Bridge camera advice
Oct 16, 2013 06:15:56 #
Nobody has mentioned the Panasonic FZ200. I have one. It's a wonderful camera but has only a 24x zoom. I have taken photographs of birds with it. It's great if you can get close to the birds, but if they are at a distance go for the longer zooms.
I have attached some shots of swans but remember these are large birds and they were reasonably close to the camera.
The shots are jpegs right from the camera, no modifications in photoshop etc. They were taken on the Programme exposure mode.
I have attached some shots of swans but remember these are large birds and they were reasonably close to the camera.
The shots are jpegs right from the camera, no modifications in photoshop etc. They were taken on the Programme exposure mode.
Swan With Cygnets
Swans With Cygnets
Swan
Oct 16, 2013 06:20:26 #
Chris Hall
Loc: Burgess Hill, West Sussex, UK
dragonking wrote:
Nobody has mentioned the Panasonic FZ200. I have one. It's a wonderful camera but has only a 24x zoom. I have taken photographs of birds with it. It's great if you can get close to the birds, but if they are at a distance go fr the longer zooms.
I have attached some shots of swans but remember thes are large birds and they were reasonably close to the camera.
I have attached some shots of swans but remember thes are large birds and they were reasonably close to the camera.
Very impressive. Thanks for sharing. I'll probably be ok with any of the 3 cameras on my short list. I must admit though, I do like an electronic viewfinder.
Oct 16, 2013 06:29:43 #
I forgot to mention that you can purchase a tele conversion lens which gives a 1.7x increase to the top zoom range (600mm x 1.7=1020mm). This gets close to the Canon range but the focal length is fixed at 1020mm, you cannot zoom up to it. I have one but I have not used it for bird photography. I am satisfied with my results from it. Just a word of warning though, the conversion lens costs over £100 plus you have to buy an adapter for the lens to fit onto the camera - an extra £35+ if you buy the Panasonic version or an extra £14 if you buy a 3rd party one. Hope I have been of help.
Oct 16, 2013 06:37:59 #
Chris Hall
Loc: Burgess Hill, West Sussex, UK
dragonking wrote:
I forgot to mention that you can purchase a tele c... (show quote)
You certainly have. Thanks so much! :)
Oct 16, 2013 06:41:57 #
Chris Hall wrote:
I am looking for a Bridge camera, mainly for bird photography. I've narrowed down the short list to the Fujifilm HS50 EXR, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ200 and the Canon SX 500. I'll be grateful for any advice on this planned purchase. Maybe there are other options? Many thanks!
A camera to take pictures of bridges? All kidding aside, forget the SX500, as it doesn't have enough features. Replace it with the Canon SX50. You'll love it. Actually try out all the cameras. You must be happy with what you buy!
Oct 16, 2013 07:00:45 #
Fuji HS50 for me!! I have had mine about five months and have 8000 activations on it and shoot it almost every day.
Terry
Terry
Oct 16, 2013 07:57:43 #
I can see the Canon loyal are out in force. The box store market has been about taken over by Canon, a brand which I have used for more than 30 years. No beef on the Canon superzooms. If you are most interested in extend zoom, the Canon's are fine pick. However, the Lumix FZ200 has the best glass per 2.0 throughout the full zoom range. For reliability, at least from my experience and that of Consumer Reports, the Panasonic cameras are at on near the top for reliability. I still use Canon, Panasonic, and now the new Nikon P7800 and it is really a personal, subjective matter about what fits your needs the best. The pro reviews are fine, but I prefer user reviews for my best source of information. My biggest sadness is the loss of so many "real" camera stores outside of major urban areas. There was a time when we could just get the feel, balance, and check out the menu for many cameras. Those days are gone for many of us.
Oct 16, 2013 09:25:16 #
Here's the answer IMHO.....Canon SX50, viewfinder, long reach, macro, great color and tack sharp results and best part, all for under $400..!!!
Oct 16, 2013 09:30:12 #
Also forgot to say this is my first post although I've been reading UUH for nearly two years and enjoy all your comments....well ALMOST all of them...lol
Oct 16, 2013 09:31:11 #
Oct 16, 2013 11:24:55 #
rich808
Loc: Honolulu
I have a Fujifilm SX30 it shoots raw and the zoom plus doubler is unbelievable 1400mm! The viewfinder is much improved over the sx20 the sx50 should be on par with a DSLR I'm thinking. The thing I hate about it is they, in an effort to make things simple, have dozens of little pictograms for you to remember! Street Lamp for night shots etc. Easier to just learn how to shoot!
The macro on the hs30 is also fantastic although you have to get really close 1/4-1/2 inch from the subject... Still, good for flower macros and this macro is razor sharp.
The macro on the hs30 is also fantastic although you have to get really close 1/4-1/2 inch from the subject... Still, good for flower macros and this macro is razor sharp.
Oct 16, 2013 11:26:08 #
I have been extremely satisfied with the Panasonic FZ series of Lumix cameras with the Leica lenses. I have a FZ47 and just purchased a FZ60 for my friend. Combination of long lens, Electronic View Finder and price make it a fine choice. The resulting pix are outstanding !
Oct 16, 2013 11:47:31 #
Chris Hall wrote:
I am looking for a Bridge camera, mainly for bird photography. I've narrowed down the short list to the Fujifilm HS50 EXR, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ200 and the Canon SX 500. I'll be grateful for any advice on this planned purchase. Maybe there are other options? Many thanks!
I have the HS50EXR, but I would recommend you get all of your choices in your hands and go by feel and function ease. Different strokes for different folks. Also download the user manuals for each camera to really get some insight on the use.
Cheers, Neil
Oct 16, 2013 13:01:29 #
MT Shooter wrote:
Not quite
Ha - HA - Mt is playing you up - the "52X" is for advertising purposes only; it has very little to do with zoom reach. The multiplication merely states the relationship of the shortest focal length to it's longest length - it compares TO ITSELF. If you want to compare zooms, use the ff equivalent focal length, expressed in millimeters. My SX30 is a 105 mm lens that is the equivalent of a 740 mm. Oh, the reason the Nikon is 52X? They made the lens go shorter to up the multiplication - much easier and cheaper than adding more reach. For the original poster - try out an SX50 - the image stabilization, handheld, at 1200 mm has to be seen to be believed.
Oct 16, 2013 14:04:36 #
Check out the NIKON P510....I love it and a pro that had a different brand picked this one for me as it had, in his opinion better features than his.
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