This page is a record of the various cameras, lenses and other camera related equipment we have used over the years be it DSLR, P&S or bridge cameras. This also includes the cameras I have used for Digiscoping. Some of the cameras below we no longer own but it is quite nice to reflect on some of the cameras with their own individual merits.

Panasonic TZ7
 

This camera was added to our collection in Nov 09. It has some very good features of which the lens being a very handy one. A very wide angle of 25mm and a telephoto of 300mm is a superb addition. Another big bonus is the video recording ability as it records in HD at 720p. I can play this video directly through my Blu-Ray player via the TV without having change it's format whilst able to edit the footage through the computer. It also a pocket sized camera which we intend to fully use in our upcoming trip to India. The downside to this camera is that Panasonic have upgraded the firmware to v1.2 which is not good as this firmware stops the use of non original brand batteries being used. The cost of the Panasonic batteries is silly (£35) so I managed to source the old firmware v1.1 which I have already installed and allows the use of other brands of battery which are available at a far reduced price. If this firmware presents you with the same problem just contact me and I will pass on the v1.1 firmware. The battery issue was the only difference in the firmware change so no usage of features is lost or gained.

Nikon D80


Mandy's first step into DSLR photography with this camera. It was a real tustle at the time to decide between the Canon 400D but the Nikon just edged it although it does seem that many more Canon lenses (for Canon cameras) are available at cheaper prices than the equivalent Nikon offerings but we have no problems in using generic lenses from Tamron and Sigma.

Nikon P5100

 

Another camera I am currently using for Digiscoping. The best camera I have had so far for this purpose with great picture quality although in comparison to the Samsung NV3 the focus can be a little slow to lock and to be honest is not quite as accurate...but when you do get it right...Wow! More on the camera and other cameras is in greater detail on the left hand manu under Digiscoping.

Nikon 3100


Our first ever good point and shoot that was excellent for Macro work although it is hard to believe it only has a 1.5" LCD screen

Canon S3 is with 12x Optical Zoom

   

An adaptor which allows other lenses like teleconverters, wide angle and Macro has been bought along with the macro lens. The macro lens allows the camera to take macro pictures from a distance which helps tremendously when photographing sensitive subjects. The macro modes within the camera will still be useful for some subjects but with the macro lens so easy to attach it will be interesting which is used more over time. Mandy uses this camera a lot and has found the leap from point and shoot to a more manual quite rewarding. The change has lead to a deeper understanding being required so only time will show if this camera suits us. It does have a few features which are very good for Mandy's favourite form of photography, macro, and that is the screen has the ability to swivel out from the camera and be moved to the required angle for viewing no matter where the lens be pointed wether that be over head or on the ground.

Konica Minolta Z3 with 12x Optical Zoom

The camera I picked up at the Birdfair in 2005 was a camera I had had my eye on for a while.  It seems just right for me as a more general approach to photography has been taken.This camera has been a pleasure for me to use as all the functions that I like are readily accessed  with it's ability to use it as a point and shoot or, if you feel more adventurous then a more manual approach can be attained. I have to admit that I mainly use the auto function but it does this well enough for me.

Nikon 4500

 This had some very important features including a very high quality lens and the body of the camera could be swivelled into a position where the LCD could be seen no matter what position the scope was in so in effect it allowed the scope to stay at an optimum state whilst the camera ease of body rotation allowed the user a more comfortable stance.

Samsung NV3

  
  

The Samsung NV3 has been bought with one task in mind. That is Digiscoping which I have been experimenting with since 2003. This is a way of gaining high quality images of subjects at varying distances and especially those at long distance. The camera I began with was a large "brick" a Nikon 4500 but it was one of the few cameras able to fulfil this task.  The NV3, as you can see, has an internal zoom which often is the best for digiscoping as the camera lens sits tight up against the spotting scopes lens

Mandy has the following

Nikon D80 (Info Here)

Sigma Macro 105mm F/2.8 EX DG (Info Here)

Sigma 100-300mm F4 Lens (Info Here)

Tamron 28-200mm f3.8-5.6 XR Di Aspherical IF Macro Lens (Info here)

Sigma 1.4x Teleconverter (Info Here)

Marumi Macro Ring Flash (Info Here)

Manfrotto Tripod 055MFV (Info Here)

Manfrotto Tripod Head 393 (Info Here)