dSLR alternative to FZ20

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

"Monroe" <minburn1@telus.net> wrote in message
news:a8seg1pvo3e2b06rnmbmpku81ruj31h3f9@4ax.com...
> Was considering the FZ20 for amateur nature/wildlife photography . . .
> moreso for the 12X zoom and attractive price. But given the pricing
> of late,I am having second thoughts on a dSLR alternative. Just
> starting to investigate, but I'd like some opinions/recommendations on
> economical alternatives to the FZ20 that would approach the zoom and
> aperture of that camera. I'm thinking w/o IS as I suspect adding IS
> would indeed require a significant outlay of cash well beyond what I
> was considering (i.e. less than $1500 Cdn or so). I hear alot of nays
> toward the FZ20 . . . . people suggesting dSLR is the answer. But I'm
> wondering if that opinion is casting aside the issue of price
> difference (which is very significant for this cat).

Digital Rebel + Canon 75-300 IS lens for the long shots.

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

> Digital Rebel + Canon 75-300 IS lens for the long shots.

Sample with the above combo at:
http://home.comcast.net/~charlessc [...] te1056.jpg

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Yeah,

ran all that through B&H
EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS - $1,099
EF 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5 USM Autofocus - $299
battery generic - $35
1gb CF - $90
Canon 300D body - $660

total - $2,184.

And that 70-300 can't to f/2.8 at 420mm, that's a Canon 400mm f/2.8L IS
and is $6,499.

Not feeling it on the budget there.

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

In article <1124567282.235993.305630@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com>,
sbrisendine@gmail.com says...
> ran all that through B&H
> EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS - $1,099
> EF 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5 USM Autofocus - $299
> battery generic - $35
> 1gb CF - $90
> Canon 300D body - $660

Ahem - buy your CF cards through Newegg.com. Much cheaper.

As for the 70-300 DO... it's a nice lens but then again, for nearly $600
less so is the 75-300 f/4.5-5.6 IS. Neither will focus particularly
fast on the 300D.

As for the FOV and aperture - given the better noise performance of the
Rebel you really don't NEED a 300mm f/2.8 lens to get better results
than the FZ20. You can shoot comfortably at ISO 800 and sometimes even
ISO 1600 with the 300D.
--
http://www.pbase.com/bcbaird

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

"Brian Baird" <no@no.thank.u> wrote in message
news:MPG.1d7155a35a9af5fd9898fc@news.verizon.net...
> In article <cNKdnYFJra8eF5reRVn-tA@comcast.com>,
> charleschuler@comcast.net says...
>> The lens I mentioned is $419.95 at B&H.
>
> Why they thought you meant the diffractive optics version is beyond me.

Because they don't carefully read ... have done the same thing myself ;> )

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

"wavelength" <sbrisendine@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1124566408.945028.322710@g43g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> I'd wait for the FZ-30 to come out before you make your final decision.
> Most nex camera's will be coming out in the next few months. If you can
> wait I'd really suggest that.
>
> The Konica Minolta Maxxum 5d has body-integral IS, 6MP, low noise up to
> ISO1600 (FZ20/30 will only get you ISO400) and Lenses and Tamron has a
> 2 lens Kit from B&H that is only $219us.
> http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/co [...] Navigation
>
> Or you could get the 28-300mm Tamron for $399us.
> http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/co [...] ype=search
>
> FZ-30 - appx $699us ?? (Amazon pre-order)
>
> Or probably the cheapest possible SLR alternative, with 2mp less, is
> about $300 more at the cheapest. And that's without a 35-420mm Leica
> f/2.8 lens. To get f/2.8 on a 400mm lens in any dSLR, you 'd have to
> spend $1500 on the lens only, espcially with Canon or Nikon IS/l
> lenses.
>
> For amatuer, I'd wait for the FZ-30k.The new FZ-30 will have a manual
> zoom ring also. I like that. And be able to accept lens filters if I
> remeber right. Plenty of room for the next few years of camera
> happiness.
>
> Have fun searching.
>

Keep in mind that F2.8 on a P&S does not equate to the same result as a F2.8
on a D-SLR.

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

Pete D wrote:
<snip>
> Keep in mind that F2.8 on a P&S does not equate to the same result as a F2.8
> on a D-SLR.

In regard to shutter speed/apeture ratios for determining exposure, it
actually _does_ get the same result as a DSLR.

In terms of depth of field, no it does not.

It depends what you feel is more useful: the shorter DoF possible with
a larger sensor (and longer focal lengths) with a DSLR or the much
longer DoF from a small-sensor (1/1.8" ) digital camera that must use
shorter focal length lenses to achieve the same (35mm focal length
equivalent) angle of view.

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

Monroe wrote:
> Was considering the FZ20 for amateur nature/wildlife photography . . .
> moreso for the 12X zoom and attractive price. But given the pricing
> of late,I am having second thoughts on a dSLR alternative. Just
> starting to investigate, but I'd like some opinions/recommendations on
> economical alternatives to the FZ20 that would approach the zoom and
> aperture of that camera. I'm thinking w/o IS as I suspect adding IS
> would indeed require a significant outlay of cash well beyond what I
> was considering (i.e. less than $1500 Cdn or so). I hear alot of nays
> toward the FZ20 . . . . people suggesting dSLR is the answer. But I'm
> wondering if that opinion is casting aside the issue of price
> difference (which is very significant for this cat).
>
> Thanks for any and all.

For $1500 CAD you will not get an DSLR with lens even approaching the
capability of the FZ20. If you think you may wish to change to a DSLR at
some point in the future, why not get a long-zoom point-and-shoot now (the
FZ20 or its lighter and cheaper brother the FZ5) which might cost you $650
CAD, and save for a DSLR in the future - their price is still coming down.
Also remember that a similarly equipped DSLR will be much heavier - which
may matter if you are walking or climbing.

Don't forget that in addition to the camera, you will need extra memory
cards, perhaps a card reader for your computer, spare batteries, perhaps a
case - all increasing the cost.

I have the FZ5, and my wife has the FZ20, and we are both very pleased
with them. The FZ20 has survived a trip to the Antarctic, where the image
stabilisation really helped during the high-wind periods!

David

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

David J Taylor wrote:
> Monroe wrote:
>
>>Was considering the FZ20 for amateur nature/wildlife photography . . .
>>moreso for the 12X zoom and attractive price. But given the pricing
>>of late,I am having second thoughts on a dSLR alternative. Just
>>starting to investigate, but I'd like some opinions/recommendations on
>>economical alternatives to the FZ20 that would approach the zoom and
>>aperture of that camera. I'm thinking w/o IS as I suspect adding IS
>>would indeed require a significant outlay of cash well beyond what I
>>was considering (i.e. less than $1500 Cdn or so). I hear alot of nays
>>toward the FZ20 . . . . people suggesting dSLR is the answer. But I'm
>>wondering if that opinion is casting aside the issue of price
>>difference (which is very significant for this cat).
>>
>>Thanks for any and all.
>
>
> For $1500 CAD you will not get an DSLR with lens even approaching the
> capability of the FZ20. If you think you may wish to change to a DSLR at
> some point in the future, why not get a long-zoom point-and-shoot now (the
> FZ20 or its lighter and cheaper brother the FZ5) which might cost you $650
> CAD, and save for a DSLR in the future - their price is still coming down.
> Also remember that a similarly equipped DSLR will be much heavier - which
> may matter if you are walking or climbing.
>
> Don't forget that in addition to the camera, you will need extra memory
> cards, perhaps a card reader for your computer, spare batteries, perhaps a
> case - all increasing the cost.
>
> I have the FZ5, and my wife has the FZ20, and we are both very pleased
> with them. The FZ20 has survived a trip to the Antarctic, where the image
> stabilisation really helped during the high-wind periods!
>
> David


We are talking about US$1240. With very little stretch, One can get a
Canon digital Rebel XT with kit lens and 75-300IS, or the new Minolta
5D. The samples from the Panasonic FZ-30 are disappointing; anything
over ISO 100 is awful. The fact is you can print a 6MP dSLR image in
12x18, taken at ISO 800. Yes, I have done that and it looks quite good.
I doubt you can do that with FZ-30 but it would certainly win the size
department, if that's what you're after.

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

In article <NqfOe.93722$G8.85026@text.news.blueyonder.co.uk>, david-
taylor@blueyonder.co.not-this-bit.nor-this-part.uk.invalid says...
> Canon 350D body + 18-55mm lens GBP 597 (Amazon)
> Canon EF 75-300mm IS f/4 - f/5.6 GBP 398 (Microglobe)
> Total Canon price: GBP 995 (USD $1791)

That includes VAT, I assume?
--
http://www.pbase.com/bcbaird