Bridge Camera

[anonymous-user]

Some help please??

I have been reading this section for a while and I am wanting to get pretty much my first digital camera.

I was initially going to go with a Nikon D40 or D40x DSLR, I am in no way a photographer and have no idea if this is a fad or something I will get into and really grasp. I am loathe to splash out 300-400 on a DSLR to find out its not my thing and have wasted the money.

I have been looking on "The Bay" and it would seem I could get a second hand DSLR with an 18-55 kit for about 150-200

I would mainly be using my camera for some holiday shots and then maybe some shots while I am out walking, at the football things like this

My OH has a P&S (I am getting with the terminology) and its ok but lacks the zoom and other settings I think I would need

So this brings me onto 'Bridge' cameras, I have seen a few for around the £100 mark (again second hand) like a fuji s7000 and a Panasonic DMC-F27 which seem to have all I would need and are a bit less bulky, the panasonic has a leica (sp?) lense which I am told is good

So the question really to you experts is, is this where I should be aiming as my first camera that essentially I want to - Feel more like a camer than my OH's compact, have more fucntionality without addling my brain with ISO's etc, give me a chance to learn about these things and enhance my skills, decide whether this is a hobby I will pursue?

[Roop]

I have a Fuji S7000 that I bought when it was first released in the UK about 4 years ago. In all honesty it's not a great camera. The Fuji S100FS is in another league let alone a Nikon DSLR. The lens on the S7000 is seemingly slow and the (now 4 year old) CCD is a bit passé. I find that I rarely use it in favour of my micro-sized Canon Ixus i5 which although lacking an optical zoom takes a much better picture than the Fuji.

The S100FS is a great bridge camera and worthy of investigation.

[anonymous-user]

I'll take your point on the S7000 then, the S100FS does look great but a bit out of my price range for now I'm afraid, cheers though

[Woza]

i think what you sare saying is correct, not much point in heading down the slr route unless you are planning on spending ££ down the line with new lenses etc....

[CommanderJameson]

Go onto Flickr, and see what people are using.

Here's some remarkably good pictures taken with a truly shiite camera

I'd say get something with good glass, a reasonable zoom, a macro mode, and don't worry about eleventy squillion zigapixels or automatic frame adjust embezzlement factors.

Get something that's easy to take pictures with, and then take lots and lots and lots of pictures.

Don't obsess over the kit. Obsess over the output.

[GetCarter]

People get really frightened of SLR's thinking that it'll be a steep learing curve. Remember, you can leave it in auto mode, and it will do everything except frame the subject and press the shutter release. Also, Auto will generally (in average light) provide excellent results.

If the Nikon isn't too big to carry around, you'll get some really good photos - worry about ISO's and all the clever stuff at a later satge.

IMHO Bridge cameras are a bit of a waste of space; either buy a camera you can slip in your pocket for a night out, or buy something that you can add to with different lenses and take great photos.

[anonymous-user]

CommanderJameson said:

Go onto Flickr, and see what people are using.

Here's some remarkably good pictures taken with a truly shiite camera

I'd say get something with good glass, a reasonable zoom, a macro mode, and don't worry about eleventy squillion zigapixels or automatic frame adjust embezzlement factors.

Get something that's easy to take pictures with, and then take lots and lots and lots of pictures.

Don't obsess over the kit. Obsess over the output.

Wow when you said truly shiiite I didnt realise you meant iPhone, I have one and I wouldnt think you could get a shot out of it like that!!

Cheers for the advice, I think I'll aim for a lumix one then, as everyone seems to rate these leica lenses (I assume thats what you mean by good glass)

[anonymous-user]

GetCarter said:

People get really frightened of SLR's thinking that it'll be a steep learing curve. Remember, you can leave it in auto mode, and it will do everything except frame the subject and press the shutter release. Also, Auto will generally (in average light) provide excellent results.

If the Nikon isn't too big to carry around, you'll get some really good photos - worry about ISO's and all the clever stuff at a later satge.

IMHO Bridge cameras are a bit of a waste of space; either buy a camera you can slip in your pocket for a night out, or buy something that you can add to with different lenses and take great photos.

Appreciate what you say about Bridge Cameras, I already have access to a compact for nights out, what I want is a step up but without spending megabucks and something thats just well feels more like a camera in my hand, i'm not frightened of SLR's as such more the size having to lug it about etc, whereas a bridge camera (certainly the ones I have looked at) will fit easily in my pocket or a bumbag etc

[gingerpaul]

I had exactly the same requirements as you 18 months ago and ended up getting a Canon G9. The pictures it takes are better than a point and shoot but obviously can't compete with an SLR. What really attracted me to it was having full manual control so I could learn but in a package small enough that I'd take it with me. It's served me very well indeed. There is a lot more choice out there now though but most are fairly expensive. The current equivalent of my camera, the G11, is about £500.

I might be tempted to sell my G9 now that Panasonic have announced the GF1 though if that's something that might interest you. I see you're in Surrey so not a million miles from Bracknell where I am.

[Roop]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

No way an S7000 will fit in your pocket - outer pocket of something like a Barbour at a push, but generally speaking, no way.

[anonymous-user]

gingerpaul said:

I had exactly the same requirements as you 18 months ago and ended up getting a Canon G9. The pictures it takes are better than a point and shoot but obviously can't compete with an SLR. What really attracted me to it was having full manual control so I could learn but in a package small enough that I'd take it with me. It's served me very well indeed. There is a lot more choice out there now though but most are fairly expensive. The current equivalent of my camera, the G11, is about £500.

I might be tempted to sell my G9 now that Panasonic have announced the GF1 though if that's something that might interest you. I see you're in Surrey so not a million miles from Bracknell where I am.

Ah ok, maybe send me a PM? They look well out of my price range though, but I guess a chat cant hurt

Roop said:

anonymous said:

[redacted]

No way an S7000 will fit in your pocket - outer pocket of something like a Barbour at a push, but generally speaking, no way.

Sorry thats what I meant, a coat pocket or my OH daybag, things like that

[gingerpaul]

You should have a PM from me.

[sparks85]

£160ish should buy you a second hand Nikon D50 and standard lens on Ebay. This is a great SLR, practical, not too heavy or large, easy to learn on. Gets my recommendation!

[anonymous-user]

gingerpaul said:

You should have a PM from me.

Hey GP, I did get it sorry for not replying sooner, been mental this end, cheers for the info, but I think its gonna be out of my budget now, see below

Ok due to my Budget being slashed by SWMBO and her dubiousness (sp) of whether I will stick to this hobby, I am going to take the advice of people on here, ignore a Bridge Camera and go for a decent Compact to start with

I am looking at a Panasonic Lumix FS15, as I can get this within my (now £100) budget, 12.1 Mp, Leica Lense, 5x Optical Zoom and it has a nice wide angle at 29-145mm plus it has panasonics OIS stabilisation which is meant to be good.

Has anyone any experience of these, or would care to recommend a nice compact for £100 (new or used) that would be a good first camera?

[plg101]

Maybe a used Canon G7?

or older, but excellent, the Canon Pro 1.

[FUBAR]

I went through this a couple of weeks ago Reidy. For my competence, DSLR was too much/too big/heavy. Bridge camera was a little bulky and didnt like having to use AA batteries and, manual option aside, I couldnt really see what I was getting over a good compact. Camera to be used mainly by for family days out, PH car meets, etc.

My main gripe with Compacts was how long it takes (shutter speed? Im getting the hang of it now ) from pressing the button to taking the photo (well, certainly how long the old donkey of a compact I currently have took). In the end I did a complete U-turn and got a super zoom compact

Panasonc Lumix TZ7 http://www.panasonic.co.uk/html/en_GB/Products/LUM...

Got mine for £200 but looking around, if you dont 'have' to have the latest model with HD movie (why I need that Im not sure) and would consider used, then you should be able to get something close to your budget. Good luck

Edited by FUBAR on Tuesday 29th September 11:28

[gingerpaul]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

I don't know if it's the same on yours but on my G9 it's the focusing that takes the time. If it's manually focused or I prefocus then it will take a picture almost instantly.

[FUBAR]

gingerpaul said:

I don't know if it's the same on yours but on my G9 it's the focusing that takes the time. If it's manually focused or I prefocus then it will take a picture almost instantly.

Possibly yes. For me, it came down to a choice between the 'super fast' Casio EX-FS10 and the Panasonic. The Casio was indeed faster, almost instant, but the Panasonic got the nod as it wasnt far behind speed wise but had superior zoom etc.

Just waiting for the wife's birthday this weekend so I can give it to her and have a play (ooh I say!)

:cough: The camera man, the camera!