Wildlife Camera

[NikkiStar]

I need help buying a wildlife camera. I am a complete novice to photography but am collecting as much advice as possible with a view to buying my own camera.

I don't have a lot of money to spare so am thinking second hand is the way to go, and I know this is perhaps controversial but am almost certain to start off digital...

Beyond that I have no idea what make or model I need to go for, or where I can go for basic advice and help in how to start off. Any advice for a befuddled novice gratefully received...! Thanks!

[glsammy]

Budget?

An idea of the total amount your prepared to pay will help us give the right advice.

[RobinP]

If you're new to photography, especially digital, I'd look to buy a decent compact with a good optical zoom (Panasonic now do 10x on their latest cameras) with IS (image stability) included. Don't worry about the megapixels, most cameras nowadays offer more than you'll need. As for price, search around the web once you've decided on a particular camera and maybe read some of the online reviews.

[Jon]

Originally Posted by NikkiStar

I am a complete novice to photography but am collecting as much advice as possible with a view to buying my own camera. I don't have a lot of money to spare so am thinking second hand is the way to go, and I know this is perhaps controversial but am almost certain to start off digital... Beyond that I have no idea what make or model I need to go for, or where I can go for basic advice and help in how to start off. Any advice for a befuddled novice gratefully received...! Thanks!

As Graham said you need to decide how much you want to pay. Next decide what it is you want to photograph. There is nothing controversial in my view about starting with digital, in fact it will save a lot of money and disappointment.

Maybe something like a Panasonic Lumix would be OK or you may want a S/H digital SLR - but then you will have to decide upon which lenses you want. Photographing birds for example would necessitate a long lens and photographing insects would be most easily done by using a macro lens.

There are zoom lenses with macro settings but these are not true macro lenses and I also think the length of these lenses would limit your opportunity to photograph birds. So back to square 1 - how much to spend, square 2 what do you want to photograph.

I think it also worthwhile to ask yourself is this really going to be something you will stick at, in which case you can justify spending more as you will use it regularly and it will last some considerable time.

Something like the Lumix would be very flexible and give excellent results in many conditions, you would be able to go in close and also shoot from fairly long distances. It is a good camera and lens but in a variety of conditions it would not match an SLR with specialist lenses but then it would cost only a fraction of the money an SLR outfit would cost.
Jon

[NikkiStar]

Thank you all for taking the time to reply. To answer some of your questions - I am primarily interested in photographing birds so your advice Jon sounds good for that...

With regards to budget I am still very undecided - I have wanted a decent camera for a long time, and if getting the right thing means waiting a few more months then I'm prepared to do that. I guess what I'm trying to find out is whether it is worth waiting until I can afford an SLR or whether there are viable alternatives available more cheaply... hope that makes sense?!

And yes, I've wanted one for a long time and intend to make good use of it in the years to come!
x

[glsammy]

Originally Posted by NikkiStar

Thank you all for taking the time to reply. To answer some of your questions - I am primarily interested in photographing birds so your advice Jon sounds good for that...

With regards to budget I am still very undecided - I have wanted a decent camera for a long time, and if getting the right thing means waiting a few more months then I'm prepared to do that. I guess what I'm trying to find out is whether it is worth waiting until I can afford an SLR or whether there are viable alternatives available more cheaply... hope that makes sense?!

And yes, I've wanted one for a long time and intend to make good use of it in the years to come!
x

You sound very much like me three years ago!

I started out with a decent compact, soon realised that wasn't good enough so bought one with a larger zoom lens on it. (Panasonic FZ30) Had that about a month, still not happy. Can't get near enough to birds so I took a deep breath and decided to go the SLR route. Quite a few thousand pounds later, I'm still not happy!
The point is with modern systems, there's always something that bit better than you've got,so you've always got something you can spend more money on.

[ron1863]

I bet Graham's post reflects what a lot of members have been through.
I would save up for a DSLR, then start saving for a decent lens - Sigma 50-500mm at around £730, which is the lens I am heading for.

Good Luck
Ron

[Chris_Johnstone]

Never used a compact camera or a bridge camera myself so my opinion is biased but I still suggest saving for a SLR simply because of it's versatility. Yes, a bridge camera is versatile but the quality and versatility you'll get with a SLR will surpass any compact - especially if you want to use it for many years to come. I suggest you buy something more complex than you know how to use. Entry level D-SLRs all have full auto functions and you'll soon grow into the other functions.

As for being controversial about starting with the digital format - I think nowadays it is the other way about. I started on digital and never thought twice about it. It's simply the norm today.

My advice, save up a lot of money and get a good setup - don't forget a god tripod and head and a bag to carry it all. These things are under-estimated.

Good luck.

Chris

[NikkiStar]

Originally Posted by Chris_Johnstone

Never used a compact camera or a bridge camera myself so my opinion is biased but I still suggest saving for a SLR simply because of it's versatility. Yes, a bridge camera is versatile but the quality and versatility you'll get with a SLR will surpass any compact - especially if you want to use it for many years to come. I suggest you buy something more complex than you know how to use. Entry level D-SLRs all have full auto functions and you'll soon grow into the other functions.

As for being controversial about starting with the digital format - I think nowadays it is the other way about. I started on digital and never thought twice about it. It's simply the norm today.

My advice, save up a lot of money and get a good setup - don't forget a god tripod and head and a bag to carry it all. These things are under-estimated.

Good luck.

Chris

Good advice, thank you!

[Jon]

So that is it then - decided save up or well perhaps I shouldn't say it but there is a well known camera shop that provides interest free credit for about 9 months or so. You could - no I have said enough, but think of all the fun you will have........
Jon

[NikkiStar]

Very, very tempting...which shop??!

[ron1863]

Originally Posted by NikkiStar

Very, very tempting...which shop??!

Very well known high street shop

[pressld2]

One of the most well-known online photographic retailers also offers interest free credit for 12 months if you spend over £200. I used this for my 80-400, my Sigma 150 macro and my D300 body. Make sure you can settle in full at the end of the interest free period though, otherwise the rate is a whopping 29.8%.

Dave P.

[Rich_]

What is a bridge camera?

[pressld2]

Just googled it and found this definition:

Bridge Camera: digital camera with wide range non interchangeable zoom lens, usually fitted with an EVF. It has an exterior resemblance of a DSLR camera.

(EVF = Electronic View Finder).

Dave P.

[Rich_]

Thank you,

Like the Fuji S3500 & similar I suppose. I still have one of these. I found the EVF took a bit of getting used to. They are good for general photos, but not as god for more specialised stuff.

[nightshade]

Look for a good DSLR body only, then add a really good lense.Watch for Offers from people such as seven day shop and all other high-street and internet retailers