Entry-level DSLR suitable for trip of a lifetime?

[Croker]

Hi!

I'm off to Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia for 6 weeks over Christmas and New Year, and I'm doubtful that my old Sony DSC-P70 will be up to the job of capturing the majesty of places like Angkor Wat, Hanoi, Bangkok and so on...particularly as my phone's camera offers more megapixels than the P70 does!

As such, I'm considering switching to an entry level DSLR - probably the Sony A200. I've never used a DSLR, so I'm painfully aware that I'll have quite a bit to learn, but I need to know a few things in advance of buying one.

I want to keep my budget for the camera itself to around £250, including a kit lens (which is why the Alpha - as sold by Amazon, anyway) appeals. How good is the kit lens, though? I don't want professional photos of where I'm going, but I'd like to be able to take some good enough to blow up to the 12"x10" kind of sizes to frame when I return, if possible. Is the Alpha's kit lens up to that?

Secondly, how hard-wearing is the camera? I'm not proposing dropping it, or dumping it in a river, but exactly how careful do I have to be with it? And what sort of case should I invest in? I've always liked those hard cases that are moulded to the size and shape of the camera. Any suggestions?

Third, being able to recharge the camera's batteries whilst away from home would be a huge bonus. Does the A200, or any other entry level DSLR, have an integrated, rechargeable battery or batteries? Or do you have to keep replacing them?

Fourthly, if I want to fire off photos at max resolution, how many shots can I get to a 4GB card, for example? And which brands/types of cards are recommended?

Finally, is there any sort of book/guide that I can follow to become more au fait in using a DSLR between now and December?

I appreciate that I've asked a lot of questions, but this will be a big purchase for me and I really don't want to make any mistakes - the holiday's costing me quite a bit, so I can't be buying extra kit for the camera all the time, and I don't want to buy one only to find that I'm hopelessly bad at getting (semi)-decent images out of the bloody thing! :D

Thanks in advance for any advice/suggestions/answers you can provide!

[denno75uk]

Firstly, with the enthusiasm you seem to have and a book like this one or this one, you should have no problem getting to know your camera well enough to get some great photos.
Now for the rest of it.
The resolution of the A200 will be more than enough to blow up to 12"X10". The lens is also up to the job, bearing in mind however, that any lens is best used at least one f stop down from maximum, so at 70mm your lens will work best at f8. This isn't necessarily an issue at all, but does limit certain creative options to do with depth of field or at worst, in crappy light, may drop the shutter speed to a point where a tripod may be necessary. To be honest though, even a really expensive lens with a wide aperture can run into problems if the light's crap. Simple physics. Basically, I guess I mean the kit lens will do fine for now and experience and a bit of knowledge from the books will allow you to decide whether or not you need/want another lens.
I would recommend a soft case. The padding in them is pretty adequate IMO. As a guide to robustness, I have dropped my camera from waist/chest height a couple of times and it's still here, but I would rather not push it with a third time lucky option. My hearts been in my mouth each time I've watched frozen as it plummets to the ground.
As far as I know, all the dslrs come with rechargable batteries. Spare's would be a good idea for travelling.
Hope this helps.

[Pirate!!]

Check out the Sony Alpha thread. Pretty much all your answers are there.

You'll need a spare battery (NP-FM500H). I would get at least one. The A200 has a rechargable battery type usually good for about 750 shots.

A200K with kit lens for £229.00 here. £235.40 delivered with code: Pixuk0911.

I would get a minimum of 2 CF memory cards (at least 4Gb each - better with 2x 8Gb). 7DayShop have good deals, or try Play.com. Go for something like a 266x speed. It's a dual format camera, so you can have a memory stick duo with adapter or CF card.

The camera is made of strong stuff. Just don't bang it or drop it excessively (after all it's a box of electronics and optics). And also consider if you're in moist/humid conditions, best not to be changing lenses too often as moisture could get into the body and likely end up on the viewfinder and more importantly, the sensor. It was bad enough in Florida!

I would wrap it all up in a polythene bag or something to help protect against moisture ingress. So a little extra protection will help (though my suggestion may not be the best solution).

A200 user .pdf manual download here. Page 29 has the answers regarding image/format per card.

I don't think you can buy camera armor for the A200, though I'm sure someone will find something via EvilBay from a Chinese vendor!

The kit lens is OK. Nothing stellar, but acceptable. If you can get at least one more lens (maybe the Tamron 55-200mm Di-II from CollegeCameras or a legacy Minolta lens (subject to your needs), you'll have some back-up and/or extra functionality in range.

My poor fingers . . .

[Yandros]

I want to keep my budget for the camera itself to around £250, including a kit lens (which is why the Alpha - as sold by Amazon, anyway) appeals. How good is the kit lens, though? I don't want professional photos of where I'm going, but I'd like to be able to take some good enough to blow up to the 12"x10" kind of sizes to frame when I return, if possible. Is the Alpha's kit lens up to that?

Yes. A 10MP sensor will be more than enough. For almost all travel photography a kit lens will be fine.

Secondly, how hard-wearing is the camera? I'm not proposing dropping it, or dumping it in a river, but exactly how careful do I have to be with it? And what sort of case should I invest in? I've always liked those hard cases that are moulded to the size and shape of the camera. Any suggestions?

In my experience with a magnesium alloy D200, the areas you most often scratch or knock are the front of the lens and the screen. The D200 has a hard plastic screen protector, and I always use a lens hood, which takes about 90% of any knocks the camera has suffered.

Third, being able to recharge the camera's batteries whilst away from home would be a huge bonus. Does the A200, or any other entry level DSLR, have an integrated, rechargeable battery or batteries? Or do you have to keep replacing them?

Almost all DSLRs have removeable lithium rechargeables and a small external charger. I'd suggest taking one or two spare charged batteries if you find yourself unable to recharge for a while. I don't know about Sony, but the Nikon optional vertical grip also takes AA batteries, so you can use those at a push if you're somewhere without mains power.

Fourthly, if I want to fire off photos at max resolution, how many shots can I get to a 4GB card, for example? And which brands/types of cards are recommended?

I'd strongly recommend, if this is a trip of a lifetime, taking a LOT of cards. RAW+jpg is about 20Mb per image, and in a 'target rich environment' I can easily shoot 200 pics per day. (ie a 4GB card). I use Sandisk Extreme III 4 and 8Gb cards.

Finally, is there any sort of book/guide that I can follow to become more au fait in using a DSLR between now and December?

'Understanding Exposure' is the favourite recommendation

[bstonehouse]

Originally Posted by Pirate!!

I would get a minimum of 2 CF memory cards (at least 4Gb each - better with 2x 8Gb). 7DayShop have good deals, or try Play.com. Go for something like a 266x speed. It's a dual format camera, so you can have a memory stick inserted as well.

. . .

Just a tip - Not sure if this camera takes RAW photos, but if it does allow enough CF space to shoot in RAW. Even if you don't think you want that option from Day 1 you will want to revisit them in the future for detailled editing and printing, especially some of the places you are going. I didn't understand RAW with my first DSLR and shot in jpeg and wish now I had used RAW.

[Pirate!!]

Originally Posted by bstonehouse

Not sure if this camera takes RAW photos

P 29 of the user guide (see my last post) refers.

[mrpink123]

Originally Posted by Pirate!!

It's a dual format camera, so you can have a memory stick inserted as well.

I'm an A200 owner, and I was not aware of this. Is there a memory stick slot somewhere that I've missed? I thought compatibility was through a compact flash adapter that came with the A100, but has to be bought separately with the A200?

Originally Posted by Yandros

'Understanding Exposure' is the favourite recommendation

I second this. It's a brilliant book. I knew nothing about photography when I picked it up, but by the time I'd finished it I at least understood what pretty much everything on the camera was for. Still got a long way to go with my composition skills though!

[Pirate!!]

Originally Posted by mrpink123

I'm an A200 owner, and I was not aware of this. Is there a memory stick slot somewhere that I've missed? I thought compatibility was through a compact flash adapter that came with the A100, but has to be bought separately with the A200?

I took my lead from the instruction manual. Hang on . . let me look again . . . ah . . there you go. It would appear you can use a memory stick with an adapter, not like a dedicated dual card format as the A700 (2 slots). I stand corrected.

[mrpink123]

That's a relief, thought I was going mad! Anyway, the A200 is a great starter DSLR, I wouldn't hesitate to buy again. Definite recommendation from here.

[Croker]

Thanks for all the advice, chaps - it's hugely appreciated.

I think I'll be getting a Sony A200, along with "Understanding Exposure". Doubtless I'll be back in this area of the forums soon, with a number of boneheaded further questions on how to actually use the camera!