Encouraging to now you share my views on this, Sheps.
I did let committee members know in no uncertain way (which is my way) how I felt and inasmuch as they're continually trying to encourage new members, I'm rather surprised nothing seems to have changed.
' First prize goes to the competition secretary, second prize goes to the competition secretary's wife and third prize goes to the chairman'......you know the score!
I recommend it on the basis that it has a top quality CMOS sensor (more important than a huge pixel count) and a top quality & versatile lens. It will meet and exceed all you present requirements.
Blimey...it sounds like my dad has reared up from his grave! And all these years of listening to all that techie speak I still hear blah blah blah! He popped his clogs just before the digital age really took hold but it's nice seeing the same enthusiasm in you guys. He had a friend who lived quite a distance away and when he asked what the weather was like in Enniskillen he was told "a fiftieth at f8"!
Interesting, pp. Interesting to note that early cameras such as the Kodak Brownie had fixed apertures and speeds.......commonly f11 aperture & 1/50 or 1/25 of a second shutter speed. This meant that pictures could only be taken on fine days. A little flexibility was available by being able to choose the ISO (speed) rating of roll film.
I do miss him. He tried his best to get me interested in photography...it was his passion. He always used Rollies in the early days and then Mamiyas and dear knows what else. He had a few Hasselblads too but my mum said they were just "male jewellery"! Obviously he had 35s as well but for his professional work it was always the big girls. After he left it fell to me to clear the dark room. What a job. I can still smell the fixer and developer and remember the many happy hours we spent in pitch blackness working magic.
Ah, happy memories for you, pp. I too used to develop & print my own roll film and like you spent many a happy hour in my (improvised) dark room with it's ickle red bulb.
This was when I was in my early teens, during a austere period, so expensive cameras were never an option. Probably a Zenith (Russian) camera was the nearest I ever came to being posh. A Leica was my unfulfilled ambition.
Alas, I did okay and am now enjoying the new-fangled stuff that is out of date before you've handed your money over.
Posts
Encouraging to now you share my views on this, Sheps.
I did let committee members know in no uncertain way (which is my way) how I felt and inasmuch as they're continually trying to encourage new members, I'm rather surprised nothing seems to have changed.
' First prize goes to the competition secretary, second prize goes to the competition secretary's wife and third prize goes to the chairman'......you know the score!
FAO of Guernsey Donkey.
Choosing a new camera is such a personal matter, I would hesitate in recommending any particular one. Having said that and being aware of your requirements, I would suggest you take a look at this: www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/cameras-and-camcorders/digital-cameras/compact-and-bridge-cameras/fujifilm-finepix-s9400w-bridge-camera-black-22034166-pdt.html?srcid=198&cmpid=ppc~gg~0001+%28LTC%29+Compact+Camera~22034166+-+Fujifilm+S9400W+%28E%29~Exact&mctag=gg_goog_7904&s_kwcid=AL!3391!3!53172457295!e!!g!!finepix%20s9400w&ef_id=VnBefgAABbUotMnX:20160511150404:s
I recommend it on the basis that it has a top quality CMOS sensor (more important than a huge pixel count) and a top quality & versatile lens. It will meet and exceed all you present requirements.
I have the Fuji HS50EXR and find it a superb and versatile camera.
I don't have much of a problem with focussing. Probably with a 50x zoom it needs to be used with a tripod when zooming in.
My DSLR is a Pentax K50....another superb camera IMHO.
Blimey...it sounds like my dad has reared up from his grave!
And all these years of listening to all that techie speak I still hear blah blah blah! 
He popped his clogs just before the digital age really took hold but it's nice seeing the same enthusiasm in you guys. He had a friend who lived quite a distance away and when he asked what the weather was like in Enniskillen he was told "a fiftieth at f8"!
Interesting, pp. Interesting to note that early cameras such as the Kodak Brownie had fixed apertures and speeds.......commonly f11 aperture & 1/50 or 1/25 of a second shutter speed. This meant that pictures could only be taken on fine days. A little flexibility was available by being able to choose the ISO (speed) rating of roll film.
Definitely a f11 1/50 day here today.
Ah, happy memories for you, pp. I too used to develop & print my own roll film and like you spent many a happy hour in my (improvised) dark room with it's ickle red bulb.
This was when I was in my early teens, during a austere period, so expensive cameras were never an option. Probably a Zenith (Russian) camera was the nearest I ever came to being posh. A Leica was my unfulfilled ambition.
Alas, I did okay and am now enjoying the new-fangled stuff that is out of date before you've handed your money over.
Morning everyone
The last few posts have really made me smile, love the "fiftieth at f8" what a great way to describe the weather, pp
For those that are a fan of the Kingfisher, the shot was taken a few years ago at a local nature reserve.
Sheps...
Gorgeous, Sheps.