Simple enjoyment with a small sensor bridge camera.

[Crotal Bell]

On Saturday I ventured out with my humble little Panasonic FZ82 bridge camera.

I don't take this camera out enough. Sometimes I think I take this whole photography business a bit too serious, always wanting to capture a bird in flight or get the best image I possibly can, and sometimes I think I should just relax and have a bit more fun.

That is exactly what I did. I used the zoom and the back screen to capture a few scenes and then took it all home and had a look through and picked a few that pleased my eye.

As is often the case with these sort of things, I preferred them in black and white. There is nothing here that's going to win any awards or get a pat on my back for photographic excellence, but that was never really the point.

It was walking and snapping just for the sheer pleasure of it, and in the aperture priority mode I think this little camera did not do a bad job on a very dull day.

I will certainly be doing this a lot more often in future. They have not transferred as sharp and clean as they appear on my laptop, but all the same, here are my humble results.

 

[ancient_mariner]

Is it the small size of the camera that you enjoyed, or just not having to think about settings? Looking at these on the phone, there's nothing about them that tells me they were shot with a particular camera and lens combo, and you could probably get the same pictures with any camera plus moderate zoom lens in P or A mode.

But great that you could enjoy taking them. Is there a way you can transfer this level of enjoyment into more of your usual photography?

 

[swanseamale47]

I often do the same. Theres something about freeing yourself from a backpack full of heavy gear, and the freedom and simplicity of a small camera that lets you focus (pun intended) on taking pictures.
Nice shots.

 

[Crotal Bell]

Is it the small size of the camera that you enjoyed, or just not having to think about settings? Looking at these on the phone, there's nothing about them that tells me they were shot with a particular camera and lens combo, and you could probably get the same pictures with any camera plus moderate zoom lens in P or A mode.

But great that you could enjoy taking them. Is there a way you can transfer this level of enjoyment into more of your usual photography?

It's not really a small camera Toni, it has a long zoom range so quite chunky and needs a small bag.

It's more a case of just enjoying it for what it is, a Jack of all trades without the need to take a couple of lenses, and without getting bogged down mentally with all the effort to take the more serious approach.

 

[Crotal Bell]

I often do the same. Theres something about freeing yourself from a backpack full of heavy gear, and the freedom and simplicity of a small camera that lets you focus (pun intended) on taking pictures.
Nice shots.

Maybe it's the fact that we are just strolling around with no serious purpose in mind, making it easier just to relax and look around, take shots and have fun without being on a mission, so to speak.

I really like a lot of the images you capture with your Panasonic compact, so I can certainly see why you like it too.

 

[ancient_mariner]

It's not really a small camera Toni, it has a long zoom range so quite chunky and needs a small bag.

It's more a case of just enjoying it for what it is, a Jack of all trades without the need to take a couple of lenses, and without getting bogged down mentally with all the effort to take the more serious approach.

FWIW I very rarely go out purposely to take pictures, but rather just grab shots as I see them appear while we're out walking or visiting some places.

 

[Nod]

Having spent years toting a bag full of lenses and bodies around, I'm weaning myself down to "just" a decent bridge camera. If/when we go somewhere new on holiday, I MIGHT revert to the big bag but would almost certainly be happy with the results from the bridge. I even just take a compact sometimes...

 

[G.K.Jnr.]

Sometimes I think I take this whole photography business a bit too serious, get the best image I possibly can, and sometimes I think I should just relax and have a bit more fun.

to that Keith, I couldn't agree with you more.

 

[AndrewFlannigan]

I am an unqualified supporter of small cameras.

With any of the tiny travel zoom cameras in my pocket, I'm ready for just about anything...

 

[Crotal Bell]

Having spent years toting a bag full of lenses and bodies around, I'm weaning myself down to "just" a decent bridge camera. If/when we go somewhere new on holiday, I MIGHT revert to the big bag but would almost certainly be happy with the results from the bridge. I even just take a compact sometimes...

Well TBH it's only ever been a couple of bodies and a couple of lenses in M4/3 for me, but nevertheless, it still changes my outlook when I take out the bridge camera. The tiny sensor is very limiting on dull days but ironically that can be a good thing. Not creeping around looking for wildlife and trying to capture a "special" moment. Just strolling about taking "pics"

 

[Raincloud]

I had to stop using a bridge camera as it was seriously affecting my health!

Every time i went out with it people would walk over me!

 

[AndrewFlannigan]

By the way, I wouldn't want anyone to think I'm denigrating the FZ82.

Mine gets a lot of use; that very long lens is well worth the extra weight and size...

 

[Clive K]

Every now and then I used to go out for the day with just a simple camera and see what I could do with it. Sometimes it was a Rank-Mamiya rangefinder that was a fiver from Cash Convertors or an Olympus XA pocket compact, an Agfa folder or a pre WW2 Contax II. When we went abroad on holiday I often just took the XA, mini tripod and flash. It was refreshing to make the most of the techniques under the restrictions of the equipment.

Last time we went away I took a 'Jack of All Trades' digital bridge camera, but when we go off next week I will only take my Olympus XA outfit, just like old times.

 

[AndrewFlannigan]

I will only take my Olympus XA outfit, just like old times.

In my film days, the least conspicuous camera I owned was the Rollei B35, which went everywhere with me. Absolutely nobody noticed it...



Of course, some people were too busy to look out for photographers...

 

[Crotal Bell]

Every now and then I used to go out for the day with just a simple camera and see what I could do with it. Sometimes it was a Rank-Mamiya rangefinder that was a fiver from Cash Convertors or an Olympus XA pocket compact, an Agfa folder or a pre WW2 Contax II. When we went abroad on holiday I often just took the XA, mini tripod and flash. It was refreshing to make the most of the techniques under the restrictions of the equipment.

Last time we went away I took a 'Jack of All Trades' digital bridge camera, but when we go off next week I will only take my Olympus XA outfit, just like old times.

Nice feedback

 

[Crotal Bell]

In my film days, the least conspicuous camera I owned was the Rollei B35, which went everywhere with me. Absolutely nobody noticed it...

View attachment 444600

Of course, some people were too busy to look out for photographers...

View attachment 444601

Love the first one

 

[vintageman]

my smallest camera is a sony cybershot 93 x 52 x 19 mm (3.66 x 2.05 x 0.75″) weight 113 g (0.25 lb / 3.99 oz) so it can go in any pocket. The only issue is that it doesn't make phone calls so I have to carry a mobile phone as well

Here's today's effort taken at 4p.m. on a cloudy day. brightened up and lens distortion corrected in PP

 

[AndrewFlannigan]

my smallest camera is a sony cybershot...

At the moment, the smallest general purpose digital camera I use is the Canon Ixus 70, which in terms of volume is reasonably close to the classic Minox B "spy camera"...



I take it everywhere in a very small belt pouch and I find it much easier to use, for illustrative images, than a phone...