If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#41
|
|||
|
|||
Paul Allen wrote: David J Taylor wrote: Having looked again at the comparison at: http://www.imaging-resource.com/IMCOMP/COMPS01.HTM the macro capability of the FZ5 appears to be much superior to the S2 IS. Careful. The Canon has a "super macro" mode that lets it focus on dirt on the front of the lens. The Panasonic's Leica optics produce less CA at wider apertures, but the Canon sure does have a neat package of features. And it uses simple AA batteries. If Canon would just package better glass with the rest of those features, I'd have no decision. :-) Do you think that an FZ6 with a swiveling LCD will be here by Christmas? I have no idea, but Panasonic will need to do something like that to compete better with the Canon. It sure is nice for us to have all this fierce competition, no? Paul Allen But the Canon has the glass and features that it has and the Panasonic has the Leica lens and the features it has. So each is lacking in something. The question is which are you choosing and why? |
#42
|
|||
|
|||
Paul Allen" "paul dot l dot allen at comcast dot net wrote:
David J Taylor wrote: Having looked again at the comparison at: http://www.imaging-resource.com/IMCOMP/COMPS01.HTM the macro capability of the FZ5 appears to be much superior to the S2 IS. Careful. The Canon has a "super macro" mode that lets it focus on dirt on the front of the lens. The Panasonic's Leica optics produce less CA at wider apertures, but the Canon sure does have a neat package of features. And it uses simple AA batteries. If Canon would just package better glass with the rest of those features, I'd have no decision. :-) Do you think that an FZ6 with a swiveling LCD will be here by Christmas? I have no idea, but Panasonic will need to do something like that to compete better with the Canon. It sure is nice for us to have all this fierce competition, no? Paul Allen Yes, I heard about the Canon's focus on the front lens element but I felt that was, like many of the other Canon features, a gimmick. It's that sort of thing which puts me off the brand, and tends to obscure the poorer image quality. However, I did say "If that is the case", leaving people to make their own judgement. Actually, the FZ5 has a macro capability at its 432mm zoom which gives the macro a working distance of around three feet, and this is indeed very handy. I don't know if the Canon offers this. Personally, I consider the AA batteries of the Canon a drawback, having moved over to single package Li-ion batteries with my newer cameras. I wouldn't want to go back to multiple AA cells rolling about all over the place! I'm sure that by this time next year we'll have an even better choice! Cheers, David |
#43
|
|||
|
|||
measekite wrote:
But the Canon has the glass and features that it has and the Panasonic has the Leica lens and the features it has. So each is lacking in something. The question is which are you choosing and why? Between the S2 and the FZ5, I could probably flip a coin and be slightly dissatisfied with either. What I really want is the Panasonic FZ20 for its 2" screen and sweet manual focus. But that would mean a new case on top of a couple expensive spare batteries, a new memory card, filters, and what not. It's pushing the outer limits of what I've got budgeted. :-) Paul Allen |
#44
|
|||
|
|||
David J Taylor wrote:
Paul Allen" "paul dot l dot allen at comcast dot net wrote: David J Taylor wrote: Having looked again at the comparison at: http://www.imaging-resource.com/IMCOMP/COMPS01.HTM the macro capability of the FZ5 appears to be much superior to the S2 IS. Careful. The Canon has a "super macro" mode that lets it focus on dirt on the front of the lens. The Panasonic's Leica optics produce less CA at wider apertures, but the Canon sure does have a neat package of features. And it uses simple AA batteries. If Canon would just package better glass with the rest of those features, I'd have no decision. :-) Do you think that an FZ6 with a swiveling LCD will be here by Christmas? I have no idea, but Panasonic will need to do something like that to compete better with the Canon. It sure is nice for us to have all this fierce competition, no? Paul Allen Yes, I heard about the Canon's focus on the front lens element but I felt that was, like many of the other Canon features, a gimmick. It's that sort of thing which puts me off the brand, and tends to obscure the poorer image quality. However, I did say "If that is the case", leaving people to make their own judgement. I'm not sure I'd call the funky macro a gimmick, but it is odd that the camera has two macro modes. I tend to agree about the brand. When I bought my first real camera back in 1976, the choice came down to a Canon AE1 or an Olympus OM-2n. I recall there was a lot of hype in the air about the AE1, and the Olympus was a little more expensive. But when I held the two of them in my hands, the mostly plastic AE1 felt cheap and the all-metal OM2n felt like it would last. I still have the OM2n and I see they're going for about $150 on EBay. Who knew? Actually, the FZ5 has a macro capability at its 432mm zoom which gives the macro a working distance of around three feet, and this is indeed very handy. I don't know if the Canon offers this. The FZ20 has a minimum focus distance of 6.5' at extreme telephoto, and this doesn't change in macro mode. At extreme wide-angle, the minimum focus distance is 1', and .16' in macro mode. A poster here determined through experimentation that 3x of the zoom is available in macro mode. I don't have the FZ5 manual handy. If its macro mode operates even at the long end of the zoom, that could counterbalance the nice manual focus on the FZ20. Dang! Just when you think things are stable, new data turns up! :-) Personally, I consider the AA batteries of the Canon a drawback, having moved over to single package Li-ion batteries with my newer cameras. I wouldn't want to go back to multiple AA cells rolling about all over the place! I've never had a problem with AA's rolling about, but I have been without juice in Podunk, Idaho, and had to buy a 12-pack of alkaline AA cells at Wallmart. If the Li-ion cells were as inexpensive and common as AA cells, I'd go for a single rectangular cell instead of four cylindrical ones. But they're not. And that leaves me seriously considering buying a camera with a battery that will cost too much and most likely leave me high and dry some day. Fiddle! I'm sure that by this time next year we'll have an even better choice! Yup, better firmware, better features, newer technology, at about the same price-point as today. But, will it be an easier choice? Paul Allen |
#45
|
|||
|
|||
Paul Allen" "paul dot l dot allen at comcast dot net wrote:
[] The FZ20 has a minimum focus distance of 6.5' at extreme telephoto, and this doesn't change in macro mode. At extreme wide-angle, the minimum focus distance is 1', and .16' in macro mode. A poster here determined through experimentation that 3x of the zoom is available in macro mode. I don't have the FZ5 manual handy. If its macro mode operates even at the long end of the zoom, that could counterbalance the nice manual focus on the FZ20. Dang! Just when you think things are stable, new data turns up! :-) Yes, this is a new feature in the FZ5 (my wife's FZ20 doesn't have this), and having macro with a much longer working distance can be very handy! Effectively you have either short-zoom macro (which may go up to 3:1 zoom perhaps), and the long zoom macro which provides a horizontal field width of about 3.5 inches at a working distance of about 36 inches. I've never had a problem with AA's rolling about, but I have been without juice in Podunk, Idaho, and had to buy a 12-pack of alkaline AA cells at Wallmart. [] I'd recommend getting at least one spare battery for being out a whole day in the field, perhaps a second spare to be really sure. The Panasonic batteries are widely available though at reasonable prices. I do wish the manufacturers would standardise on battery shape, though - one size fits many cameras - so that you /could/ get them in corner stores! One up for the AA cells today. Cheers, David |
#46
|
|||
|
|||
"Paul Allen" "paul dot l dot allen at comcast dot net" wrote in message ... David J Taylor wrote: I'm sure that by this time next year we'll have an even better choice! Yup, better firmware, better features, newer technology, at about the same price-point as today. But, will it be an easier choice? Paul Allen Sure, and the year after, and the year after that..... That way, you 'll never choose a camera. JohanE |
#47
|
|||
|
|||
JohanE wrote:
"Paul Allen" "paul dot l dot allen at comcast dot net" wrote in message ... David J Taylor wrote: I'm sure that by this time next year we'll have an even better choice! Yup, better firmware, better features, newer technology, at about the same price-point as today. But, will it be an easier choice? Paul Allen Sure, and the year after, and the year after that..... That way, you 'll never choose a camera. JohanE Yeah, and think of all the money I'll save! :-) Paul |
#48
|
|||
|
|||
imbsysop wrote:
[] what about this new Sony offspring ? [] opinions ? Cons: - doesn't use standard storage (CF or SD) - quite a lot heavier than Panasonic FZ5 - more expensive than FZ5? - uses AA cells - image stablisation not as effective? - auto-focus not as good? - lens quaility not as good? Pros: - uses AA cells (depends on your point of view!) - good ergonomics As this is Sony's first attempt at an image stabilised camera, I might be more inclined today to stick with the firms like Canon or Panasonic who are now into their second or subsequent attempts. Cheers, David |
#49
|
|||
|
|||
"Paul Allen" "paul dot l dot allen at comcast dot net" wrote in
... David J Taylor wrote: Having looked again at the comparison at: http://www.imaging-resource.com/IMCOMP/COMPS01.HTM the macro capability of the FZ5 appears to be much superior to the S2 IS. Careful. The Canon has a "super macro" mode that lets it focus on dirt on the front of the lens. The Canon instruction manual does not provide fully correct info on how to get into the "super macro mode". You need to press the macro button twice and the second time hold it extendedly for at least a second. /per |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
FS: Canon EOS Digital Rebel 6.3 Megapixel Used | Anonymous | Digital Photo Equipment For Sale | 0 | December 27th 04 08:47 AM |
Canon 10d or Nikon D70. | Dmanfish | Digital Photography | 102 | August 18th 04 12:26 PM |
WTT: Canon EOS Lenses for Nikon AFD Lenses | Frank Malloway | Digital Photo Equipment For Sale | 0 | June 26th 04 12:53 AM |
FS: Canon Powershot S45 (4 MP) Digital camera + extras... | basjan | Digital Photo Equipment For Sale | 2 | February 2nd 04 05:17 AM |
FS: Cameras For Parts | Jerry Dycus | 35mm Equipment for Sale | 5 | September 27th 03 12:51 PM |