Camera for my BFF's dad - He is a pro photographer without a camera - $350 max

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The Stigenator

The Stigenator

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
15,216
3
81
So my BFF's dad is a pro photographer but he does not own a digital camera of his own (he has an old contax from back in the day). Not a DSLR camera of his own nor even a point and shoot.

Its funny if you think about it. He is a pro photographer, but he does not own his own camera.

This is what he has shot in the past:
1. Miss Universe (several years - does the island shoots)
2. Miss World (several years - does the island shoots)
3. Miss USA (a few times)
4. The Oscars
5. The Grammy's
6. 1993 Superbowl Half Time show (michael jackson)
7. Rose Bowl & Parade (for the last 9 years that I've known my BFF and more)
etc

Anyway he has never needed a camera of his own because he can always pick up the one from the 'office'. He primarily shoots Nikon but he has shot on the Canon too.

Well my BFF does want him to have one of his own. Unfortunately she isnt loaded and cant get him a DSLR right now, so the next best thing. She said under $350

So with that in mind what should I get.

I was thinking of Panasonic FZ35, its got manual controls, RAW processing and was pretty good for what it was. He probably will just use it at home or something it wont be used for taking weddings and what not.

Any other suggestions?
 
Gooberlx2

Gooberlx2

Lifer
May 4, 2001
15,381
6
91
I'd suggest a Canon S95 or Panasonic LX5 over the superzooms. The superzooms have an inferior sensor combined with so many more glass elements, that it would be a major difference in image quality.

$350 is still short of those cameras' price ranges, but you might look for used/refurbished units.

The Canon S90 is currently $380 new at several online retailers (less if used/refurb). It lacks HD (720p) video vs the S95, but that's the only worthwhile difference.
 
Last edited:
9

996GT2

Diamond Member
Jun 23, 2005
5,212
0
76
The Stigenator said:
So my BFF's dad is a pro photographer but he does not own a digital camera of his own (he has an old contax from back in the day). Not a DSLR camera of his own nor even a point and shoot.

Its funny if you think about it. He is a pro photographer, but he does not own his own camera.

This is what he has shot in the past:
1. Miss Universe (several years - does the island shoots)
2. Miss World (several years - does the island shoots)
3. Miss USA (a few times)
4. The Oscars
5. The Grammy's
6. 1993 Superbowl Half Time show (michael jackson)
7. Rose Bowl & Parade (for the last 9 years that I've known my BFF and more)
etc

Anyway he has never needed a camera of his own because he can always pick up the one from the 'office'. He primarily shoots Nikon but he has shot on the Canon too.

Well my BFF does want him to have one of his own. Unfortunately she isnt loaded and cant get him a DSLR right now, so the next best thing. She said under $350

So with that in mind what should I get.

I was thinking of Panasonic FZ35, its got manual controls, RAW processing and was pretty good for what it was. He probably will just use it at home or something it wont be used for taking weddings and what not.

Any other suggestions?
Click to expand...

Don't get an FZ35. Noise handling is not good.

Since he is a pro, get an S90/S95, Lumix LX3/LX5, Olympus XZ-1, or Samsung TL500
 
S

Smoove910

Golden Member
Aug 2, 2006
1,235
6
81
If he's a 'pro', you won't be able to satisfy his needs for $350. That's like me being a professional race car driver and you buy me a Kia...
 
Lotheron

Lotheron

Platinum Member
Oct 21, 2002
2,188
4
71
Smoove910 said:
If he's a 'pro', you won't be able to satisfy his needs for $350. That's like me being a professional race car driver and you buy me a Kia...
Click to expand...

I was going to post something similar earlier. I'd spend the $350 on something else. :)
 
R

randomlinh

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
20,846
2
0
linh.wordpress.com
Smoove910 said:
If he's a 'pro', you won't be able to satisfy his needs for $350. That's like me being a professional race car driver and you buy me a Kia...
Click to expand...

Not everyone wants to always have the big gear to lug around. Pros appreciate a good small camera for what it is, they aren't expecting to match DSLRs. Plenty of pros have something like an S95 as the everyday camera.
 
The Stigenator

The Stigenator

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
15,216
3
81
Like Randomlinh says, not everyone needs a DSLR all the time. Mind you, he is a pro photographer so buying him a T2i without the lenses or with the kit lens will be no use. The last time I saw him packing his gear it was all D700 and above.

A reasonably advanced P&S that has RAW features and ability to shoot what he wants and not make him feel like he is at his day job time will work. I mean he does have access to high end gear every freaking day and that can get boring. Its like me after a day of working on the computer I dont want to be on the computer at home. Thats probably why he never bought himself one. But his daughter wants to get him one because she feels he should have one.
 
9

996GT2

Diamond Member
Jun 23, 2005
5,212
0
76
The Stigenator said:
Like Randomlinh says, not everyone needs a DSLR all the time. Mind you, he is a pro photographer so buying him a T2i without the lenses or with the kit lens will be no use. The last time I saw him packing his gear it was all D700 and above.

A reasonably advanced P&S that has RAW features and ability to shoot what he wants and not make him feel like he is at his day job time will work. I mean he does have access to high end gear every freaking day and that can get boring. Its like me after a day of working on the computer I dont want to be on the computer at home. Thats probably why he never bought himself one. But his daughter wants to get him one because she feels he should have one.
Click to expand...

FZ35 isn't small and doesn't have good image quality. If you want to get him a point and shoot, at least get him one that was designed with serious photographers in mind.
 
A

AkumaX

Lifer
Apr 20, 2000
12,643
3
81
gorcorps said:
idk my bff jill?
Click to expand...

bff_jill.jpg
 
ChairShot

ChairShot

Senior member
May 6, 2003
831
0
76
shooting these awesome events dont make you a pro... being paid to do so makes you one however ;)
 
O

oRdchaos

Member
Nov 4, 2000
63
0
0
A refurb S95 from Canon's online store will run you $319.

Though I have no problem buying myself refurbs, I feel weird giving them as gifts.
 
S

SaoFeng

Senior member
Oct 25, 2006
515
0
76
if he's survived all these years w/o a camera....then what makes you think he wants one now? I'm sure he would have bought himself a camera by now.

but....get the s95. i'm a pro photographer myself and i have that camera when i don't want to lug all my pro gear around :)
 
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