Panasonic FZ30 Full zoom & focus question

[learning]

Hello all,

I have taken picture my whole life with little or no problem getting a good clear shot first time. But now I am a new owner of a Panasonic FZ30 and have had it since Feb. 2006 and have taken tons of pics. I have a couple of questions for others more experienced with this camera.

I have been trying to take pictures of egrets & pelicans at a fair distance using the full zoom (12 X optical) in Auto Focus & Manual focus and have had trouble getting a good sharp picture. I do use a tripod with the optical image stablizer on. I've tried different settings for the following: Scene mode, ISO, aperture/shutter speed. I've tried auto & manual mode, using EZ with less pixalation, taking pics with and without lens hood, also with and without clear filter lens (all lenses being clean), trying optical image stablizer in 1 and 2 setting, and finally getting as close as I'm able without a bird flying away and none of the above seems to work for me. I am not sure if the problem lies with me or is a natural tendency of the FZ30 to take soft focus pictures especially in full zoom.

I have been able to take a large number of beautiful pictures in other venues (not birds) but still find I must do post touchup work. Even when I use manual focus, I have noticed that I can never get a perfect sharp focus looking "through the lens" I have adjusted the diopter to my vision and then must estimate the best focus (of a slightly blurred image) and take the picture hoping for the best.

Is this the norm of the camera? Is this the norm of most good (non SLR) cameras?

Please help me if you can. I am still learning how to use this camera.

[LoveLife]

Originally posted by learning
Hello all,

I have taken picture my whole life with little or no problem getting a good clear shot first time. But now I am a new owner of a Panasonic FZ30 and have had it since Feb. 2006 and have taken tons of pics. I have a couple of questions for others more experienced with this camera.

I have been trying to take pictures of egrets & pelicans at a fair distance using the full zoom (12 X optical) in Auto Focus & Manual focus and have had trouble getting a good sharp picture. I do use a tripod with the optical image stablizer on. I've tried different settings for the following: Scene mode, ISO, aperture/shutter speed. I've tried auto & manual mode, using EZ with less pixalation, taking pics with and without lens hood, also with and without clear filter lens (all lenses being clean), trying optical image stablizer in 1 and 2 setting, and finally getting as close as I'm able without a bird flying away and none of the above seems to work for me. I am not sure if the problem lies with me or is a natural tendency of the FZ30 to take soft focus pictures especially in full zoom.

I have been able to take a large number of beautiful pictures in other venues (not birds) but still find I must do post touchup work. Even when I use manual focus, I have noticed that I can never get a perfect sharp focus looking "through the lens" I have adjusted the diopter to my vision and then must estimate the best focus (of a slightly blurred image) and take the picture hoping for the best.

Is this the norm of the camera? Is this the norm of most good (non SLR) cameras?

Please help me if you can. I am still learning how to use this camera.

I would say that if using a tripod shut off OIS. Change the focus and metering to spot. If the birds are that far away you need additional hardware. I suggest the Raynox DCR2020PRO and a 55-62mm step-up ring. That will produce about 950mm focal point. The other variable is the most difficult Environment. If you have a hazy day you are not going to get good quality pictures. You need full sun to pick-up the detail. The best time of day for birds is 11:00Am after the haze burns off or after 3:00pm for interesting lighting effects.

[learning]

Thank you LoveLife. I so appreciate your help. I love the camera but am still so new at the manual operations. I will give these good suggestions a go.

[freshaire67]

Yes, agreed.... the OIS does not function well at full tele especially shooting in full 8mp

either tripod without ois
or
ois at 5mp when at full extent


I love my fz-30 but I am guessing because of the smaller sensor any shot that is light sensitive (tele or low light) does much better at 5mp