13. Panasonic FZ18 digital camera

[David Stowe <>]

It's not possible with any lens to have a 0mm focal length! Was it a  
typo with the key number missing?
I think there is some confusion here with terminology between  
focussing distance and focal length.
(Even with macro it isn't possible for a lens to focus at 0mm.) Macro  
doesn't necessarily have to be any particular focal length.
Whilst many will be looking at the longer end of the zoom range for  
bird photography it is important to remember the wider end of the  
spectrum. Firstly, that is where the number of times zoom is  
calculated from.
eg a 10X zoom that extends to 500mm (equivalent) starts at 50mm which  
is not at all wide angle. For people who want an all purpose camera  
the wider end is (i feel) equally important, or at the least  
something to think about.
For example a 10X zoom (again to make the maths simpler) that starts  
at 28mm would be great for landscapes compared with one that starts  
at 38mm even though the latter will result in a more bird friendly  
380mm.
Hope that is helpful.

Also i agree with the review websites that other have mentioned-  
steve's digicams and dpreview are fantastic.
Rob Galbraith has one too.
http://www.robgalbraith.com
His site also has some great independent tests on memory card  
performance with particular digital SLRs which can be very insightful.
Cheers
David Stowe


On 22/12/2007, at 7:37 AM, Natalia Atkins wrote:

> RE: 13. Panasonic FZ18 digital camera
>
>   Its interesting that
> its not even possible to buy a Pro IS (image stabilised)  lens with  
> a reach
> of 0mm (macro) - 500mm! .
> Anyway, I'd say go for it. You can't go wrong with the elns on the  
> Panasonic
> FZ18!
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