best photos with simple camera

danny boy · #1 (**permalink**) 21-04-2011, 05:07 PM

hey, id like to take good wildlife photos but only have a 10mp 4x optical zoom camera, its great for micro photography and i can take good photos of insects, but how can i take photos of larger creatures

eeyore · #2 (**permalink**) 21-04-2011, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danny boy

hey, id like to take good wildlife photos but only have a 10mp 4x optical zoom camera, its great for micro photography and i can take good photos of insects, but how can i take photos of larger creatures

the simple answer is that you either need to get close to them, or get them to come to you - so hides, camoflage, and feild craft - or very tame subjects.

if you've got a scope you might also want to investigate digiscoping - it has its limitations but its a good way of getting more reach without having to upgrade your camera

hank · #3 (**permalink**) 21-04-2011, 10:22 PM

2 questions; make and model of your present camera and if you're considering upgrading, then what's your budget ?

glsammy · #4 (**permalink**) 21-04-2011, 10:38 PM

As Pete said, you've got to get close. It's not impossible, just be clever in your choice of location. For birds, try public parks. They're used to seeing people, that's why I go to Rufford Park so often. There it's usually a case of being too close rather than too far away!

To give you an example, Here's a shot taken at using my zoom lens at 50mm:

Now your 4X Optical lens could easily have taken that shot.

the naturelover · #5 (**permalink**) 22-04-2011, 08:00 PM

Its the old story. We all want something better but, I have used a fairly cheap bridge camera for some years with hopefully some good results.
Get to know you're kit. learn the limitations. keep trying. even with the best kit in the world there will always be "the one that got away" Most of all TRY and TRY again. patience and perseverance will always pay off. Finally always try to emulate the best but, be happy with what you get especilally if the result pleases YOU. And remember its not like the old days. pictures are cheap to take now so take loads and bin the bad ones.
regards tn

eeyore · #6 (**permalink**) 22-04-2011, 08:14 PM

slightly OT , but these days i find myself more and more using my simple cameras ( I have several to choose from but the walking arround one is a fuji F10 with high endurance batteries and a 3x optical zoom) in preference to the DSLRs - basically because i get most of my photo ops while i'm working (as a national trust head ranger it comes with the territory) and I dont want to cart several grands worth of kit arround while i'm at work - the fuji is perfect, its light, fits in my pocket or in a belt pounch, its relatively weather proof, it takes 6mp shots, great macro and it only costs about £100 notes (actually they dont make the F10 anymore - but its replacement is about £120 new, s/h F10s are about 50 on ebay) so if it does get lost, stolen, or damaged its not the end of the world.

glsammy · #7 (**permalink**) 22-04-2011, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eeyore

slightly OT , but these days i find myself more and more using my simple cameras ( I have several to choose from but the walking arround one is a fuji F10 with high endurance batteries and a 3x optical zoom) in preference to the DSLRs - basically because i get most of my photo ops while i'm working (as a national trust head ranger it comes with the territory) and I dont want to cart several grands worth of kit arround while i'm at work - the fuji is perfect, its light, fits in my pocket or in a belt pounch, its relatively weather proof, it takes 6mp shots, great macro and it only costs about £100 notes (actually they dont make the F10 anymore - but its replacement is about £120 new, s/h F10s are about 50 on ebay) so if it does get lost, stolen, or damaged its not the end of the world.

Snap! Only today we went to Newark for a boat ride. I left my large camera stuff at home and just used my compact. I really enjoyed the liberating sensation of not having that monster around my neck!

danny boy · #8 (**permalink**) 23-04-2011, 03:35 PM

thanks for the replies

And for those who want to know what camera ive got, its the older version of the cannon powershot, the one where the screen sort of comes of the camera.

danny boy · #9 (**permalink**) 23-04-2011, 03:43 PM

woops made a mistake, didnt mean to post this

hank · #10 (**permalink**) 23-04-2011, 08:54 PM

Sounds like the A1000. You can't fault one of those!

There's some very good advice off Eeyore and Glsammy.
I have a DLSR with a heavy lens and I've been tempted by a more portable camera.

Perhaps you should consider and keeping it owning 2 cameras, in which case you have to decide on an additional camera which is either a DLSR or a bridge camera.

On another thread I advised a poster to look at a second hand Panasonic Z38, which I nearly got ( check it out ).

If you decide to get a DLSR then it's no contest, get a Canon .............

H.

< Ducks and hides >!