asking for advice

[backalley]

i am quite the neophyte when it comes to digital and while i do research to satisfy my general curiosity i think i rely more on the experienced advice gained from asking folks that are in the know and that i 'know'.

anyway, i am starting to think that i can't handhold a smaller camera very well. this panasonic seems to have all i really need and i love the layout, it is very easy to use. it is a good size i think but it may just be too light for me.
i know that might sound silly but i am getting not very sharp results from it too often.
i don't think it's the camera as i have also done some sharp pics also. if i really concentrate and lean/brace myself against something it works better for me, but that's not always possible and it's not my general style of shooting.
with my rf's i can shoot while walking and still count on a good shot.

so, i'm thinking of selling my cv 28/1.9 and the panasonic and getting a used digital slr.
if i can find one with a quick shutter and a sharp 'kit' lens i think that would be enough for me...at least to start .
a lens that translates to a 28 to 50 zoom range or so would be good.

so, ply with advice, please.
any recommendations?

joe

[GeneW]

[repeating my followup on RFF]

Joe, in all honesty, take your pick: Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Sony (aka Minolta). You can usually find fairly recent models on the used market, and if they've been lightly used, they're very cost effective. Play with them in camera stores so you get a sense of their styles, VF look, control layout, etc. The entry-level models are often good enough -- e.g., Nikon D50, Canon 350D (though watch the small size of this one), Pentax *istD, etc. I think Nikon and Pentax may have the best of the 'kit' lenses. Not bad -- not great, but quite useable. None of these will have IS though. IS lenses cost big $$$. The Sony (aka Konica Minolta) offers stabilization via the body. Don't know much about their kit lens.

Gene

[doubs43]

Joe, I use a Pentax *ist-DS and think it's quite a camera. My normal lens is a Sigma 18~50mm that takes an excellent image and for interiors of homes (I'm a Realtor) I use a Sigma 15~30mm. You can see the images I take on our web site at: www.billandcarolphelps.com Once there, go to "Homes for Sale" and click on a thumbnail image. A page for that home will appear and then you can see the home's interior in 9.2 x 14 inch images. Be sure you have a high speed connection!

I also use an adapter to put M42 lenses from 16mm fisheye to 1000mm MTO lenses on it. All K-Mount lenses will also work without an adpter.

The *ist-DS doesn't have shake elimination but the newer Pentax camera do, I believe. They also have more MB's but are more expensive.

I like my Pentax but wouldn't hesitate to consider the Canon, Nikon and others.

Walker

[nikonbob]

Joe

You may have a point about the Pana being too light for you. If some form of image stabilization is a need then I would look at newer model Pentaxs especially if you are not heavily invested in a particular makers SLR lenses. That would give you the use of all types of cheap manual focus lenses with and without adaptors. I am a dyed in the wool Nikon user and would consider that route myself as I cringe at what you have to pay for fast, if available, Nikkor glass with VR. For me IS is worth that much. Other than that you can't go too far wrong with any of the major brands. A friend gets nice results from a Nikon D50 FWIW.

Bob

[jennyandernie]

Just a point..................are you using the digital camera correctly? Unlike film cameras you have to press the shutter half way and then allow the camera to focus and set the exposure before you press the shutter all the way. Some digital cameras do take longer than others to focus. If you press the shutter without this delay you get out of focus pictures.

Jenny

[paulatukcamera]

Joe,

Out of all the replies here, for once, I can speak with the most authority - I own one!

I bought the Panasonic FZ20 last December to replace a tiny 3meg Minolta XT that I wasn't very happy with (Much poorer performance than my older 2meg Nikon 775)

The Panasonic has been near faultless in terms of optical performance and I could not recommend an upgrade to any other make (including my beloved Nikons) for this reason - it must be your technique! The Leica lens is certainly a cut above the rest of the camera! (The camera is not perfect, it has its has faults - see later)

However it does have a very effective image stabilisation system, but you probably have it on the wrong setting (I did until my son showed me the light!):

Menu - scroll down > Caf CONT. AF
This should be set to "Off". If isn't, then do so.

The "only operates at the moment of taking" mode is much, much more effective than the "continuous" mode, as it only comes into action as you press the shutter and it has effectively banished my camera shake.

Secondly, if you use the "P" or "A" setting a lot in dull light, then there is a tendency for it to automatically set quite slow shutter speeds. My suggestion is for you to up your Sensitivity a bit to "200 iso" rather than the default 100 iso.

According to test reports, ISO 200 is supposed to be noisy compared with 100, but I have not observed this. I can see the interferance at 400iso, so use that speed with more caution.

Next, holding the camera. I find that I can take a much steadier picture If I use my left hand to steady the camera and use the viewfinder conventionally, with the right index finger on the shutter.

If you use it as many people do with compacts (they can't help it, most don't have a viewfinder), just viewing the LCD at eye level, and holding it in both hands as if were a binoculars, then when you "jab" the shutter button, the camera tends to "pivot" downwards. So avoid LCD viewing if camera shake is a problem - even if you like it better !

Is the FZ20 then the perfect camera? No, it has a myriad of handling issues that I have had to put up with - it is no D80 for user friendliness. The Aperture & Shutter controls are a great "fiddle" to get at and the performance at higher ISO is limited (a noisy 400 is the best it can do!)

Would I buy the latest FZ50? I thnk not, the latest model has 10meg, far, far better layout of controls, but has been panned as being "mushy" as Panasonic has made a poor 8meg chip poorer by stretching it to 10meg.

So, don't bother upgrading to a newer Panasonic or even a DSLR, my advice is simple - practice a bit more!

To those dumbfounded "filmies" hearing this "heresy" from me - Yes, I still use film - for critical applications like Weddings and family events, but for general applications, the Panasonic is the best camera I have ever used - coming up to 9,000 pictures with it in 10 months, does indicate a level of satisfaction!

Proof? I know, an ugly word - so I thought these` would answer a few question!

Handheld view from Symmonds Yat Rock above the River Wye - see that tiny white "blob" in the field? Lens set at 35mm.



Lens on maximum zoom (420mm)


Enlargement agreed a few "purple fringes" but on the original, I can read the number plate:




View from the other side of the rock - see that house to the left of the big white one?



Well, it's this one!



Case rests, m'Lud.

I always sort of knew that Leica made good lenses!

Paul

[doubs43]

Paul, your comparison images are very impressive and prove yet again that Leica optics are difficult to beat.

As good as your pictures are, however, I couldn't use the FZ20 for my work as the 35mm equivilent wide angle on it only goes to 36mm and I routinely use 22.5mm. Sometimes that isn't as wide as I'd like it to be. I can only get that wide by using interchangeable lens.

OTOH, Joe may not require interchangeable lens and in that case, the FZ20 would seem to be a wonderful choice. IMO, anyone thinking of a high priced digital camera should first sit down and list what they expect the camera to do for them. That will narrow the list considerably and help them buy what they need.

Walker

[mickeyobe]

Ron,

The bolt that fits American tripod sockets is, I believe, 1/4"x20. AKA stove bolt.

Mickey

[backalley]

i have posted this question on a few sites and the answers are close to each other.
i am not sure that i need a dslr and even less sure that i want one.
i might save some money and start looking for a used rd-1.

the instigation for all this has been my frustration with smaller p&s digitals but in my heart i am an rf kinda guy and i have that oly kit i put together for when i need a change.

the panasonic fz20 really does have all i need/want in a digital, something for quick pics and a lens good enough for something a bit more serious if/when needed.

speaking of the z20, i discovered something while shooting some close up pics today. it did just fine on macro and af for a few shots and then it would not focus properly for a few more shots. not sure what that is about but it would explain some of the really fuzzy shots i have been getting.

so, for now anyway, i'm putting the whole dslr thing on hold and will concentrate on getting more consistant results from the z20.

many many thanks for all the info.

joe

[nikonbob]

Joe

That is a good plan to get more from the FZ20. It will give time to save up for that M8 in your future.

Bob

[backalley]

bob, unless there is a lottery win involved somehow, i will never be able to afford a $5k camera.
but maybe a used rd-1...

[aceroadholder]

Mickey, I believe that the world has wisely settled on 1/4"-20 UNC as the standard camera mounting thread.
As an aside: there are no metric sized drives for interchangable sockets.... even in France you ask for a 1/4, 3/8, or a 1/2.. Just like Alabama!

Orlin in SC (near Alabama)/USA

[mickeyobe]

Orlin in SC (near Alabama)/USA,

Thank you. Isn't it great? For once I am not being chastised for not being metricised.

Mickey

[John Parry]

Mickey

Nice to see you!!

Regards - John