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DPChallenge Forums >> Individual Photograph Discussion >> FZ20 Zoom at night. Comments please
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 12/02/2004 07:56:19 PM · #1
I took these shots tonight while out trying to get the right shot for the ‘landmark challenge’. First time I had took night shots [other than buildings] with my FZ20 and when I got home I was amazed at the zoom. Please compare the wide-angle view and the zoom view and let me know what you think. NOTE: The zoom is of the lights below the blue sky on 2/3 vertical line and 1/2 horizontal line in the wide angle view. That’s the best way to say where the zoom is at, I guess. Thanks for any comments and any critiques are welcome.
Scott W.
Wide Angle = 36mm
Zoom = 432mm
12/02/2004 09:09:53 PM · #2
The zoom is very impressive, but it would be to me since I have a FZ20 myself, lol. It is difficult, even with your directions, to pick out in the first shot the area that you zoomed in on in the second. The images are mostly pretty dark so if there is excessive noise it shows less. The huge zoom is a major attraction for the FZ20 but I think it is very good for night shooting also with it's auto-focus assist lamp.

This is my best night shot with my FZ20
.
Of course this is a wide angle and has been cleaned up with Neat Image.
12/02/2004 09:20:50 PM · #3
Very nice pictures, Scott. I can't believe how close the zoom got you! So far, I haven't tried out my FZ20 at night. It's been too cold here to go out at night and shoot. We were 20 below zero two nights ago and 12 below last night.

12/02/2004 10:53:03 PM · #4
Originally posted by coolhar:
The zoom is very impressive, but it would be to me since I have a FZ20 myself, lol. It is difficult, even with your directions, to pick out in the first shot the area that you zoomed in on in the second. The images are mostly pretty dark so if there is excessive noise it shows less. The huge zoom is a major attraction for the FZ20 but I think it is very good for night shooting also with it's auto-focus assist lamp.

This is my best night shot with my FZ20
.
Of course this is a wide angle and has been cleaned up with Neat Image.


Thank you for your comment. Your night shot is great

Originally posted by Sammie:
Very nice pictures, Scott. I can't believe how close the zoom got you! So far, I haven't tried out my FZ20 at night. It's been too cold here to go out at night and shoot. We were 20 below zero two nights ago and 12 below last night.


20 Below? Ouch!!!! and I though it was cool tonight, it was 47

12/02/2004 11:07:07 PM · #5
Nice shooting Scott! I really like the wide angle shot and left a comment. Someday I'm going to be this good!! :)
 12/02/2004 11:12:32 PM · #6
Originally posted by rayg544:
Nice shooting Scott! I really like the wide angle shot and left a comment. Someday I'm going to be this good!! :)


Thank you for you kind comments.
Scott W.

12/02/2004 11:21:47 PM · #7
Nice shots! I am still on the fence as to whether to get the Panasonic FZ3 or the Canon S1 for my carry everywhere camera.

I am leaning toward the Z3 for the 12x zoom and for such great quality pics I see here. But the Canon has other advantages for me, including the swivel display and the use of AA batteries and CompactFlash.

The real toss-up: what about the noise levels? Can you get a clear sky without noise on the Z20? How is it with higher ISO values (from what I've seen, Canon has less noise at the lowest ISO, but the Canon noise quickly becomes unbearable when you raise the ISO). But even at the lowest ISO, the Panasonic samples I've seen have noise in the sky!!! Is that your experience?

Message edited by author 2004-12-02 23:22:35.
 12/02/2004 11:36:31 PM · #8
I think the FZ20 is about average for noise. It has settings of 400, 200, 100, 80 and auto which will select 80 or 100. I think 80 & 100 are usable, 200 needs to be Neat Image'd most of the time and 400 is problematic.
 12/02/2004 11:38:17 PM · #9
Originally posted by nshapiro:
Nice shots! I am still on the fence as to whether to get the Panasonic FZ3 or the Canon S1 for my carry everywhere camera.

I am leaning toward the Z3 for the 12x zoom and for such great quality pics I see here. But the Canon has other advantages for me, including the swivel display and the use of AA batteries and CompactFlash.

The real toss-up: what about the noise levels? Can you get a clear sky without noise on the Z20? How is it with higher ISO values (from what I've seen, Canon has less noise at the lowest ISO, but the Canon noise quickly becomes unbearable when you raise the ISO). But even at the lowest ISO, the Panasonic samples I've seen have noise in the sky!!! Is that your experience?


I like the FZ1 and FZ20 and I guess the FZ3 is the same, because of the lens. Not only the zoom but also the F2.8 troughs out the lens from wide angle to full zoom. I wish I did have a tilt display [could of used it tonight] and I think the FZ models have a good low noise level. I have a few sky shots that I took during the daytime I can upload and show you it you would like.
 12/03/2004 12:01:57 AM · #10
I just noticed that a shot taken with a FZ20 won POTD in the Animals category yesterday at BestFoto.com
 12/03/2004 12:36:46 AM · #11
Originally posted by coolhar:
I just noticed that a shot taken with a FZ20 won POTD in the Animals category yesterday at BestFoto.com


Thanks for sharing that coolhar. Looks like the FZ20 will be able to compete in the right hands holding it and eye looking trough it.
NOTE: Fixed link here
 12/03/2004 03:21:24 AM · #12
Yep, it can take some pretty good night shots.



Message edited by author 2004-12-03 03:22:43.
 12/03/2004 03:39:39 AM · #13
Originally posted by BobsterLobster:
Yep, it can take some pretty good night shots.



Very nice photographs.
 12/03/2004 03:40:04 AM · #14
I've took a few nice night pics with my FZ2 including this one



I think that it's well worth working to the Panasonic's main strength (the beautiful leica lens) and keeping to ISO 50 or 100 and use long exposures.
12/03/2004 03:46:18 AM · #15
Originally posted by colda:
I've took a few nice night pics with my FZ2 including this one



I think that it's well worth working to the Panasonic's main strength (the beautiful leica lens) and keeping to ISO 50 or 100 and use long exposures.


Nice night shot. It seems as if the FZ cameras are good at night shots.
 12/03/2004 03:53:24 AM · #16
Originally posted by colda:
I've took a few nice night pics with my FZ2 including this one



I think that it's well worth working to the Panasonic's main strength (the beautiful leica lens) and keeping to ISO 50 or 100 and use long exposures.


And I love the lighting!

Message edited by author 2004-12-03 03:56:16.
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