Just can't do it (FZ30 -> DSLR)

Plus a 50mm f1.4, and possibly another prime wider than 18mm. Ofcourse that spoils the nice low figure quoted :)
Pentax *ist DL + Pentax DA 18-55mm + Pentax DA 50-200mm = $680 for
low light and action (very compact package with 27mm-300mm
effective coverage and 200-3200 ISO)).
Kept FZ10 for travel.
Waiting to trade both in on an EVIL(electronic viewfinder
interchangable lens) camera if they ever make one that does the job
as well as this combination.
 
This is the argument against it.

I do a lot of travelling, for business and personal. When space allows, my gear consists of the FZ30, sunpak 383, and a Fuji F10 all in a little camcorder bag. When on business, it's only the little F10 that comes along (it's tough to deal with a 3x zoom!).

So if I do keep the FZ30 and get a DSLR, when it comes to travel, it's still an either/or situation. And just looking at the weight in equipment makes me think the DSLR will spend a lot of time at home.
I bought a dslr, (Canon 10D), first. Got tired of packing around
all the camera and lenses. Got tired of cleaning the sensor. It
has had trouble focusing since new and Canon wants big bucks to
calibrate it. It now hangs on the wall in a back pack along with
several lenses! Bought the FZ-30 and for me it is great! With
420mm it is only ounces in my hand not 7 pounds with a 300mm lens
on the dslr. I've owned many cameras over the last 50 odd years
and the FZ-30 works for me.

Ron
 
I just can't get myself to get a DSLR. I have the money set aside
(yet again) but just can't pull the trigger. On my last trip, the
FZ30 performed admirably. I used the full 35-420mm of zoom, macro,
all the ISOs, and the O.I.S. I even took some movie clips and used
an external flash.

I want a DSLR for more useable high iso, shallow depth of field
portraits, and more dynamic range. I can't afford to have both, so
if I get a DSLR I'd have to give up the FZ30. That's the sticking
point. At this point, I just can't give up the 30 and all that it
offers in one package.

Anyone own both the FZ30 and a DSLR? Which do you use when, and
when you travel, what do you take?
 
I just noticed that the price at both B&H and Beach for the FZ30 is currently HIGHER than for the Pentax *ist DL with the kit 18-55 LENS. The price for the FZ30 has been increasing over the last few weeks at many of the most reputable dealers. The team of FZ30 plus the Pentax *ist DL could make a nice combo for some folks.
--
Shade (CJ)
http://www.pbase.com/shadepuppy
 
Do you do most of your photography around home or only when you travel? If it is the first, then you can have both and take out whichever one is more appropraite for the situation you will be in. For example, hike, FZ; party, DSLR.

If, on the other hand, most of your photography is travel, then the F10 and sometimes the FZ (like vacations) may be your answer.

-- Kate

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

...Make you the world a bit better or more beautiful because you have lived in it.
-- Edward W. Bok
 
for only $1500.00 more
than I have already spent, (a 80 to 400mm VR lens) I will be able
to do anything the FZ30 can do, with the D50...
So, you've figured a way to get video and live histogram from your D50?
:-)

Just my two öre
Erik from Sweden, F Z 5 owner
The only free lunch in photography: O I S

 
I dunno I am not here to say get an SLR, but some people seem to think you need $$$$$$$ £££££££ spent on lenses to get results equal to the FZ's.

The truth is you dont. Sure if you go Nikon and was IS then the lenses are more expensive (though good) Hence, after having used a number of the models out there, I plumped to the KM5D...now you can say you like canon nikon whatever better...it doesnt matter...

What you get is a free lunch...AS...its as good as mega OIS..yes it is!! And it is in the body..sure sony worries aside..it is the natural camera upgrade for FZ owners...

It is heavier, it is a bit more expensive (though there are a good selection of lenses for all budgets), and yes it does give better results..if you know how to use the thing. You get much better image quality at higher ISO, more shots off a battery, a nice OVF..and yeah you have to change lenses if you want telephoto...its not hard to do you know!

So you carry a slightly bigger bag...the reason the SLR is what it is..is that it is flexible..larger but you have "options"

What the fz series lacks is the decent high ISO, the af cannot be compared it more accurate and faster on an slr, accurate metering most of the time..a real fz weakness...and good dynamic range..

If you want the above, then get one. If you are happy with the fz, dont get one! its kinda simple! If you feel limited with the fz, and I did...though not everyone will...go get one, prices have never been better..

My KM5D cost me with the lens: £338.90

Thats a deal too good to pass on!
 
your DSLR, you can buy your FZ30 back for $100 (the extra $ 50 for holding fee, calibration fee - calibrating it to my liking, consultation fee - I will work with you on your DSLR shots and a lifetime nice job comments : ).
cheers,
gil
--
**************
ZERO positive feedback in pbase
http://art4less.smugmug.com
 
I know what you mean. The FZ30 isn't perfect, but when you start comparing it feature for feature with a dSLR it is really hard to dump it. I went the opposite direction from the Canon 20D to the FZ20 and then the FZ30 I have never been happier. I don't think it is possible to have more fun with a camera than I have with the FZ20 and FZ30. I have owned several digital cameras over the years and have yet to find one I like better, even at twice the price.

Robert
 
If in doubt, leave it out...

If you are not desperate to own a DSLR right now, I'd wait for the end of summer. I know, it's always 'wait until PMA' and then 'wait until photokina', but you have perfectly good camera right now. Buying a PS is not a long term commitment (just sell it on ebay, an you're only $1-200 down), while the choice of dslr mount is a different story. By the end the summer the we'll know what Father Zeisony will have in his bag for Christmas. We'll know whether the EVIL Pany is a fatamorgana or not, and we'll know if the new Pentax will have in body AS or not. I know, they are all virtually giving the DSLR bodies away for free, but maybe there is a good explanation for that... And remember, the first body in your DSLR adventure will NOT be the last one.
 
The only reason I still have a DLSR is to use it with a studio flash set up, since getting the FZ30 my ist D remains 'connected' to the flash blocks and has not ventured outside in 6 months.

PLUS I take around 6 times more photos with EffZed than I ever did with the ist D

PP
--
Camedia C750
Lumix FZ30 + Olympus WCON-07
Pentax ist D + Sigma 18-125
Hoya +10 Macro
 
I have a FZ30 and a 20D. I love them both.
Buying a DSLR is only the beginning. Then you have to buy lenses for it.

I use the DSLR when my primary objective is photography. When photography is secondary, or I dont want to carry a lot of weight, I use the FZ30.
After using a DSLR the FZ30 seems so light weight and easy.

--
My gallery- http://www.unnecessarybeauty.com/
 
That's what I'm looking at, a Pentax, but the DS. Interesting, you and others have said the same thing. I might just be too used to all-in-one convenience to go DSLR at this point. Maybe in the future I'll pick one up with a 50mm 1.4 just for portraits.
The only reason I still have a DLSR is to use it with a studio
flash set up, since getting the FZ30 my ist D remains 'connected'
to the flash blocks and has not ventured outside in 6 months.

PLUS I take around 6 times more photos with EffZed than I ever did
with the ist D

PP
--
Camedia C750
Lumix FZ30 + Olympus WCON-07
Pentax ist D + Sigma 18-125
Hoya +10 Macro
 
Is photography a hobby for you, or something more?
I have a FZ30 and a 20D. I love them both.
Buying a DSLR is only the beginning. Then you have to buy lenses
for it.
I use the DSLR when my primary objective is photography. When
photography is secondary, or I dont want to carry a lot of weight,
I use the FZ30.
After using a DSLR the FZ30 seems so light weight and easy.

--
My gallery- http://www.unnecessarybeauty.com/
 
I use the FZ15 very occasionally when I want the full f2.8 and less noise (gasp - said the magic word) - carry the FZ30 every day. I find I simply never use the Canon or its 2 stabilized lenses any more, though I cant bring myself to sell it.

I plan to buy the TZ1 soon as its available and expect to carry it in a belt sheath literally every minute of every day.

The FZ30 gives excellent 13x19 prints up to about a 50% crop with ISO 80 & 100 and very good 13X19 prints with slight cropping at ISO 400 with use of Noice Ninja and careful postprocessing.

The one thing I do prefer is the color rendition of the Canon - but not enough to carry it, it seems.

--
Best wishes, rennie12
'Do not wish for things to be as you would like them to be -
Wish to like things as they are'
 
It's currently a serious hobby, but my goal is to be pro or at least semi-pro. I felt the FZ30 wasnt adequate for some of what I wanted to do, so I got a DSLR.
I find the FZ30 and 20D complement each other well.

I credit the FZ20 with making me more serious about photography, and I credit the FZ30 with making me want a DSLR.

--
My gallery- http://www.unnecessarybeauty.com/
 
I use the FZ15 very occasionally when I want the full f2.8 and less
noise (gasp - said the magic word) - carry the FZ30 every day. I
find I simply never use the Canon or its 2 stabilized lenses any
more, though I cant bring myself to sell it.

I plan to buy the TZ1 soon as its available and expect to carry it
in a belt sheath literally every minute of every day.

The FZ30 gives excellent 13x19 prints up to about a 50% crop with
ISO 80 & 100 and very good 13X19 prints with slight cropping at ISO
400 with use of Noice Ninja and careful postprocessing.

The one thing I do prefer is the color rendition of the Canon - but
not enough to carry it, it seems.

--
Best wishes, rennie12
'Do not wish for things to be as you would like them to be -
Wish to like things as they are'
 

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