Wildife artist looking for Wildlife photography advice

mh68 · #21 (**permalink**) 30-11-2007, 01:41 PM

In the case of the FZ8, with its retracting lens, you can make it a little more dust proof by fitting a decent skylight filter to the lens hood adaptor,and leaving it fitted to the camera, effectively "sealing" the lens inside the adaptor/filter.Not perfect, but an improvement.

Mark H

mhc-art · #22 (**permalink**) 06-12-2007, 04:42 PM

Hi guys,

Thanks for the tips and advice about the Panasonics, that's made me think even harder!

I've looked ino the Panasonic cameras and had a little go on one. My old camera is also a panasonic so I know they are good quality and you get a good image and zoom. However, they just feel too automatic for me at this stage and I think I should be looking to take a step forward into DSLR. Perhaps I will buy one of them as a back-up camera.

I can't really decide on the 400D or 30D (is that one now the 40D?), I have read that the 400D has a self-cleaning system for the sensor, can anybody vouch for it's effectiveness?.. and does the 30D have this system as well? I don't really know if the 30D warrants another £200 that could go on a better lense.

I wish someobody else would just decide for me!.. I'm usually far more decisive than this!

Brocker · #23 (**permalink**) 06-12-2007, 07:03 PM

That is correct. The 400D has an integrated sensor cleaning system and the 30D does not. I can vouch for the sensor cleaning system only in that on my MK3 it has the same system and I have never had a problem with dust. I am, however, very careful when changing lenses. I would suggest you go to a Jessops or other major camera retailer and have a feel of them both. There are advantages for both. I guess it has to be up to you. Good luck

eeyore · #24 (**permalink**) 07-12-2007, 07:01 PM

the 40D (which is the new model in the 30D series) also has the automated sensor cleaning - which is a nice feature in everyday use but not something i would rely on to defeat the ammount of dust you are likely to encounter on game drives.

my advice would be to go with the 40D as it is more robustly built than the 400D and the AF is faster, and the burst faster and deeper which might be important on safari - however brocker is right to suggest you try them both as the 40 is quite a lot bigger in the hand than the 400 and only you can decide what feels right.

mhc-art · #25 (**permalink**) 02-01-2008, 01:01 PM

Hi all,

I hope you all had a Happy Crimbo!... and a Happy New Year, thanks for all the help.

In the end I bought a 400D with a 17-85 lense and a 70-300 lense, all in for £1000. I would of preferred to buy the 40D and 100-400 lense but that would of been another £1200, and for my needs that would of been a little over the top, I can always upgrade.

The 17-85 lense has been a joy to use over Christmas!..great for all the family around the dinner-table shots!.. the 70-300 will take a lot more time though, as yet I haven't been out in the countryside to see what it can do. I have a few Andy Rouse photography books on the way which should help me understand SLR a little more.

Cheers!