Camera Info, fujifilm finepix s4000 ?

[Pipa]

Originally Posted by Tringa

Another thought is the Panasonic FZ range.

I have a FZ28, which is a few years old now, but is, within its limitations, a very good camera. The more recent models are fz45 and fz100.

For your price range a bridge camera, IMO, is the way to go and I am sure you will get a lot of enjoyment from it.

I suggest buying a few photo mags. Most have mini reviews of what is liked just now. This will help you narrow down your choice. Then have a look on the web for some in depth reviews.

There is no way that a bridge camera is going to compete with a DSLR system, but a single lens for a DSLR can be 5 (or more) times the price of a bridge camera.

Dave

oo good tips thanks, i never thought of looking in some Photography mags, can always pop into WHSmith and have a poke through the mags

i defintley can't afford all the high end stuff and probably never would LOL so a nice decent camera that will fill the gap between the expensive stuff and our basic compact digi cams will keep me happy

[Pipa]

Originally Posted by Firefox

hi there, i all the experience i have had with Fuji bridge cams are really good, if you do get one i would reccoment the kiwi adapters and a raynox maro adapter, they only cost around 30 quid yet get amazing pictures, its almost the same qual as a regular macro lens. good luck anyway!

Thankyou, im so eager to buy a better camera right now, i'm very into photographing wildlife/birds/flowers and this time of year is perfect since all the chicks are out and the insects are venturing out and flowrs are popping up i dont want to miss good photo opportunities, so im having to restrain myself from rushing in and buying something just to have it now now now before i am firmly set in my mind what i want (hard task that is too lol)

[GME]

I'd go with Lancashire Lad's recommendation, an absolute bargain at just over £200 for the HS10. Full range from 24mm up to 720mm equivalent (30x zoom) and option for 1cm Macro. Trust me, it'll cost you an awful lot of money to come even close with a DSLR setup! And unless you're entering competitions with your photos, I doubt you'll be disappointed with the image results. Go for it and enjoy!!

[oxycera]

I use a HS10. It's great.

[Pipa]

sorry forthe late replies, i've read some good reviews about the HS10/20, a couple of iffy reviews about people saying you need to be experienced to use them as they can be tricky, but hum.. im a fast learner

a couple of people have recommended using a raynox with it aswell, something else i need to look into, i wont be using my camera for serious photography as in entering competitions and making a career out of it , but i do enjoy getting very nice shots and looking around for wildlife to photograph etc

[GME]

Originally Posted by Pipa

sorry forthe late replies, i've read some good reviews about the HS10/20, a couple of iffy reviews about people saying you need to be experienced to use them as they can be tricky, but hum.. im a fast learner

a couple of people have recommended using a raynox with it aswell, something else i need to look into, i wont be using my camera for serious photography as in entering competitions and making a career out of it , but i do enjoy getting very nice shots and looking around for wildlife to photograph etc

Not too tricky at all, you'll appreciate the extra settings and control you'll be able to have as you grow into your photography. At first, if you stick it all on the automatic settings, you'll be fine and get some great shots I'm sure. As you want to explore new techniques and adjust the settings for certain situations you'll be glad you can! Plus, that's half the fun

The raynox would be a good investment as they can be picked up pretty cheap, I'd also recommend a decent tripod if you aim to use the full extent of your zoom or the macro options though, as you'll end up with a bit of unavoidable camera shake if you're hand-holding.

I know what you mean about entering competitions, but you'll definitely get some shots you'll be chuffed with. Well, the camera will be capable of producing them anyway, then it's all down to your skills... Which I'm sure will be just fine of course

[Apache64]

Throwing another in to the mix, I love my Sony DSC-HX1. I am not in to photography as much as I would like to be. I previously had a ploppy simple point and shoot. I was visiting San Francisco in 2009 and wanted something decent. I wasn't really looking at DSLR's as I was under the impression that whilst the bodies themselves can be reasonably priced, you start to incur all the expense when you by lenses for them.
I was recommended to try what was described to me as a bridge camera - something between what I had already and the more expensive DSLR's.
You can see some of the pictures I have taken with it on here. They're not up to the DSLR standard, but are good enough for what I wanted.
Whereas before I got it, I would rarely take my camera anywhere, now I try and take it wherever I can.