Panasoni FZ50/LX2 Firmware Petition

[odklizec]

As it looks, the original thread about firmware petition is lost due to a database crash..
http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthrea...hreadid=219404

So I'm starting it again.

I've started a petition for a Panasonic firmware update. Up to this date (three days after start) we have 120 petitioners. Nothing overwhelming, but the numbers increasing

The main reason of this petition is the fact the Panasonic Venus III engine is simply too aggressive and kills a lot of fine details. We discussed this problem at dpreview forums and then I though about petition for simple firmware update (applicable on LX2 and FZ50), which will allow us to to turn the in-camera picture adjustments completely OFF, especially the Noise Reduction. Adjusting Noise Reduction to LOW is simply not enough.

If you check these full resolution FZ50 images..
http://www.pbase.com/fz3pics/fz50_low_light_test_pics

..or these full res. crops I made from the above full res. images..

ISO 100:
http://filexoom.com/files/23998/ISO100_crops.png
ISO 200:
http://filexoom.com/files/23998/ISO200_crops.png
ISO 400:
http://filexoom.com/files/23998/ISO400_crops.png
ISO 800:
http://filexoom.com/files/23998/ISO800_crops.png
ISO 1600:
http://filexoom.com/files/23998/ISO1600_crops.png

Also this is very good example of the problem, this time taken with LX2:
http://filexoom.com/files/23998/lx2_..._iso_crops.jpg

Please, ignore the ISO 200 RAW shot. It's blurred by an accidental camera shake

You will clearly realize how strong is the Venus III noise reduction, even at lowest possible level. It would really be great if Panasonic would release (finally) a user installable firmware, which will allow us to set the JPEG noise reduction to OFF.

So if you are interested, read and sign the petition, which is available here..

http://www.gopetition.com/online/9523.html

Maybe if we collect enough petitioners, we will change something?

Some time ago, many Casio z850 buyers cried about bad quality of video taken with this camera in high-quality mode. The official Casio statement was "there will be no firmware update nor we are working on it". But now, few months after Z850 release, there is a firmware fix (better said workaround) for this problem!

So why not with Panasonic? I'm sure, we can be successful if we will act together..why not give it a try? We can't lose anything. So please, read and sign the petition and tell about it to as many Panasonic photographers as you know.

[micah4]

Hey, petition made news at photographyBlog...and now stands at 300+ signatures.

[Hexlord]

Wow you came all the way here to Clubsnap

[odklizec]

365 and counting.. Only if we could have more News announcements like this at photographyblog and the recent announcement at Hungarian pixinfo.com. A Japanese or Chinese announcement would be just great. I tried to send an email to http://dc.watch.impress.co.jp/ but English email is most probably not the best idea And maybe we need to translate the petition to more languages then just English? LX2 and FZ50 are so great but the high level of noise reduction in JPEG is so bad..

[odklizec]

Cool..we now have 666 petitioners! It seems people finally found our little petition. We now get around 100 new souls per day So when we will collect 1000 signatures, I will send the first note to Panasonic (..well..if I find a WORKING email).

[micah4]

upzz for a worthy cause.

[micah4]

864 signatures at this moment...and counting

[odklizec]

1000 is so close! Probably sometime next week..

I'm now waiting for D-Lux3/V-LUX samples and PDF manual and then I will probably extend this petition also to these "Leica-Pana" cameras. What's really interesting, ISO range of both new "Leicas" starting form ISO80. New (enhanced) version of LX2/FZ50 ccd? Better firmware processing allowing lower ISO? Or just simple firmware (marketing) switch allowing such low ISO value in Leicas but not in Panasonic? Who knows??? We will have to wait for some samples and PDF manual.

[odklizec]

The 1001 petitioner has just been registered! Well done all! Hope we will get more attention now..

[eejal]

registered user no 1177

[micah4]

1269 signatures at this moment...

from all the comments and 'analysis' in this forum alone, it looks like the LX2 cannot escape the rich shadow of it's predecessor, the LX1 - especially since the newer model does not provide any commendable features and results that would wow the owners and any future buyers of the LX2 - resulting in LX1 still remaining the favorite coz of its unique features at its launch...and cheaper now (if it's still available in stores).

Instead of raves and wows about the LX2, we hear now preference and leanings towards its other more highly branded 'brother', the D-lux 3!

Pannie needs to recover grounds lost...in responding positively to the current petition to revise and release it's firmware to the general public. That's my view and opinion.

[kross]

they will hear it....but for lx3...

[odklizec]

1330 and counting! We will soon celebrate one month of running this petition Of course, 1300+ signed people is still nothing in comparison to all sold LX2/FZ50 cameras. But in my humble opinion, it's still a very solid number, especially if you get that not all customers surfing net, reading digital camera forums and with low public knowledge about this petition?

I'm sure, Panasonic could get many new loyal customers and undying respect from existing users, giving this little petition a go and do something really positive! Well, I have no doubt they will consider this feature addition to LX3/FZ60-70. But why waiting one year if it's sooo easy to do with just released cameras? What they can lost?..Nothing! They can only earn by listening their customers!

[kross]

Originally Posted by odklizec 1330 and counting! We will soon celebrate one month of running this petition Of course, 1300+ signed people is still nothing in comparison to all sold LX2/FZ50 cameras. But in my humble opinion, it's still a very solid number, especially if you get that not all customers surfing net, reading digital camera forums and with low public knowledge about this petition? I'm sure, Panasonic could get many new loyal customers and undying respect from existing users, giving this little petition a go and do something really positive! Well, I have no doubt they will consider this feature addition to LX3/FZ60-70. But why waiting one year if it's sooo easy to do with just released cameras? What they can lost?..Nothing! They can only earn by listening their customers!

if they improve on the lx2 now, they will have 1 less major improvement for the lx3 which they're probably tooling up a prototype now....

[odklizec]

Honestly, I don't think this little feature can be called "major improvement" It's rather a "feature for skilled persons not worrying about noise", but that's all. I'm sure, it's not even worth of mentioning it in marketing docs. But if Panasonic would listen the customers and release the firmware based on their request..that can be used in their favor!

[meyman]

When do you plan to contact Panny to let them know about the petition?

[melvinch]

Can we have a petition for sensor replacement as well ?

A Foveon inside the FZ50 would be a godsend. The ultimate digicam with best lens, best sensor and best handling.

[odklizec]

Just a quick update..

After first month of running this little petition we collected over 1500 signatures (exactly 1570 for now) and the numbers still increasing. Sure, it's small number in comparison to all sold Lumix cameras. But it's solid proof of something wrong with default in-camera noise reduction, or at least a proof that some "pro" users simply need better control over in-camera NR. Check the people's comments in their signatures.

Unfortunately, we don't have any reaction from Panasonic yet. But it can have two reasons.. Panasonic simply playing dead horse, or most probably, the petition is running too short for an official reaction from Panasonic's side. Who knows? Maybe if we collect few more thousand of signatures, Panasonic will finally take us seriously? Or maybe not.. But at least we tried something. Wise marketing could easily turn this petition into their favor.