I would like a new camera, not necessarily a DSLR though as i am open to suggestions.
I want, in no particular order, just as they come to mind, a good long zoom range, very good quality photos, not interested in video mode as i never use it, not expensive to keep up with as in the add on lenses etc, easy to use, lightweight, an improvement on my panny fz38, very quick to take shots, a good all rounder and things i cannot think of at the moment, lol.
I like to (try) to take wildlife so quick is important, not too many bells and whistles as i don't use them.
What is your suggestion and why? I am still looking at all kinds of cameras and did think a DSLR would be good and even asked about them too but maybe i am missing something by being narrow minded on a DSLR which i am going off due to expense so a mid range priced camera.
There are way to many on the market now and while it ends up being personal preference expert guidance is greatly appreciated and there are so many experts here i decided to ask - well i was told i could ask anything, lol.
Sounds very like the car I want: a large 4x4 which fits inside my tiny garage, a sporty two-seater with room for all the family and their luggage, very cheap and extremely luxurious, it says "look at me" without attracting attention and is very fast but won't set off speed cameras.......
But there is a big difference between the camera i want and your tiny garage. lol.
Quote from: eysha on May 18, 2012, 10:09:53 PM
But there is a big difference between the camera i want and your tiny garage. lol.
You mean you want a large camera. :P
Quote from: eysha on May 18, 2012, 10:09:53 PM
But there is a big difference between the camera i want and your tiny garage. lol.
But very little in the disparate dichotomies of the characteristics you are looking for. What Simon is saying (rather eloquently, I thought) is that your requirements are rather unachievable - neither fish nor fowl as it were.
Is it Groundhog Day? :)
Eysha have a look at the compact camera systems, they should give you most of what you want but you will have to have video.
On a bridge the Fuji X-S1er looks the pick of the bunch but costs as much as a lower end dslr
TBH jinky I'm thinking about saving up for one of those - they seem quite an attractive proposition - apart from the price :)
But then I have just discovered that the EXR function of the HS20 can be 'forced' in P,S,A and M modes, so I am investigating how well that works.
ABERS and R, am i boring you? My apologies if i am but remember you both seem to have the camera you want and i am still looking. I was told i could ask questions and you don't have to read my posts. lol. :)
Perhaps if i change the question without starting a new thread. ::)
WHAT SHOULD I LOOK FOR/ WHAT ARE THE MAIN FEATURES TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUY A CAMERA? ;)
(not shouting, just making this a new heading so i know what i am doing when i go to buy a camera. It has to last forever so i cannot afford to make a mistake lol.) :)
Hope the change of title is better R and Abbers.
Hinfrance - what does this mean? 'But then I have just discovered that the EXR function of the HS20 can be 'forced' in P,S,A and M modes, so I am investigating how well that works.'
Thanks for reading folks. All help welcome.
Hi Eyesha, I have a fuji s200exr which is decent, but it's getting on for a couple of years old now. Had no trouble with it though. My first camera was a Fuji s9600, had that out in all weathers before I had to put it in for it's first repair after 4yrs of constant use (usb port became detached inside the body and shorted out the main power board). If you don't want to venture into fully fledged DSLR, then Fuji's are robust and reliable. They also are more geared toward the bridge market, so you might find one thats more suited to your needs.
I am looking toward the DSLRs' for my next venture, just purely because I've found myself in situations where I couldn't get a decent shot because my fixed lens wasn't up to the job. For example, I was trying to photograph Tornado Fighter jets doing aerial manouevres, but I couldn't achieve a fast enough shutter speed/focus to capture them sharp. Also birdlife when trying to capture them in mid flight.
Thanks Highlandscenic, i appreciate your time on this and i have the same problem in a slow camera trying to capture fast moving wildlife etc so i understand why you want a DSLR. I am sure you understand whey i do too now, lol. If you find anything goo please let me know - thanks. E.
So a DSLR it is going to be after all! Glad that is settled.
A DSLR will give the most options
And an almost endless supply of 'add ons.'
You can go as far as your aspiration, skill and purse will let you.
But it will always be the photographer who will make the picture.
I get what you are saying R, obviously no confidence in me.
Now how do i close this thread and leave?
Sorry Eysha, I think it is you who doesn't have confidence in yourself.
You're relying too much on what other people think and like. And even the top photographers, do not see eye to eye, as to which camera is best.
Earlier in the thread, Hinfrance gave the the best possible advice, when he said you should go out and get to know your camera's inside out. Go out and take photographs. Adjust your viewfinder so it suits your eyesight, and if that does not work, rely on autofocus, which you can see on screen.
A photographer friend of mine, always carries a Panasonic point and shoot camera, so if he comes across something worthwhile, and does not have his DSLR (a Nikon in his case) with him, he can take photographs. Some of his best shots, were taken with the point and shoot.
It is not the camera that makes the shot, it's the photographer.
You're a painter, so you have a trained eye. All you have to do is go out and take photographs. Hundreds of them. From different angles. That's what I do. And I'm not there yet, not by a long way.
Start with simple things, forget about birds in flight, till you know what you and your camera are doing. Aim for perfection, but don't be disappointed if it does not work out immediately. Study your photos, and go back to take them again, if you recognise they would be better from a different angle.
I suppose it is like painting, the more you practise and look at your work with a critical eye, the better you get.
Now take your camera for a walk and shoot everything and everyone in sight!
Good luck!
(And you don't have to close the thread, it will simply sink into the morass of old threads.)
Hi Eysha.
Can I suggest that you take note of whay Reinardina just said. One of the most sensible things I've heard in a long time.
Graham. :tup:
Quote from: eysha on May 20, 2012, 10:05:14 AM
I get what you are saying R, obviously no confidence in me.
Now how do i close this thread and leave?
R isn`t having a go there - it`s something she and others often say about not getting hung up on equipment and getting the most out of what you have before moving on , especially if money is an issue. I used my Nikon D80 for 4/5 years ( and still do for some of my sports events work making use of the crop factor and just saving wear on my D700. I moved to the D700 because I wanted a better dynamic range and full farme to make best use of my fast lenses etc. Whilst I can dream of a D800 I will probably use my D700 for a few more years until I know it and it`s performance inside out and feel I have outgrown it. Before that D80 I had a bridge camera I used for 3 years until I needed faster focusing and faster lenses / with greater capacity for shooting wide open at f2.8 and better.