FZ3 users, what do u think of your cam?

Zephirum · 11th October 2004

Considering to get one. Any comment regardng this baby?

LifeWorld · 11th October 2004

Have you read the DPreview?

Zephirum · 11th October 2004

Originally Posted by LifeWorld

Have you read the DPreview?

THks . I have read (nad that's why I am considering

). I want more comment from users here.

Savio · 12th October 2004

Zephirum, I may be the only one here to answer your question.
Hope some more FZ3 owners will join the forum, so lonely here

I bought my FZ3 about one month ago. Can share with you some experience:

Before I bought it, I've done intensive research on different cameras, e.g. Olympus C-770, KM-Z3, Canon IS. Panasonic's FZ-series should be the best: fast lens, 12X zoom, OIS, quick response... Then my next comparison is between FZ20 and FZ3.

I choose the FZ3 because I'm not a professional and I don't want to bring a large camera bag to go around. Usually I go outings with the whole family including my new born baby. You can imagine how troublesome it is, camera, video camcoder, baby's stuff..... On the other hand, I can't be satisfied with the picture quality from my wife's CoolPix 3200. So FZ3 is the best choice for me.

During my business trip to HK last month, I carried it with me and had chance to make full use of it. It's small enough to be squeezed inside my briefcase. I carried it everywhere to shoot photos after office hour... a sense of freedom.

You are welcomed to view my gallery. All the pics are taken w/o using tripod or other accessaries.
http://gallery.clubsnap.com/showgall...0/ppuser/13508

I consider the 3MP resolution is an advantage for me because it's good enough for 4R & 8R printing and a 512Mb SD card can store almost 400 pics.

I had also bought a 55mm to 52mm step down so that I can use all my old 52mm filters, e.g. CP, ND, diffuser... I can also consider to buy 52mm T-con or W-con in the future.

The only disadvantage is that FZ3 doesn't have hot shoe for ext. Flash.

Hope this info is useful for you.

Zephirum · 12th October 2004

Savio, good that you enjoy using ur FZ3. Nice phtos. Are all those night photos taken without tripod? How long does the batt. last? If it is AA batt., it would be perfect for travelling.

Thks for your commentary.

Savio · 12th October 2004

They were taken w/o tripod ( because I can't bring my tripod to the office).
For long explosure shots, I need to use some supports, e.g. lamp post, fence, handles... which are easily available. I need to set the OIS to mode-1 for continuous stab. effect, and use the 2 sec self timer to trigger the shutter.
About the battery, I also thought that the AA-size is a better choice because it's easily available anywhere. But it's not the most important factor for the comparison. My 1st priority is the lens and therefore I choose FZ3 instead of the KM's Z3.
For the FZ3, I need to buy an extra battery (original = $68 nett) because one can only last for about 250 shots (w/o flash). The advantage of Li-ion battery is that they are small & light. However, they are expensive and the camera is dead when the battery is exhausted.
I'm considering to make my own battery compartment so that I can use AA batteries (alkaline or NiMH) and connect it to the Ext. DC-IN . It can be locked to the bottom via the tripod screw. with this, I still can use my camera if both batteries are exhausted

dotti · 12th October 2004

wah the DI for the above image done every well ah......or is it the original colour of the fz3??! chrome!

Savio · 12th October 2004

The DPS9000 is also a rechargeable battery but with higher capacity.
It will also go flat one day. I can't recharge it outdoor. What I mean is to make a battery compartment so that I can buy AA alkaline batteries in urgent case. Anyway, the DPS9000 has good reputation from other forums and can be used for FZ-series camera. It's good for heavy-duty usage.

FYI, I have uploaded the images of the hood adaptor in my gallery :

http://gallery.clubsnap.com/showgall...0&ppuser=13508

I'm afraid that the plastic thread may get worn in long run, and therefore I add the 55-52 ring adaptor.

Savio · 12th October 2004

Yes, until you hear the click sound. It's that simple.
BTW, I thought the FZ1 or FZ2 also has this hood adaptor, maybe I'm wrong.

11th October 2004	#1
Zephirum Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 216	FZ3 users, what do u think of your cam? Considering to get one. Any comment regardng this baby?

12th October 2004	#4
Savio Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Yishun Posts: 87	Zephirum, I may be the only one here to answer your question. Hope some more FZ3 owners will join the forum, so lonely here I bought my FZ3 about one month ago. Can share with you some experience: Before I bought it, I've done intensive research on different cameras, e.g. Olympus C-770, KM-Z3, Canon IS. Panasonic's FZ-series should be the best: fast lens, 12X zoom, OIS, quick response... Then my next comparison is between FZ20 and FZ3. I choose the FZ3 because I'm not a professional and I don't want to bring a large camera bag to go around. Usually I go outings with the whole family including my new born baby. You can imagine how troublesome it is, camera, video camcoder, baby's stuff..... On the other hand, I can't be satisfied with the picture quality from my wife's CoolPix 3200. So FZ3 is the best choice for me. During my business trip to HK last month, I carried it with me and had chance to make full use of it. It's small enough to be squeezed inside my briefcase. I carried it everywhere to shoot photos after office hour... a sense of freedom. You are welcomed to view my gallery. All the pics are taken w/o using tripod or other accessaries. http://gallery.clubsnap.com/showgall...0/ppuser/13508 I consider the 3MP resolution is an advantage for me because it's good enough for 4R & 8R printing and a 512Mb SD card can store almost 400 pics. I had also bought a 55mm to 52mm step down so that I can use all my old 52mm filters, e.g. CP, ND, diffuser... I can also consider to buy 52mm T-con or W-con in the future. The only disadvantage is that FZ3 doesn't have hot shoe for ext. Flash. Hope this info is useful for you. Last edited by Savio; 12th October 2004 at 11:36 AM.

12th October 2004	#5
Zephirum Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 216	Savio, good that you enjoy using ur FZ3. Nice phtos. Are all those night photos taken without tripod? How long does the batt. last? If it is AA batt., it would be perfect for travelling. Thks for your commentary. Last edited by Zephirum; 12th October 2004 at 12:04 PM.

12th October 2004	#6
Savio Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Yishun Posts: 87	They were taken w/o tripod ( because I can't bring my tripod to the office). For long explosure shots, I need to use some supports, e.g. lamp post, fence, handles... which are easily available. I need to set the OIS to mode-1 for continuous stab. effect, and use the 2 sec self timer to trigger the shutter. About the battery, I also thought that the AA-size is a better choice because it's easily available anywhere. But it's not the most important factor for the comparison. My 1st priority is the lens and therefore I choose FZ3 instead of the KM's Z3. For the FZ3, I need to buy an extra battery (original = $68 nett) because one can only last for about 250 shots (w/o flash). The advantage of Li-ion battery is that they are small & light. However, they are expensive and the camera is dead when the battery is exhausted. I'm considering to make my own battery compartment so that I can use AA batteries (alkaline or NiMH) and connect it to the Ext. DC-IN . It can be locked to the bottom via the tripod screw. with this, I still can use my camera if both batteries are exhausted Last edited by Savio; 12th October 2004 at 01:20 PM.

12th October 2004	#8
Savio Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Yishun Posts: 87	The DPS9000 is also a rechargeable battery but with higher capacity. It will also go flat one day. I can't recharge it outdoor. What I mean is to make a battery compartment so that I can buy AA alkaline batteries in urgent case. Anyway, the DPS9000 has good reputation from other forums and can be used for FZ-series camera. It's good for heavy-duty usage. FYI, I have uploaded the images of the hood adaptor in my gallery : http://gallery.clubsnap.com/showgall...0&ppuser=13508 I'm afraid that the plastic thread may get worn in long run, and therefore I add the 55-52 ring adaptor. Last edited by Savio; 12th October 2004 at 06:15 PM.

11th October 2004	#2
LifeWorld Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: East Coast Posts: 2,319	Have you read the DPreview?

12th October 2004	#7
dotti Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: strawberry field Posts: 295	wah the DI for the above image done every well ah......or is it the original colour of the fz3??! chrome!