Sorry guys/gals ... but, I am a 'newbie' to this forum page and to digital photography in general.

I guess my questions will have been covered previously, so I apologise for any repetition.

I'll make it quick:

I am considering the purchase of a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ30 as a camera for general use and in part - for its great macro ability. What can anybody out there tell me about this camera (as a prosumer choice)? Does this camera have many merits, or are there problems with it? Can this camera be used effectively for aviation photograhy (ie. good quality images)?

I would really like to learn significantly more about dSLR photography and in particular - aviation photography.
I don't want to start a comparison war with Canon-v-Nikon, but; I have looked at both the Canon EOS 350D and Nikon D70s & apart from the variance in sensor size, sensor type and resolution capture - I cannot decide which unti is the better?

I do understand lenses and lens quality contribute greatly towards image quality, but what is a good lens to buy? Do I need something up to 300mm for aviation photography - particularly at airshows?

I have also looked at the Nikon D200 - but, this camera is way too costly at the moment ($2,800.00AUD).

Any suggestions, comments, or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

Graham Slingsby
Australia

Welcome Graham.

Just a brief response - firstly I must admit I am not to be able to answer your question about the Panasonic camera. But my bias is that you need a DSLR to really be able to get the quality needed for uploads here.

Also I have a bias, in that I am a Canon user. But I have seen many people's shots, and I would argue that one of the key advantages that the 350D has over the D70 is that the Canon allows you to use ISO 100, whereas I believe the Nikon has 200 as its lowest setting. After some time here you become a real stickler for minor details, and I think this difference in ISO does have an effect on quality, in favour of the Canon. Also, I have often seen D70 photos with a slight colour cast and some say that the white balance of the Canon is superior.

I also think that Canon offers a very wide range of lenses and - importantly - their lower range zoom (in terms of cost, such as the 70-300mm) does produce very good quality images.

You really need to hear from a Nikon user to get a fair comparison of views.

I hope this is of some help.

Cheers.

Paul

Quoting AussieAviator (Thread starter): I am considering the purchase of a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ30

I've read that this camera is noisy (digital grain), but I have no experience of it. You might want to check www.dpreview.com for more information about this camera and competitors such as the Canon S2 or S3.

Quoting AussieAviator (Thread starter): I have looked at both the Canon EOS 350D and Nikon D70s

Again I have no experience of Nikons but I went for the 350D over the D70 for precisely the same reasons that Paul mentioned. That said, I believe that the new Nikon D50 does offer ISO100 (Nikonians may confirm).

Quoting AussieAviator (Thread starter): what is a good lens to buy?

For airshows I would say you need 400mm rather than 300mm, but here we're talking serious money. However, a 300mm lens should suffice for most other types of aviation photography.

Lenses vary in quality from consumer grade to pro, with price tags to match. I have a Canon 75-300mm lens, which is decidedly consumer grade. It is very affordable and it gives perfectly good results in the 75-200mm range or thereabouts, but as you approach full zoom photo quality deteriorates markedly. Still, if one can't afford better, it's better than nothing.

If you're new to photography I would recommend you go with a good non-DSLR with a x10 or x12 optical zoom (and preferably image stabilisation). It will enable you to learn the ropes, and in due course you can decide at your own leisure if you would like to upgrade to a DSLR.

Charles

Thankyou both very much gentlemen. Your time taken to answer my questions is most appreciated.

Charles, your advice suggesting that I should initially buy a non-DSLR is valid and I think with this in mind - I shall purchase the LUMIX DZ30. It seems like a very nice camera with all the functions of a DSLR - so, this may assist in allowing me to learn the ropes. I have read that this camera does produce some excessive 'noise'. then again; some other reviewers' refute this claim.

I'm really starting to sway towards the Canon EOS 350D; plus, the price of this camera is dropping dramatically here in Australia (maybe because of the 30D?), which means the extra savings can be contributed towards a decent telephoto lens!

Thanks once again for your timely assistance.

Graham

[Edited 2006-07-09 04:22:01]