Bridge cameras!

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Pippylong

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Claire
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Hi,

I'm new here! I hope someone can help me please? I am progressing from a digtal compact to a bridge camera - I had an old Olympus10 SLR and still use it on and off, but have decided to buy a bridge camera before jumping in to a DSLR, can anyone suggest a good one? I have been looking at a Fujifilm Finepix S100fs, can anyone help out please I am truly in a quandry here and don't know what to do for the best!

many thanks,

Pip:)
 
Hi Pip and welcome to the forum :)

It sounds like you're heading towards a DSLR eventually so I'm just wondering why you're considering getting a bridge camera first?
 
I have a S5800 and it is a great camera. The only bad points of the Fuji as I know is that the pics seem to be poor in bad/low light conditions. Bridge camera's are a great choice for learning to use a camera in Manual mode and also a mid point between the P&S and DSLR.

Check out here for more info.
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=100369
 
Thee fuji site have refurb s100fs at around £300, when in stock. THere is usually some kind of discount code as well.

However, as someone who has the FUji s9600, you can pick up a DSLR for £220 - Nikon D40, and the canon 1000d is similar, as is the SOny. So it should be possible - and I don't know lenses - to get a D40 and an additional lens to give you a bit more range for your £300.

Although that is a long dark expensive path....the FUji s100fs is a good camera and will give you lots of opporrtunities for taking good photos. Yuo need to ask youself what you will use it for, if you want to lug around a bag full of kit, and buy a lens for Macro, a Zoom, a "nifty fifty" for portraits, or just take one thing with you to cover every eventuality.

ask more questions, happy to help.
 
id go for the fuji s100fs or the s2000 if you also want hd video too.
 
Hi all,

thank you very much for your comments - I have looked into buying a DSLR but feel that for what I want at the moment a bridge will do all things, as you say without lugging all the gear around! I love taking photos but do not have the time I would like and feel a DSLR will be something to work towards at a later date.

I suppose the main things I want to use it for is macro (mainly), zoom and landscape. The fuji seems to have a tidy size sensor but I am open to anything - I have a list of 4 I'm looking at right now but am open if anyone can suggest an alternative, or can comment on these:
the Fuji
Olympus 570 UZ
Nikon Coolpix P80
Panasonic DMC - FZ28

I have always, for no particular reason, had an Olympus in one form or another but feel maybe it is time to change!
 
Depends on cost, Fuji S5700/S5800, S100fS, Sony H50, Nikon P80, Panasonic FZ28 and the new Canon SX10 is/SX1 is, prices from £80-£350ish.

I'm looking into the Canon SX10 is, been reading some good reviews and seen some good pics from it. This can be had for around £220 including £30 cash back from Canon.
 
Hi Outlaw,

I don't want to spend more than £350 tops, but there are so many out there, everytime I think I have it, I read another review of something else and am in a quandry again! but I do keep coming back to the S100fs, maybe i have made my selection just want a bit of reassurance that I am making the right decision! thank you:)
 
Reason I'm looking at Canon because external flash, twisting LCD, massive zoom range, good ISO to 400. Already got a flash to use on it.
 
Pippylong,

Check out the thread that Sturs recommend, and PM some of the s100FS owners.

Outlaw, the fuji also has external flash, twisting LCD, massive zoom range, good ISO to 400. In fact ISo goes much higher, if you choose. External flash - jessops for £30, although the s100fs is about £300 for a refurb from the fuji shop.

An S9600 is still good, if you can find one, used to be £180, but amazon now doing for £220 ish.
 
Lawrie29, want to stay with Canon cos I already got a Canon DSLR and Canon flash. Had looked at the others you mention but decided against them. Read some bad things bout the S100fs a lot of CA problems with the lens, and the S9600 having soft images and these are by people who use them on other forums.
 
How do, I had a Panasonic DMC FZ18 the fore runner to the FZ28, basicly the same features except the FZ28 has 2 million more pixels and hd movie mode. Got some good shots with it, however, the LCD in the view finder is pants and the maual focus setting is a waste of time. Overall though, not a bad camera. Great zoom and excellent image stabillity function, limited slow shutter speed operation during day even with a filter on as aperture only go's down to about F8. No hot shoe either. I would take the plunge because once you buy the panasonic you will only wish you had gone for a dslr.

Hope this helps

Regards Willem
 
A Fuji s9600 image
3138167043_9b672ff308_o.jpg


Some fuji s100fs images
1.
3138996778_b98fc4fa78_o.jpg


2.
3138995332_02e7e21d8f_o.jpg


3.
3138995930_97273791a3_o.jpg


Dave
 
Pippylong said:
Hi,

I'm new here! I hope someone can help me please? I am progressing from a digtal compact to a bridge camera - I had an old Olympus10 SLR and still use it on and off, but have decided to buy a bridge camera before jumping in to a DSLR, can anyone suggest a good one? I have been looking at a Fujifilm Finepix S100fs, can anyone help out please I am truly in a quandry here and don't know what to do for the best!

many thanks,

Pip:)
Click to expand...

Pip I think you should opt for a DSLR. The OM10 has given you enough experience so why waste money on a hybrid when you clearly want to get the best out of your photography, will a Bridge "bridge the gap"
 
:agree:

Pippylong, having got my first DSLR earlier this year I can honestly say it's been one of my first ever purchases.

If you like taking photo's as much as you say in your earlier post, then make that jump. I promise you won't regret it. I went from my old Canon Ixus 70 compact (which I still use for night's on the town with), to a Nikon D40 (beginner level camera and very user friendly). Even on automatic mode the difference in picture quality is amazing.

Go on, give it a go:thumbs:
 
Thank you all so much!:thumbs:

My OM10 took and still takes beautifully clear shots and thought today might take it out and give it an airing! I'm not in the market to buy all the lenses I want at the moment and am too impatient to wait - typical woman I hear you say! I have read many reviews and feel that my choice is now made - the S100fs :). I visited Jessops and had a look at the others on my list and others they had, felt the weight etc but they didn't have the fuji - went to the Camera Centre across the road and found it! The only issue I had at that point was the weight - being nearly twice as heavy as the others! But having it in my hand I was blown away!! The smaller ones are heavy for what they are but with the bigger lens on this, the weight seems proportional enough- it's a nice bit of equipment and can't wait to get my hands on it!

thank you all so much for helping me make my choice we all have our preferences for our different reasons and I am now looking forward to taking a more active roll here:clap::clap::clap: thank you

(I was assured they had a couple there yesterday, just hope there is still one there when they open later - I shall let you all know!:wave:)
 
Well I've joined this thread a bit late as you have already made your decision but just wanted to say good luck with your new camera and I hope you have lots of fun with it :thumbs:

I opted for a bridge camera (panasonic FZ8) and think it is a great bit of kit. I'm sure I will buy a DSLR at some point but the bridge is great for what I need now - versatile, light, easy to use, and fun!
 
Thanks all,

I have purchased the S100fs and am looking forward to trying it out!

I will progress to DSLR I'm sure but now is not my time, I shall enjoy this and when I have exhausted its capabilities I will move on, but until then..............


:thankyou:
 
I was thinking of moving into bridge cameras on the basis that getting the ideal kit on a EOS450D would have meant a lot of money.
I had it narrowed down to the DMC-FZ18 or FZ28, and was already to hand my money over, when I read soemwhere that the Panasonic DMC-G1 is a good choice too.

Still reasearching.....
 
I`m with Will B on this one, i had an FZ18 and although it was a decent piece of kit all it did for me was make me want a dslr even more which after 4 months is exactly what happened.
The moral of this story is make sure your not going to do what i did cos it just means your wallet will take more of a beating than is necessary
 
Walt said:
I`m with Will B on this one, i had an FZ18 and although it was a decent piece of kit all it did for me was make me want a dslr even more which after 4 months is exactly what happened.
The moral of this story is make sure your not going to do what i did cos it just means your wallet will take more of a beating than is necessary
Click to expand...

THe only problem with a DSLR is that the kit, grows and grows....
FZ18...do you still have it ?
 
Your spot on with the ever expanding kit and no i got rid of the FZ18 as soon as my Canon 350D arrived, the price for a new one had started to drop so got rid whilst it was still worth a bit.
If your sure about a bridge camera i could not really fault the FZ18
 
the s100fs is an awesome camera and perfect for your price range, i have not been disapointed with it, but having said that i am now aiming for a dslr lol, probably a nikon d90 have fun
 
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