Please help me :(

Fireproof Creative

Fireproof Creative

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Jonny
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Hi, first of all im new here so thanks in advance for any help you folks can offer me.

Ive been using a P&S Canon S3is for about 3 years now and am keen to upgrade, im serious about motorsport photography and feel ive just about squeezed every last drop out of my current camera. Heres the problem im looking at Bridge cameras, as there is no way on gods earth I can afford what I need in DSLR equivalent.

Im pretty much settled on the panny fz28... I'd like to know if any one has experience using this camera for motorsport photography. I know most of you are thinking DSLR is the only way but I think im pretty good at dragging decent photos out of substandard equipment

see my gallery below for a selection of images that came kicking and screaming out of the s3is most of them from behind the fence

http://www.aspect-digital.co.uk/Gallery_MotorsportPhoto.html

what id like to know is 1. will the pany give me better scope for decent enlargments im talking A3 possibly A2 with a bit of processing 2. how well does it cope with motion at the telephoto end (ive had so many headaches with the s3 & noise that dosnt exist in static shots but horrifys me when im panning fast)3.what the image quality's like at full res for this sort of photography compared to what I already have.

I guess im pretty much a noob when it comes to the technical side of photography so lehmans response would be greatly appreciated... dont get me wrong im not an idiot, I just spend more time using the camera than actually revising & researching the spec sheets.

If any one can help me with this I'd really appreciate it, (plus if you fancy giving me feedback on the gallery that would be a bonus) cheers much
 
Your photos look very good.

Could you look at a second hand entry level DSLR or try and negotiate a deal with a retailer to get one with tele kit lens instead of the usual wide angle?

Spending that sort of money on a bridge when you could have an SLR for not much more and then build on it later seems such a shame.
 
If you are "serious about motorsport photography" then you need to think about a DSLR, and I don't believe you have to spend £600 to do it, especially if you buy used from somewhere like the For Sale forum here.

Compacts and bridge cameras are very good at general walkabout picture taking, but long lens action is something they were never designed for. The fact that they do it at all is quite remarkable, but you are already pushing it right to the limit (your link is down, so I'm assuming that much).

On the other hand, this sort of photography is right up a DSLR's street, with maybe a 70-300mm zoom for starters. There is just miles more scope. The sooner you bite the bullet and get on the DSLR ladder the happier you will be long term.

I would think seriously about it. You will find plenty of willing help here.

And welcome to TP :)
 
Graphix501 said:
I can get the bridge for £200, theres no reasonable way to get even a second hand DSLR for less than £600 with a lens that can get me past the wire. Granted id like to move up to one eventually but for now its an impractical financial disaster waiting to happen plus. I'd need a bigger bag :)
Click to expand...

I think you'd be surprised at what you can get for £200 or so in the way of dslrs and lenses.

The likes of the Nikon D100, Canon 20D/30D etc, "old" though they are will beat a bridge camera hands down when it comes to image quality and can be had for the same sort of money. Plus you'll be in a better position to upgrade your kit piece by piece as and when funds allow with one of those than you will with a bridge.
 
As already said, you would be amazed at the kit you could buy for your £200 if you are prepared to shop around and go for older dslr kit. I can't see your pics, the link is no longer working, but I started in motorsport with a kodak p&s and then moved to a fuji bridge camera because like you, digital dslr was very much out of reach - a lot more than than it is now because there was basically no s/h kit really available - so I can say that yes, a bridge camera will serve you well enough, especially when compared with your p&s, but have a look around first and check whether its really a sensible use of your money in the longer run. Either way, good luck :thumbs:
 
I went from bridge to DSLR, although I managed some great results and loved my bridge camera at the time now I have a DSLR my results have improved instantly. Looking back at my bridge these are the biggest problems.

ElectronicViewFinder :razz:
Electronic zoom :razz:
poor ISO performance over 200 :razz:

You may struggle a little with a budget of £200
 
Excuse the links.. should be back up now (exceeded bandwith for last month)... ive looked at the canon 30d, i would dearly like one however ive not seen any in a price bracket approaching £200 i shall check out the for sale section here but with a lens on top i dont see it happening...if any ones got a spare...lol ill take it off your hands ;) if any one can point me in the direction of one of these aledged bargins i would be most grateful.

**just for the record the canon s3is i already own is a P&S bridge camera, so I was just wondering if it was a step up or not in terms of image quality.. but i understand your point, if such kit is available to me at the price id jump at it.
 
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