beginner needs help....

srush501 · #1 (**permalink**) 11-04-2010, 09:20 AM

Having just discovered Rainham Marshes I (and my family) have been instantly hooked by birdspotting.

I would love to get into photography but don't really know where to start. As a beginner I don't need to start with the highest spec equipment and I do have a tight budget. Have read loads about digiscoping - can anyone suggest some good low-price starter equipment?

I have a sony cybershot s930 camera already? will this be any good?

Ukwildlifeo · #2 (**permalink**) 11-04-2010, 10:17 AM

Rainham is one of my local haunts. I've got a DSLR with a 500mm (cost £1000+

) and the birds there are out of range 90% of the time, so digiscoping may give you the range you need but a decent set up needs a pretty decent telescope which isn't cheap (which is why I ended up just spending a bit more on a DSLR + 500mm lens). That said someone else may have an idea for a cheaper set up

nigel_b · #3 (**permalink**) 11-04-2010, 10:46 AM

Personally I think you'll very quickly move beyond hides and the great distances they usually involve.

I was in the hide at Middlebere the other day with a chap who was using "the" wildlife lens, a 200-400 Nikon with 2x convertor. I think the lens alone is around the £4000 mark. The point is, even with his gear, he was remarking that hides are usually a long way away from the action.

If I were you I'd be looking at a Panasonic FZ-18 or FZ-28.

squishy · #4 (**permalink**) 12-04-2010, 11:21 AM

Superzoom/bridge cameras are good for long(ish) focal lengths on a low budget.

The image quality tends to drop off at the top of the zoom and they are usually prone to chromatic aberrations (purple fringing) (though CA would also be a problem with a budget end digiscoping set up), but you get that range of focal lengths on a budget.

Even if the photos aren't particularly good quality, you still have something to help with your ID when you're not sure in the field.

The Panasonics are very good cameras for the money.

Fujifilm superzooms are also worth looking at.

srush501 · #5 (**permalink**) 13-04-2010, 07:39 AM

Thanks for all of the above. Been looking at a few and the superzooms seem to offer everything I need for a start and I won't need to re-mortgage my house or sell one of my children

. I like the idea of the panasonic but I've got the idea what Fuji and Cannon to as equivalents.

They're is so much at Rainham that you can actually get close to that the four figure SLR's can wait.

Thanks again,

Rushie

Amarillo · #6 (**permalink**) 13-04-2010, 03:25 PM

I would also recommend the Panasonic FZ38. Add a TCON17 converter and it gives you the equivalent of around 800mm. Of course not DSLR quality images, but should be more than good enough for most people.

nigel_b · #7 (**permalink**) 13-04-2010, 07:08 PM

For the extra money is the FZ38 giving you anything the 18 or 28 don't, apart from video? A secondhand 18 or 28 would be much more economic, no?

Does the convertor fit on the 18 or 28?

Amarillo · #8 (**permalink**) 14-04-2010, 11:40 AM

haven't used the 18 or 28, but my understanding is that the 38 is an updated version of those but don't think there have been any massive advances, so if you're on a tight budget yep go for a 2nd hand one...the TCON should fit them in the same way

Good luck!

Tringa · #9 (**permalink**) 14-04-2010, 07:39 PM

Rainham is my "local" reserve to and as you have found out its an excellent place.

For the best quality long distance photos of birds a DSLR and big lens (both expensive) or digiscoping (relatively cheap camera but potentially a very expensive telescope) are the way.

A cheaper alternative as has been suggested is a bridge camera. The only one I know anything about is my current one - a Panasonic FZ28. Panasonic doesn't have the years of background in photography that likes of Canon and Nikon, but they produce some very good cameras.

These two were taken on the FZ28, both hand held(the greylags were taken at Rainham). I would not suggest these are DSLR quality, but the camera is cheap (about £240) compare to a DSLR setup, and there are lots of other bridge cameras that will produce similar results.

Whichever route you go down I suggest you buy a good few photo mags. Most have mini review of lots of cameras that will give you a view of what is liked and then use the net for in depth reviews

Have fun

Dave

Willo · #10 (**permalink**) 15-04-2010, 10:35 PM

I can heartily recommend a bridge too. Three years ago I was in exactly the same position as you are now. I ended up buying an Olympus bridge just purely because it had the longest focal length on the market at the time. I was new to the technical side to photography and the camera was a tough but good tutor and I now feel that I am ready to make the next step.

I have taken some photographs that I am very happy with (and thousands that I am not). One word of warning which others have touched upon here. I had bought what I thought was an excellent camera with a 500mm equivalent lens with which I expected to take excellent closeups of birds. I was disappointed after taking my first set of shots of a blue tit from about 12 metres and discovered the bird was still small in the frame. I don't want to play down my lack of skill as it was a big factor but not matter how good you are this is subject to the laws of physics and can't be overcome unless you spend thousands or by moving closer to the subject. Don't let the disappointment discourage you, it is a frustrating but rewarding hobby.

I am afraid I don't know enough about the current generation of bridge cameras to give you much advice. As well as camera magazines there are some good websites which review cameras. Good luck in you quest and I hope you enjoy your photography.