Thread for Lumix FZ18 and FZ28 Series

[ombre]

Hi, what's multivision for , I know abt ND and UV filters but this one's a new term to me! In your opinion, is it worth to have the LA3 thingy?

I can answer your LA3 question but I need to know what are you looking for. Are you going to use tele-conversion lenses and stuff?

If you're only after filters, just go for the 46mm. DMW-LA3 adapter is only when you want to use a Tele-conversion lens. You will have to deal with some contrast lost and other image quality loss when using conversion lenses... my take is, if you don't need it, try not to use any, unless you really want to do birding, etc. Or else, its because you want to use a Raynox macro lens. But I think step rings might work.

Otherwise you should have no other use for the DMW-LA3. I personally think its better to get the LA3 over most 3rd party adapters, but its really up to you. the LA3 is really strong and firm, with a good fit. But 3rd party adapters can be cheaper.

 

[vinze]

Hi all, about the outing in Dec would it be possible to make it the weekend of Dec 20-21.
Just throwing that date out there, any venue, any time of day dun matter to me. I arrive in S/pore on 18th and go to Vietnam on 27th back on New Years Eve quite late. If Dec 20-21 does not suit most people make what ever suits the majority, I will be happy to catch up with Mr ombre Mr skyguy and anyone else in Jan 1-9.
Looking forward to meeting new friends.

How bout me me me ?

Hahaha

 

[ay6810]

I can answer your LA3 question but I need to know what are you looking for. Are you going to use tele-conversion lenses and stuff?

If you're only after filters, just go for the 46mm. DMW-LA3 adapter is only when you want to use a Tele-conversion lens. You will have to deal with some contrast lost and other image quality loss when using conversion lenses... my take is, if you don't need it, try not to use any, unless you really want to do birding, etc. Or else, its because you want to use a Raynox macro lens. But I think step rings might work.

Otherwise you should have no other use for the DMW-LA3. I personally think its better to get the LA3 over most 3rd party adapters, but its really up to you. the LA3 is really strong and firm, with a good fit. But 3rd party adapters can be cheaper.

I agree with the fact that original stuff is strong...This is what I dislike abt original stuff. Its good to have, strong or robust construction but you must buy it when that camera model's still current otherwise once you miss the time period, all local shops will NOT want to stock old accessories. Or else its off to eBay eand get slaughtered again...

Question is : I'll never know when I'll ever use teleconverter lenses or it seems Panasonic specifies that LC55 closeup lens also needs this LA3 adapter. :dunno:

I tend to shoot more still life objects and some sports photography than birds though!

 

[ombre]

I agree with the fact that original stuff is strong...This is what I dislike abt original stuff. Its good to have, strong or robust construction but you must buy it when that camera model's still current otherwise once you miss the time period, all local shops will NOT want to stock old accessories. Or else its off to eBay eand get slaughtered again...

Question is : I'll never know when I'll ever use teleconverter lenses or it seems Panasonic specifies that LC55 closeup lens also needs this LA3 adapter. :dunno:

I tend to shoot more still life objects and some sports photography than birds though!

Forget the panasonic close ups, they're a waste of money. You could get Hoya's close up filters, they may not be as good but they're way cheaper, judging from Clunk's pictures, they're quite acceptable in quality. And you don't need the LA3 for that.

Yea true that the LA3 only fits FZ18 /28. I think the series may continue for awhile more, you should have at least 38 and 48. Technically it boils down to how long you want to keep the camera.

Have you thought about what you would like to shoot? I remember when I had my FZ18 I was addicted to my TCON, I would use it almost all the time... However, when I got my dSLR, 300mm (500mm equiv, about same as FZ18 at 18X), was really enough. Partly because I can crop quite effectively up to 50% (On the zoom range), which is like 3-4X digital zoom without image quality being degraded.

So, the question you might want to think about is, to crop or to use a Tele lens... Each have its advantages. Cropping gives you better contrast, colors and resolution, provided your subject isnt too far away. using a tele lens gives you better resolution when the object is far away, but you still lose out on sharpness, colors and contrast.

Anyways don't worry too much about it. The FZ28/18 is very good on its own. =)

EDIT: didn't notice your last line. If you're into still life, then scratch the LA3 and tele/close ups all together. Get a decent tripod and do some HDR =)

4am in the morning...​

 

[ay6810]

Wow, thanks for the advice!!!

So So happy that the stock arrived at Parisilk and they called me to go pick it up. Before this, I had a Canon SX110IS for 4 days before trying out FZ28 and whamo! my first instinct was that I WANT this camera!

Lucky they let me return it as I never tore or threw away anything though. The FZ28 only came with LEXAR 4GB and a LUMIX camera bag as freebies.

I was a 2MP user for eons and never found it necessary to upgrade so initially I was so skeptical about upgrading till my Canon A40 started to have white spots on LCD.

However, back to your advice which I'm thankful for, LA3 might come in handy if I need to shoot fast moving sports photography like F1 or auto events? Wouldn't the stock zoom be good enough already without using teleconverter?

I'm a sucker for original stuff so it looks like I'll buy the LMC46 MC filter or LND46 ND filter. BTW, they's no harm in using either one, right? In film camera days, I remember suing a ND filter to prevent scratches...

 

[skyguy]

yup... wat ombre say is right... u actually dun really need a LA3 unless u going tele... if u wan to use filter for ur camera, all u really need is just the step up right from 46mm to 52mm...

Panasonic brand close up and other filter is very very expensive and not recommended to buy, and i dun even know it its worth the money if to compare Hoya, B+W and panasonic filter, even though it said have to use with LA3 actually u dun need to... u just have to use a step up ring as mention above

diffuser and multivision is a effect filter... diffuser make the photo got this dreamy or blur look... multivision is like multiple... haha... something like this web link: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/94144-REG/Hoya_011473_77_mm_Multivision_3F.html

will take photo with those effect len to show u all when i am free

outing will most probaly be on the 21st dec... hopefully everyone can make it, its a sunday... day and location and wat to shoot undecided... haha

 

[jim_mcgill]

Hi All FZ18/FZ28 users,

Please note we still have some stock for our Raynox macro bundle with the excellent Pemaraal adapters from USA!

Such adapters are better than the Panasonic ones as these can be used for wide angle shots too, not just for telephoto!

Details are as below:
FZ18
http://cgi.ebay.com.sg/PANASONIC-FZ...8809515QQcmdZViewItem?_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116

FZ28
http://cgi.ebay.com.sg/RAYNOX-Macro...1277033QQcmdZViewItem?_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116

COD at Bedok. Call our hotline 6389-1734 after ordering at above links.

Cheers,
Jim, McGill.

 

[mcclaine]

hey dudes, sorry im confused after following all the posts.. so to avoid any filter stuck etc.. what filter should i get for my FZ18 and my cousin's FZ28? ._."
thanks

 

[skyguy]

hey dudes, sorry im confused after following all the posts.. so to avoid any filter stuck etc.. what filter should i get for my FZ18 and my cousin's FZ28? ._."
thanks

46mm to screw onto the FZ18 and 28 lens itself... but if u buy a step up ring, anything size also can... step up ring is a ring tat is screw to ur 46mm and then have a 52mm (for example) thread at the other end. (the reason why u wanna have 52mm at the other end is becoz u wan to use 52mm filter)(anyway all the mm thingy we said here are the size (diameter) of the filter)

For a starter, i think it is good to have a 46mm UV filter attached to ur FZ lens, and dun remove it unless for cleaning purpose... the uv filter will sort of help protect ur lens also. As for Other type of filter can slowly decide on wat u really need

 

[Clunk]

Hey, I've just taken some pics on the planet Krypton, you know the place where Superman comes from, with two suns.

Forgot to take off PL filter:angry:

 

[ombre]

Hey, I've just taken some pics on the planet Krypton, you know the place where Superman comes from, with two suns.
Forgot to take off PL filter:angry:

Surprisingly, I like the 2 suns picture. In anycase, not being negatively critical, but your seas tend to always look weird. Like really rough! Anyway, your pic can be better if you did some HDR with it Should look into it someday.

Wow, thanks for the advice!!!

So So happy that the stock arrived at Parisilk and they called me to go pick it up. Before this, I had a Canon SX110IS for 4 days before trying out FZ28 and whamo! my first instinct was that I WANT this camera!

I'm a sucker for original stuff so it looks like I'll buy the LMC46 MC filter or LND46 ND filter. BTW, they's no harm in using either one, right? In film camera days, I remember suing a ND filter to prevent scratches...

Curious to know how much is the FZ28 today?

About the filters, panasonic filters are no-nos. They're hard to find here, expensive, quality will be about the same, and all that. ND filter to prevent scratches is quite wrong too, you lose about 2 stops of light, can be quite tragic when you don't need that effect...

Panasonic brand close up and other filter is very very expensive and not recommended to buy, and i dun even know it its worth the money if to compare Hoya, B+W and panasonic filter, even though it said have to use with LA3 actually u dun need to... u just have to use a step up ring as mention above

outing will most probaly be on the 21st dec... hopefully everyone can make it, its a sunday... day and location and wat to shoot undecided... haha

VERY astounded to see the words "B+W" popping up here, especially to a new-comer haha. That filter (which does nothing much for FZ28) will cost 25% of his camera?

 

[skyguy]

VERY astounded to see the words "B+W" popping up here, especially to a new-comer haha. That filter (which does nothing much for FZ28) will cost 25% of his camera?

yea... just some example of filter brand... b+w and panasonic are like the most expensive filter... but who can comfirm tat the more expensive one is really value for the money as compared to hoya... maybe if u show me two pic one by b+w and one by hoya, i won't be able to spot the difference

 

[ombre]

yea... just some example of filter brand... b+w and panasonic are like the most expensive filter... but who can comfirm tat the more expensive one is really value for the money as compared to hoya... maybe if u show me two pic one by b+w and one by hoya, i won't be able to spot the difference

If used on an FZ18 or FZ28, confirm no difference. Haha. B+W filters usually sit on the front end of a 2k+ lens to notice a bit of the difference...

Anyway, B+W filters are still not the most expensive.... they're only the high range consumer brands. There are other better brands that go for 400+ a filter... enough for you to buy 1 brand new FZ18. I wonder if its shatterproof or smth.

 

[Clunk]

Hi ombre, I really like your HDR photo of car at 4am. Have only read a little about that technique and would like to find out more when I have a bit more time. Maybe when exams and reports are completed in about 3 weeks. It is all done on Photoshop right?
The sea around Darwin always look rough in the evening this time of year because it was blowing a gale. Have to suspend 2kg weight from tripod to stop it from blowning over.

 

[Clunk]

Seems to be more FZers frequenting this thread lately, hopefully all can turn up for outing in Dec:angel:

 

[ombre]

Hi ombre, I really like your HDR photo of car at 4am. Have only read a little about that technique and would like to find out more when I have a bit more time. Maybe when exams and reports are completed in about 3 weeks. It is all done on Photoshop right?
The sea around Darwin always look rough in the evening this time of year because it was blowing a gale. Have to suspend 2kg weight from tripod to stop it from blowning over.

Thanks =)

HDR is somewhat done with a compression/merging of 3 or more pictures with different levels of exposure... its not necessarily done by photoshop (didn't know what you exactly mean), but the newer versions of photoshop comes with this function... The key portion of it is still done in camera. You can download a program called photomatix, theres also a tutorial there, google it when you're free. =)

Looking forward to the outing too, but I'm going to need a lens to bring!! =( Can't decide on what to buy.

 

[vinze]

Seems to be more FZers frequenting this thread lately, hopefully all can turn up for outing in Dec:angel:

i would really be interested in the outing.

Can gain so much knowledge

La3. lens, 50mm, blah blah

Seem so far for me,,

Only know the functions of the fz 18

 

[ay6810]

Curious to know how much is the FZ28 today?

About the filters, panasonic filters are no-nos. They're hard to find here, expensive, quality will be about the same, and all that. ND filter to prevent scratches is quite wrong too, you lose about 2 stops of light, can be quite tragic when you don't need that effect...

I got it at $605w/o GST, comes with LUMIX bag and LEXAR 4GB SDHC card. Yeah, ND does that so its a no-no unless the need arises. Think I'll stick to UV filter from HOYA if its available at 46mm.

 

[ombre]

I got it at $605w/o GST, comes with LUMIX bag and LEXAR 4GB SDHC card. Yeah, ND does that so its a no-no unless the need arises. Think I'll stick to UV filter from HOYA if its available at 46mm.

Yes its available at 46mm. =) Relatively cheap too.

 

[Clunk]

Hi all FZers, does anyone know if the FZ 28 manual is available on line. My manual is copping a fair old hiding but will still be good for a couple of years but some of the diagrams are not too clear and very small. Especially some diagrams of icons that appear on screen, too tiny for these old eyes. I would have thought a CD would contain the manual but sadly,no.