Bridge camera or straight to SLR?
Discussion
Thinking of taking the next step from my wee point and shoot digital camera and getting something half decent, that I can play about with manual settings and get a bit closer to "proper" photography with.
Only problem is, I don't know whether to settle for a "bridge" camera, something like this:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fujifilm-FinePix-S1000fd-D...
which has pretty much all the features im likely to use, or spend a bit more and get a proper SLR:
http://www.kkelectronics.co.uk/ViewProdDetails.asp...
The advantage of the bridge camera is obviously price, but I get the feeling if I do start getting more enthusiastic about photography ill want to upgrade to an SLR at some point anyway, and start messing around with different lenses and stuff....
As it is I take a lot of pictures, everything from interesting buildings, cars (obviously!) and loads of the kids so I know I would get the use out of either camera, and it wouldnt just sit in a drawer for most of its life...
I guess the question is how likely I am to get addicted and start wanting more features, and finding myself restricted with a bridge camera?
Only problem is, I don't know whether to settle for a "bridge" camera, something like this:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fujifilm-FinePix-S1000fd-D...
which has pretty much all the features im likely to use, or spend a bit more and get a proper SLR:
http://www.kkelectronics.co.uk/ViewProdDetails.asp...
The advantage of the bridge camera is obviously price, but I get the feeling if I do start getting more enthusiastic about photography ill want to upgrade to an SLR at some point anyway, and start messing around with different lenses and stuff....
As it is I take a lot of pictures, everything from interesting buildings, cars (obviously!) and loads of the kids so I know I would get the use out of either camera, and it wouldnt just sit in a drawer for most of its life...
I guess the question is how likely I am to get addicted and start wanting more features, and finding myself restricted with a bridge camera?
Probably better in the tog section but just to give you an idea.
I purchased a fuji 6500fd around 2 years ago for £320.
Since christmas I have spent another £900 on new stuff.
If you can afford it, don't waste your money on a bridge cam if you believe you will but half interested in photography a year down the line.
I purchased a fuji 6500fd around 2 years ago for £320.
Since christmas I have spent another £900 on new stuff.
If you can afford it, don't waste your money on a bridge cam if you believe you will but half interested in photography a year down the line.
Why not buy a second hand DSLR first to see how you get on, then start off upgrading lenses etc. Something like a D70, much outclassed by new stuff, but still able to take perfectly good photos for a fraction of the price.
I did go the "fake SLR" route first, and spent a year or two with it, but you'll get fed up of changing batteries - my dImage would deplete 4x AA after a few hours, the D70 probably a couple of weeks or more - and the fixed lens. Also you still have the major downside of the SLR, portability.
I did go the "fake SLR" route first, and spent a year or two with it, but you'll get fed up of changing batteries - my dImage would deplete 4x AA after a few hours, the D70 probably a couple of weeks or more - and the fixed lens. Also you still have the major downside of the SLR, portability.
Edited by john_p on Thursday 12th March 09:22
If you can afford, just get a DSLR. Better picture quality, easier to use, and upgradable! Can't go wrong. They do everything a bridge does and more. It just does it better. Bridges are limited by the equipment the manufacturer bolted onto it. DSLRs can grow with the user, and if you find you don't get on with it, you can just sell it on with minimal loss.
Cheers guys, I think my heart is set on an SLR, I guess spending the money now is cheaper in the long run!
Never really considered portability, but I guess with a decent bag its not such a big issue. We have to cart around a changing bag for our youngest anyway so we are used to being weighed down with kit!
Never really considered portability, but I guess with a decent bag its not such a big issue. We have to cart around a changing bag for our youngest anyway so we are used to being weighed down with kit!
This will probably get moved to Photography and Video where the guys there will give plenty of advice.
I think you would be better off going for an SLR as you can let it do as much or as little of the work for you as you want. There's also the option of loads of different lenses to choose from if you go for an SLR over a bridge camera. Most people advise to go with either Canon or Nikon as they are the two big names these days so have the widest ranges of things to spend money on as well as the most support from other users when things go wrong.
It's usually between the Canon EOS 450D and the Nikon D40 for someone starting out with dSLRs. I went for the D40 and love it. Just make sure you try before buying anything because your hands may not agree with the layout of the buttons and dials.
Hopefully that's sort of helpful.
I think you would be better off going for an SLR as you can let it do as much or as little of the work for you as you want. There's also the option of loads of different lenses to choose from if you go for an SLR over a bridge camera. Most people advise to go with either Canon or Nikon as they are the two big names these days so have the widest ranges of things to spend money on as well as the most support from other users when things go wrong.
It's usually between the Canon EOS 450D and the Nikon D40 for someone starting out with dSLRs. I went for the D40 and love it. Just make sure you try before buying anything because your hands may not agree with the layout of the buttons and dials.
Hopefully that's sort of helpful.
dSLR all the way - the bridge cameras have all the bulkiness and none of the flexibility IMHO.
I bought a D70s a couple of years ago, and although it doesn't have all the bells and whistles of newer cameras it is still a cracking camera and I would rather have it over a newer D40.
As for battery life, I use my camera a fair bit and have taken 1000s of shots and have only had to charge the battery a handful of times!
I bought a D70s a couple of years ago, and although it doesn't have all the bells and whistles of newer cameras it is still a cracking camera and I would rather have it over a newer D40.
As for battery life, I use my camera a fair bit and have taken 1000s of shots and have only had to charge the battery a handful of times!
Mike400 said:
Cheers guys, I think my heart is set on an SLR, I guess spending the money now is cheaper in the long run!
Never really considered portability, but I guess with a decent bag its not such a big issue. We have to cart around a changing bag for our youngest anyway so we are used to being weighed down with kit!
Hi mate,Never really considered portability, but I guess with a decent bag its not such a big issue. We have to cart around a changing bag for our youngest anyway so we are used to being weighed down with kit!
Personally the only reason i think you would go for a bridge camera is for the zoom that they provide, if you don't need that, go for a DSLR. If you need the extra zoom though, the are unbeatable value for money, i have a Panasonic DMZ-FZ28 (bridge camera) that cost around £250 with memory cards etc, and i love it. I do a lot of wildlife photography, and the zoom is vital. To get a DSLR with the equivelent zoom (27-486 35mm equivalent) and lens quality (the panasonic has a leica branded lens) would have cost into the thousands, considering to cover that range you would need 2 lenses, one of which being a very expensive telephoto lens.
ETA: The panasonic i have has a rechargeable Lithium ion battery, IMO this is vital, do not get a bridge camera that runs off AA's, it will be a major pain in the arse!
HTH
James
Edited by jimmy306 on Thursday 12th March 09:38
Edited by jimmy306 on Thursday 12th March 09:40
Get the DSLR. If you become remotely interested in photography you will regret not buying one straight away.
The A200 will allow you to use almost all the Minolta AF mount lenses (some early Sigmas and Tokinas aren't detected by the Sony cameras) so there is a lot of glass to choose from both new and second hand if you find yourself wanting to do more, although not quite the range that Canon or Nikon offer. There is also the body stabilisation which is
. I'm speaking as the owner of an A300 which is the same body and sensor, just adds a few extra features.
The A200 will allow you to use almost all the Minolta AF mount lenses (some early Sigmas and Tokinas aren't detected by the Sony cameras) so there is a lot of glass to choose from both new and second hand if you find yourself wanting to do more, although not quite the range that Canon or Nikon offer. There is also the body stabilisation which is
. I'm speaking as the owner of an A300 which is the same body and sensor, just adds a few extra features. Gassing Station | Photography & Video | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff