Camera confusion!

[Wilf]

Originally Posted by RogerTheCat

I understand that the D40 will only accept a limited range of lenses. This was one way that Nikon could keep the price down. If this is true it may not be such a good investment

Nikon left the lens drive motor out so the only lenses which auto focus are AF-s Nikons or Sigma HSM. This is still a large number of lenses to chose from so wouldn’t be too big a problem.

[neep_neep]

Thank you for taking the time to explain

I have a quick question about the Panasonic FZ50 for those who have used it...

Is it quick to switch on?

What is the time lapse between pressing the shutter and the photo actually taking?

And then what is the time taken before it is ready to take another photo?

As I only have my current camera to compare to...which takes about 5 seconds to switch on and about another 3 or 4 seconds to take, by which time the subject has disappeared

[glsammy]

It's pretty well instant from switch on, shot to shot speed is about a second with jpegs, or about three seconds with RAW.
if you'd like to see a good review, have a look at: DCRP Review: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ50

[nightshade]

The Nikon D70s takes I believe 0.02 sec.

[Gill Catton]

I did indeed take my FZ30 to Madagascar and was very happy with the results particularly as a learning photographer I fund the auto mode very good for darker habitats. I got reasonable pictures of animals at the tops of trees and with the help of the macro snap on lense (which just used as a lense cap while out walking) I got good pictures of insects too, i rarely had trouble with the speed of turning on. I haven't got any of my longer range lemur pics on here (though there's one on wild about the world with a mother and baby that were really some distance away) I'll attach a couple of insect ones though....
I was glad of it's relatively small size when dashing about through the undergrowth - there were many Japanese tourists carying a significant percentage of their body weight in DSLR cameras but they stayed on the larger main paths and didn't travel too far and with the water bottles and binoculars I wouldn't have wanted to carry much more weight (but then I don't like to feel encumbered)
I guess it depends on what you want your pics for. I don't think any of mine make the grade for publication but for my own use I love them and even blown up to A2 in size they still look really good and lose only one bar of quality as indicated on photobox's website when blown up to this size.
feel free to pm me if you want to see any more pics

[neep_neep]

Ah wow, those are some lovely photos Gill

I think i've pretty much made up my mind...it would be a waste to invest in a DSLR when I still have an awful lot to learn about photography...and also not enough money to spend on some good lenses

So I definitely think an FZ50 type camera would be the best way to go...I particularly like the fact that you can still add on macro and teleconverter lenses if necessary. Also sounds like it'll be a lot easier to carry around!

I shall check all the reviews for this particular camera, and also check out those which are of a similar spec, and i'll try and make up my mind!

Think i'll wait until July time to actually buy it though...prices may have come down a little bit, and I doubt i'll be photographing much up until then!

Thanks for all your help!

I shall be saving for a DSLR in a few years time I think...