Camera confusion!

[neep_neep]

Hi all,

Just wondering if you can help me.

I know you're probably fed up of the camera newbies coming onto the forum and asking which camera they should get...apologies...

Well, basically i'm trying to decide. My main focus would be wildlife photography, particularly insects, but I don't want to be restricted just to this as I would also be interested in long distance photography to capture images of birds, or other distant objects/animals.

I have got myself into a bit of pickle trying to decide on a camera...i'm not sure whether to dive straight in to a DSLR (looking at the Nikon D80?), or whether to get a non-DSLR such as the Panasonic FZ50 that seems to be recommended by people on this site.

My main concern about getting a 'fixed lens' camera (is that the right terminology? ) is that I would only be restricted to a particular range.

To explain my dilemma a bit - i'm heading off to Thailand and Borneo in August, so I want a camera where I can take some nice detailed (in focus!) photos. My current camera is a bit poor, it's an auto-focus that takes about 3 seconds to sort itself out, by which time the subject has invariably moved Besides which, it normally auto-focuses on something else other than the subject i'm trying to focus on (particularly at close range), so it takes about 4 attempts to get it right! So manual focus is a plus, or an *accurate* auto-focus...

I'll definitely be wanting to take some pics of the insect life, but if, for example, there is the off-chance I spot an orangutan or gibbon in the distance, i'd like to be able to get a good zoom in and a reasonable shot.

However, the problem is that of course i'll be back-packing in Borneo - exactly how heavy would the total DSLR kit be with these sorts of lenses?


And then, that said, approximately what sort of time after new models coming out do their prices start to fall? I've been trying to read up on these sorts of things, but it's difficult to understand when I don't actually have a camera to look at and say 'oh yes, that's that, and that means that....' so again, sorry if all this has been answered before.

Just a couple of example of what i've *managed* to do with my current digital, to give you an idea of the types of shots I like taking. This is within the constraints of my camera (4 megapixel, 3x optical zoom), but ideally i'd have liked to get in closer!








Ermmm....I know i've rambled a bit. Apologies...I'm never very good at putting things succinctly..

[matt_xyz]

there's no easy answer to this one. A lot depends on your budget and whether you want to carry separate lenses around.

The advantage of DSLRs is image quality (in the right hands) and the ability to expand your lenses over time. The downside is that to buy a basic DSLR with a macro lens and a good telephoto lens will cost you an absolute minimum of £1000-1200 (e.g. Nikon D40 or D50 and cheap lenses) and probably a lot more if you want more expensive lenses.

The advantage of a camera such as the FZ50 is that it has a long zoom built in (equivalent to 35-420mm) and hence is a lot lighter and more transportable. Obviously it's also a lot cheaper at around £350. The image quality isn't as good, but it's still pretty good.

Matt

[neep_neep]

Thanks for the reply

Just realised that my thread got posted twice - this one was only halfway through being done! Oooops...

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by matt_xyz

there's no easy answer to this one. A lot depends on your budget and whether you want to carry separate lenses around.

The advantage of DSLRs is image quality (in the right hands) and the ability to expand your lenses over time. The downside is that to buy a basic DSLR with a macro lens and a good telephoto lens will cost you an absolute minimum of £1000-1200 (e.g. Nikon D40 or D50 and cheap lenses) and probably a lot more if you want more expensive lenses.


Matt

true enough but for insects does neep actually need the long lens - a D40 can be had for under 400 notes and a sigma105 or tamron 90 for around 300 - for more reach add a doubler for £79 total spend £779 okay so its more than twice price of the FZ but it is also the start of a system that neep can grow with adding lenses , and upgrading camera bodies as his interest and ablities develop

[RogerTheCat]

Originally Posted by eeyore

a D40 can be had for under 400 notes and a sigma105 or tamron 90 for around 300 -

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

[bob hastie]

I've never been to Borneo, but have backpacked a lot through Africa.
All I can say is that unless you are a very keen photographer then carrying an Slr and various lenses around for anything more than a couple of weeks would be a right pain.
A superzoom, something like the FZ50, would be much smaller and lighter in your pack, add a decent teleconverter for a bit of extra reach.
The other advantage of this is if you happen to get done over then you've lost a lot less.

Bob
Bob and Bert's photos

[eeyore]

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

i hadn't heard that , but then I'm a canon user - I only mentioned the D40 cos neep said he was looking at nikons.

and yes i agree with bob , i hadnt read the thread properly, if you are going travelling a decent compact is the way to go - check out the pics gill catton took in madagascar with her FZ30 - superb.

btw If you are going into the back of beyond invest in plenty of spare battery packs , several spare memory cards and a downloader (and spare batteries for that) - also make sure you have an international plug adaptor for your chargers so you can charge everything up before you head into the jungle.

Also if security will let you try and carrythe camera etc in your hand luggage - you dont want the airline sending it to munich by mistake (has anyone else noticed he frequency with which lost luggage goes to munich ??? )

[neep_neep]

Thanks for the comments guys

I'm a she, not a he

From the comments made I think perhaps the FZ50 or similar may be the way to go.

From a money point of view, I would be happy to spend between £500 and £650 as photography is something i'd like to get into (despite it's expense and my poor student status ) particularly if i'm investing in kit that will last me a long time (e.g. lenses).

However, from a travelling point of view, the FZ50 definitely sounds easier to travel with.

I'm still in the very early stages, as i'm not planning on actually purchasing for a good few months yet (until i've learned a bit more, read through plenty of reviews, checked out the capabilities and advantages of each).

One thing I don't understand though, when describing lenses, what does the 'mm' bit actually mean? i.e. a 28-80mm lens.
I have tried to find out via google, by typing in such things as 'lens terminology', 'slr glossary' and the like, but I cannot seem to find a decent explanation on the web!

Sorry to be a pain!

[matt_xyz]

the mm refer to the focal length of the lens. In simple terms this is the 'reach' of the lens, so a long lens such as 400 or 500mm is good for bird photography since it allows you to photograph small objects without having to get too close (although in reality you still have to get fairly close). At the other end of the spectrum, a lens with a focal length less than around 30mm is classed as a wide angle lens and is good for landscape photography.

Matt

[nightshade]

DSLR-wise the Canon 350d is tiny compared to most, with a good 28-200 (Sigma?)and a 1.4 converter it would make an excellent travelling kit +diopter lenses or a 12mm tube
The FZ30 or 50 is another excellent way to go, either would fit into a waist holster for quick use.