New groupe "BRIDGE CAMERA SHOWCASE"
Aug 19, 2019 10:20:23 #
Irregardless of a formal "Forum " for Bridge cameras or not it would be interesting to just Post your Bridge and any good images attributed to it. Some folks are really not aware of what a Bridge camera is and what they are capable of.... continue this thread with pics of your Bridge, images captured, and/or comments.
Aug 19, 2019 10:36:54 #
wingclui44
Loc: CT USA
jrw_mdus wrote:
A place to show your bridge camera picks, learn about bridge cameras, what they do and how they do. Some of the uhhers do not consider them real cameras, I beg to differ. I have some extraordinary pictures and I am sure you have some as well. Come join me on the bridge.
My first serious digital camera was the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ50 bridge camera, I still have it and use it even I have been a Nikon user for over 40 something years. I like this camera for one particular reason, it's a 10X zoom (35-420mm, FM equivalent), comparing to the new one now with 20X or 30X, that's obsolete and out dated, but the zoom lens will never extend and remains the same length when zooming-in at the long end, besides, this lens is almost the size of a 50mm full frame lens. This is very portable.
This moon image was taken with this camera plus a Ranox 2.2X tele converter.
Aug 19, 2019 10:42:59 #
Aug 19, 2019 10:44:46 #
Aug 19, 2019 11:07:35 #
Aug 19, 2019 13:12:12 #
jrw_mdus wrote:
From my viewpoint, anything under 15x is not really a bridge camera, but I would not exclude cellphones.
Hmm, that leaves out my 1" Panasonic DMV-ZS100. However, here is a shot of the eclipse from my Canon SX50 HS:
Aug 20, 2019 00:20:26 #
jrw_mdus wrote:
A place to show your bridge camera picks, learn about bridge cameras, what they do and how they do. Some of the uhhers do not consider them real cameras, I beg to differ. I have some extraordinary pictures and I am sure you have some as well. Come join me on the bridge.
I think most uhhers consider them very capable cameras and they are with their impressive focal range and I think most anybody agrees about most of them have pretty darn good IQ!
Aug 20, 2019 06:48:04 #
Might be helpful to define criteria for a bridge camera. For example, is a Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50 a bridge camera? Or an advanced point and shoot/compact?
Aug 20, 2019 07:14:02 #
rmorrison1116 wrote:
Anyone who truly believes a bridge camera is not a real camera is not very bright. There are bridge cameras that cost more than some DSLR'S and MILC'S, I know, I own one, a Canon G1X III.
As far as a forum strictly for bridge cameras, I personally don't see a need. It's just another camera.
As far as a forum strictly for bridge cameras, I personally don't see a need. It's just another camera.
Yes, how about my Sony RX10 MIV, price is $1,695!
Aug 20, 2019 08:19:55 #
wingclui44
Loc: CT USA
drharveys wrote:
Might be helpful to define criteria for a bridge camera. For example, is a Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50 a bridge camera? Or an advanced point and shoot/compact?
Read this, it's very helpful to understand what's a bridge camera! They look like a DSLR and work like a DSLR but without inter-changeable lens and much smaller sensor.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridge_camera
Aug 20, 2019 08:53:25 #
If you create a new user group, I will gladly join as I have a Canon SX50HS!
Aug 20, 2019 10:08:37 #
Aug 20, 2019 10:31:42 #
it is created go to your profile and join, and send pics.
Aug 20, 2019 11:08:06 #
People who sneer at bridge cameras are simply showing their ignorance.
There is no best camera type, nor best camera within a type. Choosing the camera that's best for you involves evaluating trade-offs. Depending on your objectives and constraints, your trade-offs will be different than mine.
For some sets of objectives and constraints, bridge cameras will be the best. For other objectives and constraints, DSLR, pocket or smart phone will be the best.
For me, bridge is the best.
Many years ago I was an SLR enthusiast, but eventually lost interest because I didn't feel like lugging around all of that equipment. And, "losing the shot" because I needed to change lenses was a frequent frustration.
After that, for years, I relied on small pocket digital cameras for snap shots. Then, about 8 years ago, when planning for a trip to Kenya, I realized I needed more than that. Based on my prior experience with SLR I was reluctant to go the DSLR route and was delighted to discover that there was a new category of cameras, the bridge camera.
In particular the Panasonic Lumix FZ200, which has one special feature, that, to my knowledge no other bridge camera has (other than its successor, the FZ300). That feature is a zoom lens with an F2.8 aperture that stays at F2.8 all the way from 25mm to 600mm (equivalent).
What this means is that the sensor gets just as much light when fully zoomed and enables me to use fast shutter speeds when fully zoomed. That, in turn, allows me to shoot handheld at 600 mm. I no longer need to hassle with a tripod, monopod or beanbag. I travel light and can react quickly to get a good shot.
Another advantage of no reduction in aperture when I zoom is that I can get a shorter depth of field, if I want it, when fully zoomed.
There is no best camera type, nor best camera within a type. Choosing the camera that's best for you involves evaluating trade-offs. Depending on your objectives and constraints, your trade-offs will be different than mine.
For some sets of objectives and constraints, bridge cameras will be the best. For other objectives and constraints, DSLR, pocket or smart phone will be the best.
For me, bridge is the best.
Many years ago I was an SLR enthusiast, but eventually lost interest because I didn't feel like lugging around all of that equipment. And, "losing the shot" because I needed to change lenses was a frequent frustration.
After that, for years, I relied on small pocket digital cameras for snap shots. Then, about 8 years ago, when planning for a trip to Kenya, I realized I needed more than that. Based on my prior experience with SLR I was reluctant to go the DSLR route and was delighted to discover that there was a new category of cameras, the bridge camera.
In particular the Panasonic Lumix FZ200, which has one special feature, that, to my knowledge no other bridge camera has (other than its successor, the FZ300). That feature is a zoom lens with an F2.8 aperture that stays at F2.8 all the way from 25mm to 600mm (equivalent).
What this means is that the sensor gets just as much light when fully zoomed and enables me to use fast shutter speeds when fully zoomed. That, in turn, allows me to shoot handheld at 600 mm. I no longer need to hassle with a tripod, monopod or beanbag. I travel light and can react quickly to get a good shot.
Another advantage of no reduction in aperture when I zoom is that I can get a shorter depth of field, if I want it, when fully zoomed.
Aug 20, 2019 12:09:59 #
TRAVLR38
Loc: CENTRAL PA
jrw_mdus wrote:
A place to show your bridge camera picks, learn about bridge cameras, what they do and how they do. Some of the uhhers do not consider them real cameras, I beg to differ. I have some extraordinary pictures and I am sure you have some as well. Come join me on the bridge.
Greetings, JRW,
I am a devoted reader of UHH. I have an Olympus M1ii with lots of razor sharp lenses, but I have always been intrigued with the long reach of the bridge cameras. My first was the Canon sx50, which is dandy, but not seriously outdated, I feel. I also have a Lumix fz1000, which is a fine camera. I have as well a Lumix ZS 50 and a Lumix ZS70. I have had the last one for less than a month, and I am still working to see what sort of image quality I can get from it. I like these small long-zoom cameras, as they are with me wherever I go. I would be delighted to join you on the bridge.
All of this said, I have three pieces of advice for you (who probably don't need it) and for others who might.
1. Do not carry a pocket camera in the pocket. Sounds counter-intuitive, but there is a good reason: pocket lint. When the lens extends, it creates a vacuum in the body. If there is dust or a fibre, or what not around the lens, it can get sucked in and land on the sensor. Use a belt pouch or something similar.
2. Whether you use raw or jpeg or both, the IQ can be greatly enhanced by using a plug-in from Topaz, AIClear. This is a near miraculous program which reduces noise AND sharpens at the same time. It will not help with blurred motion or pure mush, but with higher ISO images (400-1600) on the 1/2.3 sensor, it works wonders.
3. Anyone looking at or using a bridge camera MUST look at the blog of Andrew Smallman. He is from Australia. His blog is CAMERA ERGONOMICS. He is a font of information for many Lumix bridge cameras and many others besides. Follow this liknk: http://cameraergonomics.blogspot.com/p/fixed-zoom.html
He has found ways to wring the best out of the bridge cameras he writes about.
Best of luck with your project.
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