New to Nature Photography

Guinnessman1974 · #1 (**permalink**) 27-11-2010, 10:35 AM

Hi, I am - within the next month - going to purchase my first camera for nature photography, I've seen two cameras which look appealing...

Has anyone any experience of these two - Olympus and Fujifilm - cameras and if they are any good please?: Many thanks

NEW!~FUJIFILM FinePix HS10 DIGITAL CAMERA 30x OPT ZOOM on eBay (end time 16-Dec-10 06:13:20 GMT)

NEW!~OLYMPUS SP800UZ SP800 UZ SL DIGITAL CAMERA+8GB-6B on eBay (end time 19-Dec-10 05:46:15 GMT)

al69 · #2 (**permalink**) 02-12-2010, 08:15 AM

Im a newb to nature shots so have just discovered the limitations of the kit im using recently.I have a canon eos 1000d with a 55-250mm is zoom. For birds i really have to creep up to get the shots i need.It also could do with a bit more fps to capture them.
For insects and the like its excellent though.

What ive realised is that to get decent bird stuff at some point you will have to pay out for a decent lense so bear this in mind with the camaera body you buy.No point getting a superb lense if the body isnt up to it etc.

Doing it again i would ask what type of photos i want to take then look for the right equipment.

Mitty · #3 (**permalink**) 02-12-2010, 09:56 AM

I'm not an expert but I did alot of research when I was looking to buy a bridge/superzoom camera and decided the HS10 was probably the best one for the price (lumix FZ100 is said have better image quality but is more expensive). It also has a mechanical zoom on the lens which is more like a DSLR. see this video. I didn't really come across the Olympus in my searching so I don't know much about that one.

In the end I decided the the camera sensor was too small to get nice details like a DSLR would.

If you definately want a superzoom camera instead of a DSLR + big lenses, I would say the HS10, but it's down to personal preference. One day I will probably change my mind an get one when I see how heavy and cumbersome the alternative is.

Geoff F · #4 (**permalink**) 02-12-2010, 05:45 PM

As usual, this type of question needs a bit of clarification.

What is your budget and what exactly do you intend to photograph?

The best of these so called 'Bridge Cameras' (which are between a basic point and shoot and a DSLR) can produce reasonable photos in the right conditions. Both Olympus and Fuji are well trusted brands.

But although this type of camera can produce reasonable general photos they also have some serious limitations for wildlife work.

Be careful about claims of a massive zoom range and forget 'Digital Zoom' which is just a poor version of what you could do on your computer during image editing. It is only the Optical Zoom which really matters.

But the alternative interchangeable lens DSLR route is rather expensive; although you can add lenses as you can afford them.

If you want to become a serious bird photographer then we are really talking substantial costs for DSLR lenses, say around £1000 or more, and that doesn't include the camera.

The best of the 'bridge' type cameras can, in the right light, be successful for flowers etc, but if you want detailed close ups of insects I'm afraid that we are getting back to the DSLR option, although with slightly cheaper lenses.

On the plus side of the 'bridges' they are easy to carry around and you don't have to worry about having the right lens or the bother of needing to keep changing lenses.

But to give any full recommendations, we need those details about your photographic aspirations, and how you expect your wildlife photography skills and needs to develop over the next few years.

Lacerta · #5 (**permalink**) 02-12-2010, 07:01 PM

Hi, looking at both of the cameras you mention in the links, I am not sure that either are going to work for nature photography, as Geoff has already mentioned you might need to be more specific about what kind of nature photography you intend to do.

Looking at the cameras themselves, the Olympus has too small an optical zoom at 3x to get a decent image, you'll soon find that you need quite a magnification to have a chance of filling the frame.

The Fuji has better optical zoom but at full magnification the minimum focusing distance is 2 metres which may preclude you from getting any decent close up images, should this be what you are looking for, whilst the focal length maybe ok to photograph birds.

I think a better alternative maybe to go the DSLR route, with an entry level DSLR and a lens like the Sigma 70-300 APO. You might need to expand your budget a bit, or the other alternative would be to look for a decent pre-owned bit of kit. You don't need a high megapixel camera as something in the range of 8-10mp would be fine.

I have appended a link to the dpreview site that looks at the super zooms which includes the HS10, this may help you to decide. (Hope this is ok with the Mods)

'Super Zoom' Camera Group Test (Q2 2010) Review: 1. Introduction: Digital Photography Review

Sparklebug · #6 (**permalink**) 02-12-2010, 10:04 PM

Hi, I'm pretty much a novice too, but have an older version of the Fuji you have listed. I find it not so great in low light....and it is not good at all for wildlife at a distance......I'm saving up and looking to upgrade to a Canon EOS 40D as it has had great results on this site, and also comes in at a reasonable £400 with a few attachments (on ebay) and I believe the lenses you can buy for it are great (although expensive) I have been advised by some great photographers on here and apparently for bird pics it's all about the lenses....good luck with your choices, let us know how you get on and show us the results! Jayne

Guinnessman1974 · #7 (**permalink**) 04-12-2010, 04:27 PM

Hi, many thanks for all this useful feedback so far....

I have a budget of around £250, and bird photography and insect close ups (e.g. butterflies and moths') will be the main focus of my work.

Also some photos of landscapes will be part of my work too.

I understand that a budget of £250 will have its limitations on what I can and can't do, however I'm a beginner and can always upgrade in 2-3 years' time.

Many thanks again for all your suggestions!

al69 · #8 (**permalink**) 04-12-2010, 07:08 PM

For that type of dosh you could get CANON EOS 350D DSLR EF-S 18-55mm LENS + 1Gb CF + READER on eBay (end time 29-Dec-10 14:18:32 GMT) which is a starter which you can add better lenses to.
For a little more you could get this CANON EOS 400D WITH CANONLENS KIT SUPERB DSLR on eBay (end time 07-Dec-10 19:04:20 GMT)

Jim Ford · #9 (**permalink**) 04-12-2010, 08:54 PM

Take care though. Some of the Canon kit lenses have the reputation for being pretty dire, having been referred to as 'bottle bottoms'!

Jim

al69 · #10 (**permalink**) 04-12-2010, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Ford

Take care though. Some of the Canon kit lenses have the reputation for being pretty dire, having been referred to as 'bottle bottoms'!

Jim

But hes on a budget and the first choices didnt allow for lense changes/upgrades,these options do. Ive had reasonable results with my bog standard lenses but dont have 2k to blow on what i really want so have to make do with what i have.I recognised he is also on a budget hence my suggestions.

What would you suggest for the budget ?