More Digital Photography Talk

[rhinorick]

I purchased the FZ50 because of the 12x optical zoom mainly.  The other features were just icing on the cake for me, like the image stabilization, rotating LCD screen, 10.1 megapixels, etc.  

And I simply love the manual zoom ring and manual focus ring.  That makes zooming and focusing so much easier and more accurate/precise than mechanical button controls.

And the rotating LCD screen makes taking photos of flowers and other low items very simple.  No more crawling on the ground.  

I recently purchased macro lenses and a telephoto lens for the FZ50.  They work great!

When I purchased the FZ50, I did not realize the options that would be available due to the 55mm filter attachment threads on the FZ50's lens.  The world of possibilities has opened up to me like never before.  I even purchased a UV protector filter.

As you can tell, I am thoroughly pleased with my FZ50.  Features, quality of photos, ease of handling, expandibility, zoom range ... all are outstanding.

I am sure I am not supposed to post any links here, so I will not do so.  If anyone would like to see examples of my FZ50's output, just let me know.

[rhinorick]

By the way, the telephoto lens I purchased for my FZ50 was not the Panasonic 1.7x telephoto zoom lens.

I found out there were many, many other options available since the FZ50 has the 55mm filter threads.  So I purchased the Raynox DCR-2020PRO 2.2x High Definition Telephoto Lens.  It is awesome!!  

It takes the 420mm lens of the FZ50 to 924mm, or 26.4x zoom.

The FZ50 also has extended optical (not digital) zoom up to 21.4x zoom.  The Raynox lens take that to 47x zoom, or 1647mm.    Awesome!!  

[rhinorick]

Ok, looks like I may have been wrong about posting links, since I have seen many in other threads, so you can see an example shot of the moon using my Raynox lens on my FZ50 HERE.

And a further explanation and photo of the lens on the FZ50 HERE.

[Mike54]

Very nice moon shot rhinorick. You've got some nice stuff in your galleries too.

[rhinorick]

Thanks Mike.  

[rhinorick]

I have come to find out that the FZ50 does not have actual 12x zoom (magnification).

See our discussion HERE for more info.

Most digital cameras are represented in the same way as the FZ50 ... by range of focal length, and not actual zoom power/magnification.

The FZ50 has a focal length range of 35mm to 420mm, for a range that is 12x.

Since 50mm is "normal" (as the eye sees it), 420mm is therefore actually only 8.4 times that, or 8.4 x magnification from "normal".

Just so no one else gets confused as I did.  I had the hardest time finding that information online when I was in the market for a new digital camera.  I hope other consumers can find the info here to be helpful.

[rhinorick]

A very good article was posted at digicamhelp and linked to in the most recent newsletter.  (you can see the article HERE)

It is about digital SLR cameras.  It lists some pros and cons to D-SLR's.  It inspired me to post a little more about the FZ50 for anyone who may be in the market for a new camera, but does not have the money for a D-SLR.

I will mention the article's comments and add some comments about the FZ50:

- "D-SLRs have very fast shot-to-shot time..." - the FZ50 has matched that benefit with a very fast shot-to-shot time and even a burst mode for taking very fast shots.

- "If you photograph wildlife that is far away from the camera and need super telephoto capability...." - the FZ50 has tackled that problem with a terrific 420mm lens and the ability to add telephoto lenses, etc.

- "If you like to photograph tiny things that you want to look large and have stunning detail,...." - once again the FZ50 has outdone itself with 10.1 MP detail and great macro capabilities - not to mention the ability to add macro lenses to the FZ50's threaded lens .

- "subjects in good focus, but beautifully blur the background" - the FZ50 excels in this department - especially with its manual focus ring and manual aperture setting

- "a camera with which I could use different lenses to capture a wide range of subjects" - as mentioned above, the FZ50 can accept a wide, wide range of telephoto lenses, macro lenses, wide-angle lenses, filters, etc., etc. with its threaded lens (and not just the Panasonic branded ad-ons)

- "some of my compact digital cameras do not have hot shoes for external flashes ..." - taken care of on the FZ50 ... hot shoe present and accounted for

- "D-SLR cameras are larger and bulkier...and more expensive...than compacts." - price of the FZ50 is way less than most D-SLR's and somewhat less bulky - although it is more "bulky" than most compact models.

- "If you think you’ll find one with the perfect lens to take all the pictures you want to take, forget it! ..." - the FZ50 has one super-dooper lens to accomplish quite a lot, from 32mm all the way to 420mm (35mm equiv.).

- "All but a few DSLRs lack a “live” LCD, so you can’t use the LCD for composing a picture...." - the FZ50, as most compact models, has a "live" LCD ... and it rotates 180 degrees so you can use it above you, below you, to the side, and even take a photo of yourself and see the shot as you take it!  

- "Today's DSLRs are also audibly NOISY. The combination of the mirror slap* and shutter sound are enough to send a cat flying." -  the FZ50 is very quiet (unless you choose to turn the sounds "on") - very good for nature photography.  

The FZ50 is an awesome camera for the money.  Yes, as the article points out, the best photos are going to be with a D-SLR, probably, but the FZ50 gives near D-SLR features and benefits and quality photos, and eliminates all the negatives of a D-SLR ... all for much less money.   So if you are in the market for a new camera, and want a lot of the benefits of a D-SLR, but  just do not have the money to put into one just yet, I have found the FZ50 to be a great alternative.

[rhinorick]

By the way ....

Here is a photo of the FZ50 with the Raynox 2.2x telephoto lens attached:

[ShutterbugGail]

This is really excellent information!

The FZ50 and similar digital SLR-like cameras are a great option for those who want sophisticated features and high image quality but prefer not to go the DSLR route.

Thanks so much for sharing.

[rhinorick]

Thanks.  And you are welcome.

I hope it can help those who may be looking to go that route.

[ShutterbugGail]

Was thinking. There is much to like about the FZ50. Can you address how it handles high ISO numbers. Panasonic doesn't get rave reviews when it comes to their ISO performance over 200.

High ISO performance is an area where few non-DSLR cameras match the low light performance of a DSLR. For those who want to take low light photos without using a flash, ISO is an important issue.

[rhinorick]

Yes, good question.  I have been meaning to add a comment about that and keep forgetting.  We discussed it in another thread I think - about noise reduction.

The FZ50 does put quite a bit of "noise" on photos using high ISO numbers.  Panasonic did include on-camera noise reduction on the FZ50 (as discussed in the other thread), which helps some.

I use the lowest ISO I can use anyway.  I don't do a lot in low light, but do need it at times.

I am just learning recently (mainly from this digicamhelp site) that D-SLR's are the way to go for high ISO numbers.  So if low-light is a primary consideration/need for the camera buyer, then they may want to look for a D-SLR (if they are as good at low light as I have been told).  

If, however, the other factors listed above are more important to the photographer than low-light shots, then the FZ50 is a worthy investment.

[rhinorick]

Side note:

In using the FZ50 more and more, I am realizing that even shots taken in low light, with the 10.1 megapixel-sized images, when reduced slightly or a lot, you end up with a great photo with little or no noise in the end results. :-)

[Riaan]

Hey, I have the fz50 to...
I went out to get something like a slr and bought the Lumix. Now I have taken nice pic and beter pics but i find the camara is slow... is it me not using it right or what can be the problem?
 :-?

[ShutterbugGail]

Hi Riaan and welcome to the Q&A Board!

Please give us a little more information about what you mean by slow.

Has the camera been slow from when you first bought it, or has it gotten slower?

Are you using a high speed memory card and, if so, do you format it once and a while?

Is the battery old? Perhaps it needs replacement or is not fully charged.

Related reading: Formatting and erasing memory cards

http://www.digicamhelp.com/accessories/memory-cards/erasing.php

[rhinorick]

I have not noticed my FZ50 being "slow".

ShutterbugGail's comments are good.  Especially about the battery.  Make sure your battery is fully charged.  The lower the battery, the slower things get ... especially flash reset.

[Riaan]

HI, thanks for the welcome.

Well, I have a 4gig memory card that i bought at the camara shop. I'll check tonight if its a high speed.
I just find that when I take a photo... one wil be almost perfect and the next one is like the auto focus wasn't right, yet, on the screen it looked fine untill the shot was taken. Then (this might be card related) when I took a shot its takes a while to save it.

Don't get me wrong, i have take great photo's just after playing with an 1985 Canon EOS 650 normal spool camara it seems like to get a quick snap shot of the person that doesn't want to be snapped get impossible. Yet, with the old timer with auto focus i get the snap.

 :-/ maybe i just need some tips on how to get the best out of her... (Pany)

[Riaan]

oh ja, and the battery... I make sure to run it flat and have it fully charged before i go out to play.

[ShutterbugGail]

Riaan,

A few questions: are your problem photos taken in low light, or do you have the same problem in outside, good light? If you're taking shots in low light, you have to watch the shutter speed. Image Stabilization helps but it is not perfect.

Are you using the shutter-release button in two steps, or are you pushing it down in one step?

Do you have an online gallery where we can take a look at few samples of problem photos? The we can give more specific help.