A New Toy....

[Kobione]

Confession time - I was not going to say anything about this for a couple of weeks, to give myself time to learn and acclimatise - BUT, today we got a Panasonic FZ 150, bought from E-Bay. Excellent condition, still under 10 months warranty. I had extra work yesterday and today, but just had to go and play for a little while. I didn't alter any settings,(although we have got a series of tutorials lined up for when we have a bit more time), worked mainly in IA and macro and I'm really pleased with the results. Don't look at what the suibject matter is, or composition, this was literally just point & shoot. Around the garden, as usual:

Spider (5ml across) and his dinner

Just seeing what a randon picture looks like - just liked the colour of the Pomegranet leaves against the background

Through our grubby kitchen window - about 30 ft away and just zoomed a bit in IA

Up about 20 ft, in our poorly lit shed, 3 newly hatched Swallows, waiting to be fed

All in all very pleased. I can see me getting a bit more technically involved with this camera - and guess what will come for Christmas!:)

[Heather]

i cant get the first one to load for some reason, but looking at the rest i can see why your pleased ! nice detail on the close up ones especially

[NannyFerret]

Good choice. I have the FZ100 and it's used more than my SLR.

I see you are making good use of the Macro setting. Lovely shots.

[JohnP]

I've always like Panasonic cameras, over the years I've owned a FZ20, aFZ28, a FZ100 & a TZ3... I still have the last two.

[NannyFerret]

I am a Panasonic fan too. I still have my FZ 30 as well as my FZ100 which is used an awful lot.

Love the Leica lenses.

I can't see why some people still knock bridge camera's, they still have a place in the photography world.

[Kobione]

Thanks Heather, John, Nanny. We both currently have TZ 20's and are probably going to upgrade to TZ 30's after Xmas. They are brilliant to have with you everywhere you go. The 150 will be a 'play' camera to share for a short while, but at this stage we are still happy we didn't go the full way to a DLSR, and it will keep me busy for a time. Haven't had the chance to even investigate more settings as yet It's going working with us today - more opportunites perhaps.

[Black Pearl]

Great news on the new camera.

Bridge cameras are a major part of photography these days as they are 'good enough' for most uses, their lens range can be extraordinary, they're light weight and a sensible price.

On a personal note I wouldn't bother spending cash on upgrading to the TZ30 as pretty much all you are getting is 4x extra zoom - personally I don't think its worth it. Wait until next year and see what the 2013 models bring.

[Kobione]

Thanks BP. Really enjoyed another trial run today, mostly point and shoot in various circumstances, just to get the feel of things. I'm actually looking forward to experimenting in other settings. If this one works out well I can see us sticking with the 20's and getting another like this. Has to be a 'his' and 'hers' in this house!

[Leon]

Welcome to the LUMIX club

and check this guy out, he simplifies the camera really well http://www.youtube.com/user/ghough12

he also lives about 6 miles away from me :)

[FUJI]

NO excuses now Kobione ;-)

FUJI

[Kobione]

Leon, that's the series of tutorials we found. Have spent the last few days downloading them all so we can watch them and replay at our leisure. Did also pick his location!

Fuji, just don't know what to tackle first!!

[Guest Lee]

These are lovely and crisp with great colours.

I used to have a Panasonic LX3, cracking camera.