what camera package to get Dslr 3/4 system or bridge

[warren30]

hi everyone im still indecisive which set up to get when go in to the shops they all say different,some say the need £1000 on lens others standard lens ok,so thought will ask you experts
I am after a camera for bird pics wildlife,general use too, budget is £500,could stretch if need lens dont want to pay thousands for lens like being told.
my options are
nikon d3100 with a lens lenses it comes with aren't good enough are they
(what lens and how much does a birding lens cost) is this Dslr fine for it
panasonic 4/3 system, maybe the g3 but again what lens and how much need to spend or other 4/3 options
last option save money and get the
fuji hs20 at £229 plus get a teleconverter that has great reviews takes nice pics then put rest money to a scope
I'm open to other options.

[roseway]

The biggest limitation of 4/3 cameras is that their very small sensors are inherently more noisy than larger sensors. If you do go for one of these, I suggest that you get one with no more than 10 megapixels resolution - cramming more pixels into this tiny space makes the picture quality worse.

By the same token I suggest that you consider the Fuji HS10 instead of the HS20. It has fewer megapixels, but most serious reviews say that the picture quality is better than the more recent HS20.

The D3100 is a good DSLR and won't disappoint, but you will need a longer lens for photographing birds. Even a 70-300 is somewhat limiting for small birds, but you will be able to use it for birds in your garden (or otherwise close by).

[warren30]

thanks roseway thanks for info,not sure if I can get or look at a hs10 down here no shops have it,and the hs30 hs25 are due out in march won't be many hs20 around.
I need a big sensor then or less megapixels.
that's my question how much do I need to spend on a lens if go Dslr route been told £1000 more for 400 +
4/3 £600 they only go to 300mm
it's such mindboggling don't want to buy wrong first time,
I don't mind getting a bridge to start with and then save for decent Dslr and lens.

[pressld2]

Originally Posted by roseway

Even a 70-300 is somewhat limiting for small birds, but you will be able to use it for birds in your garden (or otherwise close by).

Agreed! I would recommend 400mm as a minimum for birds which you won't do within your budget unless you can get a very good deal on a secondhand lens. There's the Sigma 150-500 available for about £725 new. Wayne (welsh.lensman) uses one and gets absolutely cracking results.

Dave P.

[Tringa]

Good advice here, Warren.

I think you should decide what you want to do with your photography. Sorry if this sounds as if I'm having a go, that is not intended.

If you want a camera to record lots of things in your life - home, family, friends, events, holidays, etc, with the odd shot of something more challenging, then I'd recommend a bridge camera. I used a Panasonic FZ28 for a couple of years and it is a great camera. The same is true of a lot of other bridge cameras; many are very good.

I've now moved to a DSLR because I wanted something that was closer to what I had from the 35mm SLR I had in the mid 70s.

If you are keen to do bird photography then a DSLR is the way to go and, as Dave has noted, that is serious money.

However, one of the drawbacks of the DSLR route (ie it is not cheap) can be an advantage. Once you have the camera and the kit lens, you can add to it over time. The DSLR path is not buying a camera, it is buying a system.

I don't know if you are new to photography, but if you are not too familiar with aperture, shutter speed, ISO, depth of field, and many more photo topics the tutorials on this link are pretty good -

Cambridge in Colour - Photography Tutorials & Learning Community

Dave

Dave

[Geoff F]

I suppose, to a large extent, it depends on exactly what you intend to photograph and what sort of quality you will settle for.

The best of the modern Bridge cameras can do quite well, subject to decent conditions and being able to get close enough to the target. Ideal for photographing gulls on a quayside etc. And light enough to easily carry around.

But if you want to stretch the abilities of your equipment, and yourself, then gradually build up better kit, a dslr system is the better route; eventually.

If you do opt for a dslr, a secondhand body might be something to consider. Say for example a Canon 40D, or a Nikon alternative. And add more lenses as you can afford them - but with this system you never stop purchasing something extra.

In which case the next question, which has already been asked, is do you just want to photograph birds or have a general lens with bird option.

I have that Sigma 150-500 and find it works well but subject to having reasonable light and the auto focus can be a bit slow for flying birds. But anything better will be prohibitively expensive.

However, you may find a secondhand body and basic lens to start with then add a good bird lens later.

One lens option, just for birds and other distant targets, would be a prime lens (no zoom) like a 400 mm then purchase a 1.4x converter at a later time, which would take you to 500 mm, plus a little bit.

Also consider getting a decent tripod if you do go down the large lens dslr route.

This is never an easy decision but do think long term and consider your position in a few years time. What are/will be your needs and aspirations for the future?

[Ukwildlifeo]

There is a sub £1000 way to get 500mm at the mo. The pentax K-r is less that £400 in many places and the Sigma 150-500mm in K (pentax) mount only can be got for £599 at SRS microsystems at the mo.

[warren30]

thanks for all the advice and tringa I know your not having ago I need all the advice I can get will take it all in.
answer to your question is I will be getting in to photography ESP bird/wildlife pics living in cornwall I'm in perfect location,always been into wildlife and birds now want to take pics.
I have only used basic cameras that's what is putting me of Dslr if it's to much first off,would I need to start off with nikon d3100 or would I be fine with better secondhand camera like mentioned canon 40d,
on the quality of pics I've seen good pic on all sorts of cameras,a good photographer can produce good pics I guess on what ever they use.
yes I would like to take good pics not just record shots

[Jim Ford]

The about to go on sale Olympus OM-D E-M5 is creating a lot of interest on the net - the released specification is sensational. It's got a lot going for it with wildlife photography.

If you do go 4/3rds you'll find the lenses superb, with most of them having few equals in performance.

Jim

[warren30]

I will def get a tripod for what ever camera I get.
so what is the pentax like haven't heard or seen theta camera down here.I think I would like nikon if go Dslr route only as my local optics shop deals in second hand nikon lenses in cornwall.open to other options thou