Panasonic FZ100

[Helengo]

Hi,
I'm new here, I am looking for anyone who can help me with my new Panasonic fz100. It seems that this is not a very popular camera and soI have not been able to find much in the way of tutorials specific to this camera. Most of all I wish to use it for taking photos of birds, flowers and other small items.

I would also like to know - what is the focal length of the lens? I note that this cameras focal apertures range between f2.8 - f8 how does this affect the depth of field in landscape shots.

Hope someone can take me by the hand and help me.


Helengo

[FrankMi]

Hi Helengo and welcome to CiC! Based on the operator manual for this camera (available at http://service.us.panasonic.com/OPERMANPDF/DMCFZ100.pdf), the lens is 4.5mm to 108mm or 24X optical zoom.

The larger the aperture number, the greater the Depth of Field for all scenes.

It would be helpful if you could go to the Forum Actions at the top of this screen, and in Edit Profile, enter your name and general location!

[roderick]

Hi,
I'm new here, I am looking for anyone who can help me with my new Panasonic fz100. It seems that this is not a very popular camera and soI have not been able to find much in the way of tutorials specific to this camera. Most of all I wish to use it for taking photos of birds, flowers and other small items.

I would also like to know - what is the focal length of the lens? I note that this cameras focal apertures range between f2.8 - f8 how does this affect the depth of field in landscape shots.

Hope someone can take me by the hand and help me.


Helengo

Hi, This camera is greatly under-rated. You can get really stunning pictures providing you use the correct settings.

[HMW12]

Hi Helengo
I'm in the same boat as you - hesitated to buy this camera because of all the negative comments about it but then found it on sale and decided to take a chance. Of course I did this just before the FZ150 was announced. The camera does not do well in low light - try to shoot at as low an ISO as possible otherwise you will get alot of noise in the photos. It also helps to reduce the NR (-2) on the camera and boost the sharpness try +1. There are a number of threads in the Panasonic forum on dpreview about this camera ( although I am not a huge fan of that forum - not nearly as friendly as this site) and if you search that forum and also Steve's digicams you will find some truly spectacular pictures taken with this camera. Since you say you are interested in birds and small objects try finding some of the posts by LTZ470 - an example http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/re...ssage=37553551. I think the key with this camera is not to rely on the automatic setting but instead start experimenting on your own. Easy for me to say as I haven't had the time to do that myself . Hope I'm not breaking any rules by referencing another forum.

[Melkus]

I'm using the FZ150 now, had it about a month and been loving it. All the little problems the FZ100 had where fixed with the release of the FZ150 it really makes no sense to buy the FZ100 over the 150. I got mine which comes with a lens hood and also the place I got it from had it bundle with a nice case and a 16 meg card for just over $400.00. I just order a Hoya three filter kit for it and I'm thinking about the Tele Conversion Lens set up later. The only cons to the FZ150 I can find is it tends to blow out highlights but using the EV can correct this, the tripod socket is too close to the battery door; Incandescent white balance is a little warm, Lens hood gets in the way of the flash but I don't use flash that much, Uncorrected RAW files have lots of chromatic aberration, and geometric distortion at wide-angle is strong but most long zooms do and no sweep panorama mode. Still it's a wonderful camera amd worth the price.

[rdo999]

This Amazon review and discussion is packed with tips I found helpful.
http://www.amazon.com/review/R3S5C5D...R3S5C5DB5TCBL3
I purchased the FZ150 just a few weeks ago, and am learning this upgrade fixed many of the issues with the FZ100. However, the FZ100 served me very well, the key was investing the time to really learn the camera, and Rolla's review and discussion will be a huge help.
There is a similar review on the FZ150 which I am following, and again finding helpful. http://www.amazon.com/review/RTNYP0Q...t#RTNYP0Q4ESKI

[Melkus]

Dan the more you use your FZ150 the more you will love it. I'm still learing new things myself