Which Bridge Camera

[martin perman 1Participant @martinperman1]

Gentlemen,

Having read the tread on "which compact camera" its got me to look at replacing my current bridge camera, my current one is a FUJI finepix S9500 which I've been very happy with and still am, I've had it at least seven years and its showing its age and having tried to replace its XD memory card, after my camera bag was stolen last weekend, its time for a change. I'm currently looking at a FUJIFILM S9900W Bridge camera, does anybody have one and what are your thoughts.

Martin P

[martin perman 1Participant @martinperman1]

[Rik ShawParticipant @rikshaw]

Martin – The S9900W looks to be a tasty choice. I like the 1cm super macro on it as well. Sorry I cannot help with a recommendation other than that I have owned several FUJI bridge cams (including the model your are retiring) and have been pleased with the build quality and performance of them. Whatever model you go with, enjoy.

Rik

[AjohnwParticipant @ajohnw51620]

I've found this review site good in the past – can lead to more confusion of course but they do seem to be fair but will mention all "problems" a camera has even if all do in the same price range.

**LINK**

John

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[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

My Nikon 520D has been replaced by a new model, but the pictures it takes are stunning and it has full manual modes including focusing, GPS, image stabilisation, HD video and even a viewfinder(!)

Handheld at 1000mm equivalent:

[martin perman 1Participant @martinperman1]

Neil,

Whats the point of GPS, I know where I took my pictures !!!!!!

Martin P

[Roderick JenkinsParticipant @roderickjenkins93242]

My wife uses a Nikon 520. Very impressive low light performance as well as the other features. GPS is probably a feature too far. Can be useful if wandering through the countryside but eats the batteries. It is a feature that Nikon has dropped on some of its SLRs and my wife has hers switched off.

Cheers,

Rod

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Posted by martin perman on 20/11/2016 07:56:17:

Neil,

Whats the point of GPS, I know where I took my pictures !!!!!!

It's handy if you're on a hike or road trip.

Neil

[martin perman 1Participant @martinperman1]

Thanks,.I have an adequate SatNav so will avoid camera's with that function.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Taking the thread-title somewhat too literally:

This picture of 'Dancing Cranes at Arnside' was taken on my Lumix G1

MichaelG.

[AjohnwParticipant @ajohnw51620]

Here's a link to an album of shots taken with my first M 4/3 camera the E-PL1 using the 14-42mm kit lens that comes with them. Not a camera I would recommend but it convinced me.

**LINK**

And here's an E-M1 plus plastic to 300mm lens shot of a bird. Best to iopen it in another tab.

John

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Edited By Ajohnw on 20/11/2016 11:29:38

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Posted by martin perman on 20/11/2016 09:53:59:

Thanks,.I have an adequate SatNav so will avoid camera's with that function.

The advnatage is thae automatic link of GPS data to image, but each to his own

I have boxes of slides with pictures of mountains across the western half of Scotland. Even if I had used a GPS instead of a map, I doubt that would help me with the dreaded task of trying to find a location for all those images. (I've only been putting it off for 30 years or so).

Neil

[AjohnwParticipant @ajohnw51620]

Another bird pushing the Olympus 300mm zoom lens about as far as it can go. It's a crop from a full resolution shot with a size reduction of about 2/3 more for a decent screen viewing size than anything else.

Just add that M 4/3 state the actual focal length of the lenses so in compact tems 300mm would be 600mm.

John

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Edited By Ajohnw on 20/11/2016 11:48:22

[Nick_GParticipant @nick_g]

.

Slotting in between a compact and a bridge camera is the Canon G1X which is well worth a look.

Or a G16 if you don't wish to spend quite that much.

Nick

[AjohnwParticipant @ajohnw51620]

Posted by Nick_G on 20/11/2016 11:57:28:

.

Slotting in between a compact and a bridge camera is the Canon G1X which is well worth a look.

Or a G16 if you don't wish to spend quite that much.

Nick

Interesting point. They can take pretty good pictures, often excellent. That range always has. I suspect that the zoom range is still well under a typical bridge camera but that in part is why they can do what they do. Sony may do something similar.

John

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[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

Posted by martin perman on 20/11/2016 07:56:17:

Neil,

Whats the point of GPS, I know where I took my pictures !!!!!!

Martin P

I suppose the usefulness of GPS depends on how you use your camera.

Last week my daughter borrowed my camera for a day out with her mates. They drove 400 miles and walked another 15 or so. She took 319 pictures. Even she hasn't got that good a memory.

I have an odd interest where GPS helps. I take pictures of interesting cast-iron street furniture, some of which was made by long forgotten local foundries. (Well I think it's interesting – no-one else does!) It's useful to know where I was when took the photo.

Cheers,

Dave

[martin perman 1Participant @martinperman1]

I dont have to worry about where I took the pictures as its only likely to be one of two place, a preserved railway or a steam vintage fair

this was taken at Little Casterton working weekend.

Martin P

[Swarf, Mostly!Participant @swarfmostly]

Hi there, all,

Please could someone help me with my jargon problem by explaining exactly what constitutes a 'bridge' camera?

Best regards,

Swarf, Mostly!

[martin perman 1Participant @martinperman1]

Swarf,

There are three main types of camera, a compact, a DSLR and the bridge, the Compact is basically point and press and will take good pictures but there arn't many functions the user can use to improve his pictures, the Digital Single Lens Reflex camera give you complete control over your photography and you can change lenses. The bridge camera fills the gap between the other two by allowing the user to to set his camera to his needs but you cannot change the lenses as with the DSLR but you do have a simple wide angle and telephoto lens permanently fixed to the camera.

 

Martin P

Edited By martin perman on 20/11/2016 16:10:43

[Nick_GParticipant @nick_g]

.

They 'bridge' the gap between a compact and an SLR.

Personally I don't see the point of them as they are very nearly the size of some of the smaller SLR cameras.

They do however usually have quite a long zoom on them as standard so you don't have to carry a bag of lenses with you. – However. The lens on them is usually quite slow (high f stop) and so at longer focal lengths will require the use of a tripod for best results. You cannot have it all.! Image stabilisation on them will help a bit I suppose but IMHO they are a marketing ploy that works well for them in sales.

Nick

[Nicholas FarrParticipant @nicholasfarr14254]

Hi, I can understand the advantage of GPS and its value, however, I've not always required it, as I can often place photos that I've taken in a far off land place by the use of photos like these below.

So I know exactly where I've been, sometimes!

My Canon IXUS 170 compact is much more than just a point and shoot, which is what I used for this photo.

**LINK**

Regards Nick.

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Posted by Nick_G on 20/11/2016 16:14:01:

.

They 'bridge' the gap between a compact and an SLR.

Personally I don't see the point of them as they are very nearly the size of some of the smaller SLR cameras.

They do however usually have quite a long zoom on them as standard so you don't have to carry a bag of lenses with you. – However. The lens on them is usually quite slow (high f stop) and so at longer focal lengths will require the use of a tripod for best results. You cannot have it all.! Image stabilisation on them will help a bit I suppose but IMHO they are a marketing ploy that works well for them in sales.

Clearly the voice of the pro photographer

Much lighter than a DSLR, and (with mine) 22mm to 1,000mm all usable hand held with the image stabilisation – see the cormorant above, taken on a dull, rainy day at 400ISO, no tripod.

Not sure I buy the slow lens argument either, its f3 at 22mm (my 28mm wide angle is f2.8) and f5.9 at 1000mm (my 400mm tele lens is f6.3).

The smaller sensors than DSLRs mean the demands on the optics are less but can be noisier (but the noise from modern sensors is pretty small). You also get more depth of field which can be an advantage (macro work) or a disadvantage (when you want shallow DoF).

The strong point for me is the ability to frame anything, quickly.

For me the two weak points are lack of long exposures and no RAW (although some new ones have RAW).

They are a bit like a swiss penknife approach to photography, although a top-notch Leatherman might be a more accurate comparison.

[Ian WelfordParticipant @ianwelford58739]

One other observation. Bridge cameras are less prone to dust as you're not swapping lenses so there's less chance of ingress.

I went semi pro DSLR route cos I like the challenge but there is a weight penalty. I find myself trying sons (far lighter) DSLR sometimes.

[JAParticipant @ja]

I know very little about digital cameras having only bought two compact cameras. The last was a Nikon S610 Coolpix, now about 8 years old and still giving good service. Simple question – don't some more expensive "compact" cameras now come with interchangeable lens? I know the DSLR is the professionals' choice but don't all digital cameras look through the lens (OK, some also have a separate view finder). So why the SLR bit?

JA

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by JA on 20/11/2016 23:11:21:

… So why the SLR bit?

.

It gives an optical image, instead of looking at an electronic display; and is therefore perceived as more 'immediate'.

The electronic viewfinders are very good in some respects, but they are 'digital' in nature … grainy, and can 'lag' when following a rapidly moving subject.

MichaelG.

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