www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Looking to purchase a Camera for Butterfly Photography this year...
(Its time I upgrade my old digi-scoping workhouse - a venerable Coolpix995)
Don't want to spend a fortune so was thinking of a now superseded model...
Probably some kind of "Bridge" Camera
Does anyone have any recommendations...

approx. budget?

From looking at the cameras used by people who post photos here, the Panasonic Lumix FZ series of 'bridge' cameras are highly regarded and produce excellent butterfly photos.

Older models, like the FZ38, are still widely used and, of current models, the FZ150 seems to be a favourite.

Mike

The FZ38 looks a good recommendation...
I'll probably take the flea bay route for a camera so £100 - £150 second hand is my budget...

Hi there jasonbirder,
Mike is right, the FZ range seems to be popular.
I've been using the Panasonic Lumix FZ150 for the last 2 years. I just use 2 settings and that covers all that I need to do, although you can control all the parameters you want.
Sometimes I wish I had a bit better photo quality but I blame myself rather than the equipment - the saying could go : you get what you pay for, unless you know how to use it properly !!
The best feature is the swivelling screen for ground-level and over-the-top butterfly / insect shots. In the field I detach the lens cover string and the strap from the camera so nothing gets in the way, otherwise it all dangles just in front of the subject. The battery will give over 400 shots. I have a non-genuine 2nd battery in reserve (a genuine battery costs a bomb). My FZ150 cost 499.00 Euros 2 years ago. A work mate recently purchased a more recent FZ200 (also with swivelling screen) and I believe he paid around 399.00 Euros, so they are getting cheaper all the time. If I change camera again, the priority feature would still be a pivoting or tilting screen.
Check out also the SONY DSC-HX300: 50x zoom, 20.6 Mpixels, tilting screen.
Panasonic FZ150 : Cheers, Chris.

Hi
I bought a fz150 on eBay almost unused for £160 last year and can thoroughly recommend it. I use it more than the significantly more expensive - and heavy - canon D60 that I own and the pictures are favourably comparable.
Highly recommended. The articulated screen is also extremely useful for high and low level shots.
Good luck
Mark