Panasonic Lumix FZ1000 - help? looking for suggestions for using this new camera. I previously had a Canon and a Nikon bridge camera but wanted one with higher sensor/resolution. But...

LParis Loc: Victoria, BC Canada

looking for suggestions for using this new camera. I previously had a Canon and a Nikon bridge camera but wanted one with higher sensor/resolution. But I'm totally lost - I've tried to read the manual and this camera has so many options I'm totally overwhelmed. I currently just use it in the Intelligent Automatic Plus mode and I've been really happy with the photos so far but would like to branch out.

Anyone know of a Lumix FZ1000 book for Dummies?

what I'd specifically like to try right now is bracketing exposures for HDR -- I know the camera itself can do it automatically, but I'd like to try setting the bracketing numbers myself -- that would be a start if anyone knows how to do that? Perhaps by putting it in Program mode?

I was lucky with my Canon and Linda was able to give me a set of numbers to plug in so that I could shoot in Program mode on the Canon and not just stay in automatic.

so if anyone uses this camera or knows of a source to get a book to help, I'd appreciate the info. Thanks.

tainkc Loc: Kansas City

I don't think you need a book. If you are overwhelmed with all the options available on your camera, then you probably should not be messing around with bracketing. With that being said, keep trying anyway. Try using different settings besides auto or program modes. light it up, have fun! Yep, a lot of you pics will stink, but after awhile, a light bulb will go off in your head and you will catch on. It won't have to take a month of Sundays either. Once you figure out how to control the exposure that you want and not what the camera wants, then you will be ready for bracketing and you can do all the HDR that you desire.

No book necessary, just practice,practice, practice. I am not saying books are bad, it is just that one needs the practical to go along with it. You should have been there when I did my very first automobile engine rebuild. It was a disaster! And I read the books! Now I can do it in my sleep.

LParis Loc: Victoria, BC Canada

thanks for the words of encouragement - I'm still trying to find out where and how I can change the exposure -- there's a button that looks similar to the exposure button on my Canon but I haven't been able to make it change - I probably need to get out of the IA mode - though on the Canon, I could be on auto and still mess with the exposures.

tainkc wrote:

I don't think you need a book. If you are overwhe... (show quote)

tainkc Loc: Kansas City

LParis wrote:

thanks for the words of encouragement - I'm still trying to find out where and how I can change the exposure -- there's a button that looks similar to the exposure button on my Canon but I haven't been able to make it change - I probably need to get out of the IA mode - though on the Canon, I could be on auto and still mess with the exposures.

I'll tell you what... I had a hard time with a camera manual not very long ago and I was looking for a button also. I could not find it anywhere in the text, so I went to one of the front pages that had a pictorial with numbers pointing to different things. Then I read the list of what each number represents and found it Sesame Street style. And just think, I even went to college and graduated! Try that. By the way, what kind of exposure button are you looking for? Are speaking of the ISO or what? Maybe we can help. Maybe. Lol.

LParis Loc: Victoria, BC Canada

I was looking for a button that will +/- the exposure so that I can have several different exposures to put together in an HDR program -- I found the buttons - there are 2 actually -- but pushing them doesn't seem to change the exposure at least in the Intelligent Automatic mode - so I'm thinking I may have to use Program mode to do this -- I just need some guidance in setting it up.

tainkc Loc: Kansas City

LParis wrote:

I was looking for a button that will +/- the exposure so that I can have several different exposures to put together in an HDR program -- I found the buttons - there are 2 actually -- but pushing them doesn't seem to change the exposure at least in the Intelligent Automatic mode - so I'm thinking I may have to use Program mode to do this -- I just need some guidance in setting it up.

It sounds more like you need to be in aperture mode. This function is not necessary in full manual mode because you can simply dial in a little more or a little less exposure simply by adjusting the shutter speed.

LParis Loc: Victoria, BC Canada

thanks - I definitely don't want to be in full manual mode because I don't know what I'm doing!!

tainkc Loc: Kansas City

LParis wrote:

thanks - I definitely don't want to be in full manual mode because I don't know what I'm doing!!

Actually, with a little practice, you will learn to love it. You will be doing less bracketing, that is for sure. You will also notice that the majority of your photos will be much sharper and crisper. because you will learn to control the light and depth. Think about it. For instance, with good light, you can set your ISO nice and low for maximum resolution (less noise). You can pick an aperture of your choosing to create the DOF that you wish. Then, simply adjust the shutter speed to where the needle is in the middle. You should get a pretty good picture. At that point, if you wish to bracket, simply adjust the shutter speed a little slower to allow more light in, take a pic, then adjust the shutter speed a little faster to reduce the light and take a picture. Now you have 3 photos with which to bracket. Easy. Oh, and watch tutorials on youtube.

LParis Loc: Victoria, BC Canada

thanks!

tdekany Loc: Oregon

Why don't you go to YouTube and type in your model + tutorial. Enjoy

jimfullwood Loc: Sarasota, but Ex pat from UK

You are correct in thinking some functions do not work in IA plus , in the manual there are icons of which mode each function will work in.

Check out this link for great information videos, this should lead you to a few.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4y5Tsc5qfUM&list=PLJj3demzZ_dT7wJ85jVgCKBSF3kzvRTjo
Good luck its a great camera but is a learning curve.

Infinite Imager Loc: California

Hello, I've had every FZ model up to the FZ200. Everything you want or need to know is on YOU TUBE. Go to you tube and type in: fz1000 graham and you'll see there are several short and long videos by Graham Houghton. He is the FZ guru and one of the best videographers. He has a series of 8 videos if you type in: fz1000 based videos. All The Best, Andy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yJaAnW2AB4&list=PLFoIf_3ex-YJd8okc8PtlviLIjNO1m1B8

Frank

Check out this site for Lumix FZ cameras. This photog specializes in these cameras. It may be of help!!

Link http://www.grahamhoughton.com/

TRAVLR38 Loc: CENTRAL PA

I can see why you are overwhelmed by the manual. But just go to the things you want. For example in the pdf manual, which you can download. simply hit control-F, and in the box which appears, type bracket. This take you to pages 171-172 of the manual. there it ells you to set the left upper dial to bracketing, the middle icon. Then go to menu->REC -> auto bracket to set the number of exposures and the steps between them.
Not so hard if you eat the big cheese one nibble at a time.

LTImbeau

I too have issues with the supplied .pdf manual and didn't find any Lumix for dummies type books. I did find an app for my iPod and a similar printed booklet explaining the Panasonic menu system that greatly helped me at Amazon.com. Search for The Panasonic GH4 Menu System Simplified by David Thorpe.
He goes through the various menu options step by step explaining what each does and the various settings for each. Also, he shows you what settings he set his own cameras up with for the C1, C2 quick change settings.Well worth the small price, IMO.