camera geeks please

[NeverSayNever]

the time has come that my beloved fuji finepix sl7000 that i have had for 8 years, to be succeeded.

What I need from a camera:

*bridge - i mainly use automatic/foolproof settings but fancy a go at manual at some point

*obv crystal sharp images, have been used the the quality of the fuji

*fast shutter speed to catch dogs/horses jumping, sports setting or similar that takes sequence shots at high speed

*good performance in low light

*BETTER video camera than my fuji, must be able to zoom while videoing and be used in low light , eg indoor school. Must also be compatable with windows movie maker.


sooooo... im thinking the lumix?but which one? hoping santa will be generous

many thanks camera geeks

 

[*hic*]

Hang on a minute, I'm just over on a camera forum asking about worming my nags . . .

 

[CarolineJ]

Have you considered one of the entry level DSLRs? For example, the Canon 1100D has an Auto setting which will make it a 'point & press' camera (though with a MUCH faster shutter response than a pocket camera), but will give you the option to go through the 'creative zone' settings (choose whether you're taking a person, a landscape, a macro, sports etc.), then to setting aperture or exposure yourself and finally to fully manual if you're brave! You'll also have a HUGE range of lenses to choose from and it'll record HD video as well.

 

[penelopeh]

Hi,
I'm not a camera geek but more of a set to auto, press the button and hope the camera does everything for me. I've just got a new Fuji bridge and I'm pleased with it. If your camera is 8 yrs old it might be worth having a look as alot of the features will be familiar so will make learning to use it easier plus there will be loads of new twiddly bits. I picked this camera for the x 30 zoom as I'm lucky enough to have Olympic tkts and want to make sure I can snap all the action regardless of where I'm sitting. I've tried the zoom, night pics (totally amazing and looks likedaylight) and the continuous mode. I'm not sure how many it takes in one go but maybe 40 or perhaps 60 so ideal for sports. I only learnt how to use this yesterday so as yet I haven't tried it for real yet.

Please PM me is you want to know anything else and hope you find a good camera,

Px

 

[moana]

I have one of the Lumix Bridge cameras, really really pleased with it

 

[spike123]

Hubby is fairly new to photography. He brought a Canon EOS 350D and it is great. He has managed to get some really great shots of my horse through every frame going to over and away from jumps. They can be used on automatic or manual settings and popular cameras even with the pro photographers although they use a higher spec version such as the Canon EOS 1D. You can pick them up at a reasonable price on ebay unless you have plenty to spend in the shops.

 

[NeverSayNever]

thank you for all the replies so far...


can anyone comment on the use in lowlight? in particular using the video setting?

 

[penelopeh]

Hi NeverSayNever,

I've only had my camera quite recently and have not used the the video at all but have taken stills of football matches at 1945 kick off. It has been pitch back and the pictures have come out like daylight if that's of any help.

Px

 

[Kaylum]

The fuji finepix hs20exr 30 x optical zoom is very good. Bought it a few months ago.

Having had a cannon dslr and finding it a pain to carry round and having had a fuji bridge before its so much easier to get good shots and has all the features including manual.

 

[Blackwijet]

if you are after something that is good in low light then you need to look at potentially spending a few extra pounds. so can you give us an idea of your budget. A lot the new "entry DSLRs" are very good but a lot will struggle with a lot of noise if you go above 1600 ISO. If you want fast shutter speed especially for an indoor arena you are going to need the high ISO and most bridge cameras will struggle with this.

So what is your budget?

 

[NeverSayNever]

if you are after something that is good in low light then you need to look at potentially spending a few extra pounds. so can you give us an idea of your budget. A lot the new "entry DSLRs" are very good but a lot will struggle with a lot of noise if you go above 1600 ISO. If you want fast shutter speed especially for an indoor arena you are going to need the high ISO and most bridge cameras will struggle with this.

So what is your budget?

thank you - could prob stretch to £400 ish, if i chum up OH

 

[Miss Moose]

I got a very decent DSLR off ebay for £500, its RRP was over £1k so I suggest looking there for a bargain. I personally have a few cameras including a canon bridge, Called a canon G9. There's a lot newer models out now but I find it a really good quality camera and it is literally pocket sized so very handy to take out and about. Think they're up to the G11 now.

 

[NeverSayNever]

what about the fuji Hs20 guys?

 

[Blackwijet]

£400 might be pushing it for a good low light DSLR but its worth visiting a site called
www.mpbphotographic.co.uk they do very good seconds and also do trade-ins. I bought my D3S from them for about £1000 less than brand new price and it was in mint conditon.
The other thing to consider is that if you buy a DSLR you need a decent lens to also help with the low light aspect - ideally a fast zoom lens with maximum or constant aperture of F2.8 as this will let in more light but again these cost more! As Miss Moose says ebay is a good source but can be risky as with anything from there.

It all depends how much indoor shooting you are planning to do as to how important the low light aspect is!

 

[Blackwijet]

what about the fuji Hs20 guys?

Sorry don't know anything about that one - but looking at some of the reviews whilst it has high ISO capability (ISO 3200 I think) they do say it is quite noisy at that end of the range but that is only one aspect of the camera.

It may be worth going to to one of the bigger camera dealers (Jessops, WEX, Camera world etc) and seeing if you can try a few different types of camera in store? compare the bridge's to the DSLRs etc, even just the feel or weight of them can make a difference.

You just need to weigh up what your main use of the camera will be and that could be the deciding factor. Don't get too hung up on megapixels. Unless you are planning on printing mahoosive poster size prints the difference between a 12 or 16 megapixel camera isn't going to have much impact on normal everyday printing (i.e up to A3) or viewing on screen.

 

[NeverSayNever]

thank you - i love my current fuji finepix and tend to leave it at 6megapixels. Basically Id want the same as I have but features to improve would be the movie quality and option to zoom while filming and being able to video and take decent pics in an indoor school. Most of my pics/vids are dogs & horses jumping although I do like to take landscapes I have no complaints as to how my current camera does with these.

 

[PapaFrita]

what about the fuji Hs20 guys?

Very, very good. Only quibble I have with it is that the zoom is manual, Low light res is excellent.