GeneinChi Loc: Chicago, IL

Thanks to all the great information from the UHH community, my thoughts of just getting an SX50 HS was sidetracked. Reading everyones thoughts comparing the three camera's it came down to: SX50 HS, FZ70 and FZ200, the one thing the comments that hit home were the ones that suggested holding the cameras for comfort. I found the SX50 a bit small for my hand while the FZ200 seemed to have more space to grip..although it is a bit larger. OK. So I won't have a 1200mm zoom. I'll get closer to the subject--unless its the moon and that could be problematic. I'm not a bird watcher unless its in my backyard and I wont need 1200 for that! Grandkids, travel, family, usual stuff. Probably will experiment with landscapes or other things as I see fit. The good news is that the cot isn't breaking the bank and this will give me what I believe is a wonderful learning tool.
Anyway, thanks for all the reading pleasure. You folks know your stuff. I weighed things out as carefully as I could and pulled the trigger. Camera is coming next week so be ready to see some pretty awful stuff for critique. As a relative newbie to digital (I have vast experience with p&S and phones!) I'm looking forward to making myself a better photographer with the help of the UHH'ers.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

Welcome to the forum, I hope you enjoy your stay. I think we're all ready for some awesome stuff (instead of aweful)!

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

Welcome to UHH.

Iwantitall Loc: Chicago (south side)

Welcome to the Hog Gene. Glad you pulled the trigger. Now you can go full throttle. Have fun and post some of your pics. :thumbup:
Mike

chase4 Loc: Punta Corona, California

Welcome and please post some of your photos.

Grampy Loc: Canton, Michigan

Gene, I just went through the same agony you have. And I just ordered my FZ200 which should arrive next week. Guess we'll be learning this new camera together yet 300 miles apart.
;)

Orca Loc: Little Egg Harbor, NJ USA

Welcome yo UHH. I also own a FZ200 and am very pleased with it. Got some very good moon shots and one is framed in my den. Friends ask how I got that shot. I just tell them with a camera. It's a great bridge camera IMO and should give you years of enjoyment. It has outstanding reviews as well. Make sure you go to You tube and follow the tutorials from Graham Houghton as this will assist you in learning the camera.

Mojoni Loc: Eastern Tennessee

Welcome Gene! You will be very pleased w/ your purchase. I also own a FZ200 and have taken many pictures w/ it. We'd love to see your pics in the future.

dundeelad Loc: Originally UK. Current West Dundee, Illinois

Hi Gene.

Good luck with your FZ200. It may be of help to you to view this series as it is an excellent intro to the FZ200.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0J9eeDlxsyg

flathead27ford Loc: Colorado, North of Greeley

Welcome to the Hog. I, too, am in the same boat. I have not bought a bridge/super zoom camera yet but want to. I have season tickets to the local ECHL ice hockey team and they give people a hard time about bringing in dslr's with removable lenses. I sort have been waiting to see if/when Canon announces the SX60 or something like it. Cheers.

dadamia Loc: Portland, OR

Last year I did the same kind of comparison that you did and reached the same conclusion. I love my FZ200. If you want more zoom, Panasonic sells a 1.7x teleconverter. (I don't have one, but I might buy it someday.) Of course, you will not have F2.8 with the teleconverter on, but neither will any other bridge camera with that much zoom.

VJG

I couldn't agree more! I bought the FZ200 last summer and found Graham Houghton's you tube videos to be extremely helpful. Love the camera and have had some excellent results.

sirlensalot Loc: Arizona

Always glad to hear some of the hoggers were able to help.
Thanks for posting.

GeneinChi Loc: Chicago, IL

Larry...I'm an ex-Detroiter since 1991 but spent 43 years there. I'm back frequently on business and to see family. One of these days when I figure out what I'm doing the camera maybe we can get together.

Thanks for your response.

Gene

GeneinChi Loc: Chicago, IL

Larry...I'm an ex-Detroiter since 1991 but spent 43 years there. I'm back frequently on business and to see family. One of these days when I figure out what I'm doing the camera maybe we can get together.

Thanks for your response.

Gene