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ok, sure he gets the alpha, but is then stuck with a sucky zoom compared to say a fujifilm, unless he outlays at least another 200 on top of the nearly 300 he's just spent on camera and memory cards
i've shot a 70,000 advertising campaign on a Fujifilm 6900
Nonsense, something acceptable going out to 300 can be found under £100. Personally I don't have a lens over 135...Quote:
Originally Posted by Bobster
The first shot I ever got in a gallery I shot on a point and shoot, but there's no way I'd try to champion one of them over a an entry level DSLR in terms of flexibility. I was constrained by the camera - blazing sunlight, infinite DoF. If I'd have wanted to do something else I wouldn't be saying that.
Anyway, since lazer still hasn't told us why he wants a 'bridge camera', here's a run-down of the pros and cons of that Alpha (or pretty much any entry level DSLR):
Very nice sensor, so decent control over depth of field and acceptable performance up to ISO 1600/3200 depending on the use which will help massively in the dark. Really quite decent central autofocus point will help on moving subjects. Accepts a huge range of lenses, flashes and other accessories, allowing you in time to tailor your camera system to shoot pretty much anything you want. Very decent first little lens, with a wide-short telephoto range.
On the downside, it's a lot bigger than the Panasonic, it's really something you'll want to buy a seperate bag for, but could just about fit in a large jacket pocket. No zoom at the long end - that's gonna cost you another £80 minimum. No video mode. Those accessories don't come cheap once you've moved past the basics.
Same question - is that what you want?
I was told to go for a Bridge camera as that is the inbetween of a compact and a DSLR. I really thought that DSLR was way out of my budget range.
I want to use a camera for all aspects of photography and at the moment i have an old 4mb canon!! It takes nice pics but i want to get a better camera with more control.
What is your budget?
If you don't mind using some old second hand glass that is manual, you can have a hell of lot of fun with a DSLR!
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ38 has some great reviews. Some say it is the next best thing before a DSLR. Would you agree guys? Is it worth the money?
I guess going DSLR means a lot more money due to camera, lens etc etc!
For the sixth(?) time, what is your budget range then?Quote:
Originally Posted by lazer
Covering all aspects of photography is impossible without a nearly limitless budget I'm afraid. But I suspect you don't really mean all aspects. Care to narrow it down a little? Portraits, landscapes, night time, gigs, indoors, astronomy, macro, day sports, night sports, underwater, etc?Quote:
I want to use a camera for all aspects of photography and at the moment i have an old 4mb canon!! It takes nice pics but i want to get a better camera with more control.
Not really - there is a new category in between superzooms and DSLRs which is compact cameras with proper sensors and interchangeable lenses. However as far as fixed lens and small sensor cameras go this does look pretty good.Quote:
Originally Posted by lazer
Personally I would take a budget DSLR over this camera or simply go for a compact with full controls - I've never been too impressed with superzooms, but then I've not tried this one personally.Quote:
Is it worth the money?
What's a lot of money? You can usually get entry level kits that include all the lenses you need for most photography, and then you only need to purchase additional lenses for specialist uses. For example I bought a kit which came with a standard telephoto and a long telephoto lens, but then I purchased an ultra wide angle lens for specific uses.Quote:
I guess going DSLR means a lot more money due to camera, lens etc etc!
All in all it sounds like you want to like this panasonic - that's cool, as you're the only one who knows your budget and uses. We can't really help you much more, but if that's the camera you are leaning towards then I'm sure you'll enjoy it.
Again, to me a bridge camera merges the worst parts of a DSLR with the worst parts of a compact. I wouldn't even particularly call that Panny a bridge camera, I'd call it an advanced/superzoom compact.Quote:
Originally Posted by lazer
If you look through the thread there's loads of good advice, but you're going at this from the wrong way round - you're trying to pick the camera without really thinking what you're going to use it for. DSLRs can be crazy expensive; they don't have to be. They are always bigger than compacts though. Figure out what you want to do with the camera that you buy (how big/how 'professional'/how much/how often to be used/what kind of use (specifics - not just people/landscape/pets etc)) and you'll get your answer :)
Ok, my budget is approx £250.
I would be using the camera for family pics, holidays, general photography with nothing really specific at the moment.
I am very open to ideas from you guys. I like the thought of a DSLR with a nice kit to start off with and then add to it in the future.
Didn't realise you could get good compacts with big sensors etc.
Any advice is really appreciated. Thank you
Do you think that the Sony Alpha A230L would be the best bet then? Better than going for a bridge or a compact? Do you think it would enable me to get a lot more out of photography and also, after learning more, get me better quality pics in the future?
Or do you think i could get a better DSLR for the money, new or 2nd hand? many thanks guys and sorry for all the questions!
DMC-FZ38 still looks like a nice camera for the money! Unsure what to do!
Personally I'd probably stick with a superzoom depending on your needs.... they have plenty of manual controls but work well in auto mode, and the fairly wide angle lens and massive zoom make them useful in most situations and will hopefully whet your appetite to get into photography more in the future. Second hand resale prices are generally good too when you want to move onto a DSLR. Image quality in anything but bright daylight does leave something to be desired though.
Depends how much time and passion you have for photography right now.... speaking as someone who bought a DSLR last year I can say that it will take some time to learn how to get the most out of it, and as Bobster says, the lenses are expensive if you want your camera to be able to do various things, and also they're heavy to lug about. But the image quality is way, way, way better than a bridge camera. Personally I'd go for a Canon or Nikon as there are miles more lenses available than for a Sony, a fact which my friend constantly bemoans.
Is that comment pointed at DSLR?Quote:
Originally Posted by GSte
I'm not so keen n the newer Fuji range of bridge cameras, have had a play with a few of them at work and they don't have the same quality feel to them that my Fuji S8000 has.
The old Fuji s6500 was a good camera and can still be bought for a reasonable price! This is what i have in my mind, costs!!
Looked at a the FZ38 today and it is small and very light indeed!! Feels like a toy!
I am still undecided though.
Image quality on your average bridge camera is decent in good light, pretty poor in low light. DSLR image quality is far, far better due to the larger sensors they use.Quote:
Originally Posted by lazer
Right, ok guys, if i were to go for a 2nd hand DSLR and my budget is a max of £250, which one should i look out / go for? Thanks
Probably be able to pick up a canon 400D + kit lens second hand for that sort of money
You can get the Sony A230 for around £276 with 18-55MM standard lens from Dixons:
http://www.dixons.co.uk/gbuk/sony-al...867&xtor=AL-78
TopCashBack does 3.2% cashback on Dixon purchases too:
http://www.topcashback.co.uk/dixons/
AFAIK you don't need to pay any yearly fees for them either unlike Quidco which also do cashback from Dixons:
http://www.quidco.com/dixons
I will have a look around to see if there are any other dSLRs on offer too.