Panasonic Lumix FZ200 (Page 3): I have a FZ-150 with the hood and the same shadow occurs when you leave the hood on and take a picture with the built in flash. Panasonic tells you to...

smhamilton41 Loc: Bozeman, MT

I have a FZ-150 with the hood and the same shadow occurs when you leave the hood on and take a picture with the built in flash. Panasonic tells you to remove the hood to prevent this shadow when using the flash. The reason is the flash is not high enough and forward enough to miss hitting the hood which casts a shadow on the lower part of your picture like the one in your example.

The hood's function is to shade the lens from light sources outside of your picture view, so it serves a purpose when not using the flash.

moldmichael

From the FZ200 manual - - - >

"When taking pictures with flash with the lens hood attached, the lower portion of the photo may turn dark (vignetting effect) and the control of the flash may be disabled because the photo flash may be obscured by the lens hood. We recommend detaching the lens hood."

SneakySnake

I have had the Panasonic Lumix FZ200 for 6 months, and have not had that problem, with or without the hood. Perhaps you have a defective camera. Take it back to the dealer.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

sb wrote:

Is this a whine and cheese party?

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

smhamilton41 Loc: Bozeman, MT

The shadow is caused by the hood being in the way of the flash would not be noticeable if there is already plenty of light.

Try taking a flash picture of a white wall in low light area with the hood on. I think you will see a shadow in the bottom of your picture.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Walter1949 wrote:

Thanks "schuchmn" that is my point. I am too lazy to take if off and putting it back on, taking if off and putting it back on.
And yes, I found out later on that Panosonic mention something about it in FZ200 manual on page 17.
Walter1949

Walter, I managed to extract that exact quote you referenced from page 17 of the manual:

"When taking pictures with flash with the lens hood attached, the lower portion of the photo may turn dark (vignetting effect) and the control of the flash may be disabled because the photo flash may be obscured by the lens hood. We recommend detaching the lens hood."

Apparently Panasonic is not so paranoid about having portions of their Adobe manuals copied!

GaryS1964 Loc: Northern California

Happened to me two years ago. Was walking around all day with my 7D and 15-85 with lens hood attached. As the sun went down I didn't think anything about the lens hood still attached as I shot some pics using the built in flash of two of my grandchildren eating ice cream at a table. When I transferred the pics to my laptop I saw the dreaded shadow. I learned from that experience and haven't done it since.

Racmanaz Loc: Sunny Tucson!

jethro779 wrote:

Why would you be using a lens hood and flash together anyway?

LOL I was thinking the same exact thing lol

Racmanaz Loc: Sunny Tucson!

I can understand why Panasonic would not reply to your emails lol.

EstherP

Walter1949 wrote:

It would have been if not for one small flaw but very annoying one which Panasonic for some reason, strangely did not noticed or forgot to mention to those who decided to buy this camera. Like yours truly.
( ...snip...)
One thing I cannot understand thought is a fact that Panasonic , one of the biggest company in the World in photo technology did mist something so obvious.

Regards,

Ah, but they didn't forget. And with the manuals on-line this day and age, once you decide on a certain camera, you could DL the manual for that camera and see what's there....
Page 17 of the Advanced Manual, under Note at bottom of page.
EstherP

schuchmn

Racmanaz wrote:

I can understand why Panasonic would not reply to your emails lol.

I disagree. Even if the question had an answer that's obvious to many here and was contained in the manual, I think it's poor customer service to ignore a query from an unhappy user and it's a great way to lose future business. If the OP hadn't gotten help here, he would probably never have bought another Panasonic product again.

Just my opinion.

Racmanaz Loc: Sunny Tucson!

schuchmn wrote:

I disagree. Even if the question had an answer that's obvious to many here and was contained in the manual, I think it's poor customer service to ignore a query from an unhappy user and it's a great way to lose future business. If the OP hadn't gotten help here, he would probably never have bought another Panasonic product again.

Just my opinion.

Well you do have a valid point there.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

Walter1949 wrote:

For Photography Enthusiasts.

Warning about Panasonic newest baby Lumix DMC-FZ200 Point and Shoot Camera.
The newest baby by Panasonic in photography world is Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ200, point and shoot camera.
It would have been electronical and technological marvel for $600.00. With Lens by Leica which for those who know a little bit about lenses and cameras are one of the best optics in the World.
It would have been if not for one small flaw but very annoying one which Panasonic for some reason, strangely did not noticed or forgot to mention to those who decided to buy this camera. Like yours truly.
It has to be a specific situation to be photograph for the photographer to notice the flaw and it is possible only after the picture was taken and very often after it was transfer to home computer.
The picture taken has to be with wide angle, built in flash has to be use, and lens has to have lens hood attached.
The black shadow will be the biggest when the lens is at 25mm focus . (wide angle) and it will get smaller towards 50mm. And than there is no problem up to 600mm.
When taking picture with lens at 25mm (wide angle) and using build in flash during exposure the upper part of the lens hood will cast a big black half circular shadow in too the middle of the bottom edge of the picture. Which will be permanent and it will happened every time the picture is taken in those conditions by anyone with every Lumix FZ200 camera still on the market and already at homes. .
This result will occur also when taking macro photography if we use built in flash and lens hood.
I e-mail Panasonic 4 or 5 times. So far not even once have I received a satisfactory answer or useful information or anything. I called the number Panasonic provided on Internet around five times. Panasonic didn't even have the guts to pick up the phone and talk with me.
Panasonics respond to one of my e mail on this subject was. - use external light instead of built in flash. You absolutely right. That does solve the problem because I have tried it and it did worked. The problem with this solution is guys that this is POINT AND SHOOT camera. Not a studio camera. Lets say there is a group of people who would like have their picture taken together. We are inside. Space is limited we have to use wide angle and we know what the result of that will be.
So, what people at Panasonic suggesting is getting additional light and forget about built in flash. If we want the picture to come out nice we need good strong light. That may take some effort organizing. We did not buy POINT AND SHOOT camera to worry about additional lighting. By the way the Lumix FZ200 is quite capable of handling this situation lightening ways except for that black shadow.
That is what in my opinion Panasonic should be working on. How to get rid of black shadow from pictures taken in certain situations.

Or, we can take the lens hood off. Panasonic did not suggest that. This is my three cents. Of course I still realize that the lens hood is there for a reason. Not because it looks pretty.
In one of the Panasonic's responds to my many of e-mails to them, they try to explain to me what is lens hood and what is its purpose. Thank you Ladies and Gentleman at Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ200 point and shoot camera for that insightful explanation. But I have been taking pictures all my life as a professional and now as an amateur, and I know what the lens hood is and what its purpose is.
You point you shoot, and the picture should come out beautiful. Shouldn't it. And believe or not in most instances they do, because it is a pretty good little camera. Except that one time when we use wide angle, built in flash and lens hood. I can guarantee you, that every time we will take this picture, we will get big black shadow in the middle of the bottom of the picture.
I am posting this in my News Paper in the "Letters do the Editor" just to worn people against buying Lumix DMC-FZ200 to save them disappointment and aggravation of dealing with the company later on. Trust me it is not a pleasant experience. Besides, the camera cost $600.00. For a lot of people it is a lot of money. So for that kind of money they expect trouble free sailing. Which they will not get if they buy Lumix DMC-FZ200.

One thing I cannot understand thought is a fact that Panasonic , one of the biggest company in the World in photo technology did mist something so obvious.

Regards,

For Photography Enthusiasts. br br Warning abo... (show quote)

This is typical for built in flashes. That's one reason they sell add on flashes.

Also the Panasonic lenses are only based on Leica designs, and not made by Leica and are Leica lenses in name only and do not perform as well.

Walter1949

Agreed on the second part of your comment "smhamilton41"
The first part- by the time you take the hood of you might loose the shot. Walter1949

Walter1949

I know it now "Moldmichael". Page 17
Walter1949