New Camera Coming Soon

I've recently sold a couple of my fishing rods to raise funds for a new camera and now that funds are in place and after several weeks of research I've decided on the Panasonic FZ200 (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonic-lumix-dmc-fz200), mainly because its a fast camera, all the reviews I've read say its ideal for wildlife photography which is what I want it for more than anything.

It has a f2.8 maximum aperture through out its entire zoom range which is up to 600mm (35mm equivilant), not as much as some other models but I'm impressed with the reviews and speed on offer with this camera.

Just need to find a good deal now; there are attractive deals from Hong Kong through Ebay but I am a little wary of ordering from overseas (perhaps just because its something I have no experience of?), but I have found a couple of good deals offered in this country now too which are only a few pounds more.

Watch this space..

 

Good choice bilbo in Panasonic.
I've had my tz3 for 6 years now and it's still a great little camera
I ordered mine from USA and received it in 3 days via UPS. You have to be careful with customs though because sometimes they add the vat on.
Good luck with your new camera

 

I looks forward to seeing the photos.. birds seems to be the easiest wildlife to get so far, but then when it's summer, the fun really begins.

 

Enough fishing tackle to stock a shop comes to mind

Don't really have the time to go fishing these days with a busy family life and trying to find more work, but we do go out walking with our young sons a lot so a new camera will give me the opportunity to take some great pics of those birdies and other wildlife. I've always been in to taking photos of wildlife and have had 35mm slr's in the past.

Fishing remains a big interest however (still involved in an admin and advisory role with a fishing club in Cheshire) so when my sons area bit older I hope to take them maggot drowning and get some photos of that too..

 

It looks a good camera, I would have preferred a larger aperture range, at least to F8 but I think what it has will more than suit what you intend to use it for.

I look forward to seeing some photo's from it !

Fishing gear: I still have all of mine in the loft and although I have not been fishing for around 8-10 years I cannot bear to part with it. I must have at least a dozen rods and tons of gear, everything from stick float fishing to long stay Carp/Pike fishing, including a fantastic lure fishing outfit and rods.

Steve...

 

I have had my fz150 for 6 months or so now and it's ok but it has it's limitations ie f8 not f11 and the zoom hunts like mad taking ages to focus, birds have often flown off long before therefore losing many shots. The thumbwheel dial for f stop and shutter speed is irritating, stiff and fiddly.
The fz200 is a superior model and if you want help there is a fantastic in depth tutorial on youtube for it by Graham Houghton, he has done quite a few point and shoot and bridge camera tutorials.
Look forward to seeing some pics sometime.

 

Woo, with your lens, you shouldn't need to stalk them!

 

That's it, new camera ordered; should arrive by Tuesday - hopefully, I feel like a kid again waiting to come down on Christmas morning

 

Ladies and gentlemen - place your bets

 

Yippee ....camera has arrived and what fantastic customer service - I ordered it on Sunday evening, got a confirmation email on Monday morning saying it would be delivered today and there would be further updates by text, I then got a text saying it would be delivered Tuesday morning, followed by another saying it would be between 11.40am and 12 noon by David!!!; and then it was indeed delivered at about 11.45 this morning - can't fault that .

The camera was brilliantly packaged and is now being charged up for its maiden voyage