BRIDGE / HYBRID ADVICE

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Gai

Gai

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Gai
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Just joined talk photography as I am now getting back into photography. I used to do a fair bit about 25 years ago and used a Cannon EOS 35mm film camera. The "family" camera is a compact Panasonic Lumix FX12 and I have produced some fairly decent shots but am begining to get frustrated as there is no aperture or shutter priority settings. Unfortunately I simply cannot afford to get a new DSLR so I am looking at the bridge camera's now available. The Panasonic Lumix FZ28 caught my eye but I am so new to this and there is so much out there. Has anybody used the FZ28? Would they recommend it or is there another one I should be looking at? My budget is £250 tops. All advice very gratefully received.
 
Well, I started on my photography journey with the previous model the FZ18 and whilst it was flexible and capable, I quickly concluded that it was too bulky to be pocketable yet the controls were sufficiently small to be quite fiddly in use. Whilst I'm very happy with full sized DSLRs I've also grabbed a Panasonic LX3 compact which is highly pocketable but again doesn't feel like a camera and I'm not sure I'm getting enough use from it.
I wouldn't entertain another bridge camera but my son swears by his fuji S7000 something-or-other.
My advice would be to think through exactly how much you want to carry around with you.
 
Snap_Happy said:
I'd second that - if you want a bit more assurance when buying, you could look at someone like LCE?

That link is for a £230 350D - no idea what that is like as a price [prolly bloody steep :D]
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If you're suggesting that LCE prices might be "prolly bloody steep" I think I'd be inclined to agree. Window shopping in Cheltenham last week I was stunned to see a couple of Canon 1D MkII bodies at around the £1000 figure and as I was carrying just such a thing with me it fair put my wife off doing any clothes shopping.:thumbsdown:

Once inside I overheard the earnest young salesman doing his best to persuade a young lady that it was just the body she needed for "baby portraits and stuff", that or the "S model madam, but it's more expensive". A 1D body - just the thing for a young lady's hands:bang:
 
My 2p - Im not a technophobe, I never really got to grips with my Sony superzoom. I had to carry the manual so I could use the thing. I've recently bough a 2nd hand Sony DSLR, & it's much more like my old 35mm SLR, & consequently easier & more intuitive to use. The only issue is carrying a bulkier camera around, but the bridge was still to big to 'slip' into a pocket, just not as heavy.
 
:):)Thanks everyone. I do understand why serious photographers would want the best but I think I would quickly want more lenses etc for a DSLR and I really can't afford it. I have actually bought a FX38 today - camera, memory card and posh bag for less than £290 at Curry's. The controls are similar to the comact I have been using and I think I will find my way around them quite quickly. Will be trying it out tomorrow in simple mode, so I hope the weather is better than it was today!

G
 
Gai said:
:):)Thanks everyone. I do understand why serious photographers would want the best but I think I would quickly want more lenses etc for a DSLR and I really can't afford it. I have actually bought a FX38 today - camera, memory card and posh bag for less than £290 at Curry's. The controls are similar to the comact I have been using and I think I will find my way around them quite quickly. Will be trying it out tomorrow in simple mode, so I hope the weather is better than it was today!

G
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Perhaps too late to say, but I could have bought a proper dSLR on ebay for £200 that will still cost £200 a year later. I guess horses for courses. Good luck with fx38.
 
I did consider looking at second hand DSLRs but I'm really not that confident that I would know what to look for - and find a proper "bargain". I am a bit too impatient sometimes as well. Also, I don't really consider the investment side of things as too important for a hobby but I guess that's how you upgrade as you get better.

G
 
Thanks for the encouragement Snap Happy - I did manage to play a bit today - not sure I've got anything good enough to put up for you all to see yet but did a get few nice flower close-ups with much better dof than ever before (although not as good as most on here!) And a lovely shot of our new foal! I'm trying not to have to adjust too much in post production if I can help it - I'm not really ready for that yet! Which forum do I post my piccy's and how do I do it?

G
 
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