Yes, the canon S2/S3/S5 series can really focus from 0cm in super-macro mode
(with Image stabilisation!). However the Panasonic Lumix can do the same,
with a much better optical zoom reach. 18 X is very impressive for birding.
Its really incredible what the lenses on this `genre' of camera are capable
of doing. I've `beefed' up my S2 quite a bit, and use it with wide-angle and
Raynox 2.2 tele extenders. In fact some of the Raynox gear works best on the
Panasonic Lumix series (not sure why) .
With extenders and conversion lenses, It delivers beautiful results,
equivalent to some of my canon Primes for my 20D, in terms of sharpness and
low CA (which is kind of annoying, lol). Owning `pro' gear is what has given
me so much respect for the lenses on these hybrid DSLR/camcorder type models
in general. If canon even offered an IS lens for its pro DSLRS capable of
f/ 2.7 , ISO 50, 500mm, 0mm min focus macro, it would cost thousands of
dollars!
I can't really comment much on the flash situation with the Lumix FZ18, but
as a kind of general rule I think off camera flash is a good idea.
Nat
On Dec 22, 2007 2:17 PM, David Stowe <> wrote:
> 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!
> > ===============================
> > www.birding-aus.org
> > birding-aus.blogspot.com
> >
> > To unsubscribe from this mailing list,
> > send the message:
> > unsubscribe
> > (in the body of the message, with no Subject line)
> > to:
> > ===============================
>
>
===============================
www.birding-aus.org
birding-aus.blogspot.com
To unsubscribe from this mailing list,
send the message:
unsubscribe
(in the body of the message, with no Subject line)
to:
===============================
|
