Tips for getting most out of bridge camera, please?

[operanut1972]

Hi

I had to give my DSLR up after an accident, I traded it in for a canon G9, but had also been using an s4000. Found that on both of these I struggled with 'manual' settings. So much so,I sold them for an Olympus E-P1 pen. This was good but with only live view or a single optical viewfinder I ended upsetting a G2 a couple of months ago. I love it, but it does have limitations. I now want more glass and want both the 45-200 (90-400) & the 100-300 (200-600). Both of these focal lengths with thecropfactor should give me the reach I miss from my Nikon D70 kit.

Good luck, keep shooting and think about the micro four third system if you need more from your camera!

Regards
OpNut72 (Steve)

[Gill Catton]

Originally Posted by operanut1972

Hi

I had to give my DSLR up after an accident, I traded it in for a canon G9, but had also been using an s4000. Found that on both of these I struggled with 'manual' settings. So much so,I sold them for an Olympus E-P1 pen. This was good but with only live view or a single optical viewfinder I ended upsetting a G2 a couple of months ago. I love it, but it does have limitations. I now want more glass and want both the 45-200 (90-400) & the 100-300 (200-600). Both of these focal lengths with thecropfactor should give me the reach I miss from my Nikon D70 kit.

Good luck, keep shooting and think about the micro four third system if you need more from your camera!

Regards
OpNut72 (Steve)

I have the 45-200mm and its ok... its not stunningly brilliant - though to be fair I handhold and haven't used it much on a tripod where it might be better...... I'm not buying any more lenses until they bring out a 400 or 500mm!!

[Lancashire Lad]

I agree with what's been said about digital zoom - In my opinion, it should only ever be used as a last resort, in cases where it's that or no shot at all.

I've just had a quick look at the FZ100 manual online, and I'm finding it hard to accept that the so called "intelligent" (optical rather than digital) zoom suddenly allows a 24x optical zoom to become a 30 (or even more) x optical zoom by simply reducing the pixel count setting. They say "The zoom magnification can be increased by approximately 1.3k without noticeable deterioration in the picture by the Intelligent Resolution Technology when the Intelligent Zoom is used", - but it must be a form of digital pixel interpolation in some form or other.

Anyway, getting back to your image - are you using any post camera image editing software? - I'm certain that you would be able to visibly sharpen up your images with some careful use of the facilities available in Paintshop Pro, or Photoshop Elements etc. etc.

And of course, it goes without saying that the camera needs to be supported rock solid, as at such extreme levels of zoom, even the slightest hint of camera movement will be exaggerated in the resulting images.

Whilst it may be true that a bridge camera won't compete at all levels with a DSLR system, when used within its limits, a bridge will produce images every bit as crisp.

Regards,
Mike.

[KentYeti]

Adding to the many helpful hints above.

If you have any choice as to when you go out with your camera, choose bright and sunny days. And in mid summer try and remember the midday hours when the sun is very high can give harsh shadows on some subjects.

Good clear lighting from a sun that isn't right at the top of the sky can give superb results from a bridge camera. Indeed, from almost any camera.

And of the other points made, yes, make sure the camera is very well supported if you are using a long zoom.

Bryan

[operanut1972]

Hi Gill,

Thanks for the heads up on the 200mm quality. But this is an issue that m4/3 system has. It would b good if the independents started making for the system. Then people might look at it seriously. A 500 prime would be great.

45-200 is on order from a well known auction site for £190 not to bad for a UK based new unit.

Regards
OpNut72 Steve

[Tringa]

Like Mike I had a look at the specs of the fz100. 600mm is the top end of the optical range.

A review I saw says -

"The FZ100 also features Panasonic's Intelligent Resolution technology, which sharpens up edges and improves detail under digital zoom. This can be used in both still and video mode to extend the zoom range to 32x with minimal loss of quality."

As it involves the digital zoom I would have thought it would have an adverse impact on quality, but have to say an example of it looked good.

A few free photo editors are Photoscape, Irfanview, Paint.net, GIMP.

Dave

[operanut1972]

Hi Dave,

I have the iRes switched on, on my g2, just realised that it is like adding sharpness in camera, this is being switched of as we speak. However, most of my shots looked ok til pulled up for A4 printing.

Thanks for the timely advice,better to sharpen on your computer than in camera!
OpNut72