DSLR or Fixed super zoom

[Pete]

Morning boys and girls I'm thinking about buying a camera.

Do I go for a DSLR or a fixed super zoom zoom?

Firstly there's no way on earth I'm carrying one of those massive zooms. Weight is an issue. I am a birder first and foremost. I won't be printing and photography will be for showing on the net blog or via PC.

I was looking at something like a Nikon D40/50/80 + Nikon 70-300 VR If someone can find a similarly speced lens for a Canon...

or do I go for something like a Panasonic FZ30/50, Canon S3 or Sony H2/H5

Bear in mind the bit above. about being a watcher first photographer second. I do appreciate that may change at some stage though!!

[matt_xyz]

Hi Pete,

If you don't want a large zoom lens and you only want images for the net and/or PC then your best bet is probably the Panasonic FZ50 with a teleconverter fitted (e.g. TCON17).

The 300mm lens that you mention for the Nikon won't give you very much reach when it comes to bird photography. If you go the DSLR route then I'm afraid there is little alternative but a big zoom lens if you want to take photographs of birds.

The FZ50 is a very impressive camera and still performs well with a teleconverter fitted. I own the previous model the FZ30 (as well as a DSLR and long lens). Of the 'super zooms' that you mention, I would say the FZ50 is head and shoulders above the others in terms of handling, zoom length, and overall image sharpness.

Here's a few shots taken with the FZ30 and teleconverter (click on the images to enlarge them):

[Chris_Johnstone]

I have to agree with matt.

I don't own a panasonic but I do own a DSLR and for a decent ranged lens you're looking at something pretty heavy or a smaller lens with a teleconverter that will probably reduce picture quality. (Not to mention a price difference!)

If you change your mind though, there're plently of folk here that will supply you with loads of advice on lenses and DSLRs.

Good luck.

Chris

[Pete]

thanks chaps. keep the views coming

[John]

Hi Pete

As you know I recently posed the same question and you know me, I am definitely a birder first, photographer second. In fact as you well know I chase birds far harder than you do so it was a big decision what to go for for me.

One thing you have to remember is just how close you have to get to the birds. You have to get really close so obviously the bigger the zoom the more reach you will get.

In the end I plumped for a DSLR with an IS lens (30D with a 100-400 IS USM lens). I will be getting a Canon 1.4 Converter to try and get me that extra reach but using this will probably be only feasible in the brightest of conditions. It is quite expensive the way I have done it but it does give me a chance of not being too close to the bird whereas a smaller lens will force you to do that.

It's a bit of a trade off and some thought will have to be given by the experienced photographers on here as to what they think will suit you. They have to look at it from a birders point of view not a photographers.

One thing I will say is that your priorities might change fairly quickly as one thing I have noticed over the last few weeks is that I am choosing sites where I have a fair chance of getting some images instead of where I can see the most birds.

Best of luck Pete and have a great Christmas. No doubt we will meet up in the new year.

John

[nightshade]

I use a Sony W50 as a notebook, because I watch first photograph second,I still have my Minolta Z1 bridge camera which is a reasonable carry
I moved up to a Nikon D70s for special pics with a Sigma 70-300, Sigma 105 and the kit Nikon 18-70 but it all needs thinking about then you do not see things

[Pete]

Originally Posted by John

In fact as you well know I chase birds far harder than you do so it was a big decision what to go for for me.

Hi John

undoubtedly we will meet up sometime soon.

yes you do chase MUCH more than me BUT equally you've also wanted to take photos via the digiscoping method so you're more into taking photos than me.

I'm betwixt between in that I wouldn't go to Norfolk and not take a scope and I can hardly see me yomping about with scope and a wapping great lens as well!! BUT one day I might want to do it!!

I appreciate that the 70-300 wouldn't give me huge poke but would be good for ducks and other bits and bobs and I liked the idea of VR.

I think for where I am now the super zoom is a better bet, in 2-3 years my views may change.

And John it doesn't affect my birding but since I started the blog and got a little digicam (a620 really good little cam) I do plan days out that may involve some interesting photos for the blog of places I haven't photoed before

Kicks floor decisions decisions.

[deelcee]

hi pete!
i bought a panasonic fz50 about 3 weeks ago and i can't put it down!!!
it's brilliant for me
i have been down the route of 35mm film slr's and ended up buying more and more gear to try and get the shots i wanted... i ended up with a sigma 170-500 plus a 1.4 converter a nice set up with my eos5 but so heavy!!!!!!!!
all i wanted to do was get out there and take photo's not drag a huge amount of gear around
there are trade offs but it depends what you want to do
the pan fz50 takes me up to 420mm without any extension to the fixed lens which by the way is leica
i have an olympus tcon17 on order and can't wait for it to arrive
i really enjoy my photography/nature walks now...half the time i don't even need a tripod cos the built in stabiliser is brilliant....provided there is enough light...the one minus with the fz50 is the picture quality is not brilliant above iso 100
hope this is of help to you!

[mart_d50]

Hi Pete you know me from a couple of other places online, I agree go with the bridge/superzoom, for the flexibility and lightness/transportability

from what I've researched and seen that FZ30/50 is the clear winner
expect to spend much more and carry more weight if going down the DSLR option
might sell my D50 and do that myself

[mart_d50]

Originally Posted by mart_d50

might sell my D50 and do that myself

scrub that last comment just gone and bought myself the 70-300VR

now just have to wait for the flipping fog to clear so I can use it