Panasonic fz200 camera: Recently ordered the FZ200 and after playing around with it I find that it is not a truly 600 mm zoom. More like 500. Also I would like to order the 1.7...

VHD-Tex Loc: Mc Allen Tx.

Recently ordered the FZ200 and after playing around with it I find that it is not a truly 600 mm zoom. More like 500. Also I would like to order the 1.7 converter and was wondering if anyone has this and your thoughts on same. Thank you. Appreciate your help as I am learning this cameras features.

Paayl96 Loc: Boston

I bought this camera for my wife but I love it, i leave my Nikon D3100 at home and use this. Much better indoors taking pictures of my nephew playing hockey. I used it in St Lucia great quality images....very very happy with it but your right there is a LOT to learn with it

amehta Loc: Boston

VHD-Tex wrote:

Recently ordered the FZ200 and after playing around with it I find that it is not a truly 600 mm zoom. More like 500. Also I would like to order the 1.7 converter and was wondering if anyone has this and your thoughts on same. Thank you. Appreciate your help as I am learning this cameras features.

Many zooms do not reach their maximum focal length when focused in close. Were you focusing on something pretty close to you, and does the FZ200 get closer to 600mm if you are focusing something far away?

VHD-Tex Loc: Mc Allen Tx.

amehta wrote:

Many zooms do not reach their maximum focal length when focused in close. Were you focusing on something pretty close to you, and does the FZ200 get closer to 600mm if you are focusing something far away?

amehta--- Hi. Thanks for responding. I was focusing on something pretty far away and comparing it with my Canon Xti camera with my 300 f4 lens with a 2x teleconverter on M. focus. Was this a fair comparison?

VHD-Tex Loc: Mc Allen Tx.

Paayl96 wrote:

I bought this camera for my wife but I love it, i leave my Nikon D3100 at home and use this. Much better indoors taking pictures of my nephew playing hockey. I used it in St Lucia great quality images....very very happy with it but your right there is a LOT to learn with it

Paayl96--- I am happy with the camera thus far and I am learning fast. Its just a surprise that it was not 600 mm. It does reach out there pretty far and if I purchase the 1.7 TC I think it will serve my purpose as I also hate to carry around all the stuff I used to use.

VHD-Tex Loc: Mc Allen Tx.

Paayl96 wrote:

I bought this camera for my wife but I love it, i leave my Nikon D3100 at home and use this. Much better indoors taking pictures of my nephew playing hockey. I used it in St Lucia great quality images....very very happy with it but your right there is a LOT to learn with it

Paayl96--- I am happy with the camera thus far and I am learning fast. Its just a surprise that it was not 600 mm. It does reach out there pretty far and if I purchase the 1.7 TC I think it will serve me purpose as I also hate to carry around all the stuff I used to use.Sorry for the double.

medavis43 Loc: Folkston, GA

First, they zoom will go to something like 49.6 with out degradation (as opposed to only 24x). It will not go further than 24x when in Auto. I have the 1.7 and like it. Be sure to purchase the converter ring - it screws on the camera itself around the lens and then the 1.7 attaches to that. Puts the weight on that rather than your zoom lens. Both can be found on Amazon and of course your other favorite shopping spots. The 1.7 is BIG.Converter ring is LA-55 (FZ200)

VHD-Tex Loc: Mc Allen Tx.

medavis43 wrote:

First, they zoom will go to something like 49.6 with out degradation (as opposed to only 24x). It will not go further than 24x when in Auto. I have the 1.7 and like it. Be sure to purchase the converter ring - it screws on the camera itself around the lens and then the 1.7 attaches to that. Puts the weight on that rather than your zoom lens. Both can be found on Amazon and of course your other favorite shopping spots. The 1.7 is BIG.Converter ring is LA-55 (FZ200)

Thanks Medavis43--- Keep those peanuts coming and I will check out the 1.7 on Amazon.

medavis43 Loc: Folkston, GA

check out Graham Houghton's free manual for FZ200.
http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3588442

It's easier to follow than the Operator Manual but uses the book as the basis. I'm still learning with my FZ200 but I do love it.

amehta Loc: Boston

VHD-Tex wrote:

amehta--- Hi. Thanks for responding. I was focusing on something pretty far away and comparing it with my Canon Xti camera with my 300 f4 lens with a 2x teleconverter on M. focus. Was this a fair comparison?

When you saw the images, what made you decide that one had a different focal length than the other? If you thought the field of view should be the same, keep in mind that the FZ200 spec of 600mm is a "35mm equivalent", and with your Canon XTi + 300mm f/4 + 2x TC, you have a 960mm "35mm equivalent". Does your editing software tell you what the 35mm equivalent is? If not, and you are using Windows, you can get FastStone Image Viewer to see it from the EXIF info.

VHD-Tex Loc: Mc Allen Tx.

amehta wrote:

When you saw the images, what made you decide that... (show quote)

You are right amehta and I should have considered that. Learn something everyday. Duh!. I guess I was thinking the field of view would be a bit closer. Thanks so much for your help.

amehta Loc: Boston

VHD-Tex wrote:

You are right amehta and I should have considered that. Learn something everyday. Duh!. I guess I was thinking the field of view would be a bit closer. Thanks so much for your help.

It's not easy to compete with 960mm (35mm equivalent)! :-)

smhamilton41 Loc: Bozeman, MT

You will get all the info, basic and pro, on using the FZ 200 starting with this site:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0J9eeDlxsyg&list=PLFoIf_3ex-YIxsyKHN7DlBdZsMcAkWvot

Highly recommended.

VHD-Tex Loc: Mc Allen Tx.

medavis43 wrote:

First, they zoom will go to something like 49.6 with out degradation (as opposed to only 24x). It will not go further than 24x when in Auto. I have the 1.7 and like it. Be sure to purchase the converter ring - it screws on the camera itself around the lens and then the 1.7 attaches to that. Puts the weight on that rather than your zoom lens. Both can be found on Amazon and of course your other favorite shopping spots. The 1.7 is BIG.Converter ring is LA-55 (FZ200)

Medavis43 ---Got to thinking about your response (converter ring) and no one seems to know what ring this is or number. Can you come up with a size like 52, 55 or what ever and perhaps a model number so I can order it? Is it a step ring? Thanks. I'm learning! Will use it in Program or Aperture mode.

medavis43 Loc: Folkston, GA

It is LA-55FZ220 - basically LA-55. Amazon has them. It is not a step ring. It is 55mm (I believe) and actually screws on to the camera where the lens hood normally goes. This way the TC lens weight is supported by it and the camera and not your zoom lens. I didn't understand it at first. IT's a little over 2 1/2 inches long. That TC lens is big and heavy so it's nice it doesn't hang off your lens, especially when zoomed out.