DIGITAL CAMERAS

wini · Post by **wini** » Sat Aug 18, 2007 5:04 am

I have never had one before but need to get one.
I have read so many reviews etc. my heed is birlin'.
What do you have?
I have gathered that I need an SLR, ZOOM, 8-10 MEGAPIXELS.IMAGE STABILISER.
I really want to photograph some birds that are down on our creek just now.
Is dearest best? Or is that an overkill.

Hope someone has some good advice.

WINI

Post by **AndrewP** » Sat Aug 18, 2007 5:19 am

Hi Wini,

The specification that you give is likely to be a very good camera, but is also likely to be expensive. For bird photography, you will need to be quite distant from the subject, so the zoom will be one of the most important functions ofthe camera if the bird is not going to be too small to be recognisable in the picture.

My suggestion is that you should go to a traditional camera shop rather than an electrical/electronics/computer shop. The camera shop people shouild be able to let you try some of the cameras in their shop (usually looking out the shop window). Such testing is often not so easy in the electronics supermarket environment. In the camera shop, upon testing a camera, zoom in on a small subject (there may not be an obliging bird) at a distance that you think you would be from the birds you wish to photograph. See if you are able to zzom in and focus on the subject.

Whether you buy the camera fom that shop, or take note of camera model numbers that are suitable and see if you can then buy it elsewhere at a better price is up to you.

In general, optical zoom will be better quality than digital (electronic zoom). Again, ask for that to be demonstrated in the camera shop.

Dearest should be best, but is likely to be overkill.

All the best,

AndrewP

wini · Post by **wini** » Sat Aug 18, 2007 6:06 am

That sounds like good advice Andrew but unfortunately my nearest Camera shop is 400kms. away.
Although we do go there on a reasonably regular basis it is a bit too far just to pop into.
I will give them a ring as I am sure they will be more helpful than the large electrical stores and see what advice they can give.
I think there is more chance of them giving an honest assessment.

Thanks again

wini

StewL · Post by **StewL** » Sat Aug 18, 2007 9:22 am

Hi Wini

Having been very much into photography (pre-digital) and no not box brownie or glass negatives

. Andrew is correct in suggesting you contact a dedicated camera shop as they are more likely to be able to give you the advice you need. For bird photography a long zoom at least 200mm is what you should be looking at, though not mirror lenses as they tend to give a donut effect.

Russell · Post by **Russell** » Sat Aug 18, 2007 10:21 am

Hi Wini

Some of the better (ie more expensive) digital cameras have zoom lenses which can be attached as needed. Gives them a lot more scope for other aspects of photography.

I could never take a decent photograph with a film camera but now can with the digital.

Russell

Currie · Post by **Currie** » Sat Aug 18, 2007 4:30 pm

Hello Wini,

An SLR with a high megapixel count and interchangeable lenses as suggested by Andrew, Stewie and Russell is the way to go for wildlife photography, if you can afford the high price.

As mentioned by Andrew, digital zoom doesn't add any more detail to your photographs, it's just software manipulation, will hardly ever be needed for high resolution cameras and such a thing is better done later in Photoshop or similar.

You will, however, have to think about the weight of such an outfit and the way in which you are going to hold it steady i.e. by tripod or some other means. As you would know, even the slightest camera movement while using a high magnification lens is magnified by the same amount.

If this is to be your only camera and if most of your photography is to be of the snapshot variety you could end up wishing you had bought a compact lightweight camera like everyone else. There are many people who have purchased heavy, expensive, high megapixel, digital and other cameras with all the extra lenses and equipment who put them aside and never use them.

These types of cameras are for serious photographers and you probably need to think things over and decide if you are one before making such an expensive purchase.

Hope this helps,
Alan

StewL · Post by **StewL** » Sun Aug 19, 2007 1:35 am

Hello again Wini

Alan is correct, the type of equipment mentioned is at the higher end of the price scale. I should have mentioned this before, but I was distracted by other camera equipment I used to have (medium format) before a bout of near poverty forced me to sell them all

If you are serious about bird photography then it is worth it, but if it is only for a couple of snaps then it can be expensive.

wini · Post by **wini** » Sun Aug 19, 2007 2:24 am

Thank you all for advice.
I had a chat with the camera shop this morning and they were very helpful.
I have an appointment with the eye specialist in a couple of weeks, so will go in then and have a try.

Maybe if I can ever take a decent photograph I will send you all a copy.

wini