I currently use a Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ7. It comes with 6MP and 12x Zoom.
It's quite good for taking shots of birds that aren't moving around too much, but the auto focus makes it hard to snap birds on the wing
What type of camera do you use?
Wed, 23/01/2008 - 04:45
#1
Gelmir
What type of camera do you use?
I use a Lumix FZ30, 12x zoom at 8m, but 19x at 3m (2x and 4x digital also available but never used as the quality is poor except maybe with perfect lighting). All of my posted pictures have been taken at the 3m setting (19x). The camera has a manual focus ring as well as auto focus. This was one of the reasons I got it, too many shoots lost when the auto on my olympus c-730 could not pick up on the bird in the fore-ground (to soft and fuzzy) but focused on the back-ground.I use the auto on the Lumix most of the time as it is only a flick of a switch to change to manual. As a general birding camera the Lumix FZ30 (and the new FZ50) are a great option. Not perfect but a great all round performer for those not wishing to go DSLR.
Ed, Townsville
Ed Townsville NQ
Example of auto focus missing the bird.
This picture by Paradisi, see the 'New visitor sunshine coast' thread in Identification.
I have not tried to download another persons picture from photobucket, but here goes. if it does not work follow the link in the original thread.
[img]http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b52/paradisi/birds%20in%20backyard/0801040038.jpg
[/img]
Ed Townsville NQ
Thanks for the info ed. When I brought my camera the FZ30 had just come out and was a touch over my budget.
At the moment I'm trying to decide if I want to go down the DLSR route or not yet, hence the reason for this thread. :)
I built a website about birds using a Fuji Finepix s3500. It is an awful camera to use for shooting birds at most ranges. It is slow to start up and focus and loses definition at any sort of range. But there was no other camera available and many of the close shots are quite beautiful.
Putting them on the internet means I only need low res and can get away with all sorts of sins like over sharpening the image. I finally have the money to upgrade to a slightly better camera and will be looking out for a dslr body when that is paid for.
Long ago I had really excellent Minolta Camera bodies and great lens sets so I remember what it was like to have be able to shoot confidently, I am really jealous of all you guys!
Hi thought I might share some info I use a Pentax K10 Dslr teamed with a Sigma 50-500 lens the advantage is fairly quick auto focus and the picture is taken almost the instant you press the shutter.[img]http://www.birdforum.net/gallery/data/528/medium/IGP3724-1.jpg [/img]
Cheers
Nick
oops the image is a bit big here is a link to my gallery http://www.birdforum.net/gallery/showgallery.php/cat/500/ppuser/55187
Cheers
Nick
SpotFocus - that is an absolutely beautiful photograph of my favourite bird!
Would it be possible to get your permission to use it for Birds in Backyards presentations? In particular I am giving a talk on fairy-wrens in Sydney in August. Email me at
to discuss it.
Thanks,
Holly