A Guide for Newbies

Author & Editor

Author: Arthur

Editor: <Please add your name here if you have edit this article>

Photographs and article are copyright of Arthur

Introduction

Ultra zoom cameras have gained much popularity over the recent years because of their long focus reach, a hot cake especially among those who are keen to try out bird photography. Unlike typical P&S cameras, Ultra zoom cameras offer much more functions and users have control over the camera settings. Some models even offer a hot shoe where one can mount an external flash onto it.

I have owned an ultra zoom camera, the Panasonic Lumix FZ10 for 3 years; I loved this humble setup of mine and I have captured many wonderful moments with it. I will not go in-depth on the different brands of Ultra Zoom cameras because I have not tested them before.

Get the first hand information

Many of a time I have encountered people regretting on their purchase. Wonder why? The main reason is because they have not done enough homework. So don’t be lazy, do a quick search over the internet to check on the pro and con of different brands of ultra zoom cameras and decide which models suit your needs before rushing down to your nearest camera retail shop. A good website I would like recommend is: www. dpreview.com

Are you ready?

Hold your horses, not so fast. After you have decided on the model you wanted to buy, do check whether the camera supports a teleconversion lens. Bear in mind that reach is essential for bird photography. In order to capture decent sized images of our little feathered friends, you need all the reach you can get, trust me.

Beside getting the camera and the camera bag, what else do I need?

Nowadays, most ultra zoom cameras come with image stabilizer that will minimize blur images due to handshake, but doesn’t guaranteed you sharp pictures every time you pressed the shutter button. Therefore to overcome this, a steady support is a must. Buy a well built tripod to mount your camera when taking your shots because you do not want the precious moment you have captured to turn out to be nothing more than a blur image. Tripods manufactured by Manfotto are well constructed and the price tags reasonable.

Some ultra zoom cameras also come with a hot shoe, which I think, is a wonderful thing. Buy a compatible external flash and flash extender. At times, you need to use flash to fill some catchlights to your subjects especially under dime light conditions.

What is a flash extender and how does it help?

A flash extender is basically an additional fresnel lens that velcroes to two plastic prongs that can be fixed to the flashgun’s head (external flash) with the help of an elastic band. The purpose of a flash extender is to help to increase the flash output that your flash can’t reach, and fill in catchlights to subjects that are far away.

Got my camera, but I can’t get good pictures

There are no fast rules of getting a good shot. Practice, more practice and learn from trails and errors are the magic words. Once you master your equipments, they will work wonder for you.

My Results

Enjoy your new hobby and Happy Shooting!
___________________ above article, photographs contributed and copyright of Arthur