Testing a sub £100 camera

[fredg]

I thought I'd try out a new bridge camera for visiting orchid sites.
The first shot of an insect was taken on auto, I believe it said landscape setting.
Not too bad definition on a standard setting.
The three orchid shots were taken on macro setting.
Definitely crisp shots.
It was a bit on the windy side so I couldn't test out super macro but the cameras is looking pretty good to me for the low price.

[alpines]

Nice shots Fred......looks like you picked up a real bargain there

[mark smyth]

and the camera is a ....?

[Anthony Darby]

and the camera is a ....?

Answers on a £10 note to this address!

[fredg]

and the camera is a ....?

Patience please.

I managed to try out the supermacro ( 2cm <) this morning.
It's still windy but the shots are acceptable.
First is half a flower of Anacamptis laxiflora, it's crisp.
The second is a flower of Pinguicula grandiflora.
The flower was vibrating in the wind  but again the picture is crisp.
These Pinguicula have been  notoriously difficult ( for me) to get a reasonable colour reproduction.
This looks pretty good.

[fredg]

This Camera is a Fujifilm Finepix S1730.

Argos are selling the S1730 and Amazon the S1600 for under £100.

I ordered a S1600 from Amazon which arrived in a S1600 box with a S1730 plate on the camera, it also identifies itself as a S1730 on the computer.
I have checked the specifications of the two cameras on the Fuji site and they are identical.

http://www.fujifilm.co.uk/consumer/digital/digital-cameras/d-slr-long-zoom/finepix-s1600
http://www.fujifilm.co.uk/consumer/digital/digital-cameras/d-slr-long-zoom/finepix-s1730

My initial choice would have been for an Olympus bridge camera but they now do not have viewfinders.

So for a 15X optical zoom, 12 Megapixel resolution and good macro, this / these cameras are well worth a look.

[Maren]

Excellent choice, Fred, or is it that you have a very steady hand? or used a tripod?

[fredg]

Maren

These shots are taken without a tripod.
I also wouldn't say my hand is particularly steady.
These digital cameras  have a high ISO rating, I never used a film with an ISO so high.
It all helps

[Maren]

Oh dear, I know that I shouldn't but I probably will succumb.

On the other hand, tonight I greatly enjoyed a presentation by Paul Cumbleton with beautiful close-ups of a variety of flowers. He had a 200 mm lens.

Decisions, decisions...........

[fredg]

See if this helps Maren 

All on the supermacro setting.
1. Cypripedium debile.
2. Drosera filiformis ssp filiformis
3. Drosera x hybrida
4. Drosera x hybrida how close would you want to go?

[John85]

Nice pics!Fred.Seems very good value for money.Shoud it be possible to show us some more red and blue flowers(like a geranium Johnson's blue or Orion) please .You have nearly convinced me to buy one!

[Maren]

Yes, or some pleiones if you have them. I find my cameras (cheapee and expensive) make a hash of the colours.

[fredg]

A distance shot for a change.
X15 zoom hand held through double glazing.
I was just amazed with how little it was hanging on with.

[fredg]

Back to the mundane macro shots.
This subject I've always enjoyed.