Photography/cameras and associated gear thread.

[The_Piper]

Four thirds is a new ( 2008 ) segment of camera introduced by Panasonic and Olympus
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Micro_Four_Thirds_system

It gives you the size of the point and shoot with the flexibility of the interchangeable lenses and has been a fast growing segment.

Yes they can be used in auto-mode which I usually do with the exception of focus and the AF on them is far above that of the point and shoot.

The LX7 is the a cross over new at $249 but it's not four thirds - it does give you macro, scenery and modest zoom. No single camera can cover all aspects. I'm not interested in the finer points either but I also got tired of missing shots due to slow focus and iffy automatic functions.

I got this with my point and shoot TZ25 and it's not like the TZ25 was any slouch either
http://www.techradar.com/reviews/camera ... 361/review


but for every one decent one I'd get this



which was the best of a bunch and the damn birds were 10' away and if I had not got a decent video of this perhaps once in a lifetime encounter

I would have been left with marginal shots.

Look at how well the video did ( click to play )



You can see the auto-focus hunt on the video and on the still shots - it was just iffy.

So that led me to the four thirds as it gave me both really super auto functions and wicked fast AF plus a choice of lenses.

My use is a bit different as I'm shooting from a motorcycle and need the camera to fit in my shirt pocket. So can use the wide angle on it but then have the zoom in my other pocket.

This is with the birding lens on the Gx1 ( micro four thirds ) at 50 meters



and this with the wide angle pancake lens in low light



and the pancake in decent light


and the zoom at 3m in so so light


I don't think you can get a compact point and shoot to do the range you want.

You will lose somewhere and it's usually the closer shots in poor light where the autofocus does not perform or in foliage where it gets confused.

if you can sneak into a four thirds camera system used. Then you have the manual and auto features and can then expand the lens choice later. If you hunt I bet you can get into a four thirds at $200.

This is a terrific deal and it's new with the lens - half price

$249.99 After $285 OFF & Free Shipping
Olympus E-PL2 with 14-42mm Lens Compact System Camera Bundle

http://www.costco.com/Olympus-E-PL2-wit ... 11392.html

Thanks again Macdoc, I appreciate the help.
These are very tempting, but I'd still have to fork over more money for zoom, and it won't have the video options I want.
It's simply too much money for me today.
Looking at used lh7's, there are only 2 on Ebay, both over $300!
If I don't drop the next camera, I can probably resell it for almost what I paid when I'm prepared to upgrade.

[angelo]

My camera died so I'm looking for a replacement.
I'll spend $150-200, new or used. Whichever gets me the most bang for the buck. I'm looking for something pocket-sized with a rechargeable battery, 15x or more zoom, and preferably high speed/fps video.
There was a Fuji with all of that when I bought my sony Hn7x, but I forgot the model #. I think it had 300 in the model #, with a 500 stepped up model.
Any ideas for all of that?

I think you may be able to get this. It has a 15x zoom though.

I think that's one that I'm looking at, 500exr, I posted that I found the model #.
I missed one last night that ended at $73.
I'm torn between that, or a Nikon 9100, getting bogged down in the details.

I'm sure there are plenty of other models that meet my criteria, and even better, but researching 100 cameras won't be fun. I have to take that into account.

Have you had a look at my new toy? Olympus z14. That has a 24 x zoom, so far I'm very happy with it.
Not sure what it costs over there, but here I bought it on special for $170.00. Saw it at another store for $300.

[The_Piper]

My camera died so I'm looking for a replacement.
I'll spend $150-200, new or used. Whichever gets me the most bang for the buck. I'm looking for something pocket-sized with a rechargeable battery, 15x or more zoom, and preferably high speed/fps video.
There was a Fuji with all of that when I bought my sony Hn7x, but I forgot the model #. I think it had 300 in the model #, with a 500 stepped up model.
Any ideas for all of that?

I think you may be able to get this. It has a 15x zoom though.

I think that's one that I'm looking at, 500exr, I posted that I found the model #.
I missed one last night that ended at $73.
I'm torn between that, or a Nikon 9100, getting bogged down in the details.

I'm sure there are plenty of other models that meet my criteria, and even better, but researching 100 cameras won't be fun. I have to take that into account.

Have you had a look at my new toy? Olympus z14. That has a 24 x zoom, so far I'm very happy with it.
Not sure what it costs over there, but here I bought it on special for $170.00. Saw it at another store for $300.

I hadn't yet. There's a few on Ebay for under $200. (listed as sz-14)
24x zoom is very tempting, but the video mode is much lesser than the Nikon. I don't shoot too much video, but if I had the high speed video slowmo option, I'd probably use it a lot more. Plus when I do shoot video, it's usually because something cool is happening, so I want it to be sharp.
With the Sony it was sharp, but it used the battery power up in just minutes.

[Macdoc]

These are very tempting, but I'd still have to fork over more money for zoom, and it won't have the video options I want.

But it does have 14-42 mm zoom - comes with that lens and recall the option of the large sensor represents.
All four thirds do video well. We have a number of professional video clients that use them for just that.
Good pictures ultimately come down to the lens quality, sensor size and the ability of the camera or the user to focus that glass.

I notice you talk about 24x zoom as being very tempting yet I can guarantee you will find your pictures only acceptable at about 1/2 that range
The sensor on that Fuji is excellent size and 15x makes more sense to be usable.

TANSTAAFL

[Macdoc]

After cruising a bit the Olympus SZ seems to come up a lot - seems to offer a lot for $149



http://www.amazon.com/Olympus-SZ-12-Dig ... nskepti-20

http://www.steves-digicams.com/camera-r ... n-195.html

[monkeyboy]

I have the canoon EOS 500 and cannot complain at all. ive got stability control on both my general purpose lens and my zoom. Can just walk around blasting away in perfect clarity whatever the conditions. Only my kids seem to be able to take blurred shots with it. The focal depth or whatever its called is just stunning. I took a photo of chariot racing at a theme park in France, just a panoramic shot, with the horses at full gallop, yet you can zoom in on a foot and see the individual hairs perfectly. If i had the ability, I could post up some shots taken with very little knowledge of cameras.

[Scot Dutchy]

I have the EOS 400 and TG for the stability control. Using a large 300 mm lens without any support would be impossible.

[Macdoc]

One would hope there would be decent output on an SLR given all that glass in front.

Handheld 300 ( 600 equivalent ) with the internal stabilization on the Lumix is fine tho the lens itself gets soft past 200 ( 400 equivalent. )

That's the 100/300 ( 600 equivalent ) - handheld at 50 metres



so using a long zoom handheld is indeed practical on the four thirds - I know many are getting tired of the weight and size on the DSLRs.

you can see here the comparison the Lumix lens has a longer reach than the big 100-400 on the DLSR tho the 400 will gather more light.



Buddy today was just moaning about wanting something smaller with quality and that's what the four thirds standard is all about.

http://frontallobbings.blogspot.ca/2011 ... chive.html

The Gx1



in it's base point and shoot mode with a prime lens - easily goes in the pocket.

or kitted out for birding



That's the why the category is getting so popular. Transformer cameras.

BTW Piper have a look at this handheld video from the Gx1 with the long lens - can you imagine getting that mouse any other way. Good stabilization

http://jp.utabby.com/v?i=xKy3jik-E2A

mouse
http://jp.utabby.com/v?i=7GR4bn9AV-o

[Macdoc]

Let me suggest this Gariz half-case, with gunshot strap, and auto-cap for the LX7 owners here. Makes for an awesome street shooting rig.

what a cool looking retro setup

right out of Sky Captain

[Macdoc]

a simple question - which of these versions look better and a brief comment why thanks

[I'm With Stupid]

The second one. Because the snow is white rather than grey and your subject is brighter, which is good considering that it's a fun shot.

[Macdoc]

That seems the general consensus of all but the shooter... ( wasn't me - I suggested the change )
Seemed rather obvious.

[angelo]

After cruising a bit the Olympus SZ seems to come up a lot - seems to offer a lot for $149



http://www.amazon.com/Olympus-SZ-12-Dig ... nskepti-20

http://www.steves-digicams.com/camera-r ... n-195.html

$149??? I got robbed!!! It was $299 at Myers Department store, and the store I bought it from now is asking $ 279 for it.

[Macdoc]

Ouch - seems a lot of camera for $149 but the list showed at $199 on Amazon.

[angelo]

Ouch - seems a lot of camera for $149 but the list showed at $199 on Amazon.

That's probably more like it. I checked it out on Amazon, and it can't be shipped to my destination. Even if it could, it would end up costing me more than the $168 I paid for it when you add the shipping costs.

[Macdoc]

Oh yeah - I know about Australian costs - you did okay at $168 - hell I sent my motorcycle seat over in GF suitcase and saves $150

[angelo]

a simple question - which of these versions look better and a brief comment why thanks

Yes, I agree. The second shot is far better.

[BKSo]

Just joined the micro 4/3 camp!
Panasonic G3 camera body
Panasonic 14-45mm F 3.5-5.6 lens
Carl Zeiss Jena 135mm F 3.5 lens

[Macdoc]

Nice - I considered the G3 but wanted the smaller body of the Gx1 for on the mcycle.

Buddy of mine in the business said this kit is a great deal at $199

roduct Highlights
19mm Prime Lens; 38mm Equivalency
Aperture Range: f/2.8-22

30mm Prime Lens; 60mm Equivalency
Aperture Range: F/2.8-22
Fits Micro Four Thirds Mount
Smooth, Quiet Linear Autofocus Motor
Aspherical Lens Elements
Multi-layer Coating
Compact, Lightweight Construction

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/9 ... _PAN.html/

He knows way more than me on this.
Not sure of where you are located?

[angelo]

I got rid of the Olympus Z14 because of poor quality shots. This camera is as good as a compact will get. Doubt very much any compact can be much better than this little beauty regardless of price.

http://www.cnet.com.au/panasonic-lumix- ... 330798.htm