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16-05-2006, 11:17 PM
|  | Wild Member | | Join Date: May 2006 Location: London
Posts: 112
| | | Basic Camera Question
This may be regarded as a silly question on here, but I don't know.
I own a pretty standard 'point and shoot' digital camera, which doesn't even have a viewfinder and only has digital zoom (produces poor quality pictures). The camera is decent, and I have a few pictures of animals, but I have failed to capture anything special.
I am a complete photography amateur and don't know too much.
Basically what I am after is something with a decent zoom, good picture quality and the ability to capture action shots without blurring (quick shutter speed?) and decent night time photos.
So to sum up what I am asking, what makes/models do you guys recommend? And also can digital cameras now compete in the quality stakes?
Thankyou for your help! |
16-05-2006, 11:49 PM
|  | Knight Grand Cross of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Nottingham
Posts: 12,194
| | | Re: Basic Camera Question
Digital can definitely compete so far as quality is concerned.
If your after a better compact type, not a DSRL, then I can highly recommend the Panasonic FZ30. Have a look at Matt_xyz images..He uses one and gets some stunning shots. It's got a 12X Optical zoom, equivalent to 430mm on 35mm I believe.
I used to own one before I upgraded to DSLR.
It's a superb camera in almost every way..It's fast to use, has full manual control if you want it, but plenty of program modes to help if you need them. |
17-05-2006, 07:06 AM
|  | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: NW England
Posts: 1,981
| | | Re: Basic Camera Question
The FZ30 is a good choice.
Maybe the older FZ20 if there are still any around - the same Leica lens and a great camera - there should be some good deals on too as thr FZ30 has replaced it.
The Fuji's are good too - S9500, S5600.
__________________ Oy 'Owning a camera makes you a photographer in the same way that owning a guitar makes you a musician.' www.OYPhotos.co.uk |
17-05-2006, 07:14 AM
|  | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Leicestershire
Posts: 4,357
| | | Re: Basic Camera Question
Quote: |
Originally Posted by glsammy Digital can definitely compete so far as quality is concerned.
If your after a better compact type, not a DSRL, then I can highly recommend the Panasonic FZ30. Have a look at Matt_xyz images..He uses one and gets some stunning shots. It's got a 12X Optical zoom, equivalent to 430mm on 35mm I believe.
I used to own one before I upgraded to DSLR.
It's a superb camera in almost every way..It's fast to use, has full manual control if you want it, but plenty of program modes to help if you need them. | thanks for the endorsement Graham! I would also recommend the FZ30, although its younger brother the FZ7 would give similar results and is cheaper. The FZ7 recently replaced the FZ5 so you might get a good price on the latter. All of these have 12x optical zoom which is much needed for wildlife shots.
Matt |
17-05-2006, 10:10 AM
| | Knight Grand Cross of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Nottingham
Posts: 12,194
| | | Re: Basic Camera Question
Quote: |
Originally Posted by Oy The FZ30 is a good choice.
Maybe the older FZ20 if there are still any around - the same Leica lens and a great camera - there should be some good deals on too as thr FZ30 has replaced it.
The Fuji's are good too - S9500, S5600. | I had a S9500 before the FZ30, and I have to say I couldn't get on with it. The main problem was the writing speed to the memory..If your shooting in continuous mode, which it does at around 2fps for 4 shots, it takes around 15 seconds before you can shoot again, and that was with fast compact flash cards. With the FZ30, you can shoot on continuous at 2fps until the cards full. Put it this way, I had the S9500 for a week, sent it back and got the FZ30, and didn't regret it.  |
17-05-2006, 11:26 AM
|  | Knight Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Little village called Chedworth
Posts: 5,028
| | | Re: Basic Camera Question
It's interesting to read this thread, I have a little Nikon Coolpix4800 which is not a bad camera and I've got some ok pictures with it but am thinking about making the jump to a bigger better camera too. The panasonic FZ30 (or earlier relation) looks tempting but I have a Nikon III Fieldscope and I'm wondering if it's better to get a camera that I can attach to that, but then I'm wandering into the big scarey SLR world........ Its it easy to teach yourself? Is it better to go on a course? |
17-05-2006, 11:35 AM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Leicestershire
Posts: 4,357
| | | Re: Basic Camera Question
Hi Gill,
It does not need to be a DSLR that you attach to your fieldscope. Many digiscopers use non-SLRs, in fact I think some of the Nikon Coolpix models are popular (couldn't tell you which ones). Digiscoping is something of an artform and has a very steep learning curve. John is the expert around here.
I suppose you need to decide whether you want to take reduced quality shots of birds far in the distance (digiscoping) or higher quality shots of birds that are a bit closer (DSLR or compact with a large zoom).
Matt |
17-05-2006, 11:45 AM
| | Knight Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Little village called Chedworth
Posts: 5,028
| | | Re: Basic Camera Question
Quote: |
Originally Posted by matt_xyz Hi Gill,
It does not need to be a DSLR that you attach to your fieldscope. Many digiscopers use non-SLRs, in fact I think some of the Nikon Coolpix models are popular (couldn't tell you which ones). Digiscoping is something of an artform and has a very steep learning curve. John is the expert around here.
I suppose you need to decide whether you want to take reduced quality shots of birds far in the distance (digiscoping) or higher quality shots of birds that are a bit closer (DSLR or compact with a large zoom).
Matt | oooooooohhhh nothing's ever simple is it!!!! - I want both!!!!!
I've checked it out and sadly not my coolpix......
I do like the macro stuff quite a lot too - my camera's not bad for that, but it's hard with the one point of focus and sometimes it refuses to focus on the bit I want - even when I shout at it  which is frustrating.....
So I suppose I am indeed looking at a DSLR within different lenses maybe and a scope attachment.......... |
17-05-2006, 11:46 AM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Leicestershire
Posts: 4,357
| | | Re: Basic Camera Question
Quote: |
Originally Posted by Gill Catton oooooooohhhh nothing's ever simple is it!!!! - I want both!!!!!
I've checked it out and sadly not my coolpix......
I do like the macro stuff quite a lot too - my camera's not bad for that, but it's hard with the one point of focus and sometimes it refuses to focus on the bit I want - even when I shout at it which is frustrating.....
So I suppose I am indeed looking at a DSLR within different lenses maybe and a scope attachment.......... | you'd better start saving 
Matt |
17-05-2006, 11:53 AM
| | Knight Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Little village called Chedworth
Posts: 5,028
| | | Re: Basic Camera Question
Quote: |
Originally Posted by matt_xyz you'd better start saving
Matt | Or continue dreaming.......
Not even sure where to start with a DSLR!!
Is it easy to pick up?
Can you change lenses with the panasonic? - do you need to for macro shots? |
17-05-2006, 01:11 PM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Leicestershire
Posts: 4,357
| | | Re: Basic Camera Question
You can't change lenses on the Panasonic FZ30 (unlike DLSRs) but you can add a teleconverter (a lens that screws on the front and increases the zoom even further). Nearly all of my bird shots use one of these. You can also buy close-up lenses that screw on the front for macro work. Teleconverters cost less than £100 and a good close-up lens can be bought for £35.
Matt |
17-05-2006, 01:28 PM
| | Knight Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Little village called Chedworth
Posts: 5,028
| | | Re: Basic Camera Question
Yey!! Now I know what a teleconverter is too!!! I'm doing really well today!
I'm going to have to put some real thought into this.....
I do have some money put by, but this is going to affect the quality of shower I buy too..... |
17-05-2006, 01:40 PM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Leicestershire
Posts: 4,357
| | | Re: Basic Camera Question
Quote: |
Originally Posted by Gill Catton Yey!! Now I know what a teleconverter is too!!! I'm doing really well today!
I'm going to have to put some real thought into this.....
I do have some money put by, but this is going to affect the quality of shower I buy too..... | sounds like a difficult decision!
£500 would buy you an FZ30 with a separate teleconverter and close-up lens.
To get the equivalent zoom range and macro capabilities on a DSLR you would need to spend a minimum of £1000 and probably more. You would then presumably have to shower under a hosepipe in the garden
Matt |
17-05-2006, 01:50 PM
| | Knight Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Little village called Chedworth
Posts: 5,028
| | | Re: Basic Camera Question
definately warming to the whole panasonic thing....... he he
the teleconverter and close up lense do exist for the FZ20 and FZ 5 or 7?
Sorry for all these questions!!
All of these cameras seem to be between 200-350 price bracket except the Z5 which you seem to be able to get pretty cheaply..... though not sure when I'd have the money to splash out again! |
17-05-2006, 01:57 PM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Leicestershire
Posts: 4,357
| | | Re: Basic Camera Question
Quote: |
Originally Posted by Gill Catton definately warming to the whole panasonic thing....... he he
the teleconverter and close up lense do exist for the FZ20 and FZ 5 or 7?
Sorry for all these questions!!
All of these cameras seem to be between 200-350 price bracket except the Z5 which you seem to be able to get pretty cheaply..... though not sure when I'd have the money to splash out again! | Yes, the close-up and teleconverter lenses do work on the FZ5, 7 and 20, although for the FZ5 and FZ7 I think some sort of adaptor may be needed. The following site provides good reviews of all of these models and compares features http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/pa...ew/index.shtml
Matt |
17-05-2006, 01:59 PM
| | Knight Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Little village called Chedworth
Posts: 5,028
| | | Re: Basic Camera Question
Brilliant. Thank you so much for your help Matt, It's greatly appreciated!!!
Last question, what's a hot shoe? |
17-05-2006, 02:10 PM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Leicestershire
Posts: 4,357
| | | Re: Basic Camera Question
Quote: |
Originally Posted by Gill Catton Brilliant. Thank you so much for your help Matt, It's greatly appreciated!!! | You're welcome. Quote: |
Originally Posted by Gill Catton Last question, what's a hot shoe? | It's nothing to do with Boddie's clogs...It's a plate on top of the camera that lets you mount an external flashgun. All of these cameras have their own in-built flashes but there may be times when an in-built flash is too weak. It's probably not something you should concern yourself with too much unless you're planning to do a lot of portraits, weddings etc. Having said that an external flash gun can be useful for macro photography as they allow you to angle the flash beam and diffuse it. Nevertheless, a hot shoe is probably fairly low on your list of priorities. From what I recall, the FZ5 and 7 don't have a hotshoe whereas the FZ20 and 30 do.
Matt |
17-05-2006, 02:17 PM
| | Knight Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Little village called Chedworth
Posts: 5,028
| | | Re: Basic Camera Question
ahaaaaa I thought that might be it. Your website link is brilliant thank you - I have a feeling those reviews are as good as an instruction booklet for the camera too! Think I'm now trying to decide between the Z7 and the 30, I think the Z7 might win based the extra cost and weight of the 30. |
17-05-2006, 03:01 PM
|  | Member of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Woking, Surrey
Posts: 328
| | | Re: Basic Camera Question
Just to chip in my two pennies worth.....
I have learnt from experience that it also pays to go to shops and try the cameras out. IMHO reviews are a great go by but finding a camera that feels right is also key to happy photographing.
I got a Konica Minolta dImage Z5 on the basis of reviews and comparisons to the Fuji 9500 but made the fatal mistake of not trying it first. I'm now left with a camera that, although very capable, just doesn't feel right. Something that a magazine review could never predict.
Best of luck with whatever you choose and look forward to some piccies soon.
Olly
PS; I recently got myself a 35mm SLR and found it dead easy to pick up with the help of some reading, friendly advice and a good deal of trial and error |
17-05-2006, 05:23 PM
| | Knight Grand Cross of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Nottingham
Posts: 12,194
| | | Re: Basic Camera Question
Quote: |
Originally Posted by matt_xyz sounds like a difficult decision!
£500 would buy you an FZ30 with a separate teleconverter and close-up lens.
To get the equivalent zoom range and macro capabilities on a DSLR you would need to spend a minimum of £1000 and probably more. You would then presumably have to shower under a hosepipe in the garden
Matt | A bit short on the estimate there Matt! My 20D plus 2 lenses and a couple of extenders = £2,600..  |
17-05-2006, 05:31 PM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Leicestershire
Posts: 4,357
| | | Re: Basic Camera Question
Quote: |
Originally Posted by glsammy A bit short on the estimate there Matt! My 20D plus 2 lenses and a couple of extenders = £2,600.. | Blimey I suppose it could be cheaper with a special offer on a D50 body and a couple of cheap lenses. Point taken though!
Matt |
17-05-2006, 06:11 PM
|  | Officer of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Crawley,Sussex
Posts: 943
| | | Re: Basic Camera Question
Quote: |
Originally Posted by matt_xyz Blimey I suppose it could be cheaper with a special offer on a D50 body and a couple of cheap lenses. Point taken though!
Matt | Nikon D50 £329
Sigma 170-500 £375
Sigma 105 macro £278
£18 change  |
17-05-2006, 08:41 PM
|  | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Wirral
Posts: 2,057
| | | Re: Basic Camera Question
Quote: |
Originally Posted by Adam This may be regarded as a silly question on here, but I don't know.
I own a pretty standard 'point and shoot' digital camera, which doesn't even have a viewfinder and only has digital zoom (produces poor quality pictures). The camera is decent, and I have a few pictures of animals, but I have failed to capture anything special.
I am a complete photography amateur and don't know too much.
Basically what I am after is something with a decent zoom, good picture quality and the ability to capture action shots without blurring (quick shutter speed?) and decent night time photos.
So to sum up what I am asking, what makes/models do you guys recommend? And also can digital cameras now compete in the quality stakes?
Thankyou for your help! | Adam you may find this link useful, it is old but some good reading: http://www.wildthingsphoto.com/tips/wltip.htm
__________________
We may "see the world in a grain of sand and heaven in a wildflower" William Blake | |
