Compact vs DSLR - what lens?

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lizB

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Hi I would really appreciate some help! I have been using the Panasonic DMC FZ7 (12 x zoom)since 2006 and have been really delighted with the images I have captured, but am wanting to get better quality photos, in particular, African wildlife. So I thought the natural thing to do would be to upgrade to a DSLR and have been considering the Canon 550D or a Panasonic G3 as its lighter. With regards lenses for wildlife - have been advised by a shop to go for the 18-200 IS lens and by a guide at one of the lodges to get a minimum of a 300mm lens with IS.

I am a novice and have not got my head round all the technicalities of photography and whilst researching as much as I can before buying anything new, I am now totally confused with the plethora of equipment and jargon! For example, what is the difference between these two lenses listed below, other than the white one costs 3 x as much! Part of me is saying just go for a new bridge camera (like the Panasonic DMC FZ150) as I am not sure I can get used to using a DSLR by February (my next trip to the bush) and does the end result justify the spend? I would be most grateful for tips on lenses for wildlife so I can seriously consider what I should do!

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM Lens (White)
 
The "L" signifies Canon's "luxury" range. These lenses are often better built, have better hi-tec glass in them and may be weather sealed (depending upon the lens) and of course they are much more expensive.

I have the 70-300mm (non L) and it's a decent enough lens IMVHO although the USM isn't of the latest type and doesn't allow manual adjustment in auto focus mode as the newer USM lenses do. Another possible annoyance is that the front of the lens rotates. Other than that the IS seems to me to be adequate even if it does grumble a bit, I find that optically it's good enough for me too.

The G3 seems to be getting very good reviews so could well be worth thinking about as a lightweight alternative to a DSLR+lens. Either way, I think you'll get much better results from these cameras than from a bridge, especially as the light falls and the ISO rises.
 
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The 10x zooms (18-200) type range tend to be compromises as they have such a focal range to cover. If you're thinking ofd 70-300, I'd complement it with something like the 15-85 (as opposed to the 17-85). 2 lenses and you'd be sorted without a huge overlap of focal ranges.
 
Thanks Alan ... so I definitely will not be needing the 'L' type lens! I will reconsider the G3 as I think the Leica lens has been the reason I get such sharp images with my FZ7. Although I did hold the 550D today and it felt good. Thanks very much for your help. I am guessing you think the 300mm would be a wiser buy than 200mm as suggested by the shop for wildlife?
 
Thank you Andy, that's really helpful info - I really appreciate your advice. Seems I need to take a deep breath and decide how badly I want better quality images and bite the bullet! Thank you.
 
lizB said:
I am guessing you think the 300mm would be a wiser buy than 200mm as suggested by the shop for wildlife?
Click to expand...

I think that with wildlife any additional zoom is probably a good thing so that you are more likely to get somewhere near the framing you want without getting too close.
 
I would get yourself down to your local camera shop and play with a few other makes. There is likely to be one that feels more intuitive than the others. It could well be the Canon, especially as you like what you've seen so far, but best to check out others as well. After all, a Safari holiday is likely to be a once in a lifetime experience and you'll want to come away with some nice photos rather than getting bogged down with not finding the right buttons or settings.
 
The G3 is an excellent little camera, and the panasonic 100-300mm lens is also reputed to be rather good.
 
Recent article here from DPReview about gearing up for safari. It's depressing reading for those on a budget, but falls pretty much in line with previous threads on here http://www.dpreview.com/articles/8065882473/gearing-up-for-an-african-safari

My advice would be get the best DSLR you can afford, then hire a lens for the trip - like a Canon 100-400L, £70 a week from our Stewart (regular poster on here) at Lenses For Hire http://www.lensesforhire.co.uk/canon-ef-100-400mm-f45-56-l-is-usm-11-p.asp
 
I keep thinking back to the Sigma 28-300mm I had a few years ago. It wasn't a very well regarded lens but I used mine as a holiday lens and I got some good results with it. Thinking back to that I think that I'd possibly take a superzoom if I was going on safari as I don't think that I'd want to start faffing about changing lenses.

I think I'd take a DSLR + superzoom and one of my MFT with a fast prime for walkabout stuff and low light.

That's just me though :D
 
I'd really like to have a go with the Canon 28-300 L lens and see how much better it is than the Tamron 28-300 I used to have. The IQ on the Tamron wasn't bad but was soft at either end. Unfortunately, I've since sold it, before taking my UV filters off all my lenses. Since then the IQ of all of my lenses has improved a lot and I'm wondering what the IQ of the Tamron would be without the filter.
 
Thanks Richard the Sane - I think the G3 may well be a contender!

Thanks also to Richard (Hoppy) for the article on what equipment to take on safari!! WOW I think that is for very serious or professional photographers. I go back to SA often (its home) and have to confess that as a novice I have taken some very pleasing photos with my bridge camera - you get so close to the animals in the private reserves you don't need a lens as long as your arm. I would like to get better quality photos, and probably will do as you suggest, buy a DSLR or micro camera and hire a lens in SA. I really appreciate your help and suggestions.

Thanks everyone you've really helped tremendously, and I have come to the conclusion that I will need to go the DSLR/micro route as opposed to upgrading to latest bridge camera. Sincere thanks :cool::love:
 
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