melaniedotson Loc: North Carolina

Does anyone have a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ50. Not alot of people have this camera. I love it, wanted to know what kind of accessories you use. Telephoto lens I got but my camera goes from 32mm to 420mm. So therefore I would not need a telephoto lens right?

LPigott Loc: Monterey Peninsula, CA

Some would classify this as a "bridge" camera. It's more powerful and versatile than a pocket size point-and-shoot. It doesn't require an arsenal of lenses. And it doesn't require expertise in ISO, f-stops, or shutter speed settings. So it's easy to use with your accessories built into the camera itself. So get yourself a case and go have fun!

melaniedotson Loc: North Carolina

So is this camera, as good as a cannon. My friend has a canon and it dosent go up to 420mm, has to use a telephoto lense and she has alot of accessories for it. Im just wondering if I need a better one than what I have.

LPigott Loc: Monterey Peninsula, CA

I have both myself. The Canon (and Nikon) SLR's require adding lenses depending on the situation. There is a certain snob appeal in that. The only way to judge quality is to compare the photos from each. Most people couldn't tell the difference, assuming the photographers in both cases are amateurs. At some point you may want to get an SLR because of the added control and challenge. My suggestion is to use the Panasonic indefinitely. if you want to get a professional level camera in the future, skip the Rebels and get a Canon 7D or it's equivalent.

melaniedotson Loc: North Carolina

Thank you. I will be getting a cannon 7d. Any good suggestions where I could get one at a reasonable price?. Is this a good price?
I found one on ebay and it includes the following for $1500.00


INCLUDED IN THE BOX
•EOS 7D Digital SLR Body
•Eyecup Eg
•Wide Neck Strap EW-EOS7D
•Stereo AV Cable AVC-DC400ST
•USB Interface Cable IFC-200U
•Battery Pack LP-E6
•Battery Charger LC-E6
•EOS Digital Solution Disk
•Great Photography is Easy" Booklet and "Do More with Macro" Booklet
•Software Instruction Manual

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II SLR Lens is an all purpose zoom wide angle lens which is great for portrait photography. It allows you to take sharp handheld shots even in low-light conditions.

Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III Telephoto Zoom Lens is great for outdoor, sports, portraits and distance photography. Allows you to zoom in and never miss a shot.


500mm Super Telephoto Preset Lens is ideal for long distance shots. Camera lens is perfect for sports, nature and wildlife photography.



2.2x Telephoto Lens increases your zoom range by two times. Perfect for sporting events, distance, and outside shots.

.43x Wide Angle Lens helps you create a curved effect or flat effect while zooming high image quality and speed. Great lens to use to photograph scenery.

+1, +2, +4, +10 Close Up Macro Kit helps maintain resolution and picture clarity. Magnifying image size plus. Double-threaded allowing you to combine them to achieve increased magnification. Ideal for detailed shots on small items.

3 Piece Filter Kit

UV Filter protects your camera's lens from scratches, dust, dirt, moisture & fingerprints, while removing unwanted ultraviolet light. The UV Filter reduces blue hazed caused by UV light.

PL Filter deepens and intensifies blue skies, achieves vibrant colors and reduces glare and reflections from non-metallic objects and glass surfaces. A MUST for outdoor photography.

FLD Filter gives you the perfect solution for shooting without a flash under a fluorescent light. This filter gives true-to-life colors and pleasing skin tones by removing the harsh yellow-green cast created by flouriest lightning.

TWO (2) 16 GIG High Speed Memory Class 10 with high memory capacity and fast write speed, are geared for medium format and DSLR users shooting in RAW format.

2 Rechargeable Batteries - 1 Canon Original Battery + 1 Extra Rechargeable High Capacity Battery

Digital Pro Slave Flash with built in auto pre-flash sensor for red-eye reduction. Slave flash is automatically triggered when camera flash goes off. Slave flash eliminates shadows and is great for macro photography.

Full Size Professional Tripod securely holds your camera. Gives you the ability to shoot for hours. Includes tripod case.

Camera Backpack is a medium sized deluxe video and camera bag is the perfect complement to hold all your equipment. It has a limited lifetime warranty.

Camera Holster Case is water resistant. It has 3 outer Zipper pockets, 2 inner webbed pockets & 2 smaller pockets.

AC/DC Rapid Home and Car Charger


Memory Card Reader

3 Year USA Warranty by Celltime Corp.

LPigott Loc: Monterey Peninsula, CA

I did get my "bridge" on eBay. But I decided to get my 7D from a local photoshop because I wanted the feeling they could advise as to more sophisticated issues. For example, I had read that Canon had updated the firmware in the camera. The shop took care of that update for me. I like supporting a local business and they support me. When you purchase from eBay you're on your own with very sophisticated equipment.

wilsondl2 Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska

The big difference in quality will not show up until you start blowing you pictures. The Lumix has a lot smaller sensor on it than the DSLR so you have to enlarge a lot more to get say a 11X14. This is where the quality will show up. I doubt if your camera has a 420mm lens. It has a lens that will give the view of a 420mm on a 35 mm lens. As far as deal most of the extras are a bunch of junk that will be hard to use. the + filters work but not like a macro look them up in search, I'm about sure the tripod is not a pro quality. The 500mm is a preset lens that will have no electrical connections to camera. M all the way. You will even have to close the diaphragm by hand. You see the filter for $20 when a single good filter is $50 +. You will do better buying the camera and a kit lens or the two that are more or less standard. In my not so humble opinion the entry level DSLR are great. I would start with one and then by the time you have it conquered there will be new mid to top of the line cameras that will blow the ones today away. - Dave

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Did you say $1500.00?

FilmFanatic Loc: Waikato, New Zealand

I had one of those 75-300 lenses and it's by far the worst lens I have ever owned. I have heard it referred as the Tokyo Airport Duty Free Shop lens - it looks pretty in the shop display but then you get it home and find out how bad it is....

heyjoe Loc: cincinnati ohio

looks like a good deal,if you need all the extras,
i bought the 7d and bought and sold many lens to find the
few i have now,the back pack needs to fit your style
and body,may want to buy that from a camera shop,i found the lowepro sling bag works great for me,the 75-300 lens
is not a good lens,look for the 70-300 just a little more
money,for 1500 you should get off to a good start

Fran Loc: Northeast, United States

The price sounds good for everything that you are getting. Before you make the purchase check out the refurbished 7Ds offered through Canon or B&H. I purchased a used 7d fom B&H last year and it's an amazing camera.

Fran Loc: Northeast, United States

The price sounds good for everything that you are getting. Before you make the purchase check out the refurbished 7Ds offered through Canon or B&H. I purchased a used 7d fom B&H last year and it's an amazing camera. They have a body in stock for $969.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/740768-REF/Canon_3814B056AA_EOS_7D_SLR_Digital.html

Realized after I posted that I hacked the op question. Sorry.

OP I have the FZ00 which I really like. It is a bridge camera. I don't have any accessories.

rayford2 Loc: New Bethlehem, PA

I own an FZ-50. I had a hard time selecting a camera that would have most of the features I wanted and not break the bank or need a wheelbarrow for accessories. I'm too old for carrying heavy stuff, and if I chose an inexpensive camera I wasn't happy with I wouldn't lose much.
The FZ-50 is an old camera, technically, so it can't compare in performance to the newer cameras of today.
I think it's an excellent camera within its limitations.
It does have a Leica f/2.8 zoom lens that is manually zoomed and totally enclosed in the lens housing. From what I've experienced the ISO has noise above 800.
It also has a framing grid for leveling if desired.
The ambidextrous LCD panel is great for taking shots over peoples head and close to the ground, provided the sun doesn't wash it out.
I have a 12"w x 6"h x 8"d camera bag that must contain everything I need. That keeps me away from impulsive buying.
I settled on the FZ-50, purchased from KEH for $130 in like new condition 2 years ago, and am still happy with what I have.
It won't compare, feature wise, to any of the new bridge cameras of today, but the 10Mp sensor takes pictures I'm happy with, and inexpensively too.

rayford2 Loc: New Bethlehem, PA

I own an FZ-50. I had a hard time selecting a camera that would have most of the features I wanted and not break the bank or need a wheelbarrow for accessories. I'm too old for carrying heavy stuff, and if I chose an inexpensive camera I wasn't happy with I wouldn't lose much.
The FZ-50 is an old camera, technically, so it can't compare in performance to the newer cameras of today.
I think it's an excellent camera within its limitations.
It does have a Leica f/2.8 zoom lens that is manually zoomed and totally enclosed in the lens housing. From what I've experienced the ISO has noise above 800.
It also has a framing grid for leveling if desired.
The ambidextrous LCD panel is great for taking shots over peoples head and close to the ground, provided the sun doesn't wash it out.
I have a 12"w x 6"h x 8"d camera bag that must contain everything I need. That keeps me away from impulsive buying.
I settled on the FZ-50, purchased from KEH for $130 in like new condition 2 years ago, and am still happy with what I have.
It won't compare, feature wise, to any of the new bridge cameras of today, but the 10Mp sensor takes pictures I'm happy with, and inexpensively too.

rayford2 Loc: New Bethlehem, PA

The FZ-50 was introduced in 2006. You'd have to compare it to a 2006 Canon or any other brand of that year for a fair comparison.