Ideas for a new camera ?

Haliaeetus

Haliaeetus

Well-Known Member
Hello everybody,

Some of you surely know me because of my numerous posts and of my pictures mainly taken in Beauval (France), but I have to announce that my camera has died out after 15 years of service and 250.000 photos.

According to you, what are the best cameras for zoo photography now, for the following criteria especially : price/quality, maniability (I don't want heavy gear, nor difficult to mount, a "bridge" camera would bé the best for me), and ability to take pictures of "quick" scenes (e.g. flying birds) and in dim environnements (indoors, with poor natural light...).

I'm waiting for your advices, adding as I live in France, I must get a device that is available in EU.

Thanks.
 
Finally my old camera seems to be still in use.
Nonetheless I would like to get a new camera, so I maintained my question, and would be interested about your answers.
 
I know very few about photography, but I have been using bridge cameras since about 15 years ago, so just in case you find my experience useful, here it is. Right now I have a Nikon Coolpix P900 and I´m thinking on upgrade to P1100. Important thing: I like to take pictures, for memories and for keep recordings of what I see, but I don´t like photography as a hobbie, in the sense that I find boring to learn about technique, and also I don´t care if the pictures are perfect or not. I use it mainly on the field, too. For me are the most useful camera, because are very easy to use, and also very versatile. I can take a picture of a butterfly with the macro and ten seconds later, shoot a bearded vulture that happens to fly above my head. If I had to take the time to change lens and adjust setting, the animal probably would had already dissapear along that time. I also think the quality of the pictures I got is pretty acceptable, considering I always shot in auto mode and don´t use tripod (and due a problem on the right arm, my pulse is not the best). Being said that, the cons: Are relatively heavy (almost 1 kg my actual one), and the worst, is that is almost impossible to get good pictures with bad light. Or at least, I´m unable. I also have to say that I have seen far better pictures taken with my same camera, on more skilled hands.
 
merlin said:
What is your budget?
Click to expand...
Hello,
I don't search an expensive device, less than 500 euros if possible.
I add that my former camera (Sony s1800) costed me 180 euros (I get it in 2010) and it seems that this model is still sold on the web (in promotional packs with a case and batteries, as I bought once) for less than 200 euros.
 
A lot of the modern bridge cameras run for a bit more than that (I don't shoot them myself but looking at the reviews), I think I'd start with getting the same model if you liked it and the price suits and it meets your needs. Another thing to consider is that a lot of modern phones have excellent cameras and if you want fairly close up shots and also to cater for poor light, they are a viable alternative. Things in flight can be captured by shooting video and grabbing stills out of it (showed someone how to do that at Bempton Cliffs a few weeks ago as they were having a nightmare trying to single shot a bird in flight) and quality is ok. I'd probably go up a bit in budget for a bridge, or replicate the experience you have now if you aren't replacing a phone soon.
 
Hello,

how do you cope with the batteries ?
The current camera models on sale work on li-ion batteries with limited load capacities (usually around 300 pics, not counting the zooms and settings) and I fear they would run out after 1 or 2 hours. Are really the capacities so low ? Is it possible to increase the capacites of the batteries ?

Thank you for your answers.
 
Haliaeetus said:
Hello,

how do you cope with the batteries ?
The current camera models on sale work on li-ion batteries with limited load capacities (usually around 300 pics, not counting the zooms and settings) and I fear they would run out after 1 or 2 hours. Are really the capacities so low ? Is it possible to increase the capacites of the batteries ?

Thank you for your answers.
Click to expand...

The boyfriend has the Nikon P950 Bridge model.
I can't say much about it, as I've never used it (I have I Nikon DSLR and the P100), but battery wise, he's got 2, and usually goes through them in a full zoo day. So yeah, about 300-350 pictures, and even less in winter on an extra cold day.
He does however have one of those tiny USB battery chargers and a small emergency charger so while out and about he can charge the camera battery if needed.
 
Haliaeetus said:
Hello,

how do you cope with the batteries ?
The current camera models on sale work on li-ion batteries with limited load capacities (usually around 300 pics, not counting the zooms and settings) and I fear they would run out after 1 or 2 hours. Are really the capacities so low ? Is it possible to increase the capacites of the batteries ?

Thank you for your answers.
Click to expand...

I usually take a couple of spares on a full day out birding just in case though I'd usually use one and a bit (Sony tends to be a bit hungry). I carry the spares in my pocket and I also keep a power bank / charger in my camera bag (usually leave the charger in the car) so I can charge on the go.
 
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