camera and binocular recommendations for the amateur
Aug 2nd, 2010, 12:34 AM
#82
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You're going to enjoy the FZ35, it will exceed your expectations in capability and user friendliness.
Down load its manual now and read through it. It's only about 40 small pages, not all that long. Then when the camera comes it will not seem so very strange. Please please please don't take it on safari in the box un-opened. Don't make me tell you the story of a friend who did that when he went to Spain
.
regards - tom
Down load its manual now and read through it. It's only about 40 small pages, not all that long. Then when the camera comes it will not seem so very strange. Please please please don't take it on safari in the box un-opened. Don't make me tell you the story of a friend who did that when he went to Spain
. regards - tom
Aug 2nd, 2010, 11:32 PM
#84
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Tom--I can only imagine the story behind the trip your friend took to Spain...so, yes, I do plan to download the manual and try the camera out before I depart---good advise and much appreciated.
Especially after the experience I had with Panasonic today. As I mentioned, I emailed them requesting a copy of the instructions. Their email response said " You can contact our parts department at 1-800-833-9626 to order one". They didn't mention that I would be on hold for 20+minutes only to be told it would cost about $15 and take 2-3 weeks!!! Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. Lucky I have this site and TOM!!!!
TigerPhotog---good to know. I got an email saying they were shipped today,,,so with a little luck (and not taking the slow boat to Hawaii) I'll get them in the next few days.
Thanks again for all the help I've gotten from all of you!
Especially after the experience I had with Panasonic today. As I mentioned, I emailed them requesting a copy of the instructions. Their email response said " You can contact our parts department at 1-800-833-9626 to order one". They didn't mention that I would be on hold for 20+minutes only to be told it would cost about $15 and take 2-3 weeks!!! Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. Lucky I have this site and TOM!!!!
TigerPhotog---good to know. I got an email saying they were shipped today,,,so with a little luck (and not taking the slow boat to Hawaii) I'll get them in the next few days.
Thanks again for all the help I've gotten from all of you!
Aug 12th, 2010, 04:55 PM
#85
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elizabethj-
You made a great choice! As practice, I have been snapping photos of local historical sites, native plants and landmarks- I'm in Philadelphia, so there are no shortage of those here! I have found that some came out so great that I am going to get them blown up and matted here and then framed in South Africa to give as gifts to my host families. It's a much more personalized present that beats a Liberty Bell pencil magnet or key chain!
Have a great time- can't wait to see your photos!
You made a great choice! As practice, I have been snapping photos of local historical sites, native plants and landmarks- I'm in Philadelphia, so there are no shortage of those here! I have found that some came out so great that I am going to get them blown up and matted here and then framed in South Africa to give as gifts to my host families. It's a much more personalized present that beats a Liberty Bell pencil magnet or key chain!
Have a great time- can't wait to see your photos!
Aug 13th, 2010, 12:03 AM
#86
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Aloha jkiefer---thanks for the update and reassuring comments!
Great to know our selected camera is working out well. Thanks again to everyone who responded on this topic.
Happy to report that mine arrived yesterday---just in time for some practice shots this weekend (in between wrapping up last minute details and the dreaded packing).
My binoculars are here too, but gotta pick them up at the post office on Saturday so haven't gotten to see them yet. Isn't this fun??!!
Hey--guess what? An instruction manual was included!!! Guess I didn't have to trouble my son's partner who so kindly printed it out for me last week off the web site. Let me know if you want me to send you that copy--I would be more than happy to do so.
Excellent idea about the personalized photo gifts--I'm sure they will be much appreciated.
You, too--have a great trip, I'm looking forward to your photos as well!
Great to know our selected camera is working out well. Thanks again to everyone who responded on this topic.
Happy to report that mine arrived yesterday---just in time for some practice shots this weekend (in between wrapping up last minute details and the dreaded packing).
My binoculars are here too, but gotta pick them up at the post office on Saturday so haven't gotten to see them yet. Isn't this fun??!!
Hey--guess what? An instruction manual was included!!! Guess I didn't have to trouble my son's partner who so kindly printed it out for me last week off the web site. Let me know if you want me to send you that copy--I would be more than happy to do so.
Excellent idea about the personalized photo gifts--I'm sure they will be much appreciated.
You, too--have a great trip, I'm looking forward to your photos as well!
Aug 14th, 2010, 12:05 AM
#87
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elizabethj-
Congrats and good luck with it- it really is user friendly and produces great photos even on IA mode. I think i will use the outdoor sports or nature settings the most, somewhere for you to start, I suppose.
Oh my word! Thank you for the offer- but I have a copy of the PDF on my netbook- which is going with me, as well as an abbreviated version on my iPhone- which is going as well.
I'm so excited for you! I know I have been losing sleep in anticipation and I still have 4 more weeks to wait! You must be giddy beyond belief!
Talk to you soon!
Congrats and good luck with it- it really is user friendly and produces great photos even on IA mode. I think i will use the outdoor sports or nature settings the most, somewhere for you to start, I suppose.
Oh my word! Thank you for the offer- but I have a copy of the PDF on my netbook- which is going with me, as well as an abbreviated version on my iPhone- which is going as well.
I'm so excited for you! I know I have been losing sleep in anticipation and I still have 4 more weeks to wait! You must be giddy beyond belief!
Talk to you soon!
Aug 25th, 2010, 07:59 AM
#88
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I have been using the FZ35 for a few weeks and so far think it's pretty good. I feel like the indoor shots with low lighting are awful though compared to a typical point and shoot. The ISO goes too high and the colors end up getting distorted pretty badly in my opinion. Indoor shots aren't the reason I bought the camera though and I'll have my TZ5 with me anyways that seems to take better indoor shots.
Aug 25th, 2010, 08:53 AM
#89
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I don't have the FZ35 but would think you can have some control of the ISO setting, yes? Perhaps by not using "auto"? If so, then you have to get "involved" with other settings such as shutter speed.
Don't know why it should be worse than typical point and shoot since they likely have the same sensor. The sensor is the key to image quality at low light levels, indoors.
regards - tom
Don't know why it should be worse than typical point and shoot since they likely have the same sensor. The sensor is the key to image quality at low light levels, indoors.
regards - tom
Aug 25th, 2010, 08:56 AM
#90
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Also, here is good discussion/question forum for Panasonic cameras, look around there for answers.
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/forum.asp?forum=1033
regards - tom
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/forum.asp?forum=1033
regards - tom
Sep 2nd, 2011, 09:21 AM
#93
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I have been looking for some decently priced binoculars as well, so I'm happy to check out all of the different suggestions. My friend suggested I go to http://relivetheoutdoors.com for discount outdoor gear, so you could certainly check there.
Nov 4th, 2011, 09:48 PM
#95
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What a surprise to see this thread still (kinda) going!
I'm getting ready to plan another trip---finally!!!
I'll probably use the camera and binoculars I got before my journey last year (based on the great recommendations here). But who knows? If we get this thread going again, might have to update!
One thing I can suggest for anyone reading this who doesn't have photographic experience, is to read all of the suggestions on this thread, because it was excellent advise. Don't be like me and get your equipment a few days before your departure, so you will have time to familiarize yourself with it. Yeah, the 20+ hrs of travel time gives you something to do (as in reading the directions), but doesn't fare well for taking the pictures you want to have when you return home!
I'm getting ready to plan another trip---finally!!!
I'll probably use the camera and binoculars I got before my journey last year (based on the great recommendations here). But who knows? If we get this thread going again, might have to update!
One thing I can suggest for anyone reading this who doesn't have photographic experience, is to read all of the suggestions on this thread, because it was excellent advise. Don't be like me and get your equipment a few days before your departure, so you will have time to familiarize yourself with it. Yeah, the 20+ hrs of travel time gives you something to do (as in reading the directions), but doesn't fare well for taking the pictures you want to have when you return home!
