digital cameras

[clarachuff]

Hi,I am thinking of upgrading my Panasonic LUmix DMC FZ7,but don't have much more than 300 pounds to play with.For under this amount I can get a 1.7 teleconverter lens( I think this is what it's called!) i really enjoy photographing birds,but want greater zoom capacity and picture sharpness.

As Manuel used to say "I know nothing!", virtually about this digital camera lark and don't understand much of the jargon!
Anyone feel able to advise me in simple language????
thanks!
clarachuff

[Cristian Mihai]

Hi Clarachuff,

Yes, there is a good 1.7x teleconverter (TCON-17) for your camera. You'll also need a Panasonic adapter for attaching the teleconverter to the camera. With the teleconverter you'll have a maximum focal lenght around 730 mm.
Another option is to buy a new camera. For example, a Panasonic FZ28 (about 300 pounds in Romania) or a Canon Power Shot SX10 (about 350 pounds in Romania).
For more information see: http://www.birdforum.net/forumdisplay.php?f=375

[ChrisKten]

Check out reviews on line, you will get different opinions on this forum. I have a Fuji S8100fd (18 x zoom)that I'm more than happy with, others will tell you to get a Panasonic or Canon.

Do some research, check out image samples, ISO performance, etc. You will find that every Camera suffers from noise or loss of detail at high ISOs, even some DSLRs, it's just a matter of getting the best you can afford.

[ChrisKten]

Here's a few sites you can check:

http://www.trustedreviews.com/digital-cameras/

http://www.dpreview.com/

http://www.photographyblog.com/reviews/

There are many others.

[delia todd]

Hi clarachuff and welcome on behalf of the Staff and Moderators

I've moved your thread to the Camera forum as "I know nothing either"!

Yapton - oooh that brings back some very happy memories from childhood... we used to walk from Hoe Lane across the fields to Yapton at least once a year when staying with my Grandmother.

D

[ChrisKten]

I've only just noticed the "I know nothing", so ISOs may mean nothing to you.

When you take a picture in low light (overcast, getting dark, a bird deep in a tree) your camera (amongst other things) will raise the ISO. This will introduce noise that the Camera will try to reduce using noise reduction. Reducing the noise can reduce detail.

Others here know much more than I do (it's just a question of whether they are able to explain it in simple terms |=)|). They can explain about sensor size and how it affects noise at high ISOs. But much of this will be covered in the reviews on the sites I posted earlier.