Fujifilm FinePix S8600 - Cheapest Bridge Camera

Fujifilm FinePix S8600 is the cheapest bridge camera available in market today. If you want a camera with quality images and a bigger telephoto lens than a regular point and shoot camera but also cheaper than average ultrazoom camera in market then, here's your choice. You can buy this model for less than $150 from Amazon. Yes, If you have been search for a camera like this then you should know it's really impossible to find a high-end camera for price like that.

So if you want to know specifications, FinePix S8600 has a FUJINON lens with 36x optical zoom which is equivalent to 25-900mm. maybe it's not top notch and latest when it comes to lens since a camera like Canon SX60 has more than 60x optical zoom but price tag is more than 3 times high. Also it has a decent 16MP 1/2.3in CCD sensor. There is a 3 inch LCD screen but sadly no view finder.

Videos are not bad either, you get HD movies at 720p/30fps. After all you can't ask for more than this from a camera like this. If you want a better quality videos such as HD 1080p then better look at other models like Panasonic Lumix FZ70, which would cost you many $50 more.

Camera uses three AA batteries which will let you take around 260 - 300 photos. This will depends on things like image quality and use of flash. Best option is  using set of rechargeable batteries for this. Panasonic BK-3MCCA4BA Eneloop AA rechargeable battery set would cost you less than $15 and also these batteries last long. There are many other brands and you can get those even for cheaper. But I know from years of experience Eneloop batteries are the best and last longest.

When I posted about this camera last year it was under $150. I have yet to see a camera with better offer. So still this is great for anyone who need a cheap bridge camera. If you are looking for a good camera for your kid who want to learn about photography then FinePix S8600 is a pretty option for you. Also if you are looking for nice family camera for good price then again this is your choice.

Canon 58mm Snap-On Lens Cap

If you are a Canon SX10 IS owner who use Lensmate 58mm lens adapter then one problem you face is Canon SX10 IS original lens cap won't work with this 58mm Lens Adapter. So you need to find a new 58mm len cap.If you like to keep everything original and branded then you can buy a Canon Canon E-58U 58mm Snap-On Accessory Lens Cap. It does the job well.

But remember we are talking about Canon SX10 IS and Canon SX1 IS here. This 58mm lens cap is NOT a replacement for the slip on cap that comes with the S2/S3 cameras. It is made for use with an adapter and UV/filter lens. I have seen some people complain about this Lens cap after buying without reading about it. The Canon 58mm lens cap fits the Canon conversion lens adapter which you can use for S5is and other compact cameras.
Only problem this Canon 58mm Lens cap has is there's no strap or a string so that you can attach it to the camera. But you can sort out this with Bower CK501 Lens Cap Keeper. You can buy both from Amazon.com for very cheap. I don't think these can be found cheaper anywhere else.

Here is a photo of Bower CK501 Lens Cap Keeper on a Canon Rebel XSi.Its same for other cameras too.

A list of Lens Filters you can use on Canon SX10 IS

Since you can't Fix kit lenses to Canon PowerShot SX10 IS except Raynox DCR-250 Super Macro Lens, Lens Filters are the way you can try to get best out of the camera with external accessories. But these days you really don't need too many Filters since you can do most of those work in your computer with photo editing software. There are places where filters such as Circular Polarized Filter come handy. Also these days photographers use UV filters mostly as a lens protector. Heres some Lens filters you might find handy with your Canon Powershop Sx10 IS camera.

Hoya SUPER HMC Haze UV Filter 58mm -

HAZE UV (0) absorbs the ultraviolet rays, which often make outdoor photographs hazy and indistinct. It is a multi-purpose fine-weather filter for color as well as black and white films. It also serves as a permanent lens protector. Multiple coatings yield greater light transmission through the glass, and less glare. This would cost you around 35$ to 60$ at Amazon.com

HOYA 58CIR Circular Polarized Filter 58mm -

Light rays which are reflected by any surface become polarised and polarising filters are used to select which light rays enter your camara lens. PL (Linear Polarising) and PL-CIR (Circular Polarising) filters have the same effect, but it is important that you choose the correct version for your camera. They allow you to remove unwanted reflections from non-metallic surfaces such as water, glass etc. They also enable colors to become more saturated and appear clearer, with better contrast. This effect is often used to increase the contrast and saturation in blue skies and white clouds. HOYA's polarising filters do not affect the overall color balance of a shot.
It has a marking line on the forward (rotating) half of the filter, so you can keep track of the angle. Rotating the forward half is what changes the shadows reflecting off of the subject. you can buy this HOYA 58CIR Circular Polarized Filter as Amazon.com for 20$ - 50$. I saw few offers even around 18$.

Hoya 58mm Circular PL Polarizer HMC Multi-Coated Lens Filter -

This is same as the Circular Polarizer above but this is a multi coated one. You can have better result with this thought price is kind of high. HMC means this is a multi-coated filter, with 6 layers of coating on the glass, three on each side. Dramatically deepens blue skies, reduces unwanted reflections on nonmetallic surfaces and saturates colors, especially outdoors. The filter can be rotated to achieve the desired effect. Bought one at Lensmate for 70$ but you can find same at Amazon

B + W 58mm Kaesemann Circular Polarizer Filter -

This is a High qaulity Circular Polarizer Filter which is expensive. Can cost you 80$ - 180$ at Amazon.com. High-quality B+W Kaesemann Polarizer is crafted from select polarizer foils and specially prepared optical glass. This neutral polarizer is edge sealed and therefore, it is durable under extreme climatic conditions. The use of this filter is recommended for the most stringent imaging requirements, especially with fast telephoto lenses and apochromatic lenses. It is available in linear or circular. Filter factor is 2.3 to 2.8. Discriminating photographers regard the B+W Kaesemann-Type Polarizing Filter to be the very best of all polarizing filters. They are well suited for applications that require the highest possible imaging quality, especially with high-speed telephoto lenses and apochromatic lenses.

Hoya HMC Neutral Density Filter ND8 58mm -

Neutral Density filters have several uses and offer the possibility to achieve otherwise unachievable results. ND filters appear gray and reduce the amount of light reaching the film or sensor. They have no effect on color balance. Neutral Density Filters enable slower shutter speeds to be used, to record movement or motion blur in subjects such as waterfalls, clouds, or cars. This one is avaliabe for 26$ at Lensmate.com and at Amazon.com you can find Neutral Density Filters for 25$ to 100$ depending on the brand and quality.

Canon Powershot SX10 IS Digital Camera

Canon Powershot SX10 IS Digital camera is the best you can find if you looking for a point and shoot digital camera for serious photography. PowerShot SX10 IS is a 10 Megapixel super-zoom camera with a 20x optically stabilized lens. Also it has a superb 2.5' LCD panel.