s6000fd & aviation photography?

[lazerin]

Hi guys,
I've been looking to get a camera that will allow me to do some amateur aviation photography. The s6000fd seems to be a very capable camera from all reviews and it's just in my price range. I'm not going to be able to get a dslr anytime soon, so a bridge sort of camera will have to do.

I've arrived at the s6000fd because of it has a large telephoto lens (which would be handy for aviation photography right?) and the lens is manually controlled.

Do you guys think this camera would be suitable for what I want to do? The shots I'd be looking to take would range from planes coming in on approach/or taking off, to planes parked at the terminal. Seeing as the airport is a big place, I'd need the big zoom to get the shots framed well from standing at the airport peripheries.

Would I be able to take nice shots like those at http://www.airliners.net with this camera?

Are there any other cameras in this price range that I should consider instead of this?

Or, should I not bother and wait until I can actually afford a dslr?

Any info would be great, cheers!

[Paradox]

Well a DSLR would be better because of it's fast response times and snappy autofocus really. But if you want to go Ultrazoom you could try looking at the FZ50 as an alternative.

Low light doesn't sound like it'll be a problem if you're doing aviation photography, so the poor ISO performance doesn't matter. It has, I believe, slightly longer focal length at full zoom than the Fuji, and comes with Image Stabilisation, which will help get rid of blur caused by camera shake. Also, if you really felt the need, you can buy conversion lenses for it which will increase the zoom by a large amount. It has manual zoom (And focus if you want it) rings on the lens barrel, and full manual controls (You might want to use the shutter priority mode for what you will be photographing actually).

Both are very capable cameras. Personally for this I'd like to have the IS of the Panasonic, as at 420mm zoom it really does make a difference if the camera's hand-held. If you'll be using a tripod it's less important. But overall, a DSLR would be superior. But to get one and a telephoto lens isn't anywhere near as cheap. Your call.

[lazerin]

Thanks Paradox. The FZ50 is a bit more expensive unfortunately, but it is still significantly cheaper than a DSLR I guess.

Is the better performance at higher ISO of the s5000fd comparable to the IS and reduced ISO performance of the FZ50?

[Paradox]

They're both useful for different things - for low light (Indoor) shots the Fuji's ISO is much more useful. But for this I'd imagine IS would be more useful, as you get less shake without the added noise (Which you get, although in lesser amounts, even on the Fuji). So it depends on your use. Generally higher ISO is considered more useful, but if you're mainly shooting outside during the day...

Also, I don't know about the Fuji, but the FZ50 has a swivel LCD - could in situations where you have to shoot over peoples heads in crowds etc prove useful I guess. But either way, it's really up to you. Depends what you want. I'm just presenting the options as best I know them.

[AlexMonro]

Lazerin, usable high ISO tends to be most useful for action shots of fast moving subjects, since the higher shutter speeds it enables to reduce camera shake also freeze the motion blur. Image stabilisation can be slightly more effective for static or slow moving subjects, but both of these are unlikely to be a major concern for you unless you get to take shots inside a hanger (perhaps at a museum?) or at dawn / dusk.

Another possiblity you might want to look at is the Panasonic FZ18 - it gives you slightly longer telephoto (504mm equiv) as well as a true wide angle (28mm) for when you do manage to get close to the planes, as well as IS. You would miss out on the lovely manual zoom ring of the S6000 though.

[lazerin]

Alright, I've committed and bought the s6000fd. Will post pics when I get it :)