Panasonic FZ300/330

[Beaux Reflets]

Just working my way through the 300+ pages of the full manual. But on the subject of the lens at f2.8 I would say that it is a little soft wide open, but not that you would notice at usual print or display sizes, and it is remarkably free of CA. By the time you get to f4 the lens is pin sharp at all focal lengths. It also has stops at f3.2 and f3.5, but I haven't tested those yet, what with it raining constantly for the past two days. The maximum ISO I have used so far is 800, and that tidies up very nicely in DXO.

So, in a nutshell I'm still very pleased with it.

Have a look at the excellent macros from Simon Marshall on Flickr. Pretty much all at f4 with an extension tube and a Panasonic close-up lens (I asked him).

I thought FZ300 was a fixed lens - how do the extras attach? Just googled 'Panasonic close-up lens' and can now see how its done.

I wonder if the 260g additional weight would mean a heavier drain on battery power and leverage strain, wear & tear upon the tele mechanism?

Doing more research I realise now, that the x1.7 teleconverter perhaps sits over the whole of the moving lens mechanism, effectively protecting it    while increasing the optical zoom to x40 which would suit rather nicely. Mmmm more to think about.

[Hinfrance]

Took delivery yesterday of a Godox TT350o mini dedicated cobra flashgun. My word is it good. Very impressed with its performance on about 20 test shots indoors (weather is still miserable). Looking forward to trying out the remote flash capabilities, although as I only have the one unit (so far) I won't be able to use the 2.4ghz wireless control on offer. Might get an X1To to have a play.

[Beaux Reflets]

Hi Howard,
I'm interested to know more upon the tele/converter options you went for and how things are panning out with your FZ300 adventure.

[Hinfrance]

Hi Andy, just a quick update. I am not going to bother with the tele multiplier, I really have no use for it (at the moment). I have taken delivery of two extension tubes, the first an after market example from eBay that simply didn't fit - now in use as a desk caddy, and a second genuine one from Amazon that does fit. So far I have only experimented with a couple of cheap eBay 55mm close up lenses that I have had for long time - the results are not too shabby, I'll try to find some time to post a few. It has enabled me to make the decision to by a Panasonic close up lens, which I hope to do next month.

I also took the opportunity in eBay's new year sale to buy an X1T, 30% off, and that is brilliant. I kind of feel cheated as I only have one flashgun to control, but it works really well.

End of bulletin

[jinky]

Took delivery yesterday of a Godox TT350o mini dedicated cobra flashgun. My word is it good. Very impressed with its performance on about 20 test shots indoors (weather is still miserable). Looking forward to trying out the remote flash capabilities, although as I only have the one unit (so far) I won't be able to use the 2.4ghz wireless control on offer. Might get an X1To to have a play.

Everybody on Fuji groups goes on about how great the Godox 350 and 685 flashes are on their cameras. Should be a good buy.

I just weakened and bought a Russian Helios 44 - 2 lens  which is supposed to give a unique swirly bokeh when used fully open and again is raved about in a Leeds photography group on Facebook on various bodies. Got it for £20 on ebay and it came today. Looks clean and built like a tank - probably from late 70s early 80s. Manual only of course and I cannot even test it until I get the M42 to Fuji adaptor which is on it`s way. Curious when I got it out though. Discovered it is a "pre-set lens" with 2 aperture rings. 1 has clicks and you set it at the aperture you want to shoot with . You get the exposure right having moved the 2nd  smooth running aperture control at the right number to nail exposure. However you can then use that smooth one to fully open for maximum light to nail focus before sliding it back down to selected aperture. Very odd- even odder is that the numbers don`t correspond on the 2nd smooth ring so the iris is fully open when the red dot is at the f16 end and closed down at the f2 end. Going to be a learning experience!!! I`m seeing if anyone locally has an adaptor available to test it with for peace of mind until mine gets here on the slow boat from China!

[Beaux Reflets]

I came across this page http://www.safari-guide.co.uk/panasonic-telephoto-conversion-lens.php which appears to be quite helpful, especially as I think with my condition of being clumsy, I would prefer moving parts to have a physical measure of protection.

[Hinfrance]

Paul - good luck with the new lens. Sounds intriguing and well worth a punt for £20. I've got a partially working Zenit on my shelf - never taken a photo with it on account of the sticky shutter. A Zenit was my first SLR
Andy - yes, I'd seen that site and the Raynox sounds like a very good choice - but rather more expensive than the Panasonic alternative, albeit with a greater multiplier. I'm going to try to take some shots today of the camera with the extension tube on, and also a few close up or macros - although you have to understand that the lenses are very cheap indeed.
Later!

[Hinfrance]

Andy, here are some pictures you might find helpful:







This shows that the lens barrel doesn't protrude past the end of the extension tube even at full zoom:








Using the macro and 4x lenses is a bit hit and miss as they don't have the same characteristics as the genuine close up lens - auto focus doesn't work precisely, gets you in the right ball park. The automatic setting for macro lenses sets the aperture minimum to f4 and zooms to 121mm. In a serious case of NTIT (not thought it through) the preset also turns of the flash. Which considering the camera can control 3 remote flash groups is a bit daft. I had to use flash on the sample images - it's still dull and overcast here today at times.

[Beaux Reflets]

Thanks Howard much appreciated 

[Beaux Reflets]

I just noticed the EZ feature - Extra optical zoom - I think I'm going to have to try saving a bit harder and hope the price drops to speed things up.

[Beaux Reflets]

I feel sure Howard has already found this site; but for others pondering Panasonic Lumix Bridge cameras FZ200 & FZ300/330 there is a mountain of information to be found here https://www.grahamhoughton.com/ https://www.grahamhoughton.com/

[Beaux Reflets]

Finally took to temptation of FZ300 - Early days getting used to settings and handling with my shakes



Given its specs, in general I'm impressed with the out of camera jpeg files and how much of the detail is still retained after Noise Reduction.

[Simple]

Wow, that is very impressive for a bridge camera.

[Beaux Reflets]

Wow, that is very impressive for a bridge camera.

It certainly packs a punch Simon 

Thanks for the heads up and encouragement Howard 

[Hinfrance]

Wowsee, that is a corking shot Andy. Did you get the close up lens with the camera?