First camera

[rossbells]

Anyone recommend a camera for a newbie to wildlife photographing. I dont know too much about cameras etc so all advice would be appreciated. Thanks

[wizzo]

Hi Ross! This may seem like an obvious question, but.....how much do you want to spend? Wizzo

[nutmeg]

Some questions:

What is your budget?
What kind of wildlife are you hoping to photograph?
Would you prefer a DSLR system or an all-in-one type camera?

This will help us to advise you

[Lancashire Lad]

A few pointers: -

• Point and Shoot - Small, pocketable digital cameras aren't much good for "all round" wildlife photography. Whilst they may have multi-megapixel sensors, and offer the best in terms of light weight and pocketability, they generally lack long optical zooms or decent macro facility, and are certainly the most awkward to use with regards to manually controlling exposure etc. etc.
  
• Bridge cameras, (otherwise known as "superzooms"), offer the best compromise in terms of price versus specification. In effect, you get a complete system in one stand-alone camera. The better ones have truly enormous optical wide angle to long zoom range, full manual override (which you will definitely need as your skills grow), DSLR like handling, etc. etc. - If you are just getting into wildlife photography, I'd strongly recommend going for a bridge camera, there are some truly excellent superzooms, and used correctly, they can produce images every bit as good as those from a DSLR.
  You might find some useful advice on this thread: - Camera Info, fujifilm finepix s4000 ?
  
• DSLR camera system - Undoubtedly the best way to go if your budget will permit, and you are certain that you are going to become a keen photographer. Nothing can beat a DSLR system for ultimate image quality and versatility.
  However, if you are tempted to go straight into the DSLR system route, you will need to spend at least a thousand pounds to be able to buy a camera and lenses that will do what a superzoom will do. (And until you have such a range of lenses, your photography will be restricted accordingly). Also, going straight for a DSLR can be very daunting, and will undoubtedly involve a steep learning curve.

Regards,
Mike.

[rossbells]

Originally Posted by nutmeg

Some questions:

What is your budget?
What kind of wildlife are you hoping to photograph?
Would you prefer a DSLR system or an all-in-one type camera?

This will help us to advise you

1. £2-300 , its about all I can afford at the moment.
2. Mostly birds
3. No idea what that is

[shadowx]

It's not so much the camera but the lenses....

As has already been said a basic point and shoot (eg the sort with the lens built in) will be essentially useless for wild birds as it wont be able to zoom in enough. It would be fine for taking pictures on feeders or where birds are unnaturally close to humans, or if you have a bird scope you can get a bracket to attach it to the scope which then acts as a really long lens, that would work nicely.

Short of that you need a camera with removable lenses. If you go that route you would probably spend the entire budget on the camera itself and be forced down the cheaper lens route which would mean lower quality pictures. A zoom lens of say 300 or 400mm (which is decent for bird spotting) would set you back £500 at least, some people spend thousands on just a single lens (wish i could!!)

Your best bet would probably to get a point and shoot camera for say, £75-100 and then spending the rest on a decent spotting scope and bracket. Google "Digiscoping" and you will see what I mean. It's a new idea to me so I cant give you any more info but im sure someone here partakes in it!

[Za]

Hi Rossbells,
this one might be worth having a look at, Canon Powershot SX30 IS, it has a 35x zoom lens so should be able to get you some good pictures from distance, I am using an older version, the SX10 IS which has a 20x zoom and it does me fine.
Camerabox.co.uk is selling them at £289.99 which seems a lot cheaper than elsewhere.
Good luck and have fun with whatever you decide on.
Za

[Lancashire Lad]

With a budget of £200.00 - 300.00, you will need to be realistic about what you are going to be able to purchase.

It will be pointless even contemplating the DSLR route, as the funds just won't be sufficient. (Plus, if, as it seems at this stage, you don't know what a DSLR is, then that's another very good reason not to opt for that route ).

As mentioned previously, pocketable point and shoot cameras are nigh-on useless for wildlife photography, so they need to be avoided too.

That leaves just one viable option - The Bridge Camera/Superzoom.

There are many such cameras within your stated price range. - I would personally advocate the Fuji Finepix HS10 - it is a superb camera, which cost over £400.00 originally, but can now be had for around £220.00 (Warehouse Express / Jessops etc. etc.).

I am biased towards that camera, because I've got one, and for the money (even though it cost me £400.00 when I bought mine), I don't think it can be faulted.
Full review here: -
Fujifilm FinePix HS10 Review | PhotographyBLOG

The Canon SX30 IS which Shadowx mentions looks to be a very good camera too - especially in terms of its massive zoom capability, but it doesn't seem to rate too well on image quality.
Again, full review here: -
Canon PowerShot SX30 IS Review | PhotographyBLOG

One thing that I would mention is that the company Camerabox.co.uk which Shadowx mentions, is presently not getting good customer reviews at all. I've personally never bought from them so can only go on what's available via searches. However, if these are anything to go by:- Camerabox Ltd www.camerabox.co.uk Reviews of 2010 & 2011 | Compare ratings at Review Centre I'd be wary of using them - but obviously, the choice is ultimately yours.

Look at what's available in the bridge/superzoom genre of cameras. Get the one which has a specification that most appeals to you. Use it within it's limits, and you won't go far wrong.

Good luck with your choice.

Regards,
Mike.

[shadowx]

As much as I would love to take the credit it wasnt me who you are referring to, it's Za

[Za]

oops it was me that suggested the Canon SX30 IS , but didnt read the reviews of camerabox as a supplier.
However the same camera is advertised at Buyacamera.co.uk at £299.99 which is still a great price for what you get, and the supplier has great feedback regarding delivery and general service.

Cheers
Za