the mad house!!!
I am a newbie too and have been very warmley welcomed to the forum as I'm sure you will be too!

I can't advise on the camera as I only just about know what to do with mine!!!
Regards,
Kay