Looking to buy first Digital camera for Wildlife

[squishy]

right tips for the raynox:

do not use auto focus, use manual.

my favoured technique is to set it on aperture priority, at as small as i can and keep sharp (f/8 usually, but larger if i need faster speeds), set the manual focus as close as possible on macro mode then out just a bit, zoom at around 200mm (large enough to remove vignetting, but small enough to keep some kind of DoF) and move the camera in and out on a tri/monopod. the hardest thing is getting the right part in focus, as the DoF will be very small, it can be really tricky getting it right, but i'm just improving with practice.

about the zoom, i dont want to invest in them particularly, as for a good screw on converter you can pay quite a lot, but again, raynox do a few, though i'm not sure about the quality. in general though, you will struggle to get good photos of further away subjects without paying alot more for a DSLR and good zoom its just a fact.

[Morph]

I use a Raynox 2025 HD pro 2.2x teleconverter on a Panasonic FZ50 and found it very good, it gives you the reach of a Sigma. The main problem with is the the cameras inbuilt stabliser can't cope with the extra zoom, so a monopod or tripod is a must. I bought an extendable shooting walking stick/monopod which has a rest like a fishing rod rest in on the top which can be screwed off and used as a conventional monopod. With the rest in place you can quickly rest the lens on it and fire away, its been a godsend and a better use than its intended.
But having said that it is not up to the quality of the considerably more expensive option of DSLR + large lenses.
Click the link below and have a look thru my website most of the British bird pics were taken with the lense attached.

[Otter Spotter]

Thank you so much for your posts I have learnt so much already.

my Dad has a Fuji which I was very impressed with but its 10X Zoom is no where near enough for what i want and like you say to get good glass costs, but I have to make a decision if it is worth spending a lot of cash now or getting a cheaper option and learning the craft and then going for the full monty later.

I am going to have a good luck around and E Bay could be a good place to get a bargain at the moment. I do fancy a DSLR but its just wether I will be disapointed with the results until I can get a big chunky lens on it?

You have all got some great pics and I am even more desperate to get out and get snapping!!!

I may have some more questions later if thats ok
Thanks again
Andy

[Geoff F]

A similar question was asked recently on this camera forum, which I use http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/forums/thread2199.htm you might find it useful.

I would advise trying to visit a camera shop, you are only browsing not buying yet, and holding the alternatives to see which feels best.

Try some of the 'bridge cameras' and the full DSLRs. Try a couple of different ranges in the DSLR like the Canon 450D and the 40D. Some people find the 400D range a bit fiddly while others think the 40D etc is too heavy and cumbersome.

Check out how easy the controls are to make adjustments, including visibility of controls and settings. Take particular notice of the manual/semi auto controls as you will soon want something which gives you better personal input compared with the fully auto settings.

[Otter Spotter]

Thanks Geoff, I agree I will pop down to my local camera shop and have a look.

It is a difficult one but I will have to bite the bullet and make a decision and get snapping.

I am sure this first real camera will be a huge learning curve and the next one will be the one I will get the ultimate results from.

I have looked at the Canon range and like the spec for the money.The Sony also looks good value for money too. Crikey, I could go on for months!!

Thanks again,your comments are really appreciated.
Cheers
Andy

[TheSeagull]

I recommend the Panasonic FZ28, bought it a few months ago and couldn't be happier. Gives really good pictures and macro, 18x optical zoom with 10 megapixels but in the settings you can go down to 32.1x optical zoom with 3 megapixels. Also does HD video recording. It's a bridge camera, I bought it for £250 in John Lewis.

[Tringa]

I too have an FZ28 and am also well pleased with it. Its not in the same class as a DSLR, but it is very good - 18x zoom, RAW capability, lots of versatility, Leica lens, quick startup.

[Jethro Tull]

Originally Posted by Tringa

I too have an FZ28 and am also well pleased with it. Its not in the same class as a DSLR, but it is very good - 18x zoom, RAW capability, lots of versatility, Leica lens, quick startup.

Your right Bridge cameras such as FZ28, Fuji S100fs etc aren't in the same league as dslr's BUT they still produce cracking shots and I have won many photo competitions in photo magazines and shows etc using a range of bridge cameras over the years so anyone thinking of buying a bridge camera don't be put off because they aren't dslrs.
Both bridge and dslr camera's have good and bad features but both are capable of show winning photo's (i have a trophy cabinet full of trophies won when i used my Fuji S7000, S9600 and more recently S100fs and funnily enough never won anything using my Canon 1dmk2 + mega expensive lenses LoL)
The FZ28's are great cameras (just look at some of the shots here on the forum for proof)
Cheerio
Brian

[Otter Spotter]

Thank you for everyone's replies to my posting. I must say I have been thinking and thinking and I am definate that I want to go down the DSLR route.

Saying that I completely agree with your comments about the bridge camera's and indeed they do offer tremendous value for money and the 18X zoom from Panasonic is very tempting at such a low price.

However,that said I am keen to develop my camera technique and a couple of you have already mentioned they started on a cheaper DSLR to start with but going for a better quality of zoom lens and upgrading the body later and this is what I think I will do.

I think the 40D is a stunning camera for the money but a litlle out of my league pircie wise and probably skill wise to start with. There was an article recently in a photo magazine about a photographer who used the 20D and a 200 mm lens for all his shots and having a look at the prices of the 20D on Ebay this may well be the way to go, in the hope I can upgrade the body to a 40D or even the new 50D as soon as my money allows me too.

The only thing i am concerned about is the bad reports I am seeing about buying camera's on E-Bay,but I suppose you pays your money you takes your choice to some degree.

I will keep you posted and would value any thoughts on my way of thinking and if you think i am doing the right thing.

Thanks
Take care
Andy

[Geoff F]

By and large, there isn't that much difference between a 20D and a 40D apart from a few pixels; and unless you are intending to print at A3 or bigger the 20D should be sufficient. A strongly constructed and comfortably to use camera, in my opinion.

When I was attempting to buy a camera on that auction site I kept getting outbid at the last moment but the following day I was contacted by the seller who claimed that the purchaser had withdrawn from the sale so I could have the camera at the last bid price.

Now I may be a bit paranoid but when that happened 6 times in a row I started to get suspicious. Eventually won an auction for a 10D but too late I discovered it had a strange lens fault so I think it may have been a 'dropper'. But I still have that body as a spare.

However I have some friends who buy things there on a regular basis and say that they have never had an problems.