I am a graphic designer, and consequently had several photography classes in college. My first digital SLR was a canon 20D. I recently moved to the 7D. I live near a lake, and have tried photographing the very skittish blue herons that can be found on the lake, in the midwest (USA), but they do not let a person on foot to get close. My telephoto lens is the Canon 70-300 IS lens. I am definitely not getting the same results you are getting. Do you think the Canon 100-400 IS L lens would make a big difference, or simply a marginal difference?
Martin, I've really enjoyed my journey as I've travelled my way through your galleries. I feel like I've been on safari. You have many truly outstanding images & I thank you for sharing them. Keep up the good work, your galleries are an inspiration to me.
Dr. Kai
01-May-2005 10:14
Thanks for this nice page with its fantastic pictures! It really helped me in my decision to buy a new camera.
Guest
28-Mar-2005 21:29
Hi Martin
Thanks for your feedback. I have had the Canon G2 for 3 years, and am very happy with it, although the lack of a zoom is disappointing/frustrating. However, I only do wildlife photos for one week of the year, so I cant justify spending lots of money on a camera for it. Actually the camera (at 4MP) is more than fine for wildlife, except of course, for birds. And I have a 1.5 telekonverter for it. As I am going again soon, and happened to see a special on the 8800, I thought this would be a good idea, but after your comments and reading quite a few reviews about it, I am going to leave it (although I am disappointed). The Panasonic FZ5 looks interesting, but I think it is not yet available, and I would need it by mid April. The FZ20 looks good too, but I find it too big. Read a review about the Minolta Z5, dont think it is for me. With a 300mm or bigger zoom, dont think there is anything else at the moment, except the Canon S1 IS, which only has 3MP (pity, as I am now a Canon fan). Maybe there will be something for my next holiday.
As far as a DSLR goes, would be nice having one, but the expense compared to the times I actually need, it is not justifiable for me. I was someone that laughed at people with compacts, and now after 3 years of having the G2, it is the last thing on my mind to get an SLR. It is great going anywhere with the 'small' G2, without the weight of the whole SLR equipment, e.g beach, safari, riding, etc etc. Main focus of my fotos are the children, and the G2 does a great job, also good for landscapes, indoors, etc. Love the way the display can be used (just like the 8800).
Anyway, it was great having your opinion.
Bye
Hi Rui,
I highly recommend the Nikon 8800 for landscape, close-up (not really macro), and general walk-by photography of things that do not move around. VR moderates the effect of camera shake, not of subject movement. It is not impossible to make a decent shot of slow or even fast moving subjects when the light is good, but even then only one in 3 to 4 seconds: 2s camera freeze, 1-2 s reframing your subject (if you find it) and autofocus. The camera IS slow, at 8MP anyway, and the autofocus is often hunting in low light. I have tried the camera at 5MP, but it wasn't much faster.
Maybe a different super zoom compact would be a better match for your needs? I wanted a super zoom with more than 5 MP, so the Minolta Z and Panasonic FZ series were not an option for me. Canon and Sony have interesting models (announced) too. Maybe one of them is considerably faster, but I doubt it. They are designed for "consumers", not photographers. Looking at your list of interests no super zoom compact is going to make you really happy.
When taking wildlife fotos at dusk/dawn and kids playing soccer are high on your list, you are much better off with a DSLR and a decent tele zoom lens; 70-200 mm for soccer; for wildlife at least 300 mm. Pros use lenses with f/stop 2.8 or 4, but when at ISO 800 the camera offers a quality acceptable to you, 5.6 should be enough. DSLR and lens will cost you a bit more than a Coolpix 8800, but maybe not too much since the "old" Canon Rebel/300D dropped in price.
I am considering buying a DSLR too, but can't yet decide which one.
--tinu--
Rui
27-Mar-2005 22:02
Hi Martin
I am interested in a Nikon 8800, based on your experiences would you recomend it ?? I am interested in taking wildlife fotos (also very early in the morning or late in the evening, i.e. low light, sunny/cloudy days), some action photography (kids not staying still, a kids soccer match), and normal things like landscape, people. I have read that the camera is slow, i.e. in focussing, writing to the CF card, camera freezing up). Has this been your experience ?? I do not need to use 8MP that often, only if subject is far. Happy to use 3 or 5 MP. I have a 4MP camera, and shoot mainly at 2MP.
Thanks
