Best bridge camera advice.

[Hinfrance]

As I was idly surfing last evening while Mrs H watched some girlie thing on the box, I espied a silly thing: this link is especially for jinky: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfnv9pRUJrU

Total nonsense, of course, but droll.

[Reinardina]

As I was idly surfing last evening while Mrs H watched some girlie thing on the box, I espied a silly thing: this link is especially for jinky: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfnv9pRUJrU

Total nonsense, of course, but droll.

The chap who offered me the DSLR, never came back to me, so I haven't been able to find out if I could handle one on a permanent basis.
After seeing this film, I think I'm better off with my bridge anyway! For the things I want to do.

[Hinfrance]

I sold my first bridge, a Fuji S9500, nearly 2 years ago, and there have been times when I really missed having it about the place.

Horses for courses and all that. Being 'old school' I rarely use high ISO settings, even though the K5 is really good at them. 100 up to about 400 is my comfort zone, and bridges perform perfectly well in that range.

[Reinardina]

I sold my first bridge, a Fuji S9500, nearly 2 years ago, and there have been times when I really missed having it about the place.

Horses for courses and all that. Being 'old school' I rarely use high ISO settings, even though the K5 is really good at them. 100 up to about 400 is my comfort zone, and bridges perform perfectly well in that range.

I'm even more convinced now, that I should stick to what I know! And to be honest, I don't even know my bridge that well. I'm constantly being told of, for not exploring the possibilities and for sticking to the pre- sets too often.

[jinky]

As I was idly surfing last evening while Mrs H watched some girlie thing on the box, I espied a silly thing: this link is especially for jinky: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfnv9pRUJrU

Total nonsense, of course, but droll.

Yes saw that and almost posted it last week. The way he mishandles that massive zoom almost makes me cry  .  As some of the posters on there say who don`t see the tongue in cheek nature of it it`s hardly a fair test. I`ve decided to forget about a brifdge ad carry on carrying the bag everywhere I go to get the quality I seek. Just did not like the HS20 or anything else I have played with thus far. oved on t be tempted by the ipad as you know 

[Hinfrance]

I'm getting one for the portability. And the images on the dedicated group on flickr are more than convincing considering the outlay.

For example a few recent postings:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/moldovia/6050019793/sizes/l/in/pool-1677798@N22/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/71713115@N07/6659036739/sizes/l/in/pool-1677798@N22/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tonysturn/6654119597/sizes/l/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/the_prisoner/6621679487/sizes/l/in/photostream/

I'm sure you'll have a lot of fun with the iPad.

Or you could buy a 10.1" Samsung netbook with 320gb hard drive, 10 hour battery life, a REAL keyboard, and USB and card slots built in for about £200 and spend the rest on a nice accessory for the D700 or take Mrs jinky for weekend away.

[tonysturn]

Hi,
I'm new here,  I saw your piece on bridge cameras,and thought I'd like to share my experience with the HS20.

Now in my sixties and a full time carer,I don't get out that much and tend to spend a lot of time in my garden.
I started to watch the wildlife,more and more,over the last year, and the more I watched them, the more I was fascinated by them.
I thought If I get a nice camera, then I could capture some of their antics,and give myself a hobby at the same time.
I've had a random mixture of point and shoots in the past, but wanted something a little better,this time something I could learn with and not just press a button and hope for the best.
When I saw the Fuji Finepix HS20, the idea of the manual 30x zoom , the 11/fps and 16mp tempted me,and ticked all the boxes. So ignoring all the negative reviews on the forums I bought one in July.
I've had my HS20 for about 6 months now and I have to say 'at first' I was not over impressed with it,but after trying all the various settings, and ready to accept it as just average ,I discovered the manual mode,and it was 'wow!!' one of those 'eureka moments'. now I could get the camera to see what I see, and not just some exposure compromise, like the camera sees when left in auto mode.
Ever since then I love this camera the best camera I've ever owned.luckily I've had none of the problems with overheating that some have had and the focusing is just fine to me (wish it was quicker sometimes,but what can you do).
I think the 30x barrel zoom is just so powerful and versatile, and I've had some very sharp images even at full zoom.
If you're considering getting this camera,just remember it's 'not a point and shoot',it's a bridge camera,'a camera to learn on'.Take your time to get to know all the settings so that you will be the one in control of it,not the camera deciding what it thinks is best.Then you will be excited and amazed at what it's capable of like I still am..
Take a look at my Flickr stream
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tonysturn/sets/72157627438645162/

Tony ..

[Oldboy]

Hi Tony and welcome. 

Like most cameras, the more you explore it, the better your pictures become. Always love the colours produced by  Fuji. Cracking shot and focus spot on. 

[greypoint]

Yes - Fuji colours are wonderful - such a shame they gave up on DSLRs. Congrats on the pictures - some stunners there. 

[Hinfrance]

Welcome Tony.

You'll have to give me some tips, like your recommended settings to get such great results.  I will be sticking to my K5 most of the time, but I will go mad with the HS20 when it arrives to get used to it. The huge zoom range means that even I might manage to get close enough to some wildlife to actually photograph it.

Are you working on the basis that the HS20 is an 8mp camera that can sometimes be used at 16mp?

[tonysturn]

Thanks for the welcome guys,
and your kind words on my pics, I always use 8mp,and never turn it off manual now.
I love the versatility of the HS20 ,but I must say like many others I am eagerly waiting for the X-S1.
If it lives up to the expectations it should be really something special ..

[Graham]

Hi Tony.
               Just been for a sniff around your flikr pages, just goes to show that you don't have to travel far to get some funky foto's.
                               Graham.

[tonysturn]

Thanks Graham,
yes all my pics except 1 were taken in my garden, but I am rapidly (or already have) running out of subject matter.
If only it would snow ..

[Mick]

If only it would snow ..

Nope, don't want to see any of that white stuff.   

Hi Tony, and welcome to CC.  Great pics on your Flickr.   

[Oldboy]

If only it would snow ..

Nope, don't want to see any of that white stuff.   

Hi Tony, and welcome to CC.  Great pics on your Flickr.   

Oh yes we do and lots of it.