Gwyn has a fair point there. Apart from anything else, having a camera that means no cash left to go anywhere with it becomes a bit futile.

Sue uses the 18-250mm extensively and produces excellent, crisp images. If she ever has to replace it then the 18-270mm will be the one.

Bridge cameras are much harder to use than DSLRs, so if you stick with one you will be better off in the long run.

The limitation is in the design of a focal plane shutter Nigel. It can be overcome by high speed flash bursts on appropriate flashguns, but it still doesn't change the overall transit time of the shutter.

The horizontal shutters have further to travel and usually are restricted to 1/60 sec, the vertical run types started at 1/125 sec, but in fact the Copal shutters were really set at 1/100 sec.

1/180 sec is an improvement, but if there are choices to be made then I'd rather have the 200,000 actuation life than a faster synch speed. I don't know if that actually is an either/or situation, but if it were that's the choice I'd make.

If I was doing a lot of fill in flash then I'd be wanting a leaf shutter lens that synchronised up to its fastest speed, usually 1/500 sec.

Absolutely, buy the camera that makes you smile and the smile will show in the images you produce. That's how I accidentally ordered an MX-1.

The only caveat is that if it takes all your budget, make sure it will do the job as well and then the smile won't turn into a grimace of frustration.

Thank you Chris, I'll give it a whirl (literally it seems) and see what happens.

I'm wondering what you used to make sure the camera was level when testing the built in level?

With longer focal lengths the likelihood of using flash does fall off as well.

In the studio, the difference is insignificant. In the field, it's not that much really, but I can see that there's an argument for the faster the better. That's why leaf shutter lenses are made.

A reminder that other marques are off topic.

Having said that, image removed today that was shot in October.

I was asked to be a "GR Ambassador" and have a GR with all the accessories. You can see what I shot and what I found with this camera here: http://gr.ricoh-imaging.eu/en/John-Riley.html

I also did a field report on the GR against the Nikon Coolpix A here: http://www.ephotozine.com/article/ricoh-gr-vs-nikon-coolpix-a-field-report-22665

The quality is right up to DSLR standard and the camera fits into a pocket, so the only thing that remains is whether or not you can work with the 18.3mm lens.

Why not go out with your zoom set to 18mm, leave it there and see how you get on?