Hamarana

The problem with being me, is that although I do have little spendup times, generally I am painfully and tediously sensible, as many who know me well can attest to.

I really really wanted to get a new camera. And I will, it just is not going to be any of those I wanted. I was really excited about getting a decent tax refund, and had every intention of going out today and buying a superduper DSLR (yes I had changed my mind again, and had the money to be able to do that) but, instead, I have just logged out of my bank website after having just paid around $1200 in bills. Some were outstanding, most were not. Its just that time of year… theres just once in every year when it seems everything comes at once, and thats usually August/September, for me.

So… I am MAYBE going to get a new camera later today. There is an acceptable under $500 compromise, if there are any left now. Otherwise, its all going to have to wait until next year.

And I seem to have left my newish Olympus somewhere… or dropped it out of my bag… no idea… but now I have to go in to the office on my days off and search there, because there is noplace else it could possibly be. What a bloody pest.

[Edit] Camera found and new one bought. Obsolete (2007 model, now superceded by an 8100… not a lot of difference except MP) Fujifilm S8000fd, 18x zoom, 8MP, does macro and everything else I wanted it to. My 3 year old Olympus C760 will now go to live in a new home, depending on who wants it.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28-K bridge camera is the one which is now at the top of my list of possibles. Its not due for release until September (actual date not known right now) but on looking at its specs, I think its probably the one for me.

Yes, I was seriously considering that Fujifilm S100FS but I found later that it doesn’t do RAW. The RAW thats available with Olympus cameras is something called “Olympus RAW” and I don’t know how that differs from any other kind of RAW but it set me wondering about proprietary formats and I did not want that either.

So I am left with what seems to be the only other bridge camera (aka superzoom camera) which does RAW, and thats the Panasonic range… specifically in my case, the FZ28. It will also focus down to 1cm for macro shots, and zoom to 486mm (in 35mm terms) or 18x zoom which is more than enough zoom for most people, most of the time. Its 10 megapixels and I know thats quite enough for me because currently I only use 5 megapixels in my 10 megapixel MJU1020. Also advantageous is its ability to take 8G mem cards. The 2G limitation in Olympus would soon become a pest.

According to the conventional wisdom, Panasonic cams are faster to start up, and faster to shoot and have much less shutter lag than the Olympus range. This may be due to a number of things but one of the aspects affecting shutter lag is the kind of shutter… the Panasonic is mechanical rather than electronic and this is, it seems, a very good thing.

I’m ready to buy now, so I guess I will be paying close to RRP for this one, I’ve seen prices quoted from $459 through to $699… and $749 is the RRP. I’m not going to shop around much, I am pretty sure this is my next cam and I just can’t wait to get my hands on it. I believe its going to be the best all-rounder I have had so far. Pix below lifted from the Panasonic site so as not to steal bandwidth.

Fortunately I have no money free at the moment to pursue a camera, but I am on the hunt so that when I do have the cash flow, I’ll be able to act almost right away.

The Fujifilm S100FS is a bridge camera (I’ve been calling them semi-compacts until this week, only just found out the correct term). It is almost like an SLR except the lens doesn’t disconnect. It does the things I want: long zoom, 1cm macro, image stabilisation and so forth. It also does RAW which is excellent in terms of image quality. It has been getting excellent writeups and reviews, from Choice to yer average camera website…

Disadvantages: Its just as heavy and large as a DSLR and for the price (RRP in Australia $899) you might as well get a DSLR.

The Olympus bridge cameras I was looking at are now apparently obsolete. Nobody has much stock and we don’t have any idea whats coming. I already bought an obsolete Olympus, so I don’t think I want any more. And I can use my Olympus XD cards in the Fuji, so at first, at least, I wont need to buy any new storage media.

In Digital SLRs I’m attracted to the Sony Alpha Series, and the basic 10MP version the A200 with a twin lens kit is currently under $1000, and the Nikon D60 with a twin lens kit which goes close to $1500.

I think ultimately I will end up with another bridge camera, just because the DSLR money is too much for me. This, from someone who paid two month’s wages without blinking for a top-of-line Minolta 35mm SLR in 1973. The Fuji is looking like the only serious contender right now, with Olympus (the only other consideration which does RAW) in the midst of model changes.

[Edit] I read this past weekend (24/8) that the Sony cameras are actually Konika-Minolta. I had no idea they had bought that company out. Makes the Sony even more appealing to me, and in spite of people warning me off because the image stabilisation is in camera rather than in lenses, this appeals because it won’t matter which lenses I get, so a Sony body, a Tamron 18-250mm, plus a decent macro would do the deal for me entirely…

OR: the Fuji. Dammit. I hate these decisions. Maybe I should get both!!

Anyone got any thoughts on all this?