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09/15/2005 12:41:03 PM · #1 |
I really have no idea whats in the p/s digi market, I just know the slr stuff, so my uncle asks me this
"I'm thinking maybe around $500. I need to have the zoom so I can be standing across the field and still take a close up of my little kids. I would like to be able to rip off 2-3 shots really quick. I don't think I need any special 'manual' capabilities. I'm kind of a 'automatic' novice photographer. Nothing really fancy."
I dont know if there are any that can shoot at any fps rate? but yea whats best zoom with fast f/stop I guess?
thanks for any help
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09/15/2005 12:47:48 PM · #2 |
i had a nikon 8700 with an 8x zoom and fastest f/stop of 2.8. The 8800 is very similar, but has a 10x zoom and vibration reduction (which is handy for somewhat lower light conditions and when zooming). The 8700 can be purchased for $550-$50rebate over the internet, but the 8800 is a little more. As for the quick shots I think the 8700 was supposed to get 2.5fps, but I never saw that because I always shot at highest quality. A little lower quality and you'll get that with a decent CF card.
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09/15/2005 12:49:35 PM · #3 |
Canon and Panasonic both have cameras with 10-12x image-stabilized optical zoom, with both auto and manual features, and should be in that price range. Kodak and a couple of others have long zooms, but not the IS feature.
The Canon takes good movies, too. If you don't need really large prints, you can probably still pick up the S1 IS (3MP) for about $300; it's been superseded by the S2 IS (5MP). I got the Canon S1 last year partly because it uses older (cheaper) CF cards and AA batteries. Downside of the S1 is bad shutter-lag, but I bet they all have some degree of that problem |
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09/15/2005 01:01:33 PM · #4 |
| I recently got the Panasonic FZ5 and love it - haven't used my Rebel since. 12X zoom, image stabilization, good lense. Not a lot of bells and whistles, no manual zoom, no hot shoe. Easy to use menu system and nice size. Got it for around $400 but probably can find it cheaper. Check out my portfolio under "new stuff" for some examples. I would recommend it highly. I tried about 3 others before I settled on this one. |
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09/15/2005 01:16:18 PM · #5 |
| If the ability to stand across a field and get a close up of children is important, the Nikon Coolpix is not a great choice. I have the 8700 and am not thrilled with the camera. For the price, it is too limited (aperature, shutter speed, iso). |
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09/15/2005 01:19:56 PM · #6 |
Check out the FZ30 coming out soon.
I seem to remember that last time I checked on the price of a Nikon 8800 it was like 800 or so US$ new. It does seem to be better at certain things than my canon, but it's 50% more money too. I'd rather get an older 2nd hand 300D plus a 70-300 Sigma if I was in the 800 dollar market.
The FZ30 will be a bit more than 500 dollars new I think, but it will eat the Nikon 8800 pretty well in most areas.
My S2 is alright. Aperture runs from 2.8 to 3.5 at full telephoto. It has some nice bokeh effects in it, but isn't perfect. I have taken some really decent pictures of action around 100 feet away. The camera doesn't take a lot of really great pictures of subjects over 200 feet away or thereabouts IMHO. On the other hand, that is really stretching the definitions of what that camera is supposed to be able to do anyhow, and it does a pretty good job anyhow.
If you want to see some samples taken by a guy with little skill, feel free to browse whatever you like at www.picturetrail.com/eschelar. There are a few portraits of my sister taken from around 25 feet away to show off the soft backgrounds and there is a really nice pic of my friend Lars running in the sand with a football. That's around 90-100 feet away.
Light is everything for big zoom cameras. Taking pictures of action at a distance really needs a bright day. Gloomy, overcast days are going to cause difficulties, particularly for an auto mode shooter. The camera will have trouble focusing AND will automatically drop the ISO down to 200 to get the shutter speed up. This will introduce noise in quantities that are very noticeable.
The other thing to remember is that if there is a LOT of running and heavy action shots, focus WILL be an issue with anything other than a bright day. Focusing manually is going to be MUCH easier with a Panasonic (FZ5 or 20 I forget which has the manual focus ring) and the FZ30.
Hope I didn't say too much. |
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09/15/2005 01:23:47 PM · #7 |
I should also point out that when shooting things under 200 feet, I have found the lens to be quite sharp, even at max telephoto. It is usually sharper if you back off about 1/6th from max telephoto on most big zoom cameras.
I don't know how much you care about your pics though. You will see examples of full telephoto at the address already mentioned.
Sorry about the doublepost |
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09/15/2005 01:35:30 PM · #8 |
I have a Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z5 and I love it! 12x optical zoom...5 MP...Macro and Super Macro settings and others such as Action, Portrait, and so forth. Paid around $400 for it, but I believe the price is going down. Haven't played with the movie mode yet. It's definitely a good all-around camera.
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09/15/2005 02:42:35 PM · #9 |
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