Move to Bridge Camera???

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andy872003

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Andy
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Hi people.. Soo i originally got an Olympus E420 with the aspiration to get more involved in photography, but i am pretty busy with things these days and also dont have much cash floating around from any one time to another. I was thinking do you think its wise to swap my DSLR for a Bridge camera.

The way i see it is, i dont use it much to be honest and some of the shots when i do want to use it need bigger lens, which is where the bridge comes in with the one lens and good zoom. Theres also no additional cost as such as i dont have to buy other lenses. None of my pictures are ever spectacular so i think maybe this is the best thing.. Any Feedback on this? Ive only ever played with a bridge once. If i decide this, then comes the next task in finding someone who wants to swap their bridge for my DSLR.

Thanks :)
 
Andy,

I have only ever really used my S9600 - which is quite an outdated bridge - the Fuji HS10 is the modern update.

For less than £300 you get a lot of camera, lots of whistles and bells allowing you to get on with taking pictures rather than worrying about which lens you have on the camera.

All the shots in my gallery are taken on mine (bar some on my older Konica Minolta).

There are a couple of threads in the equipment section which go through this decision, as well as a good set of photos in the animal (zoo type, rather than wild and free) on Huskies which has been shot on the HS10.

BTW you can have my S9600 for your anytime, but you possibly want something worth a bit more :lol:
 
There was also a thread about DSLR to Bridge and back again recently, but don't have time to search for it for you.
 
get the 14-150 lens, then you have turned your dslr into a bridge camera effectively.
 
i went with a bridge, like you i dont have much disposable income for new lenses for the shots i wanted.

i got the HS10 after looking for ages at the S1800, if you want a bridge i'd highly recommend the HS10, 30x zoom is brilliant, focusing is quick, it does what i need it to do (i like action shots of dogs, and macro pics)

i find it easy to use, and you could probably get more out if it with your knowledge of SLR controls, im still just using mine in either auto or sports mode :lol:

you could probably put your slr up for sale on here and get most if not all of the cash needed for the HS10, or whatever bridge you decide on
 
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mmm i like the advantage of having multiple lenses in one as such with the bridge, rather than swapping with the dslr. I'm also thinking now of going the 40-150mm lens option which will in essence make it like the bridge...maybe?

I dunno how good my skill are with my camera, these are a couple of recent ones ive taken of my dog (who may be put down 2morro :'( )

I was thinking of doing a course.. i really wanna do like portrait photography. mmmm im in two minds what to do.

91073431.jpg


30773758.jpg
 
40-150mm is nothing like a bridge. My S9600 goes from 28-300mm and the HS10 goes on and on and on and on and on to 720mm.....

As well as them both having really good Macro modes (focus at 1cm...)
 
I've recently moved from a bridge (Panasonic FZ28) to a DSLR, and they are cracking camera's - but it does have it's limitations.

It advantages are numerous though. It is more compact, the focal range of the lens is immense (from macro up to 20x zoom) and it's countless settings mean that any idiot can get quite good pictures from it - some I've taken have amazed me. But, I've never blown any of these pictures up any more than normal photo or monitor size.

I wanted a bit more from mine, hence going the DSLR route (it has made me realise how much I have to learn about photography though). For pictures of pets etc, the shutter delay of a non-SLR can mean missing pictures. It's only after having the D90 that I've realised just how long that a bridging camera also takes to focus on something.

As an all round camera for taking "photo's" they are great, and relatively cheap though. Go and have a play with some and see how they feel.
 
Love the 2nd picture, hope he/she is ok

My HS10 I is great, it has a massive 30x zoom, so even if my dog is far away i can zoom in, and it focuses really well.

Shutter speeds are slower than on an SLR, however i've found it absolutely fine for moving pets, I took some pics of working siberian huskies the other day that were lovely and clear.

The lens was a big plus point for me, all i have to carry around is the camera and the spare batteries i always have. An SLR and various lenses to carry around while walking 2 dogs, and carrying a 2ltr bottle of water, water bowl, and snacks for me (this is my usual dog park kit lol) just didnt seem feasible.

This camera just slots into my bag or hangs around my neck once at the park, no worrying about other lenses and stuff :thumbs:
 
I have the S100FS, and it really is a cracking model. Zoom is a tad short compared to today's, but I think the sensor/iso control is much better than newer ones....:)

Sent from my iPhone 4 using TP Forums
 
andy872003 said:
mmm i like the advantage of having multiple lenses in one as such with the bridge, rather than swapping with the dslr. I'm also thinking now of going the 40-150mm lens option which will in essence make it like the bridge...maybe?
Click to expand...

Oly have some of the best kit lenses and the 40-150 will see you 80-300 on your 2x crop E420, which BTW is a great little camera, small and light for a DSLR, I would defo stick with that, I assume you already have the 14-42? so you will cover a lot of ground with those 2 lenses and the 40-150mm can be had at bargain prices now... plus in the future if funds allow you can get the 25mm 2.8 pancake..

stick with the Oly I say.
 
Thanks for the reply's guys.. Think I'm gonna stay with the oly, and get a 40-150mm lens. My pictures are never great but i suppose u need the right equipment for it ? Like portrait photography which i wanna do, the best ones, or the ones i like the most are just pure white background and they look ace. Obviously i would need a canvas? and would i need a secondary flash? i have one and a remote trigger too. it was only a cheap ebay one but it works. This is y i want lessons lol.
 
andy872003 said:
Thanks for the reply's guys.. Think I'm gonna stay with the oly, and get a 40-150mm lens. My pictures are never great but i suppose u need the right equipment for it ? Like portrait photography which i wanna do, the best ones, or the ones i like the most are just pure white background and they look ace. Obviously i would need a canvas? and would i need a secondary flash? i have one and a remote trigger too. it was only a cheap ebay one but it works. This is y i want lessons lol.
Click to expand...

I do a nice high key shot on my bridge using the hotshoe, just to confuse you more.........
 
andy872003 said:
Thanks for the reply's guys.. Think I'm gonna stay with the oly, and get a 40-150mm lens. My pictures are never great but i suppose u need the right equipment for it ? Like portrait photography which i wanna do, the best ones, or the ones i like the most are just pure white background and they look ace. Obviously i would need a canvas? and would i need a secondary flash? i have one and a remote trigger too. it was only a cheap ebay one but it works. This is y i want lessons lol.
Click to expand...

sounds the right choice IMO..

I got this with an E410 + 40-150mm

4327292423_d7b5718b92_z.jpg


so with practise you can pull off moving shots..

as for portraits even some cheapy triggers and a manual flash with a cheapy reflector umbrella will see decent results..

I got 2 triggers and 1 receiver, a reflector umbrella and flash and umbrella holder for £28 delivered from the UK, I have a difusser on one flash and umbrella on the other, use a white sheet as a backdrop and its turning out to be a great start into studio type stuff..
 
I couldn't get on with my bridge camera because of the small sensor, and therefore the noise that comes with anything above ISO400. I felt it was incredibly limiting. I then went to a 450D, but then sold that for my current E-P1, and am enjoying it very much. Excellent image quality in a small body. There are a few things about it that annoy me (namely trying to focus in very low light conditions), but it's good nonetheless.

If you're interested in the image quality between a DSLR, micro four thirds and a bridge camera, I did a very quick test at ISO800.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/23245860@N08/sets/72157626240089236/
 
I'd stick with what you have now and also Olympus do make great cameras even their DSLR's are excellent quality and many a time have I been tempted to trade up and purchase an e-420 and 25mm f2.8 pancake but I just can't afford it at the moment. Keep shooting and you will not regret keeping the DSLR instead of going to a bridge camera :)
 
strumstrum said:
sounds the right choice IMO..

I got this with an E410 + 40-150mm

4327292423_d7b5718b92_z.jpg


so with practise you can pull off moving shots..

as for portraits even some cheapy triggers and a manual flash with a cheapy reflector umbrella will see decent results..

I got 2 triggers and 1 receiver, a reflector umbrella and flash and umbrella holder for £28 delivered from the UK, I have a difusser on one flash and umbrella on the other, use a white sheet as a backdrop and its turning out to be a great start into studio type stuff..
Click to expand...

Where'd you get all them bits from for £28! that sounds cheap. When you say trigger receiver, we are on about what u stick to ** camera and when you take a pic it sets off the flash with the receiver attached (sorry for my lack of knowledge) shouldn't it be 1 trigger and 2 receivers (thats whats confusing). So are umbrellas a good thing to have then. I was deciding weather to get one...also would just like a white bed sheet do it or would i need something thicker..im sure i could get something as my mum manages a textiles company lol
 
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yes sorry 1 trigger 2 receivers..

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170445995457&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300502601554&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT


andy872003 said:
Where'd you get all them bits from for £28! that sounds cheap. When you say trigger receiver, we are on about what u stick to ** camera and when you take a pic it sets off the flash with the receiver attached (sorry for my lack of knowledge) shouldn't it be 1 trigger and 2 receivers (thats whats confusing). So are umbrellas a good thing to have then. I was deciding weather to get one...also would just like a white bed sheet do it or would i need something thicker..im sure i could get something as my mum manages a textiles company lol
Click to expand...
 
I have two bridge cameras Fuji 8000 and Fuji 9500 and love them both. Would not sell either as I still use them, the 8000 is especially good for macro. These were all taken on my bridge cameras

GRASS%20BUG.jpg


Toad2.jpg


Droplets.jpg
 
ooo Them shots on the bridge's look impressive. Do you just use bridge then or DSLR? I see you do wedding photography..what do you use for that etc. Thanks
 
andy872003 said:
ooo Them shots on the bridge's look impressive. Do you just use bridge then or DSLR? I see you do wedding photography..what do you use for that etc. Thanks
Click to expand...


I have and use the bridge cameras for macro (insects) and some landscapes but for the weddings and portraits I use the DSLR. Saying that on the last wedding my wife took one of my bridge cameras and got some cracking shots but I would not just use that on its own
 
I would rather have quality and speed over focal length - get a second hand D70 and a 35mm or 50mm 1.8 - it'd cost you just as much as a decent bridge and you'd rarely be disappointed with the results. The only drawback would be the zoom end, if that is really important to you, it's not hard to pick up a reasonable second-hand zoom for small money. With D70's on ebay at about £150 for the body, £60-100 for a 50mm 1.8 if you shop around and £100 for a zoom, that's a pretty good deal and you still have the ability to adapt for better kit later if you feel you want to advance :)
 
Of course a proper DSLR is always going to have the edge in quality BUT at the end of the day it depends what you want your camera for. If you only want to take hobby photos etc then a bridge can easily be good enough. I have sold many of my photos taken with the bridge cameras and the quality is spot on in good light especially if you don't blow the photos up huge.

For the price of a bridge camera (especially second hand - I got one of mine for £50) you can get some really nice photos
 
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