Tips for getting most out of bridge camera, please?

[BarbH]

Hi,
I recently sold my Canon DSLR as I wasn't using it a great deal: being, on many outings, a lone female, I felt vulnerable lugging my gear around so it had to go. I bought a Panasonic FZ100 which I love for landscapes, general photography, etc., but the digital zoom leaves a lot to be desired. I know I can't expect the results to be anywhere near as good as those I got with my other gear (one of the compromises I had to make and I'll have to live with it), but can anyone give me any tips on improving my wildlife images please?
In RAW, the digital zoom doesn't work, which is fine for closer objects, but I took some pics of stags today which were at a distance, and the quality's not great. Perhaps I'll have to live with it - unless anyone knows different!

I'm going to see if I can post one of the pics from this afternoon - once I figure out how to do it. Bear with me!

[BarbH]

Here's the pic - at last!

[Ferret]

Hi BarbH and welcome to WAB.
Turn the Digital zoom off you will never be satisfied with it on any make or model of camera as all it does is crop your picture therefore reducing the number of megapixels used and reducing the quality of your photo. You can do this yourself at home with a lot more flexibility as to how much you crop and have more control over the composition to give a more pleasing shot.

Ferret

[davecatt]

Hi BarbH Welcome to WAB.

Given the limitations of your camera I would say that is a ruddy good photo.

The only suggestion I can think of is practice and experiment with different settings. Perhaps try auto bracketing if the camera allows it, three continuous shots with a -1 through to +1 exposure. However you do it, compare the settings recorded on each picture taken in automatic mode,then experiment with adjustments in the aperture priority and shutter priority modes.

In the old days they used to say the only way to familiarise yourself with a camera was to waste a lot of film. Digital cameras make the job a lot easier,as long as youve got plenty of batteries and loads of determination you will soon learn the limits and capabilities of your camera.

Providing you dont intend printing at more than A3 size I would not worry too much about losing pixellation, at that scale 5 MP is adequate enough with a good printer.

Keep at it
Dave

[Tringa]

I don't know your camera but I use an earlier FZ model, the FZ28. Within the limitations of a bridge camera it is excellent, so I can imagine your camera will also produce some great photos.

The following is based on the fz28 but I think your more advanced model will be able to do all mine can and more.

You mentioned liking landscapes. The light range with a landscape can be huge - more than a digital sensor can cope with and AEB will be is useful and you can combine three photos (or more if possible) into one with HDR software.

As mentioned a digital zoom is a waste of space if you are trying to get a decent photos. I cannot see the EXIF data from your stag photo, but I'm guessing you had zoomed close to the top end of the camera's optical zoom range, ie close to the 35mm equivalent of 600mm. The shot looks as if the lighting wasn't great which means a slow shutter speed or a wide aperture, or both. Top end of a zoom range and poorish light are going make it more difficult to get a great shot. What were the camera settings?

On my monitor it looks as if there may be a focussing problem, but sometimes auto focussing can be fooled by difficult conditions.

Was the photo hand held or on a tripod or support? Other than resizing how much editing did you do to the photo? I don't know if this applies to your camera but on mine photos straight out of the camera, with the camera sharpening set to 0, come out a little soft and virtually every one needs some sharpening.

Dave

[wizzo]

I agree with Dave. Given the type of camera you're using, I think that's a really nice shot. I wouldn't get too hung up over 'tack sharp' images if you're only taking pictures for your own pleasure. Most of your freinds and family won't be looking that closely anyway. Having said that though, I've seen images taken with a compact camera and digital zoom that were easily publishable...so don't give up. One of the most annoying things in my life at the moment, is the fact that I consistantly get better, sharper shots with my canon G11 than I do with all my vastly expensive gear. That just shouldn't happen Wizzo

[MeadsMan]

I think that is superb photo,and I don`t think you needed to zoom in as much as you have,which would likely have helped improve the quality a little.If that is wild Deer and not a park Deer,you have done really well.

[BarbH]

Thanks for the comments - I'm determined to crack this problem!

I've had a look at the instruction CD again, and have learnt a bit more about the camera. (I wish they'd provide a manual, just to dip into now and again. Funny how the film SLR's, which were so much simpler, came with proper instructions, but hey...that's progress, I suppose).

Just to clarify - the pic was taken at the top end of the digital zoom, not the optical, so I was expecting miracles! This would make it the equivalent of a 600mm lens. BUT - I've figured out that if I drop down to 10 megapixels, the intelligent zoom kicks in, giving an optical magnification of 30X instead of the 24x as standard. I rested the camera on the window ledge in a hide, as there was no room for the tripod. I didn't edit the image in any way, and the deer was wild - those of you who know Leighton Moss RSPB Reserve will know that the shot isn't unusual, though the light was falling by the time I took this pic.

Anyhoo - I have a birthday coming up and have asked hubby for a 1.7x teleconverter lens and adapter, so I should get to 1020mm with that. I'm going to treat myself to a remote release, and hopefully the results I get then SHOULD be an improvement. If not, I'm not fit to own a camera...

If the FZ100 came with a PROPER manual, maybe the camera would have been studied more - sorry, just my personal gripe coming out again. I know it's saving trees, but my toaster came with more paperwork!

I'll try another similar shot when I can and post the pic - it won't beat me.

Thanks again folks,

Barb

[Gill Catton]

I have a Panasonic FZ30 and love it. The digital zoom though is rather a waste of time unless you are just trying for an ID or record shot. Shots of distant animals will always be difficult - though you can still produce really good landscape or wider view shots with an animal as the focus which to my mind are often more interesting photographs.

I also have a micro-fours thirds Panasonic G1 and altough it is better on distant animals its still pretty soft at the end of the 200m lens.

However, there is one area where bridge cameras often match the DSLR equivalent more closely and that's macro work, so I'd recommend when out and about you make sure you scan the plants and ground for smaller beasties for beautiful, images as much as you look for larger more 'glamorous' subjects. I'd recommend when saving for your teleconvertor you also aim for a Raynox DCR-150 snap on lens (they're quite cheap £30-£50 and very lightweight) as this lets you get really really close.

Here's a few photos I have taken with the FZ30/ Raynox set up:




Hope this helps, I love my new G1 but often when out I wonder whether I'd have been better off with my FZ30! (mainly when I realise I have to change lenses again to get the shot I want!!)

[GME]

Abandon the digital zoom and stick to the optical only! Couldn't agree more with this as mentioned above.

P.s. Love the hoverfly Gill!!