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Member
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Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Glasgow, Scotland
Posts: 68
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I also bought a camera for shooting action with dogs. After a lot of deliberation I went the quality super-zoom "bridge" camera route rather than DSLR. Having owned a non-digital SLR many moons ago, I knew I'd be unlikely to lug multiple lenses around with me and therefore wouldn't always have what I needed when I needed it. With a decent superzoom, everything is right there in your hand, all the time.
However, DSLRs often seem to have superior focussing capabilities - e.g. continual focus modes, and that could be a huge advantage, depending on the type of shots you want to take. Also, don't forget that a DSLR can still be a point and shoot camera - you can choose how much control you want over a shot!
My advice would be take your time over the decision, and think very carefully about what features are truly going to be most important to you.
For example, at first I thought a fast burst rate would be really important, but after a little experience that's fallen down my list, behind speed and flexbility of focussing options. But if it's burst rate you want, some recent non-DSLRs can do very well, e.g. the Olympus SP-570 can do over 7fps, albeit at reduced resolution (5MP)
However, DSLRs often seem to have superior focussing capabilities - e.g. continual focus modes, and that could be a huge advantage, depending on the type of shots you want to take. Also, don't forget that a DSLR can still be a point and shoot camera - you can choose how much control you want over a shot!
My advice would be take your time over the decision, and think very carefully about what features are truly going to be most important to you.
For example, at first I thought a fast burst rate would be really important, but after a little experience that's fallen down my list, behind speed and flexbility of focussing options. But if it's burst rate you want, some recent non-DSLRs can do very well, e.g. the Olympus SP-570 can do over 7fps, albeit at reduced resolution (5MP)
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Kit 1 Canon 40D EFS 17-55 f2.8 IS USM EF 70-300 f4-5.6 IS USM EF 28-135 f3.5-5.6 IS USM |
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My Compact/P&S: Sony DSC H50 |
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Junior Member
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Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Shropshire, UK
Posts: 10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Beanie's Dad
I also bought a camera for shooting action with dogs. After a lot of deliberation I went the quality super-zoom "bridge" camera route rather than DSLR. Having owned a non-digital SLR many moons ago, I knew I'd be unlikely to lug multiple lenses around with me and therefore wouldn't always have what I needed when I needed it. With a decent superzoom, everything is right there in your hand, all the time.
However, DSLRs often seem to have superior focussing capabilities - e.g. continual focus modes, and that could be a huge advantage, depending on the type of shots you want to take. Also, don't forget that a DSLR can still be a point and shoot camera - you can choose how much control you want over a shot!
My advice would be take your time over the decision, and think very carefully about what features are truly going to be most important to you.
For example, at first I thought a fast burst rate would be really important, but after a little experience that's fallen down my list, behind speed and flexbility of focussing options. But if it's burst rate you want, some recent non-DSLRs can do very well, e.g. the Olympus SP-570 can do over 7fps, albeit at reduced resolution (5MP)
However, DSLRs often seem to have superior focussing capabilities - e.g. continual focus modes, and that could be a huge advantage, depending on the type of shots you want to take. Also, don't forget that a DSLR can still be a point and shoot camera - you can choose how much control you want over a shot!
My advice would be take your time over the decision, and think very carefully about what features are truly going to be most important to you.
For example, at first I thought a fast burst rate would be really important, but after a little experience that's fallen down my list, behind speed and flexbility of focussing options. But if it's burst rate you want, some recent non-DSLRs can do very well, e.g. the Olympus SP-570 can do over 7fps, albeit at reduced resolution (5MP)
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Member
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Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Glasgow, Scotland
Posts: 68
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Currently I've got a Sony DSC-H50. It has a lacklustre burst rate of 1.6fps, but as I'm gaining experience I'm relying more on my own timing rather than trusting in the machine gun approach.
The H50 is quite fast at focusing and has a sports mode with predictive autofocus (finally functional, after the bugs it had on the previous models). The sports mode sounds like it should be perfect for shooting dogs but there are quite a few situations where I've got better results using fixed focus and a balance between depth of field and fast shutter speed. Still, it's got me some shots I couldn't possibly have got without it.
At some point in the future I suspect I will get a DSLR, but at the moment the H50 is the most practical compromise for me. I take it on pretty much every dog walk, because you never know when something magical's going to happen!
Thanks for the compliments about Beanie BTW
We're going to get her a little brother next year - I'll probably break the terabyte boundary with all the photos I'll take then!
The H50 is quite fast at focusing and has a sports mode with predictive autofocus (finally functional, after the bugs it had on the previous models). The sports mode sounds like it should be perfect for shooting dogs but there are quite a few situations where I've got better results using fixed focus and a balance between depth of field and fast shutter speed. Still, it's got me some shots I couldn't possibly have got without it.
At some point in the future I suspect I will get a DSLR, but at the moment the H50 is the most practical compromise for me. I take it on pretty much every dog walk, because you never know when something magical's going to happen!
Thanks for the compliments about Beanie BTW
We're going to get her a little brother next year - I'll probably break the terabyte boundary with all the photos I'll take then!
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Kit 1 Canon 40D EFS 17-55 f2.8 IS USM EF 70-300 f4-5.6 IS USM EF 28-135 f3.5-5.6 IS USM |
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My Compact/P&S: Sony DSC H50 |
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Junior Member
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Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Shropshire, UK
Posts: 10
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We will be looking to get a beagle in a year or so and i was sent the details of Beanies breeder via a PM on Dogsey. It would be a long way to get a pup but they have much nice lines then so many beagles i have seen. Less chunky!
Back on subject! The thing that puts me off a DSLR is all the kit i would have to take everywhere. Like you say you want some thing you can take everywhere.Humm think a bit more research is needed!
Back on subject! The thing that puts me off a DSLR is all the kit i would have to take everywhere. Like you say you want some thing you can take everywhere.Humm think a bit more research is needed!
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Member
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Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Glasgow, Scotland
Posts: 68
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Razcox
..but they have much nice lines then so many beagles i have seen. Less chunky!
There are a couple of photos of her sister Bella here:
http://www.fourleggedpal.com/2008/08...-park-eat-boy/
I think we got the best of the bunch though, and I am of course completely unbiased
But yeah, definitely take your time over the decision, and read as many reviews as possible.
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Kit 1 Canon 40D EFS 17-55 f2.8 IS USM EF 70-300 f4-5.6 IS USM EF 28-135 f3.5-5.6 IS USM |
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My Compact/P&S: Sony DSC H50 |
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Junior Member
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Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Shropshire, UK
Posts: 10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Azz
I would go with the Nikon D40 without doubt!
£267 that includes the kit lens AND you get £40 cachback!! End price= £227 !!!!!
Just make sure you buy from a UK retailer who sells offical UK stock (amazon are ok as thats where I got mine from and got my cashback no problems).
£267 that includes the kit lens AND you get £40 cachback!! End price= £227 !!!!!
Just make sure you buy from a UK retailer who sells offical UK stock (amazon are ok as thats where I got mine from and got my cashback no problems).
 Admin Team
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: South Wales, UK
Posts: 15,385
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Kit 1 Nikon D300 Nikon 55-200mm VR |
Kit 2 Nikon D40 Nikon 18-55mm |
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My Compact/P&S: Panasonic Lumix TZ7 |