Pictures of fireworks

[kayaraelyn]

I wonderful camera just died, wondering if there is a camera that is not a dslr that takes great pictures of the fireworks. Would love to buy a dlsr but we are 18 days from our vaction and it's not really in the budget

Any one have any suggetions of a good camera

Thanks

 

[Kittyskyfish]

I think I have the answer for you! Panasonic makes the DMC FZ28, which an excellent bridge PnS with an great lens and sensor, plus it's not too expensive. When I say bridge, I mean it's a camera that's made to be a primary PnS but functions more closely to a DSLR, without the removable lens of course. It's not a true dslr but it produces gorgeous pictures and has enough manual features to dabble with. It also has HD video, which is lovely. You can easily find it online for about $299. Its weight with battery is about 15 oz, just to give you an idea of what it would be like carrying it around.

NOTE: Your trip is coming up quickly and so if you order online, buying from a reputable vendor is a must! Don't want to have something that takes 3 weeks to ship. Personally, I love B&H and Adorama for their excellent CS and shipping.

Here's a great site to see who's trusted and who's on the 'watch list'. http://www.resellerratings.com/

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

Canon SX110 IS (P&S) or SX10IS (bridge). These take AA batteries, so get the rechargeable type like Eneloops if you getthis camera. They hold the charge longer than regular quick charge batteries.
For Fireworks, you should mount it on a tripod and take long exposure type shots. Some cameras have a fireworks setting, that should help. The tripod is invaluable for night shots and fireworks. It's not the camera. Any camera will come out blurry if you try to handhold using long exposures to capture fireworks or shots of Main Street all lit up at night, etc. And if you want short exposures than you have to bump up the ISO to mostly unacceptable levels for P&S, and you'll get grainy, noisy photos. I'd get a lightweight cheap tripod to use with whatever camera you decide to get. Good luck!

 

[Queen Elisabeth]

I am also planning on buying a new bridge camera for my trip (and beyond), and I am trying to decide between a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28S and a Sony Cyber-shot DSCH50. The Panasonic gets slightly higher reviews on Amazon, but I'm wondering how it compares to the Sony on action shots. I had a slightly older version of the Sony that had the same sport shooting mode as the DSC H50 and it took awesome action pictures of my kids (before it got stolen)! I'm sort of leaning toward the Panasonic at this point, but I'm wondering if it will handle fast moving kids as well. I'm also looking for something that will handle Disneyland at night well.

I know that alot of you are great photographers around here, so any advise you guys can give would be appreciated.

 

[kayaraelyn]

Yup really need some help looking for a brideg camera that takes good shots but also has options to change things

We are looking at the Canon 12.1 MP Digital Camera (SX200) and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ7 Any thoughts

We are in Canada and thay haven't released the Canon so we can't go and see it so just looking online

Any help

 

[Kittyskyfish]

Yup really need some help looking for a brideg camera that takes good shots but also has options to change things

We are looking at the Canon 12.1 MP Digital Camera (SX200) and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ7 Any thoughts

We are in Canada and thay haven't released the Canon so we can't go and see it so just looking online

Any help

Did they release the TZ7 in Canada, yet? It's also called the ZS3 in the States (as if it needed more than one name...lol) and not available to us. I haven't played with the ZS3 or SX200, but from what I can gather on the DP forums, they are very similar cameras made to compete with each other. Here's a link to an actual review comparing the two:

http://www.photographyblog.com/reviews/canon_powershot_sx200_is_review/conclusion/

I think both cameras sound fine. Two things that stand out, tho. With the Panasonic, you can zoom the lens while recording in movie mode but you can't with the Canon. Also, the Panasonic's flash is within the body of the camera, while the Canon pops up and has to be snapped closed when you put it away.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

canon power shot perfect

 

[kayaraelyn]

Thanks for all the input, I think we may have changed our minds. I think we want to buy a Nikon d60

Where would you buy one from as we need one asap as we are in D land in 18 days

Thanks
again

 

[Kittyskyfish]

Thanks for all the input, I think we may have changed our minds. I think we want to buy a Nikon d60

Where would you buy one from as we need one asap as we are in D land in 18 days

Thanks
again

I would post another thread on the photography board and ask if anyone knows of a good e-tailer that ships FAST to Canada. I'm not familiar with the customs delays and fees you could face.

When I did film and darkroom work, I always used either B&H and Adorama with zero issues, and I was ordering from them 1x per month. I recommend calling them if you are interested in purchasing from the US.

 

[wannagoback]

Thanks for all the input, I think we may have changed our minds. I think we want to buy a Nikon d60

Where would you buy one from as we need one asap as we are in D land in 18 days

Thanks
again

Can I ask why you chose a D60 over the D40? I'm just curious because I bought a D40 recently and I am very pleased with it. Some of the reviews I read actually recommended the D40 over the D60. If budget is a concern, then the D40 might be an even better option. I haven't tried mine yet with the fireworks, but I plan to this weekend!

 

[Kittyskyfish]

I am also planning on buying a new bridge camera for my trip (and beyond), and I am trying to decide between a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28S and a Sony Cyber-shot DSCH50. The Panasonic gets slightly higher reviews on Amazon, but I'm wondering how it compares to the Sony on action shots. I had a slightly older version of the Sony that had the same sport shooting mode as the DSC H50 and it took awesome action pictures of my kids (before it got stolen)! I'm sort of leaning toward the Panasonic at this point, but I'm wondering if it will handle fast moving kids as well. I'm also looking for something that will handle Disneyland at night well.

I know that alot of you are great photographers around here, so any advise you guys can give would be appreciated.

Hi QE! I really don't know much about the DSC-H50 so it wouldn't be fair for me to compare the two. However, I did find a super zoom group test on DPReview that has the FZ28 and DSC-H50 side-by-side.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/q109superzoomgroup/

 

[Queen Elisabeth]

Hi QE! I really don't know much about the DSC-H50 so it wouldn't be fair for me to compare the two. However, I did find a super zoom group test on DPReview that has the FZ28 and DSC-H50 side-by-side.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/q109superzoomgroup/

Thank you! After more searching around, I think I'm going to go with the Panasonic.

 

[Kittyskyfish]

Thank you! After more searching around, I think I'm going to go with the Panasonic.

Have fun with it!

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

Thanks for all the input, I think we may have changed our minds. I think we want to buy a Nikon d60
Where would you buy one from as we need one asap as we are in D land in 18 days
Thanks
again

Do you have experience using a DSLR? Just curious, because it seemed from your first post that you were interested in a P&S and the 2 cameras are very different. That's why I mentioned the P&S and the Bridge cameras.
Can you get stuff from Amazon? They ship fast and usually are as cheap or cheaper than BHphoto and Adorama, et al. Plus w/ Amazon, if you spend over $25 the shipping is usually free as long as you buy from Amazon and not a 3rd party retailer who sells on Amazon. I buy most of my stuff from Amazon. The D60 is a capable camera, but if you eventually want to be able to use better, older glass in AF mode, you will soon find yourself wanting to ugrade to a better body like the D90, or even the D80. The D60 and D40 can only MF w/ these cameras. If you've got the budget, I'd say get the D90. It has much more usable photos shot at high ISO under low light conditions. I had a D80 and upgraded to the D90. The D80 and D90 will Auto focus w/ lenses like the 50 mm1.8 that retails for around $109 but has really nice Bokeh. Of course, Nikon has a newer slightly more expensive version of this lens that will AF with the D60 and D40s. That one is around $199. Good luck with your purchase and don't forget the tripod!