I know DSLR questions have been asked
but cant find what i want
I have a panasonic lumix DMC-FZ18
at the moment very nice camera
But i am trying to get better long distance shots
Wild life type shots
1 what camera (about £500 all in with lenses if not cheaper )
2 dont under stand zoom telephoto lenses numbers etc
3 would a second hand set up be better (if so what could be wrong with second hand )
4 is there a better p&s option (ie with more zoom mine has 18x)
Thanks

Funny you should post this, I've been researching this very subject. If you want a DSLR with lenses at that money, your only real options (as I see it) are Canon EOS 1000D packages or Sony Alpha 230 packages.
For me, these are too cumbersome, so I looked at Bridge cameras (like your FZ18)
I eventually settled on the updated version of yours, ie FZ38 over Sony HX1, Fuji S200 etc.
There's a new Olympus coming out SU800 or something with a 30x optical zoom. If it's a P & S you're looking at, these look good with widescreen LCD on the back.
I went for the Panasonic (comes on Tues) because it has more manual stuff on it (aperture and shutter priority) and can take pics in RAW format. It looks a little dated compared to the newer stuff, but it's a look I like. ( istr it looks identical to the FZ18/28)
If you want ultimate picture quality, then the DSLR can't be beaten due to the physically larger sensor and hence far superior low light performance. At 500 notes you're dipping your toe in the budget end, but will take some awesome piccies.
This is just my opinion and I can take better pics with my Canon compact than my mate takes with his Canon 400D so gear ain't everything.

Take it or leave it here

[Edited on 28/3/10 by Marcus]

You cant go far wrong with a canon 10D with a tamron 30 - 70mm lens for zoom shots for secondhand money.

I am just getting into SLR's myself and i would say that will get you a low-mid range body and a budget telephoto lens. Best thing to do is get to a big jessops or specialist to firstly see what you like and feel happy with as the choice is massive. I went for a simple sony alpha 200 which was probably one of the cheapest at the time about £290 with a 18-70mm sony lens. Ive since bought a Sigma 70-300mm APO lens about £200. Its nice and fairly clear but slightly slow and doesnt handle cloudy weather conditions too well. the numbers like 70-300mm are the equivalent of how far you can zoom, the F numbers like f2.8, f3.5-4.5 etc are i think something to do with the apperture and how much light it will let in. The lower the amount the better exposed your images will be in poor light conditions. there is then also anti vibration and non anti vibration lenses as some cameras dont compensate for camera shake so the lens does but my sony has this inbuilt so has cheaper lenses. Then there is the lens motor for wildlife you might want something like sigmas HRM motors that a quieter than my APO. Then you have the lens itself which is very important for image quality but hard to see the difference unless you try them out.

Personally id start with a mid range body as i already regret going cheap and second hand good bodies seem to go for fair prices so you can always get your money back. For advice on what to get buy a few of the popular mags from whsmith and get reading on their comparison section its the best way as forums tend to just have opinions of the owners particular gear. id say a good zoom lens like you want will start at £600 upto a couple of grand new, a cheap lens will cope but you will soon realise you need better.

A few good cheap suppliers are warehouse express and park cameras

Heres one of mine with the above kit mentioned taken from about 30ft and then cropped slightly. If you havent got a good photoshop program you really will want to get GIMP or buy photoshop CS3 or 4 or Elements as they will get the most out of your images plus sharpen them significantly which i find is always needed.


Adam


[Edited on 28/3/10 by bassett]

My advice would be to try the Cannon offerings, although personally i use all nikon gear, the cost of the image staberlised lens's for the cannons tends to be a lot lower.

As far a len's go my main len's for wildlife is a 200-400 zoom. As with tools buy the best len's you can afford at the time, the camera bodies are frequently updated, don't be put off by a second hand body if its been checked or w'teed by a dealer such as jessops.

A full dslr will give you a lot more options longer term. And also main brand equipment is easier to move on secondhand as you upgrade.

Look out for lens/body combo deals on last years camera's, avoid grey import if you can.

Roger

ive just bought my first DSLR as a toy for when im out in the kitcar.

I went for the Sony Alpha 230 as it was the cheapest of the newer models. i got it from Jessops in a kit with a bag, mem card and cleaning kit. I also bought the Tamron 70-300 lens and a cheap tripod in the following month as it was on offer with a new cam kit.

Ive got some great shots so far and love it, ive learnt alot about the settings and can now shoot in full manual mode but i wouldnt say my shots are 'great', but they do me. ive also done some night sky shots but until i recieve my remote shutter to get better shots.
You have a limited budget like me so i strongly recomend testing one out in jessops and ask about any deals they have on. if you want to get all arty then i suggest a real DSLR cam (even budget level like mine) as ive got some smashing shots of the kitcar out on the roads.

good luck

[Edited on 28/3/10 by Moorron]

You've got a couple of nice birds there Adam

definitely a tits man!