dslr or bridge

[snap]

hi i own a fuji finepix 1500s which i like but its not quite up to the shots i wanna take wildlife/nature , my present camera suffers with what i belive is called shutter lag now im i better buying a higher grade bridge camera or going the whole hog and getting a dslr my budget is £300 to £500 many thanks

[glsammy]

The difference in performance is huge. Most of us have been where you are. I certainly was. I had various bridge cameras but like you I wasn't satisfied with the performance. Once you've tried any DSLR, there's no going back! Much faster AF as well as getting rid of any shutter lag to name just two of many advantages.
The biggest problem you'll have is your budget. You can get a DSLR OK but a decent wildlife lens would probably double your budget.
A 300mm lens would generally be regarded as the minimum requirement for wildlife.

[Tringa]

Have to admit my bias here. I have a Pentax DSLR so I'm going to suggest you have a look at Pentax. I think to a large extent the same will be true from most others - I think most who have DSLRs will have a system from only one brand.

As Glsammy has suggested the camera is only the start and with a DSLR you are buying into a system.

Will Pentax cameras take photos that are of better quality than Canon, Nikon etc? Absolutely not. Many cameras of all of the brands are capable of excellent photos.

Pentax do have a smaller range of current lens than Canon or Nikon but one advantage is that any Pentax K mount lens made from about 1975 onwards will fit current Pentax DSLRs so there are very large number of old lenses available.

You would need to consider if the loss of some or all of the auto functions (in most cases auto focus will be lost) which does occur with older lenses, is important to you. However, the older lenses can be found for relatively little.

Pentax are also one of the relatively few makes that put the image stabilisation in the camera body so all lenses are stabilised lenses.

Hope my biased view helps, others will have different, equally valid opinions.

Dave

[galanthophile]

I've recently updgraded to a Canon 500D and 75-300mm lens from an Olympus bridge camera and I'm so glad I did. I bought second hand as I couldn't afford brand new but I do wish I'd spent more on the lens. So my advice would be to spend the most you can afford and enjoy it!

[Geoff F]

What exactly do you wish to photograph?

As Graham said, you could get a decent secondhand camera and basic lens but once you start thinking about serious bird photography, for example, the required lenses would be well above your budget.

Although the advantage with dslr is that you can start with a reasonable camera body and 'kit lens' then add better lenses as you can afford them.

Have a look around in the new year and see what you can find secondhand then return for more suggestions.

But I have to admit that the best of the bridge cameras are appealing for someone who is on a low budget.

The answer may be to consider whether you want a 'pocket camera' or something chunky which may be difficult to carry around for casual use. Also where do you want to be, photographically speaking, in a couple of years.

[Jersali]

Hi,
as a Canon 7D wannabe (one day Al, one day)

I have an Olympus 590UZ bridge camera and use a Teleconverter lens to beef it up a little, it can be used in half decent light hand - held and still produce some good clean shots it's a great all rounder.
However I can see going through the Gallery that my pics do not hold a candle to most of the DSLR shots there so...
You pays your money and takes your choice, maybe after Xmas there will be some good offers on DSLR's complete with lenses
Take your time and good luck..
Al

[Hobjob]

Originally Posted by glsammy

The difference in performance is huge. Most of us have been where you are. I certainly was. I had various bridge cameras but like you I wasn't satisfied with the performance. Once you've tried any DSLR, there's no going back! Much faster AF as well as getting rid of any shutter lag to name just two of many advantages.

Graham speaks the expensive, essential truth........