W3KLS Loc: PA USA

Been reading your site a while but finally decided to jump in.
A question - my current "best" camera is a Canon Rebel DS 6041 (several years old). I'm thinking just about any bridge would be a step up for me. I'm considering the Sony HS 400V. Comments appreciated!

nicksr1125 Loc: Mesa, AZ

Welcome to the Hog, W3KLS. You'll find lots of friends & plenty of good advice here. I own the HX400V & use it regularly. Except that it won't record in RAW format, it will do almost anything a DSLR will do. B&H is offering it for $448.00 including a 32gb SD card & free expedited shipping. I would also recommend Bryan Petersen's book "Understanding Exposure".

Shakey Loc: Traveling again to Norway and other places.

Did you mean the Sony HX400V? That has some good reviews. Its predecessor the H400 was a clunker. I have not seen the HS400V.

If you want to shoot in RAW format consider the Panasonic FZ200, which I use and would recommend. Other members will speak up for their preferred cameras I'm sure. Welcome to UHH. :-D

W3KLS Loc: PA USA

Thanks guys. Been reading here since Oct 2014 and i figured I'd get quick useful info. Thanks again.

Nikonbob Loc: Upper Chichester, PA

Hi Ken,

Saw you have a Bessy 23cII. Made many a print with one. Do you operate HF?

Bob, W3BIG

ralphc4176 Loc: Conyers, GA

I would think that a newer APS-C DSLR camera would be a better expenditure than a bridge camera. You can get a good APS-C body for about what you would pay for a bridge camera. I'm not familiar with the model Rebel you specified, but I assume that the Canon lenses you have for it would work with a newer Canon body. EF lenses work with all new Canon DSLR cameras that I'm aware of, and the EF-S lenses work with the APS-C bodies.

Snapshot1

i have bought 2 Fuji XS1's to replace my Nikon DSLRs I have used for so long! These cameras are astibdubg, Great Lens and body. Love em andhave been a nikon owner/user for many years. Check them out!

W3KLS Loc: PA USA

Hey Nikonbob, Yes I operate 80 & 40 cw when I have an antenna that works. Looking to give 6m a try soon, too. I have a OFCD right now but I'm having some problems so I'm QRT for a bit. Also have an HVU-8 swiss army knife vertical. Not bad considering the size and coverage. Not expecting to get DXCC with it though! The bessy is thankfully gathering dust right now. Don't get me wrong, I learned a lot doing it the wet way but this digital stuff is the best thing since clumping cat litter.
PS to all - I ordered the Fuji S1. It'll keep me busy until I can talk the good wife into a real upgrade. Plus no bag of glass to tote.

73, Ken

MarkD Loc: NYC

You have some nice classic film cameras. Your Rebel is a very old model. I wouldn't call a bridge camera an upgrade. It's more of a different kind of camera with different advantages and disadvantages. Bridge cameras have zoom lenses with very long focal length ranges. They are capable of very good photo when used within their limits. They are also a lot of camera for the money.

Their main limit is their very small sensor. Small sensors are not very good in low light because they do not handle high iso's very well. They may have iso's up to 3200 or 6400 but they will produce a lot of noise at those high iso's. New DSLR's and MILC (mirrorless interchangeable lens compacts) will handle those iso's much better. Another limitation of bridge cameras is that they have just the one lens. DSLR's and MILC's can take ultrawide lenses, fisheye lenses, macros, high speed lenses, etc.

Most bridge cameras do accept supplementary lenses that screw onto the front of its zoom lens, but they are not as good as DSLR and MILC lenses. Many also have a hot shoe for an accessory flash that can be used for bounce flash. That's a simple fully automatic technique where you bounce the light from the flash off of a white ceiling or wall to produce a much nicer more natural light than the built-in flash.

I'm not that familiar with many bridge cameras, but the Sony seems to be as good as any in its price range.

Nikonbob Loc: Upper Chichester, PA

Ken,

Great to meet you. I no longer print the wet stuff either. Everything is now digital and to be honest, I don't miss the mess. I was a Navy photographer and spent way too much time with hands in the fixer...

Just moved to a new QTH in SW Delaware County where I now have room for HF antennas. Come Spring, I will install an OCFD and G5RV as well as the UHF/VHF antennas. I operate portable extensively with ARES/RACES. I have served as EC for my county for past 5 years.

You can also check out my photo website www.f22productions.com.

Hope to chat with you on 40 or 80 soon.

73,

Bob, W3BIG

W3KLS Loc: PA USA

Bob, i actually got my first exposure to darkroom doing industrial radiography in the early 70's. We cast and x-rayed large steel castings for military and civilian power plants. Tank turrets, valve bodies, turbine shells, etc. Some of these weighed up to 100 tons and exposure even with a 24mv betatron was often hours long. Work like a rented mule for ten minutes then sleep an hour. Repeat a few hundred times and you're done.

ken

Indiana Loc: Huntington, Indiana

Let' see. Who do I know from Latrobe, Pa. Is that you Arnold?, Arnold Palmer.

W3KLS Loc: PA USA

Sorry but good try. If you need proof stop by and we'll go play a quick 9 holes. Can't do 18 holes. I run out of daylight, beer, and foul language.

Ken