Camera advice

[esmed]

Does anyone use this camera:

http://www.comet.co.uk/shopcomet/product/421731/FUJIFILM-FINEPIX-S8000#

I want to get a bridge camera before a full DSLR so i can learn a bit first before spending huge amounts!!

So is the above any good? I'll mostly be taking shots of the tank, the garden, friends and family, holidays, the usual kind of stuff really.

[beech]

Have seen a few people using them quite nice shots.
For a few extra quid i would get a canon 350d on fleabay check out this for example
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Canon-EOS-350D-UK-Digital-Camera-in-Silver-with-Lens_W0QQitemZ120270379840QQihZ002QQcategoryZ31388 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[Aleela]

I know it is easy for people to say buy this, or buy that, BUT...........

Not knocking any of the equipment on sale, or bought by anyone, the old adage you get what you pay for....., should always be considered.

If buying anything, think
1 What am I going to use it for (I should listen to that one, bought digi cam, used only three times)
2 How much does it cost (we all know that one)
3 Will I still be using it next year (see 1)

There are probably loads more, if you are into photography, think carefully about what you want to add, you may not "learn" much with a pocket digital camera, as Peter above suggests, look on the dreaded EBay, decide the make you want, and just watch what comes on, as long as it is working, you will pick up a slightly older digital camera (sometimes new ones as well), but one that allows you "SPACE" to grow, and remember on the pocket cameras you have to take into account the eye piece and the lens do not see the same thing EXACTLY (like the old 110s &120s) they suffer from Parallax Separation (watch for lost heads)

[mad pierre]

Hi.

Ive been looking at reviews of this type of camera recently and they seem to all have a commion thread.
If you want to use the higher ISo ranges forget it as the noise/detail sacrifices are too big, however if you can manage with ISo 200 or lower than they hold up very well against the cheaper DSLR's even having better lens quality than the std kit lenses supplied withe the DSLR's.

They also remove the need for additional lenses which is a BIG plus in my view.

As for the Fuji 8000 it is given good reviews but they usually say that it is bettered by the Panasonic FZ18 in most areas.

Am looking to get one myself in the next couple of months.
I had considered a s/h Cannon EOS350D until i started reading and viewing the sample images which showed quite high levels of fringinging compared to the Panasonic or Fuji. If you have to add the cost of a better lens (and bigger telephoto) then it comes out nearly twice the price, and beyond my budjet at least.

JMO

Peter

[tontikki]

They also remove the need for additional lenses which is a BIG plus in my view.


I my view it is a BIG minus;) Anyway one can learn with any camera, still i'd get an entry level DSLR. As beech mentioned canon 350d is not much more expensive, and in order to learn you don't need the variety of lenses as you'll most likely get the kit lens with the camera.

[mad pierre]

I my view it is a BIG minus;) Anyway one can learn with any camera, still i'd get an entry level DSLR. As beech mentioned canon 350d is not much more expensive, and in order to learn you don't need the variety of lenses as you'll most likely get the kit lens with the camera.

Most of the reviews and samples ive seen show the kit lens supplied both with the Cannon and the Nikon are inferior in quality to the bridge cameras, particularly the Panasonic FZ18, which also have a much bigger range.

As far as additional lenses being a negative, I would often carry a bridge camera with me whenever I go out, but if it needed additional lenses etc then it would be more likely to be left at home unless I was specifically going out to take pictures. But thats just me and obviously different people have different priorities.
I accept a DSLR can be more versatile, and the performance at higher ISO is better, but unless you are into photography for photographys sake, IMOHO, the bridge cameras cant be beaten for quality/versatility at anywhere near the price. To replicate the zoom power of a bridge camera with a DSLR, even an entry level one like the cannon 350, is much more expensive.

Regards

Peter

[davethefish]

if you just want a general camera, and to take a few shots of your tank, then it would probably be ok.
but i have a little cheap canon ixus for snap shots, as anything bigger is pain to carry around. when your out socialising ect...

if you want to learn how to use a DSLR, imo the only way is to buy a DSLR.
only reason i had so called bridge or prosumer cameras,
was because at the time DSLR's were over £1000 for the body alone.

even the older DSLR's take good shots such as my old canon 10D or a 300D
and they can be bought relatively cheaply now.

you pay for what you get, fix lens cameras costing more than a single DSLR lens alone, are not going to compete imagewise. forget kit lenses as most are dire, and just thrown in cheap to get you to buy the body.
but if you not after top notch images, a fixed lens will be fine.
and for the money are very good value.

here are some good points on 'digital photography review'

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1002&message=28253528